Our holiday party begins at 10:30 tomorrow.  Many thanks to all parents who have planned and contributed to this celebration.

Thank you too for the terrific support you have given your children this first half of the year.  It's been a pleasure getting to know you all.

Have a wonderful winter break.   Enjoy time with family and friends, get some rest, and have lots of fun!

Homework

Finish your Middle Colonies Brochure (you should be very close to the end!)
***Remember to continue your daily reading over the break.  I will be assigning a "book talk" on one of the books you read when we return in January.

The national park oral presentations were great.  Thanks for all your hard work, everyone!

Remember that your Middle Colonies brochure is due this Friday.  I know that most of you are almost finished, but be sure to plan your completion time carefully.  If you need to complete a portion of the brochure at home, please do so.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Brochure: Friday

Hello and happy final week of 2013!  The only homework this week is the National Park Report, both the written and oral, which is due on Wednesday.  I've attached a copy of the original guidelines below just in case anyone needs to review them.  We have also been working on a middle colonies brochure in class which is due on Friday.

I sent home corrected work today.

Homework

National Park Report:  Wednesday
Middle Colonies Brochure:  Friday

National Park Report - Guidelines

            For this report you will learn about a national park of your choice.  Using a variety of research sources, you will take notes, organize your information, write a rough draft and after careful editing, write a final draft report.

You will need to find information in each of the following areas:

*Park history (when it was established, who was responsible, original inhabitants)

    

*General statistics (location, size, lengths of rivers, heights of mountains, etc.)

*Climate (temperatures, precipitation, etc.)

*Wildlife

*Plant life

*Places of interest

*Popular activities (things that visitors can do there)

*Other interesting facts (things that are unique to this park)

*Conservation efforts

You will also include the following:

*An illustrated cover

*A table of contents

*A title page containing the name of the park, your name, your grade, and date

*A map showing where your park is located (I will help you with this)

*A chart, graph, or diagram containing information about a particular aspect of the park

*A glossary of at least 5 words and their meanings

*A bibliography (you should have at least 4 sources)

***Oral Presentation:

         You will also be responsible for a short oral presentation in which you will advertise your park. This should be a persuasive speech in which you tell about the places to see and the activities available.  I will give you specific guidelines for this soon. 

                                                                                   

Due date: ________________________________

Homework

Read:  30 min.
National Park Report:  Write the final drafts of the "Activities" and "Other Interesting Facts" paragraphs.  Remember that I'm just setting a schedule to keep you on track.  If you need to complete any other paragraphs, spend a reasonable amount of time doing so.  You may have to spend some time this weekend working on the report cover, the map and/or the chart or diagram.  Tomorrow we will write the conclusion, and I will show you how to write the title page and the bibliography.

I handed out the guidelines for the national park oral presentation which is due next Wednesday, 12/18.  I've included a copy of it below.

I neglected to talk earlier this week about a short week-long collection drive for Jacob's Heart, a local organization that supports families with children who have cancer.  Our Student Council students facilitated this drive calling it "Change for a Change."  Students in all classes may bring in change any day this week which will be collected school wide this Friday.  With this money we will purchase gift cards for a family we adopt for the holidays.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Science:  Study for tomorrow's test.
Park Report:  Write the final draft of the "Plant Life" and "Interesting Sites" paragraphs.
Park Report and Oral Presentation:  12/18.

National Park Report – Oral Presentation

Give a short (approx. 1 minute) persuasive speech in which you advertise your park.  Your speech must include at least 5 reasons why people should visit this park.  Think about including the following:

·      interesting places to see

·      fun activities

·      cool animals

·      beautiful landscapes and plant life

·      any other amazing facts about your park

Of course, you may use information from your written report.  You may refer to note cards, but you should be comfortable enough with your speech to maintain eye contact with your audience.  

Have fun and be creative.  Pretend you are a travel agent or a park employee!  Your oral presentation is due on Wednesday, 12/18.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Park Report:  Write the final draft of the "Wildlife" paragraph.
Southeast States quiz: Tomorrow.
Science test:  Thursday

I've changed the date for the Southeast States quiz from Tuesday to Wednesday.  We reviewed today and will take a practice quiz tomorrow.

Homework

Read: 30 min
Park Report:  Final draft of "Climate" paragraph.  Remember to bring your folder to class tomorrow.
Southeast States quiz: Wed.
Science test:  Thursday.

