Mrs. Porisch's 5th & 6th Grade Class: November 2010

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

November 24, 2010

A Happy and Safe Holiday to all!

Online Grade Glitch

As of Tuesday, November 23, my Reading and Language grades are not showing up on the online grading web site. I have a guru or two that I am consulting. Reading and Language are the two areas that I have the most grades in. I will try and have this resolved before we return on Monday.

Upcoming Dates

There will be a Geography Bee here at Poly in December. The date will be up next week. The General Music Holiday Program will be Thursday, December 16^th @ 2:15. The Band and Orchestra Holiday Program will be Tuesday, December 21^st @ 2:15.

Student Council Holiday Projects

The student council at Poly Drive is sponsoring two holiday projects. One is to benefit hospital patients at Billings Clinic. They are asking for UNWRAPPED new Christmas tree ornaments. The ornaments will be delivered to the patients with their dinner on Christmas Day.

The second one benefits the Montana Rescue Mission. They are looking for donations, again, UNWRAPPED, of diaper wipes, gift cards, pizza coupons, city bus passes, shaving cream, toothpaste, stocking caps, winter gloves, and socks.

Beginning November 29^th (Monday) students can bring the gifts and place them under the Christmas tree in the gym hallway. The gifts will be delivered Friday, December 17^th.

Reading

We are going to take some reading time and hit social studies and science hard. It will be another week before we get new novels.

Language

We had quizzes on Tuesday, November 23rd on the “to be” verb forms, helping verbs, and linking verbs. Another quiz will be given on Tuesday, November 30^th to students who did not receive a C grade or higher. The first quiz papers (from Tuesday) will be on their desk on Monday, November 29^th.

We are also having Latin Word Root quizzes every Thursday. The students need to be able to write the definitions for the prefixes, suffixes and root words for the word root introduced that week. (This is at the top of each sheet.) Many of the prefixes and suffixes repeat week-week. Eventually, it will just be a matter of memorizing the roots themselves.

I told the students I am gradually raising the proverbial bar.

Math

Chapter 1 tests have been returned. Those who did not receive a 79% or higher on the test can raise it to a 79% by:

1. 1. Correcting the problems they missed.

2. 2. Writing the page number in the book that describes that concept. (It is too easy to copy another person’s answers. No learning occurs there.)

3. 3. Having a parent signature on the test.

We have pretested on Chapter 2. I am anticipating spending 7 days on Chapter 2. Then we will head on to Chapter 3.

Science

We are continuing on with atomic structure, molecules, and compounds. We will be making models of atoms next week. A brief lesson on spdf orbitals and the electron configuration will be presented before the models are made. Those who would like to follow that configuration will be welcome to. We'll see how easily this is understood. Since it is basically patterning, I am anticipating most will catch on.

Social Studies

5^th graders have begun Chapter 2 Native Americans and their Land.

4^th graders are working in Chapter 2 learning about basic types of maps (rainfall, population density, elevation maps, regional maps) and doing activities with them.

Spelling

If your child has personal spelling words, they should be taped into their assignment notebook on Monday, November 29^th.

4th grade spelling words Unit 13 November 29^th-Dec 3^rd Compound Words

BASIC: somebody, fireplace, nearby, toothbrush, homesick, anything, goodbye, forehead, classmate, flashlight, haircut, driveway, airport, forever, mailbox,

make-believe, twenty-two, baby-sit, all right, alarm clock

CHALLENGE: field trip, absent-minded, life jacket, skyscraper, nevertheless

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY Tooth Care

gums, prevent, decay, plaque, toothpaste, fluoride, hygienist, cavity

4th grade spelling words Unit 14 Dec 6^th-10^th Words ending in –ed or –ing

BASIC: rising, traced, dancing, striped, handled, dared, raced, escaped, stripped, slammed, winning, snapping, bragging, dripped, begged, skipped, hitting, spotted, dimmed, spinning

