Clcik below to watch our Elf Dance:
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/MOtL6enYyxYKvXOPPlWJ
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Class Update
Hellow students and families! This is a short letter to let you know "where we are" in the curriculum:
Math - Chapter 11, testing on Friday, Dec. 5.
Science - We began the matter/energy unit. Kat's dad will be joining us in class to demonstrate his creative mastery of holiday lighting.
Social Studies - Next week, we'll be into Chapter 5, studying the effects of the Lousisiana Purchase.
Writing - Our focus is back to poetry, using alliteration and metaphors/similes.
Reading - different groups are completing various books. Our current focus is understanding fact v. opinion and connecting that to author's purpose.
Spelling - Unit 10.
We will be creating circuit boards in class, using manila folders, brass brads, and aluminum foil. If your student takes an interest in circuit testers, then you know who to blame. : )
Math - Chapter 11, testing on Friday, Dec. 5.
Science - We began the matter/energy unit. Kat's dad will be joining us in class to demonstrate his creative mastery of holiday lighting.
Social Studies - Next week, we'll be into Chapter 5, studying the effects of the Lousisiana Purchase.
Writing - Our focus is back to poetry, using alliteration and metaphors/similes.
Reading - different groups are completing various books. Our current focus is understanding fact v. opinion and connecting that to author's purpose.
Spelling - Unit 10.
We will be creating circuit boards in class, using manila folders, brass brads, and aluminum foil. If your student takes an interest in circuit testers, then you know who to blame. : )
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
First Autumn Photo Entry
Nice picture, Alexis! This is our first entry into the Autumn Picture Contest. Any more pictures need to be emailed to me by Friday. You may bring a pic on a flash drive or cd, if that's easier.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Chapter 7 Landforms - Science
A landform is a natural feature on Earth’s surface.
A mountain is an area that is higher than the land around it.
Hills look like mountains, but they are smaller.
A valley is an area with higher land around it.
A canyon is a valley with steep walls.
These large, flat landforms are called plains.
A plateau is also a flat area, but it is higher than the land around it.
Deltas form at the ends of rivers.
Dunes form in dry areas or along sandy coasts.
Every island is a body of land surrounded by water.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
SS Quiz Thursday
1. How did people first come to America?
People came on small boats from Europe and Asia. Also, people probably walked across a land bridge from Asia to North America.
2. The first Native Americans to settle in Missouri were the Adena.
3. What made the Mississippians different from the other mound builders?
The Mississippians lived by farming, rather than just hunting and gathering.
----fast forward in time----
4. How were the Iowa and Osage different from the Missouri tribe?
The Iowa and Osage were farmers, unlike the Missouri, who hunted and gathered.
5. Which tribe traded with the French?
The Osage traded with the French.
6. Which event happened last?
a. French traders come to Missouri.
c. The Sac and Fox settled near the NE part of Missouri.
b. The French forced the Sac and Fox out of Wisconsin.
d. The Osage defeated the Sac and Fox, driving them northward.
Words to Know:
Archeology
Lodge
Clan
Teepee
Mound
(Know what pre- in prehistory means)
People came on small boats from Europe and Asia. Also, people probably walked across a land bridge from Asia to North America.
2. The first Native Americans to settle in Missouri were the Adena.
3. What made the Mississippians different from the other mound builders?
The Mississippians lived by farming, rather than just hunting and gathering.
----fast forward in time----
4. How were the Iowa and Osage different from the Missouri tribe?
The Iowa and Osage were farmers, unlike the Missouri, who hunted and gathered.
5. Which tribe traded with the French?
The Osage traded with the French.
6. Which event happened last?
a. French traders come to Missouri.
c. The Sac and Fox settled near the NE part of Missouri.
b. The French forced the Sac and Fox out of Wisconsin.
d. The Osage defeated the Sac and Fox, driving them northward.
Words to Know:
Archeology
Lodge
Clan
Teepee
Mound
(Know what pre- in prehistory means)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Definitions for Soil Words
1. Humus is organic matter from dead plants.
2. A horizon is a layer of soil. Horizon A is topsoil. Horizon B is clay and rock. Horizon C is the lowest soil level. Below the horizon C is:
3. Bedrock! This layer is rock that has not been weathered.
4. Sand - The largest particles that make up soil.
5. Clay - The smallest particles that make up soil.
2. A horizon is a layer of soil. Horizon A is topsoil. Horizon B is clay and rock. Horizon C is the lowest soil level. Below the horizon C is:
3. Bedrock! This layer is rock that has not been weathered.
4. Sand - The largest particles that make up soil.
5. Clay - The smallest particles that make up soil.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Science!
This week in science, we're learning about different parts of soil. You should know what these words mean:
humus
horizon
bedrock
sand
clay
Go here to watch a movie about soil:
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/soil/
humus
horizon
bedrock
sand
clay
Go here to watch a movie about soil:
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/soil/
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Letter to Dr. Hutchins due this Friday!