I want to clarify that I will not be collecting the sections of the national park report that I assign each night.  I will collect the final completed report on Dec. 18.  The homework deadlines are designed to keep everyone on a reasonable track and to avoid last minute, late night writing sessions!

Thank you in advance to all parents who have volunteered to bring in goodies tomorrow for our poetry presentations.  Hope you can stay and watch.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Poetry Cafe
Park Report:  Final draft of the "Statistics" paragraph.

I have assigned the first two paragraphs of the final draft of the park report tonight and will continue to assign small portions of it from now on.  I sent home a final draft information sheet today for the report.  Please take a look at this as it hopefully will answer any questions you have about the final report.  I've also included a copy of these guidelines below.

We were talking today about Friday's poetry cafe and thought it would be nice to have some treats to accompany our presentations.  If you would like to send in something (muffins, bagels, fruit, etc.), please have your child let me know tomorrow.  I will provide something to eat and apple cider.  Our cafe event will begin first thing at 8:00.  Please come join us for this groovy happening if you can!

Thank you!

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math: "Daily Routines" workbook pages 140 - odd #s, 142 - odd #s, and 143 - "Facts Practice (1-5)
National Park Report:  Write the final draft of Introduction and Park History paragraphs.
Poetry Cafe: Friday

National Park Report – Final Draft

1.  The final draft of your report may be handwritten or typed on one side of the paper only.

2. Your paragraphs should be well developed (minimum 5 sentences), containing dates, measurements, distances, and descriptive examples where appropriate.

3. Your introduction and conclusion should be written on separate sheets of paper.  The rest of the report sections may be written together.

4. Your writing must be neat and have correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.

5. Your artwork (cover, cover, map, and chart, graph, or diagram) should show best effort quality.

6. Put your completed report in a clear-cover folder before turning it in.  

                                   

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  "Daily Routines" workbook pages 136 #6-12 and 138 #6-12.
Park Report:  Add to or start a new note card if you need to.  Spend about 15- 20 min. looking up facts.  Remember that your last time to take notes in class will be tomorrow during our computer lab session.
Poetry Cafe:  Friday

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was nice to have a bit of a break before these final three school weeks of 2013!

 We began writing the rough draft of the national park report today.  Several students did not have their notes or folders with them.  I would like everyone to have their report materials in class each day.  Part of their grade for this project is for in-class work -  the note taking and the rough draft writing piece.

I sent home corrected work today, so please review with your child.  Thanks!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  139 (all) and 140 (choose 3)
Finish the Southeast States Map if necessary.
*Bring in your National Park Report folder tomorrow.

***Some important due date reminders:
Poetry Cafe - Fri., 12/6
Southeast States test - Tuesday, 12/10
Water Cycle Test - Thursday, 12/12.  We will complete a study guide later this week.
National Park Report and oral presentation - Wed., 12/18.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: Review Worksheet
"Then and Now" poster due tomorrow.

-->

Today I sent home the guidelines for our Poetry Cafe activity which will be due on Friday, Dec. 6. I will be encouraging my students to read poems by different poets, especially ones they are not already familiar with. I would really love for everyone to discover a new poet and new poetry that he or she finds interesting and engaging. We will share ideas about possible poet choices tomorrow in class.  *I have included the guidelines below.

Homework

Read:  30 min.

Math: pg. 127

Social Studies: Study for tomorrow's test.

National Park Report:  Continue to find information.  You should have notes for park history, statistics, and climate by now.

Poetry Cafe:  Think about some possible poets you can share with your classmates tomorrow. 

“Poetry Cafe”

        

         Let’s go back in time when things were groovy and beatniks were cool...  For this beret-wearing, finger-snapping activity you will need to do the following.  Dig it?

*Choose a poet and read several of her or his poems.

* Prepare an oral presentation.

         1.  Memorize one poem of at least 10 lines or two if shorter to present to the class.

         2.  Briefly tell why you chose this poem(s) and discuss what you                 like about it.  You can talk about the poem’s meaning, its rhythm and rhyme, its imagery, and its poetic language.  Discuss at least 2 of these elements using examples from the poem for support.

* Complete a worksheet that will address different aspects of your poem(s).  Neatness and accuracy count!