CHALLENGE: urged, striving, whipped, breathing, quizzed

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY Fables

advise, boastful, compete, crow, rival, conduct, attention, moral

5th grade spelling words Unit 13 November 29^th-December 3^rd VCCV pattern

BASIC: pattern, arrive, suppose, sorrow, tunnel, suggest, common, scissors, bargain, journey, object, shoulder, permit, subject, custom, perhaps, lawyer, timber, publish, burden

CHALLENGE: narrate, mentor, attempt, collide, ignore

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Native Americans

culture, ancestors, oral, belief, myth, ceremony, rituals, legends

5th grade spelling words Unit 14 December 6^th-10^th VCV pattern

BASIC: exact, credit, vivid, modern, panic, cousin, menu, novel, human, award, behave, basic, evil, nation, robot, select, item, police, prefer, deserve

CHALLENGE: autumn, nuisance, logic, column, laser

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: The Balance of Nature

ecosystem, impact, detrimental, consequences, organism, nourish, beneficial, recovery

Thursday, November 18, 2010

November 18, 2010

Upcoming Dates

Picture retake day is Tuesday, November 16^th from 8:30-9:30. November 23^rd is an EARLY OUT day. Students will be dismissed at NOON. There will be a Geography Bee here at Poly in December. The date will be up next week. The General Music Holiday Program will be Thursday, December 16^th @ 2:15. The Band and Orchestra Holiday Program will be Tuesday, December 21^st @ 2:15. Students from Poly Drive will be performing at Barnes and Noble on Sunday, November 21.

3:00 K and 1 (they actually will begin singing around 3:10)

3:30 2 and 3 (begin at 3:40)

4:00 4, 5, and 6 general music (begin at 4:10)

4:30 Select Choir

Each group will sing for about 5 minutes - 2 songs, except Select Choir, which will sing more - not much of a time commitment for anyone.

Barnes & Noble Bookfair.

This is new to me. Apparently, the idea of the Barnes & Noble Bookfair is to purchase books that I have selected. A percentage of the purchase goes to Poly Drive School, and the books come to our classroom. I am currently thinking that I would like “book sets” for our literature circle reading. I will ask the literature coaches in the district what their suggestions would be.

There is a small, white “voucher” coming home in Wednesday Watch folders. You need to present the voucher on Sunday, November 21^st to participate.

Reading

This week all students have finished reading their novels. After the Thanksgiving break, we will begin new novels.

Language

Verb forms (to be and helping verbs) and subjects and predicates are grammar areas we are working on.

The “stop light writing” process is continuing.

Math

This week we have been working on algebra and logic. I am pulling small student groups back to the table for review or instruction on areas that were troublesome for them. We will begin Chapter 2 after Thanksgiving. I anticipate getting through Chapters 2, 3, and maybe 4 before Winter Break. You may be seeing the math book home more as we go through these chapters.

Science

We are continuing on with atomic structure, molecules, and compounds. We will be making models of atoms next week. THANK YOU for signing the notebooks for extra credit.

Social Studies

5^th graders are evaluating their continent projects.

4^th graders are working in Chapter 2 learning about basic types of maps (rainfall, population density, elevation maps, regional maps).

Draw-off

A student-generated idea has sprung this past week. The concept is that those who enjoy drawing can have a format for featuring their drawing, and then students can vote on their favorite. Although I initially had some concerns (hurt feelings), I have allowed the students to move forward with this as long as the drawing is not done in place of the lessons students are to be working on; as long as we do not have people in tears or with hurt feelings; as long as everyone who wants to participate gets an opportunity. This is a project in its infancy. We’ll see how it goes. If you are hearing things at home about it, particularly if your child is upset by it, please let me know.

Another idea, a talent expo, piggybacked off of the draw off idea. This one, too, is voluntary. The time frame for auditioning and having a final sharing is still in the works. I will keep you updated.

