Happy Spring Break!

Have a very, very, very happy spring break!  See you bright and early on 4/7!

Billy Bug Coordinate Plane Graphing Game

Check out this fun game HERE!

3/27

Study your measurement facts!  Work on AM.

Finish DITB 19. 

Finish your genre project and your AR book if you haven't already!

3/26

We are pushing really hard to get in all of our AM measurement practice BEFORE the measurement test on Friday.  Please work on AM!

Finish spelling and/or vocabulary choices.

Many students need to make corrections to their science workbooks!  They must find the page number in their book where they can find the answer, plus write the correct answer in their workbook if they would like to earn back points toward their assignment grade.

Don't forget that your genre project is due on Friday, and you must take the AR test on your book by Friday too!

Wear sneakers for Thursday's fitness gram fitness test.

3/25

Finish sci. WB p. 28-31.

Complete any AM corrections please!

Finish WOW.

3/24

Please finish AMP or AME to work on measurement (standard & customary) and measurement conversions.

Study for your social studies Ch. 19 & 20 test (Peace in the Middle East and You & Your Computer).

Your award-winning book genre project is due by Friday!

This Week's ELA: Hurricanes

4^th 9 Weeks, Week 2

Spelling: Greek/Latin Roots #12 tract and struct

*Spelling choice activity due Thursday (if you made below 100% on Friday’s test).

*Quizlet.org is a great online site to study the meanings of these words.

*You need to know the definitions of these words as well as how to spell them for the tests on FRIDAY.  Use the definitions to help you study.

tract = ________________________________     struct = ___________________________________

1.             distract (v.) to pull a person’s attention in another direction  

2.             abstract (adj.) pulled away from direct relation to anything; impersonal as in attitude or views

3.             contract (v.) to pull together to make smaller in size or bulk; to pull inward; opposite of “expand”  

4.             attract (v.) to pull into something; to pull into oneself

5.             extract (v.) to pull out by force

6.             traction (n.) a pull to the arm or leg muscles to bring a bone back into place when it is dislocated  

7.             protract (v.) to pull out; to make something take longer; to prolong

8.             retraction  (n.) a statement or promise that is pulled back or taken back  

9.             subtract (v.) to pull some out, therefore having less left over

10.         tractor (n.) a powerful vehicle that pulls farm machines and hauls heavy loads

11.         construction  (n.) what is built; buildings that are created or produced

12.         destruction (n.) the act of taking down or destroying something that was built

13.         obstruction (n.) something that blocks the way of things being created or built; something in the way

14.         instruct (v.) to build knowledge

15.         instructor (n.) a person who helps someone build knowledge

16.         reconstruct (v.) to build again

17.         infrastructure (n.) the parts of a city on which the rest of the city was built around: roads, communication, transportation, and schools

18.         substructure (n.) the base, support, or foundation of a building

19.         superstructure (n.) something built on top of something else; the part of the building that was built on top of the foundation or base

20.         misconstrue (v.) to build the wrong meaning; to misunderstand; to interpret the wrong way

VOCABULARY: Hurricanes

Monday: Fill in the blank for each definition (using your textbook glossary).

Complete a vocabulary choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test (due Thurs.).

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday.

1.    atmosphere:  (n.)       the _________________________ around the Earth

2.    available: accessible; _________________________

3.    contact: point of _________________________; connection  

4.    damages: (n.) losses from _________________________ to property or people

5.    destruction: (n.) ruin; _________________________

6.    hurricanes: (n.) tropical _________________________

7.    property: something _________________________ or possessed

8.    surge: (n.) large _________________________

TESTED READING SKILLS: analyzing text structure; figurative language; multiple-meaning words

GRAMMAR FOCUS: Possessive pronouns

WOWs are due Wednesday!

DITB #19 is due Friday!

Have you read your award-winning book?  Genre projects are due NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 3/28!

3/20

Reread "Goin' Someplace Special."

Study spelling & vocabulary.