*The due date for this event is Friday, December 7.

        

         So wear black and be there or be square.  Cool, Daddy-o...

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: pg. 125 (all) and 126 (choose 3)
Vocabulary:  Homework due tomorrow.
Social Studies:  Study for test on Thursday.  "Then and Now" poster is due on Friday.  Turn in all your  Chapter 5 workbook pages ("Settling New England" and "New England's Economy") by tomorrow.
National Park Report:  Bring in information and your report folder.  We'll continue taking notes tomorrow.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 123 (all) and 124 (choose 3)
Vocabulary: Homework due on Wednesday.
Social Studies:  Study for Thursday's test.  Use your study guide.  "Then and Now" poster is due on Friday.
National Park Report:  Bring information to class.  We will begin our note taking tomorrow.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  pg.  117
Study for tomorrow's vocabulary test.
National Park Report:  Make your final decision and do a little research.  Bring whatever information you can to school on Monday.

My students will be doing their first research report of the year over the next several weeks. The topic will be a national park. I sent home a complete list of parks and guidelines for the report today. We will be taking notes, outlining, and writing the rough draft of the report in class. The final draft will be assigned as homework. I will provide books, encyclopedias, and internet sources, but any other information they can bring from home would be great.
Most kids have already chosen a park, but I told them they could do some further searching and let me know by this Friday.  The National Park Service is a good internet source to check out some of the parks before your child makes a final decision.  The due date for this report is Wednesday, 12/18.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 115 (all) and 116 (choose 3)
The Sign of the Beaver vocabulary test: Fri.
*Show your parents the National Parks Report guidelines and choose a park by Friday.  Be sure to bring your report folder back to class tomorrow!

I sent home corrected work today - the last grades that will be included in the first trimester report card.  I also talked to my students today about late work and how I will handle this issue from this point on.  I feel that these past first months of school have been a training period where I have introduced my procedures and expectations and have allowed time and support for everyone to understand and to follow them. During this second grading period I will expect that class assignments and homework be turned in on time.   If an assignment is turned in late, I will mark it down a full grade unless it is accompanied by a note from the student's parent.  If a student continues to turn in late work, I will stop accepting it.
Fortunately, the majority of my students consistently turn in work on time. I really appreciate their good study habits and the excellent support that you provide for them.  Thank you!

Tomorrow I will be introducing our first research report of the year. The topic will be national parks, and we will be viewing possible choices during our computer lab time. I will send home a list of parks tomorrow and would like everyone to decide on one by next Monday. We will begin taking notes in class next week.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 113 (all) and 114 (choose 3)
"Now and Then" poster:  Write 4 captions for your Puritan pictures.  Remember to use your social studies books to find exact information.  Your captions should be 2-3 sentences each and carefully edited.  You will add them to your poster tomorrow.
The Sign of the Beaver: Vocabulary test on Friday.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math: Review
Sign of the Beaver vocabulary: Finish homework
News Team #4: Prepare for tomorrow's presentation.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  pg. 111 (all) and 112 (choose 3)
Science test tomorrow
Vocabulary and News Team #4: Friday

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: pg. 107
Finish final draft of scary story.
Science:  Test on Thurs.
Vocabulary and News Team #4: Fri.

This is the last week of the first trimester!  I will be sending home corrected work tomorrow along with any outstanding late work notices.  All missing work must be turned in this week.  Thanks.

Homework

Read:  30 min.  The last day to take an AR test for this trimester is this Friday.
Math:  pg. 99 (all) and 100 (choose 3)
Scary "vignette": Final draft is due on Wednesday.
Science: Study for Thursday's test.
Sign of the Beaver vocabulary:  Homework due on Friday.
News Team #4:  Friday

Our Halloween party was a great success!  Thank you to all my parents who organized the event, helped with the activities, and supplied the treats we all enjoyed. 

No homework tonight.  Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  Practice Sheet
Scary Story "Vignette": Finish rough draft if necessary.
Vocabulary:  Finish homework.

Our Halloween class party will begin at 11:15 this Thursday.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Many thanks to all parents who are helping out with the event!

Homework

Read: 30 min. The last day to take AR tests is Friday, November 8.
Math: pg. 97 (all) and 98 (choose 3)
Vocabulary: Homework is due on Thursday.
Memorize your poem for Thursday.

