January 26, 2011

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, Feb 1: Poly Spelling Bee 8:45 in the gym

Report Cards

You do NOT need to return the report card itself. Please return the envelope with your signature on it.

There is an sheet regarding the SCIENCE FAIR and accessing the math books online attached. Please sign and return the bottom of that sheet so I know you are aware of dates, etc.  It can go inside the envelope.   J

PTA

Readathon

"Surf's up for Reading" Readathon is under way.  If you haven't seen your child's packet yet, check their backpack and encourage them to participate~ it is easy, fun, there are really great prizes and it supports a wonderful habit: reading!  All the details are included in the packet, so check it out. 

Please note: there is an error in the dates on the Reading Log.  They should be Saturday, January 29 through Friday, February 4.  Thanks for understanding and helping your child figure it out!

Chess Club is Back!

Students in grades 1st through 6th are welcome to join Chess Club beginning Thursday, February 24th at 3:05 to 3:45 in the gym. We will meet every Thursday at this time & place with the last meeting on March 24th. 

Note: Due to space limitations, we will NOT meet with the lower grades at 2:20. Students in grades 1-3 are welcome to join at 3:05, but there will be no supervision between 2:20 and 3:05.

Reading

Novel readings continue. Students have jobs to complete each time new chapters are assigned. They are due (usually) the next day.

Language

Writing simple poetry: couplets and triplets. This is a tested item.

Analogies and personal narratives continue.

Quiz on Thursday: fract/frag

fract/frag: break

in- in, into, not

-ion  state, quality, act
-ile of, related to
-ment that which
-ure process, condition

Math

5^th grade: Chapter 5—double digit divisors

4^th grade:  Chapter 5 –multiplying 2 and 3 digit factors by 1 digit factors

Science

YES, students can work in pairs for  MY science fair requirement. However, if they want to then enter the Billings Clinic Science Fair, one of the pair will have to bow out. Beginning in middle  school, they can enter the BCSF as a team. If your child is working with another person, please fill out the ½ sheet that will come home on Thursday and return it to me. I need to know that you are willing to help get the kids together.

Items in red are due Tuesday, February 1^st. If the question, background, and hypothesis changes as the student gets “into” the process, that is fine. I just want to make sure that everything isn’t left until the week before it is due.

What are the parts of the science fair project?  

Question

Background (research)

Hypothesis

Materials

Procedure

Results (graphs, tables)

Conclusion

What (did you learn?) (do you want to know now?)

Abstract

Steps of the Scientific Process

http://www.jccschools.com/staff%20pages%20riverside/nurse/science%20fair/process.htm

Successful Science Fair Projects

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html

How to set up your display board (Presentation)

http://www.cool-science-projects.com/Science-Fair-Project-Display.html

Kids Corner of Science

http://scorescience.humboldt.k12.ca.us/fast/kids.htm

Doing a science fair project will be mandatory this year. Entering it in the Billings Clinic Science Fair will be optional. (March 25 & 26)

Social Studies

5^th grade: Map: South America. In the text, they will begin explorers. They will have a report to do on an explorer that will include a prop or costume. More details later.

4^th grade: Regions of the US: NE, SE, Midwest, and SW. Students will be divided into groups and make presentations to the rest of the class about their region.

State capital quizzes will next week.

Spelling

4^th and 5^th graders will now be taking spelling tests in cursive   and in blue or black ink pen. They may not use red ink on spelling tests. When studying with them, you may want to have them practice using pen and cursive.

4th grade spelling words Unit 21 Jan 31st-Feb 4th   Words that begin with the prefixes re-, un-, and dis

BASIC:  unused, refresh, dislike, replace, unpaid, redo, disorder, unplanned, distrust, rewind, untrue, unload, recall, displease, uneven, rebuild, restart, uncover, untidy, discolor

CHALLENGE: disband, rearrange, discontinue, refund, unusual

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Protective Coloration


mammal, camouflaged, surroundings, predators, prey, protection, insect, reptile

5th grade spelling words Unit 21 Jan 31st-Feb 4th

BASIC:  duties, earlier, loveliest, denied, ferries, sunnier, terrified, abilities, dirtier, scariest, trophies, cozier, enemies, iciest, greediest, drowsier, victories, horrified, memories, strategies