Finish DITB 18!

3/17

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Please finish your Civil Rights project and study for your test!

This Week's ELA: 3/17

4^th 9 Weeks, Week 1

Spelling: Greek/Latin Roots #11 cede, ceed, cess and vers, vert

*Spelling choice activity due Thursday (if you made below 100% on Friday’s test).

*Quizlet.org is a great online site to study the meanings of these words.

*You need to know the definitions of these words as well as how to spell them for the tests on FRIDAY.  Use the definitions to help you study.

cede, ceed, cess = ________________________________             vers, vert = ___________________________________

1.             accessible (adj.) able to go in to, enter, or approach

2.             accessory (n.) an article or item worn with an outfit that “goes with” or matches the outfit

3.             successor (n.) a person who goes after someone else (usually related to a person taking over a job that is of higher rank)

4.             concede (v.) to yield to an opponent that one has lost; to give in; to admit that something is true and valid

5.             intercede (v.) to mediate; to go between people to help them reach an agreement

6.             exceed (v.) to go or be beyond the limit or expectations

7.             recede  (v.) to go or move back

8.             precede (v.) to go before something else in time, order, place, or rank

9.             proceed (v.) to keep going; to go ahead with something; to move along

10.         recess  (n.) the time during which people go out to take a break

11.         anniversary (n.) the date on which an event occurs every year; every year an event turns a year older

12.         convert (v.) to turn or change your beliefs or way of thinking

13.         conversation (n.) a discussion that switches back and forth from one person to another; a discussion that “turns back and forth”

14.         diversify (v.) to divide up money into different investments so that if one area turns for the worse then you will be protected

15.         diversion (n.) something that turns your attention off of what you are thinking about

16.         introvert (n.) a person who turns his or her attention inward toward himself or herself; a shy person

17.         extrovert (n.) a person who turns his or her attention outward toward other people

18.         revert (v.) to turn back to a previous action or thought; to go back in thought or speech; to give back

19.         invert (v.) to turn or flip in the opposite direction

20.         subvert (v.) to corrupt or undermine; to turn against established authority

VOCABULARY: Goin’ Someplace Special

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through THURSDAY for your test FRIDAY.

1.     autograph: (n) a person’s name written in the person’s own handwriting

2.     fare: (n) the cost of a ride on a bus, train, airplane, ship, or taxi

3.     blurted: (v) said suddenly or without thinking

4.     permission: (n) consent or agreement from someone in authority

5.     chiseled: (v) cut or shaped with a sharp metal tool called a chisel

6.     scald: (v) to heat to a temperature just below the boiling point

7.     clenched: (v) grasped or closed tightly

8.     spectacular: (adj) very impressive or unusual

TESTED READING SKILL: Character and setting

GRAMMAR SKILL: Pronouns and antecedents

DITB #18 is due Friday!

Have you read your award-winning book? 

Computer Sites to Visit TODAY

Brainpop.com (unionco/panthers) to watch:

*Civil Rights

*Jackie Robinson

*Martin Luther King Jr.

      *Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka

Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights Timeline

Civil Rights Movement

3/12

Finish AM and sci. WB p. 160-163 if you weren't able to finish this afternoon.

Complete spelling or vocab choices if required.

Scroll down for a reading extra credit opportunity!

Extra Credit Reading Opportunity

In honor of our doughnuts today, here's an extra credit opportunity!  Go to this website, read the passage, and answer the questions on your own paper to turn in tomorrow.  Have fun!

3/11

Tomorrow is picture day!!!  You must pre-purchase class pictures ($13).  You will also be able to order individual pictures.

Finish math WB p. 168 & p. 170 if you didn't get them finished this afternoon.
Finish WOW.
Study spelling & vocabulary!  (Choices are due Thurs.)

Literacy Night will be Thursday from 6:00-7:00.  Report to the cafeteria.

Help Wanted!