Spelling

4th grade spelling words Unit 11 November 15th-19th More Vowel + /r/ sounds

BASIC: learn, dirty, worn, sore, thirst, burn, record, cure, board, course, worth, early, return, pure, world, search, worse, thirteen, sport, current

CHALLENGE: curious, thorough, earnest, portion, foreign

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY Basketball

sportscaster, halftime, dribbles, teammate, court, backboard, rebound, offense

5th grade spelling words Unit 11 November 15th-19th Final schwa + /r/ sounds

BASIC: cellar, flavor, molar, chapter, mayor, anger, senator, passenger, major, popular, tractor, thunder, pillar, messenger, calendar, quarter, lunar, proper, elevator, bitter

CHALLENGE: stellar, clamor, tremor, circular, adviser

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Architecture and Design

architect, real estate, exterior, interior, dimensions, pantry, design, fixtures

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

November 10, 2010

Upcoming Dates

3:00 K and 1 (they actually will begin singing around 3:10)

3:30 2 and 3 (begin at 3:40)

4:00 4, 5, and 6 general music (begin at 4:10)

4:30 Select Choir

Each group will sing for about 5 minutes - 2 songs, except Select Choir, which will sing more - not much of a time commitment for anyone.

Conferences

THANK YOU for your time and comments during conferences. As a result of your input, I am sending home a letter to you today outlining grading changes that have taken place. I am switching over to the more familiar percentage scale that most of grew up with and that most schools/teachers use. After reading the letter, please sign it and return it so I know you are aware of the change. I will be calling families this weekend if I do not get a signature back.

Online grade checks

There are some students who have completed work that is not yet due. To try and keep ahead of the game, I have corrected those assignments and entered their grades. If your child has not completed it yet, it is not late. It isn’t even due. J

Reading

We are continuing with our novels. By Friday, students should be finished with them.

Language

Verb forms (to be and helping verbs) will be the focus this upcoming week. We are also working on “stop light writing” which is a systematic, organizational format for organizing writing. Using the stop light metaphor helps the students recall/remember the steps. FYI: The stop light is upside down. We start with green, go to yellow, then red, and finish with green again.

Math

Watch for math fact markers (they look like book marks) to be coming home on Friday. These are in place of the traditional flash cards. The students each have two. One will stay at school; one goes home.

Moli Stone presentations: We will be done by Friday. Then we will be back in to the text book for both classes. You may be seeing the text more often. I expect to get through 3 chapters of math before Winter Break.

Science

We are continuing on with atomic structure, molecules, and compounds. We will be making models of atoms next week. THANK YOU for signing the notebooks for extra credit.

Social Studies

5^th graders have large tag board animal continents due next Monday. If they do not have it done, it will be coming home on Friday.

4^th graders are working in Chapter 2 learning about basic types of maps (rainfall, population density, elevation maps, regional maps).

Spelling

4th grade spelling words Unit 10 November 8th-12th Vowel + /r/ sounds

BASIC: spark, prepare, cheer, tear, scarf, rare, repair, earring, scarce, weird, sharp, rear, spare, gear, hairy, compare, alarm, harsh, upstairs, square

CHALLENGE: weary, startle, appear, barnacle, awareness

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Fires

flammable, fumes, blaze, panic, extinguisher, stairwell, siren, evacuation

4th grade spelling words Unit 11 November 15th-19th More Vowel + /r/ sounds

BASIC: learn, dirty, worn, sore, thirst, burn, record, cure, board, course, worth, early, return, pure, world, search, worse, thirteen, sport, current

CHALLENGE: curious, thorough, earnest, portion, foreign

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY Basketball

sportscaster, halftime, dribbles, teammate, court, backboard, rebound, offense

5th grade spelling words Unit 10 November 8th-12th Compound Words

Note: There are 3 forms of compound words: closed form, hyphenated form, and open form. All 3 are contained in this week's list. If you want to read more about these 3 forms, you can go to http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/compounds.htm.