CHALLENGE:  unified, dictionaries, boundaries, satisfied, tragedies

REAL-WORLD- VOCABULARY: The Civil War


battlefield, infantry, regiments, cavalry, skirmishes, troops, retreat, military

January 19, 2011

Upcoming Dates

POLY DRIVE READ -A-THON: Information came home on Friday, Jan 21st. 
Tuesday, Feb 2:  Poly Drive Spelling Bee--8:45 in the gym


PTA News (from their web site)

Readathon

"Surf's up for Reading" Readathon is under way.  If you haven't seen your child's packet yet, check their backpack and encourage them to participate~ it is easy, fun, there are really great prizes and it supports a wonderful habit: reading!  All the details are included in the packet, so check it out. 

Please note: there is an error in the dates on the Reading Log.  They should be Saturday, January 29 through Friday, February 4.  Thanks for understanding and helping your child figure it out!

---

Chess Club is Back!

Students in grades 1st through 6th are welcome to join Chess Club beginning Thursday, February 24th at 3:05 to 3:45 in the gym. We will meet every Thursday at this time & place with the last meeting on March 24th. 

Note: Due to space limitations, we will NOT meet with the lower grades at 2:20. Students in grades 1-3 are welcome to join at 3:05, but there will be no supervision between 2:20 and 3:05.

Register Online

Report Cards

You do NOT need to return the report card itself. Please return the envelope with your signature on it.

There is an sheet regarding the SCIENCE FAIR and accessing the math books online attached. Please sign and return the bottom of that sheet so I know you are aware of dates, etc.  It can go inside the envelope.   J

Reading

Novel readings continue. Students have jobs to complete each time new chapters are assigned. They are due (usually) the next day.

Language

Introducing analogies, personal narratives will be taken to final copy.

Latin Word Roots for Jan 24th

pos/posit: place/put

com- with, together
de- away, down
ex- out, away, from
im- in, into, not
op- against

-ion  state, quality, act

ex: opposition, expose




Featured Latin Word Root Drawings

Contact  by CW


"Dave contacted the FBI because monsters escaped."

Prediction by GR

"The fortune teller had a prediction of the man's future."

Quiz on Thursday: -pos/-posit

Math

4th grade: Will be taking the pretest for Chapter 5 and 6. They will be using arrays and graph paper to learn multiplying by 1 and 2 digit numbers. After they have that firmly in place, they will learn the algorithm. PLEASE do not teach them the algorithm at home first. They resist using the arrays and graph paper if  they "already know how to do it". The arrays and graph paper give them a visual of WHY the algorithm works and provides for a deeper understanding of the concept of multiplication. :-)

Also in those chapters, students will be working with graphs, money, time, and patterns of multiplication. Feel free to browse the chapters online or with your child's book.

5th grade: Have taken the pretest for Chapter 4. It deals with dividing with 2-digit divisors. This encompasses dividing with 0s in the quotient, dividing decimals by whole #s, and dividing money by 2-digit divisors. This will be a LOT of drill and practice. When they have it down (the algorithm), they will have alternative assignments. We use the saying Does (divide) McDonalds (multiply) Serve (subtract) Cheese  (check) Burgers Daily (bring down)? to help us remember the steps.

Once they can show me they can successfully complete 5 division problems of each type I will allow them to use a calculator to do the division.

Science

We will begin with rocks and the rock cycle. And we are working on finishing our sample Science Fair Project (graphing our data).

Doing a science fair project will be mandatory this year. Entering it in the Billings Clinic Science Fair will be optional. (March 25 & 26)

Social Studies

5^th grade: Map: South America. In the text, they will begin explorers. They will have a report to do on an explorer that will include a prop or costume. More details later.

4^th grade: Regions of the US: NE, SE, Midwest, and SW. Students will be divided into groups and make presentations to the rest of the class about their region.

Song for the state capitals. We will try to have a quiz this week! Ask your children to show you the actions. We didn't have time to get to them all, so we'll be adding the last verse this week.