Name____________________________________ DUE Friday, October 17
PERSUASIVE WRITING GRADING SCALE
For this assignment, you will write a formal letter to Dr. Hutchins, requesting a change at Truman Elementary. Your principal will be reading your letters, so your letter’s format and correctness are extra-important! Remember, good persuasive writing means using FACTS to support your OPINION. Also, you must consider the person whom you wish to persuade. Think: if you were Dr. Hutchins, reading your letter, would you be persuaded to make the change?
Here is a terrible persuasive from Joe Truman:
October 17, 2008
Dear dr. huhctnins
I dont like the food at cafeteria. it is not good and tasts relly bad. Nobody likes it so will you pleaze change it? Thank you and hope you want good tasting food too becuase it is better and makes money and kids are happier. They lern better if food tasts good. Goodbye for now.
Sincerely,
Joe Truman
Scoring Guide
CIRCLE THE NUMBER THAT YOU FEEL BEST DESCRIBES YOUR WRITING:
5
1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, 14-16 font size, in letter format, persuades the reader with facts, is edited (correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc.)
4
1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, 14-16 font size, is in letter format, is persuasive but relies more on opinions than facts, is edited (correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc.)
3
like a letter, is in the persuasive format but relies mostly on opinion statements, has many errors in spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.
Total Holistic Score: student_____ teacher_____ = ________
Analytic Score:
2 = no errors
1 = some errors
0 = many errors
No spelling errors ____ Comments by student:
Correct capitalization ____
Punctuation is correct ____
Is double-spaced ____
Font size is 14-16 ____ Ways I will improve my next presentation:
Is in “letter” format ____
Total score ____
+ Holistic score ____
Final score ____
PERSUASIVE WRITING GRADING SCALE
For this assignment, you will write a formal letter to Dr. Hutchins, requesting a change at Truman Elementary. Your principal will be reading your letters, so your letter’s format and correctness are extra-important! Remember, good persuasive writing means using FACTS to support your OPINION. Also, you must consider the person whom you wish to persuade. Think: if you were Dr. Hutchins, reading your letter, would you be persuaded to make the change?
Here is a terrible persuasive from Joe Truman:
October 17, 2008
Dear dr. huhctnins
I dont like the food at cafeteria. it is not good and tasts relly bad. Nobody likes it so will you pleaze change it? Thank you and hope you want good tasting food too becuase it is better and makes money and kids are happier. They lern better if food tasts good. Goodbye for now.
Sincerely,
Joe Truman
Scoring Guide
CIRCLE THE NUMBER THAT YOU FEEL BEST DESCRIBES YOUR WRITING:
5
1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, 14-16 font size, in letter format, persuades the reader with facts, is edited (correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc.)
4
1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, 14-16 font size, is in letter format, is persuasive but relies more on opinions than facts, is edited (correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc.)
3
like a letter, is in the persuasive format but relies mostly on opinion statements, has many errors in spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.
Total Holistic Score: student_____ teacher_____ = ________
Analytic Score:
2 = no errors
1 = some errors
0 = many errors
No spelling errors ____ Comments by student:
Correct capitalization ____
Punctuation is correct ____
Is double-spaced ____
Font size is 14-16 ____ Ways I will improve my next presentation:
Is in “letter” format ____
Total score ____
+ Holistic score ____
Final score ____
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Play with Electoral Votes
Here is a great website to play with electoral votes, and see if you can predict the election winner!
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/campaign_plus/roadto270/index.html?SITE=YAHOO&SECTION=HOME
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/campaign_plus/roadto270/index.html?SITE=YAHOO&SECTION=HOME
Friday, October 3, 2008
Fantastic Web Link
Here is a link to get your math and science juices flowing:
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/
Welcome!
Thank you for coming to my blog! I'll be posting classroom lessons, pictures, and short video clips here. Over the next few weeks, I hope to inspire my students with extension activities and interesting web links. Enjoy!
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