BASIC: wildlife, uproar, home run, headache, top-secret, teammate, wheelchair, light bulb, well-known, well-known, throughout, lifeguard, barefoot, part-time, warehouse, overboard, post office, outspoken, up-to-date, awestruck, newscast

CHALLENGE: motorcycle, overseas, quick-witted, stomachache, bulletin board

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: A Job Hunt

employment, want ads, experience, schedule, training, interview, wages, benefits

5th grade spelling words Unit 11 November 15th-19th Final schwa + /r/ sounds

BASIC: cellar, flavor, molar, chapter, mayor, anger, senator, passenger, major, popular, tractor, thunder, pillar, messenger, calendar, quarter, lunar, proper, elevator, bitter

CHALLENGE: stellar, clamor, tremor, circular, adviser

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Architecture and Design

architect, real estate, exterior, interior, dimensions, pantry, design, fixtures

Thursday, November 4, 2010

November 4th, 2010

November 4, 2010

Conferences

Meeting with you and visiting has been a highlight of my week. Some teachers are nervous about conferences. I have always found them to be enlightening and enjoyable. I learn more about your children, you as parents and what is most important to you, and also how you and your children are viewing the classroom. I appreciate your time and comments.

Reading

We are continuing with our novels.

Language

Possessives nouns are a focus this week. I am seeing in the students’ daily work that a few lessons on this would be beneficial. Also, as indicated in our conferences, more emphasis and guidance on expository writing will be a focus this next quarter.

Math

Moli Stone presentations: Students have created their own number system as a conclusion to our study of numbers and place value. They will be presenting their number systems to the class. They will need to practice the oral presentation at home. There is not a time requirement. They need to make sure that the 6 items in the presentation portion are covered.

We have created the “stones” and worksheets in class. Those will be shared/presented in small groups. Due to irregularities in our schedule, I have changed the dates several times. The new schedule for small group presentations and the oral presentations is included here.

FRI	Lucas	Layla	Mason	Sarah	Evan
11/5	Jarrett	Sam	Jace	Kaitlyn	Colby
	Travis	Ana	Micah	Bailey	Collin
	Hannah	Nicole	James	Alyssa	Drayden
	Malcolm	Sidney	Gracyn	Ashley	Henry
	Ezra		Ananya	Alex

MON	Nicole	Sidney	Drayden	James	Alex
11/8	Lucas	Layla	Mason	Jace	Evan
	Jarrett	Travis	Hannah	Malcolm	Ezra
	Sam	Ana	Sarah	Kaitlyn	Bailey
	Alyssa	Ashley	Colby	Collin	Henry
	Micah	Gracyn		Ananya

TUES	Micah	Hannah	Gracyn	Ananya	Travis
11/9	Layla	Lucas	Jarrett	Sam	Alyssa
	Ana	Ashley	Sidney	Nicole	Drayden
	James	Alex	Mason	Sarah	Colby
	Malcolm	Kaitlyn	Collin	Jace	Evan
	Ezra	Bailey	Henry

WED	EZRA	ALYSSA	HENRY	BAILEY
11/10	Ashley	Micah	Hannah	Gracyn
	Travis	Layla	James	Malcolm
	Alex	Kaitlyn	Jarrett	Sidney
	Sarah	Colby	Malcolm	Collin
	Evan, Jace	Sam, Mason	Nicole, Lucas	Ana, Ananya

THURS	Ashley	Malcolm	Collin	ANA
11/11	Ezra	Alyssa	Henry	Bailey
	Travis	Alex	Sarah	Jace
	Layla	Kaitlyn	Evan	Colby
	Micah	Jarrett	Lucas	Mason
	Hannah	Nicole	Sam	Sidney
	James	Alex	Gracyn	Ananya

FRI	Jarrett	Sam	Jace	Kaitlyn	Colby
11/12	Travis	Collin	Alyssa	Ashley	Ananya
	Ana	Hannah	Drayden	Henry	Layla
	Mason	Nicole	Malcolm	Ezra	Lucas
	Micah	James	Sarah	Sidney	Alex
	Bailey	Evan	Gracyn

I have put the evaluation form below. I am aware that these students are 4^th and 5^th graders. I am not looking for PowerPoint presentations or a thesis review committee type of presentation. I am expecting the students to have practiced their presentation so they do not get up in front of the class and stumble around, searching for the correct words.