Our cupboards are bare (or at least running low)!  If at all possible, could you send in treats for our treat bucket?  Things like individually wrapped candy and stickers are greatly appreciated.

Our treasure box only seems to have "girly" items lately.  If you have any new or gently used small toys or other fun treasures, we would love to give them away.  Students earn trips to the treasure box for winning the ticket lottery on Friday, earning their book goal, earning 100 AM objectives, etc., etc., etc.

Also, a heads up!  We are really close to earning 150 stars (141 is a class record from 2 years ago), which will result in a MAJOR party.  I would appreciate your help if you can when the time rolls around!

Quizlets and Brainpop.com

Vocabulary Quizlets can be found HERE and HERE.

If you have time, also go to Brainpop.com (unionco/panthers) to watch:

*Civil Rights

*Jackie Robinson

*Martin Luther King Jr.

*Cesar Chavez

*Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka

Don't forget about extra credit!

Math:  *Multiplying & Dividing Fractions

            *Reducing Fractions

            *Coordinate Plane

            *Polygons

ELA:   *Roots, Prefixes, & Suffixes

Sci:      *Heredity

SS:       *Cold War

Spring Forward!

Don't forget to spring forward this weekend!  Set your clocks ahead one hour.

Be sure to read your AR books this weekend.  Have you started your award-winning book?

If you need a little extra AM time, spend some time working and studying this weekend.  Thank you!

3/6

Finish DITB #14 and study for your spelling & vocabulary tests!

"Yakety Yak" (Kenny's Favorite Song)

We are reading (and really enjoying) The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963.  Did you know that some cars really had record players installed in them?  We thought that was a figment of the author's imagination, but it turns out to be real.  This video clip is even playing Momma's favorite song ("her song"), the Drifter's Under the Boardwalk!  The main character Kenny's favorite song is Yakety Yak.

3/5

Today's writing test administration went well!  The students worked very hard during the two sessions.  I am very proud of their effort.

Finish the math WB p. 160 & p. 162 if you haven't already.  We will go over them Thursday.

If you have time, work on spelling and/or vocabulary choices (due Th.) & DITB 14 (due Fri.).

3/4

TOMORROW IS THE WRITING TEST!  Please get everything ready for school tonight before you go to bed to make the morning easier.  Get a good night's sleep, and eat a good breakfast in the morning.  The test will be completed in a morning and an afternoon session.

This week's WOW is a bonus WOW and not required.

Math WB p. 160 & p. 162 are due THURS., as are spelling and/or vocabulary choices.
DITB 14 is due Friday.

Happy National Grammar Day!

Who knew that today is National Grammar Day?  Dot your is and cross your ts today and always!

3/3

Scroll down for this month's genre project and this week's spelling & vocabulary. 

*The writing test is this Wednesday.  Please get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast!  Students do NOT have to complete a WOW this week but may for extra credit.

If you didn't scan AM today, you have AM HW.

Work on spelling or vocab choices (due Th.)

Math WB p. 160 & 162 is due Thurs.

March's Genre Project: Award-Winning Books

This month’s genre project is not based on a specific literary genre; rather, you are to read a book that has won an award of some sort.  It needs to be an AR book that you quiz on by the end of the month.  You will share your book and its award(s) using one of the projects below, including an oral presentation {10 pts.}.  You may share your project before the 28^th.  Whatever project you choose to create, be sure to include the following information:

• Title of book, author, and genre {10 pts.}
• Award(s) and what the award(s) mean(s)  {20 pts.}
• A summary of the plot, characters, and setting (without giving away the ending) {30 pts.}
• A recommendation of the book {10 pts.}

Here are a few project suggestions.  If you have an idea not on the list, be sure to get your idea approved before beginning.  Make sure that no matter what project you choose, you include all of the abovementioned elements and that it is appropriate to your book {10 pts.}!

