Upcoming Dates
Picture retake day is Tuesday, November 16th from 8:30-9:30. November 23rd 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 16th @ 2:15. The Band and Orchestra Holiday Program will be Tuesday, December 21st @ 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 21st 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
5th graders are evaluating their continent projects.
4th 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
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