They may have their oral presentation written out and with them. They can have this on note cards or regular paper. Both were provided in class.

STONE

Created a new stone with a number system 3 2 1

Stone is on 12 x 18” paper 3 2 1

Stone is blank Moli Stone ws

in the notebook (for formal presentation

p. 71 or 73) 3 2 1

Characters on the stone are neat & legible

(can be read and written by someone other

than the creator) 3 2 1

WORKSHEET

Worksheet is created 3 2 1

Spelling is correct 3 2 1

Writing is neat 3 2 1

Symbols are legible 3 2 1

Practice using the number system 3 2 1

PRESENTATION

Types, number of symbols, and groupings used 3 2 1

Be sure to be able to answer “Why did you

choose this type?

Why did you choose to have ____ symbols?” 3 2 1

If your system is a place value system

o Be sure to be able to explain

why or why not. 3 2 1

If your system is a base system

o Be sure to be able to explain

why or why not. 3 2 1

Does your system have a symbol for zero?

o How is this helpful or a

hindrance for the system? 3 2 1

Compare this system to our base-ten system and at

least 2 other systems studied in this unit

(Egyptian, Base 3, Chinese). A chart like the one on p. 69

might be a resource. 3 2 1

Science

Continuing on with atomic structure, molecules, and compounds. THANK YOU Collin for bringing in rock samples that contain some of the elements. Certainly having that “hands on” experience makes the learning more applicable and real.

Social Studies

Social Studies has suffered this week. We have had 2 days wherein the 4^th graders have been gone or out to a special presentation, and one day when the 5^th graders were in another room and 10 6^th graders were in our room. On those days, the teaching/learning changes and regular routines and lessons are altered.

Spelling

This week the Real World Vocabulary words will be extra credit. I ran out of time last Monday when I was giving the pretest and did not give the students those words. So will only act/count as extra credit on the test on Friday.

4^th grade spelling words Unit 10 November 8th-12th Vowel + /r/ sounds

BASIC: spark, prepare, cheer, tear, scarf, rare, repair, earring, scarce, weird, sharp, rear, spare, gear, hairy, compare, alarm, harsh, upstairs, square

CHALLENGE: weary, startle, appear, barnacle, awareness

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Fires

flammable, fumes, blaze, panic, extinguisher, stairwell, siren, evacuation

4th grade spelling words Unit 11 November 15th-19th More Vowel + /r/ sounds

BASIC: learn, dirty, worn, sore, thirst, burn, record, cure, board, course, worth, early, return, pure, world, search, worse, thirteen, sport, current

CHALLENGE: curious, thorough, earnest, portion, foreign

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY Basketball
sportscaster, halftime, dribbles, teammate, court, backboard, rebound, offense

5^th grade spelling words Unit 10 November 8th-12th Compound Words

Note: There are 3 forms of compound words: closed form, hyphenated form, and open form. All 3 are contained in this week's list. If you want to read more about these 3 forms, you can go to http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/compounds.htm.

CHALLENGE: motorcycle, overseas, quick-witted, stomachache, bulletin board

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: A Job Hunt

employment, want ads, experience, schedule, training, interview, wages, benefits

5^th grade spelling words Unit 11 November 15th-19th Final schwa + /r/ sounds

BASIC: cellar, flavor, molar, chapter, mayor, anger, senator, passenger, major, popular, tractor, thunder, pillar, messenger, calendar, quarter, lunar, proper, elevator, bitter

CHALLENGE: stellar, clamor, tremor, circular, adviser

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Architecture and Design

architect, real estate, exterior, interior, dimensions, pantry, design, fixtures