• Create a new book jacket (front/back cover), a mobile, or a diorama (complete with illustrations and award).
• Create a timeline showing a chain of important events from the book.
• Dress as one of the characters and act out a characterization, or put on a puppet show.
• Fill a paper bag with symbols or artifacts from the book. You will need to explain how each one relates to the book you read.
• Talk to the class about your book by saying a little about the author, explain who the characters are and explain enough about the beginning of the story so that everyone will understand what they are about to read. Finally, read an exciting, interesting, or amusing passage from your book. Stop reading at a moment that leaves the audience hanging and add something like, "If you want to know more you'll have to read the book." If the book talk is well done almost all the students want to read the book.
• Appeal to your classmates’ stomachs by making an edible book report! Locate a recipe for a food dish that plays a role in a book or one that represents the setting of the book. When you share the food with your classmates, you will need to explain how the dish relates to the book read.
• Create a map highlighting places described in the story. Many of the map’s features should be based on information provided by the book’s author. The map might show the immediate neighborhood or community in which the book takes place; if the author offers ample description of the home or another place as the central setting for the book, then your map might detail that place. In most cases, the completed maps will involve some conjecture on the part of the mapmaker. Explain his or her reasoning when you present your map and book to the class.

Whatever you choose, make sure that your project is neat (as in legible and creative) {10 pts.}!  Both your AR test score and your project score will count as a reading test grades.  

Assigned 3/3/14

Project due NO LATER THAN Fri. 3/28/14

This Week's ELA: 3/8

Spelling: Greek/Latin Roots #9 flect/flex and frail/fract/frag

*Spelling choice activity due Thursday (if you made below 100% on Monday’s test).

*You need to know the definitions of these words as well as how to spell them for the tests on FRIDAY.  Use the definitions to help you study.

flect/flex = ________________________________ frail/fract/frag = ___________________________________

1.             flexible (adj.) capable of bending without breaking

2.             reflect (v.) to bend or throw back light or heat; to fold or turn back

3.             deflect (v.) to turn or move to one side; to bend; to swerve

4.             circumflex (n.) to bend around or curve

5.             flexor (n.) a muscle that bends a part of the body, such as an arm or a leg

6.             inflection (n.) the bending of a person’s voice so that it does not sound boring or within only one tone; making one’s voice go up and down

7.             reflection (n.) the image a mirror that is a result of bending light when it is thrown back

8.             inflexible (adj.) not capable of being bent without breaking

9.             reflex angle (n.)  an angle that is great than 180⁰ because the angle bent beyond a straight line

10.         retroflex (n.)  bent or turned backward

11.         fragile (adj.) so delicate that it could break easily; easily damaged

12.         fragment (n.) an incomplete sentence; a break in a sentence

13.         fragmented (adj.) describes something that is broken into pieces

14.         suffrage (n.) to break into an issue; to vote

15.         refract (v.) to bend light so that it looks like it is broken

16.         fraction (n.) a part of a whole; a broken piece of something that is no longer whole

17.         infraction (n.) a broken rule; a violation

18.         fractals (n.) the type of geometry that creates broken patterns out of a smaller version of the design

19.         fracture (n.) a break in a body part

20.          frail (adj.) being easily broken or destroyed

**You are NOT required to complete a WOW this week, but you may complete one for extra credit.**

VOCABULARY: The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 (#2)

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through THURSDAY for your test on FRIDAY.

1.             gigantic (adj.) - so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

2.             tease (v.) – to mock or make fun of playfully

3.             orbit (v.)  - the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another

4.             grind (v.) – to press or grind with a crushing noise

5.             embarrassing (adj.)  - causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation

6.             accent (n.)  - distinctive manner of oral expression

7.             peon (n.)   - a laborer who is obliged to do menial work

8.             disgust (adj.) - strong feelings of dislike

9.             mourning (n.)   - state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

10.         confess (v.)  - to admit (to a wrongdoing)

11.         tolerate (v.)  - to put up with something or somebody unpleasant

12.         execute (v.)  - to kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment

*DITB #14 is due Friday.