Tuesday, February 16, 2010
This (short) Week
No spelling list this week; several students have asked that I provide a challenge list EVERY week, so hopefully I'll be able to meet that demand in the coming weeks!
We are studying "how-to" writing in class. Students are creating short pieces of writing that teach how to make a certain food, create a particular craft, or perform a sport action.
The Story of the Week is about a famous Arctic Disaster. We'll be watching an I-Max movie in class about exploration and discovery.
We have a symphony field trip Thursday. About eight students have not turned in permission and $$$ -- please check on that.
For math, we're getting into geometry. Some words to know:
parallel
perpendicular
right angle
obtuse angle
acute angle
intersecting lines
line
line segment
point
ray
We are studying "how-to" writing in class. Students are creating short pieces of writing that teach how to make a certain food, create a particular craft, or perform a sport action.
The Story of the Week is about a famous Arctic Disaster. We'll be watching an I-Max movie in class about exploration and discovery.
We have a symphony field trip Thursday. About eight students have not turned in permission and $$$ -- please check on that.
For math, we're getting into geometry. Some words to know:
parallel
perpendicular
right angle
obtuse angle
acute angle
intersecting lines
line
line segment
point
ray
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Our Busy Week
This week we are focused on divisibility rules as well as working through factors and multiples -- we are heading toward fractions and geometry for our next math lessons.
Math Ch. 16 test on Thursday.
Spelling Ch. 16
Reading: we are still working on types of fiction. This week, we're using several historical fiction pieces to discuss setting.
Language: the students are combining sentences and fixing run-ons.
Science: our most recent lab experiment involves physical and chemical changes in matter.
S.S.: We are beginning Ch. 7.
Math Ch. 16 test on Thursday.
Spelling Ch. 16
Reading: we are still working on types of fiction. This week, we're using several historical fiction pieces to discuss setting.
Language: the students are combining sentences and fixing run-ons.
Science: our most recent lab experiment involves physical and chemical changes in matter.
S.S.: We are beginning Ch. 7.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
News This Week
Sorry for the late update!
In math, we are focused on Chapter 14, practicing our long division skills. Also, we are continuing to study area/perimeter and types of angles.
For language arts, students are putting the finishing touches on their fiction pieces. We are trying to have interesting leads for our stories that put the reader right into the action of the story.
In science, we are completing labs on matter and energy, studying physical and chemical changes as well as building electrical circuits.
Social studies has taken a backseat to science, but we are studying Missouri post-Civil War. Students are building books (in class) to show timelines of events after the Civil War. We are learning about women's suffrage, WWI & WWII, and other major events that shaped the world.
In reading, students are practicing cause-and-effect and developing their abilities to use figurative language.
PRISM projects are going well-- every Friday we make time for PRISM work time. Students can research, create, and assemble as needed. I am available to answer their questions and help, too.
In math, we are focused on Chapter 14, practicing our long division skills. Also, we are continuing to study area/perimeter and types of angles.
For language arts, students are putting the finishing touches on their fiction pieces. We are trying to have interesting leads for our stories that put the reader right into the action of the story.
In science, we are completing labs on matter and energy, studying physical and chemical changes as well as building electrical circuits.
Social studies has taken a backseat to science, but we are studying Missouri post-Civil War. Students are building books (in class) to show timelines of events after the Civil War. We are learning about women's suffrage, WWI & WWII, and other major events that shaped the world.
In reading, students are practicing cause-and-effect and developing their abilities to use figurative language.
PRISM projects are going well-- every Friday we make time for PRISM work time. Students can research, create, and assemble as needed. I am available to answer their questions and help, too.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
This Week
- No Spelling List this week: Spelling Bee is Thursday, at 1:30.
- Math Ch. 13 Test Wednesday
- Abilities Awareness Day is this Friday
- S.S. Ch. 6 Test Thursday (see study guide in previous blog post)
- Math Ch. 13 Test Wednesday
- Abilities Awareness Day is this Friday
- S.S. Ch. 6 Test Thursday (see study guide in previous blog post)
S.S. Study Guide - Test Thursday
Chapter 6, Lesson 1, 2 and 3 Study Guide and Quiz
Plantation— a large farm that requires a lot of labor.
Underground Railroad— a series of routes and hidden places for slaves to escape to the north.
Abolitionist— person who wants to outlaw slavery
Dred Scott decision — court decision that slaves are property
Kansas—Nebraska Act— U.S. Allows news states to decide on slavery on their own
Kansas Border War — one of the first violent conflicts that led to the Civil War
1. What does strike mean, when talking about labor unions and workers?
A strike is when a group of workers stop working to have their demands met.
2. What are Buffalo Soldiers?
Buffalo Soldiers were former slaves working for the army out west to protect settlers.
3. Jim Crow laws were created to do what?
Jim Crow laws segregated blacks and whites, and forced people to use different water fountains, bathrooms, and parts of trains and buses, and schools.
4. Which side of the Civil War did Missouri join?
Missouri, although pro-slavery, joined the Union (North) and fought the South.
5. What does it mean to reconstruct?
Reconstruct means to rebuild after a war.
6. What did the 13th Amendment do?
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery.
7. How did transportation change in Missouri following the Civil War?
Before the Civil War, transportation was mainly by wagon. After the war, railroads helped make Missouri a stronger economy.
8. Bonus: Why did the South want to secede from the Union?
The South seceded because of slavery and because of unfair taxation.
9. What does “segregated” mean?
To segregate means to separate. The words is often used to describe separating people because of race or skin color.
Plantation— a large farm that requires a lot of labor.
Underground Railroad— a series of routes and hidden places for slaves to escape to the north.
Abolitionist— person who wants to outlaw slavery
Dred Scott decision — court decision that slaves are property
Kansas—Nebraska Act— U.S. Allows news states to decide on slavery on their own
Kansas Border War — one of the first violent conflicts that led to the Civil War
1. What does strike mean, when talking about labor unions and workers?
A strike is when a group of workers stop working to have their demands met.
2. What are Buffalo Soldiers?
Buffalo Soldiers were former slaves working for the army out west to protect settlers.
3. Jim Crow laws were created to do what?
Jim Crow laws segregated blacks and whites, and forced people to use different water fountains, bathrooms, and parts of trains and buses, and schools.
4. Which side of the Civil War did Missouri join?
Missouri, although pro-slavery, joined the Union (North) and fought the South.
5. What does it mean to reconstruct?
Reconstruct means to rebuild after a war.
6. What did the 13th Amendment do?
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery.
7. How did transportation change in Missouri following the Civil War?
Before the Civil War, transportation was mainly by wagon. After the war, railroads helped make Missouri a stronger economy.
8. Bonus: Why did the South want to secede from the Union?
The South seceded because of slavery and because of unfair taxation.
9. What does “segregated” mean?
To segregate means to separate. The words is often used to describe separating people because of race or skin color.
Monday, January 4, 2010
This Week
We will be finishing our Ch. 12 math work and will have another brief quiz on Wednesday.
We are starting our first big science unit of the year with Matter and Energy. All students are asked to complete a PRISM project (invention, investigation, or portfolio).
In Spelling, we are currently on Unit 14.
We are starting our first big science unit of the year with Matter and Energy. All students are asked to complete a PRISM project (invention, investigation, or portfolio).
In Spelling, we are currently on Unit 14.
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