I sent home corrected work today and, unfortunately, more missing work notices.  Please check with your child.  Thanks.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: pg. 95 (all) and 96 (choose 3)
Memorize poem for Thursday

School picture retakes are scheduled for this coming Monday, Oct. 28.  If your child missed the first round or if you would like a retake, I will give out forms in class tomorrow.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Vocabulary: Finish homework.
Northeastern States Quiz: Study!
News Team #3:  Prepare for tomorrow.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  pg. 91 (all) and pg. 92 (choose 3); "Bread for Sale " worksheet and review.
Northeastern States and Capitals test, Vocabulary, and News Team #3: due on Friday

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 89 (all) and 90 (choose 3)
Language:  Final draft of "Using Strong Verbs" paragraph
Northeastern States and Capitals quiz:  Friday
Vocabulary and News Team #3:  Friday

I sent home corrected work today.  Please review with your child and check to see if she/he also brought home a missing work sheet.  Thanks.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 81 (finish) and 87 (all)
Science:  Finish Lesson 4 worksheet
Sign of the Beaver vocabulary:  due on Fri.
News Team #3:  Friday

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Spelling:  Test and homework
Northeastern States map:  Finish
News Team #2: Prepare for tomorrow.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  Review
Museum Exhibit:  All pieces due tomorrow.
Spelling and News Team #2:  Friday

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  pg. 81 #1-5 and pg. 83 #1-13
Language:  Finish verb packet
Social Studies:  Study for tomorrow's test
Museum Project:  All 3 parts are due on Thursday
Spelling: Test and homework due on Friday
News Team #2:  Friday

Hello everyone,
It was great getting together with each one of you last week to discuss your child's progress. All your questions and insights were so helpful! Thank you again for all the support you give your children.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  Pg. 79 (all)
Spelling: Regular list pgs. 119-121 and root sheet OR Alternative list and homework: due Friday
Social Studies: Test on Wednesday.  Use your study guide!
News Team #2:  Friday

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: Worksheet
Spelling: finish homework and study
News Team #1: Prepare for tomorrow
***Social Studies test:  Next Wednesday.  Use your study guide!!!

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 75 (all)
Social Studies:  Final draft of written portion of museum project.  Be sure to refer to the guidelines I gave you today.
Spelling test and homework: Friday
News Team #1: Friday

***We will be assembling our museum exhibits next Thursday, 10/17.  All of your 3 contributions must be completed by then.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: pg. 73 (all) and 74 (choose 3)
Social Studies:  Finish Chapter 4 worksheets
Museum Project: Written piece due on Thursday.
Spelling and News Team #1:  Friday

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  pg. 67 (all) and 68 (choose 3)
Social Studies:  Final draft of written piece for museum exhibit due on Thursday.
Spelling: due on Friday
News Team #1: Prepare for Friday's presentation.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: pg. 63 (all) and 64 (choose 4)
Terabithia vocabulary test:  study
Social Studies:  Complete museum contract and sign.
Final draft of frustration essay due on Friday.

I sent home confirmation slips for Parent/Teacher conferences today.  Please sign and return tomorrow.  Thank you!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  textbook pg. 118 #1-15
Terabithia Folder:  Finish all pages.
Terabithia vocabulary: Test on Thursday
Spelling and News Team #4:  Friday

I sent home Scholastic Book order forms today.  If you would like to purchase books online, my access code is GNZFR.  You may also send in the order form to class and I will place it for you.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 27 (all) and 28 (choose 3)
Social Studies:  Study for Thursday's test.  Continue to work on your exploration booklet.  You should have completed your second page and should be planning your third.
Bridge to Terabithia vocabulary:  Homework due on Friday.
Spelling:  Test and homework due on Friday.
News Team#2: Prepare for Friday's presentation.

I sent home Scholastic Book order forms today.  If you would like to purchase books online, my access code is GNZFR.  You may also send in the order form to class and I will place it for you.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math:  pg. 27 (all) and 28 (choose 3)
Social Studies:  Study for Thursday's test.  Continue to work on your exploration booklet.  You should have completed your second page and should be planning your third.
Bridge to Terabithia vocabulary:  Homework due on Friday.
Spelling:  Test and homework due on Friday.
News Team#2: Prepare for Friday's presentation.