To the tune of "One Little, Two Little, Three Little _______"

Olympia, WA; Salem, OR; Sacramento, CA; Carson City, NV; Boise, ID; Helena, MT; Cheyenne, WY.

Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; Austin, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Topeka, KS, Lincoln, NE!

Pierre, SD; Bismark ND; St. Paul, MN; Des Moines, IA; Jefferson City, MO; Little Rock, AR; Baton Rouge, LA. 

Spelling

4^th and 5^th graders will now be taking spelling tests in cursive   and in blue or black ink pen. They may not use red ink on spelling tests. When studying with them, you may want to have them practice using pen and cursive.

4th grade spelling words Unit 20 Jan 24th-28th   Final /j/ and s/ sounds

BASIC:  judge, stage, bridge, ridge, damage, package, carriage, marriage, baggage, message, manage, bandage, glance, twice, since, practice, office, chance, notice, palace

CHALLENGE: fringe, average, fleece, fragrance, excellence

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Average Temperature & Graphs


line graph, vertical, horizontal, data, vary, estimate, divisor, quotient

4th grade spelling words Unit 21 Jan 31st- Feb 4th     Prefixes: re-, un-, dis-

BASIC:  refresh, replace, redo, rewind, recall, rebuild, restart, dislike, disorder, distrust, displease, discolor

CHALLENGE: disband, rearrange, discontinue, refund, unusual

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Protective Coloration (camouflage for animals)

mammal, camouflaged, surroundings, predators, prey, protection, insect, reptile

5th grade spelling words Unit 20 Jan 24th- 28th   More words with  -ed or –ing

BASIC:  tiring, freezing, losing, decided, amazing, related, damaged, practicing, united, amusing, borrowed, delivered, whispered, performing, resulting, attending, remarked, supported, expected, repeated

CHALLENGE:  assigned, entertaining, operated, rehearsing, donated

REAL-WORLD- VOCABULARY: Basic Chemistry

matter, particles, gaseous, evaporation, cooling, condenses, substance, density

5th grade spelling words Unit 21 Jan 31st - Feb 4   Changing Final y to i

BASIC:  duties denied, ferries, terrified, abilities, trophies, enemies, victories, horrified, memories, strategies, earlier, loveliest, sunnier, dirtier, scariest, cozier, iciest, greediest, drowsier

CHALLENGE:  unified, dictionaries, boundaries, satisfied, tragedies

REAL-WORLD- VOCABULARY: Civil War

battlefield, infantry, regiments, cavalry, skirmishes, troops, retreat, military

January 12, 2011

Classroom Supplies

THANK YOU to all who have brought erasers and pencils. I think we are in good shape for a couple more months!

Upcoming Dates

Monday, January 17^th—No school for all grades!

Friday, January 21^st--Report cards come home

Monday, January 24^th—5^th grade field trip (AM)

THANK YOU, Mrs. Ross. She has volunteered to help with the field trip on Monday, January 24th.

Reading

We will be getting back in to novels this week. The students have chosen their books.  They have “jobs” assigned each time reading is assigned. That is part of their reading grade. The job descriptions are in their binders on pink paper. They can bring those sheets home if you need to see them.

Language

Latin Word Root quiz is Thursday this week (capt, cept (take, hold) and tack (touch).

I did not return some of the LW Root sheets that were handed in late. So I am putting the information here for studying. My error.

Con- with, together                        capt/cept- take, hold            ile- of, related to

In- in, into, not                        tact- touch                                    ure-process, conditon

Inter- between

Re- back again

LW Root drawing—Amazing effort and detail!! Great job, Ezra!

Math

5^th grade: Almost done reviewing Chapter 3 Dividing with 1-digit divisors

4^th grade:  Working on arrays (multiplication) and using known facts (x) to help with division problems

Expect tests for both grades early next week

Science

We will begin with rocks and the rock cycle. And we are working on finishing our sample Science Fair Project (graphing our data).

Doing a science fair project will be mandatory this year. Entering it in the Billings Clinic Science Fair will be optional. (March 25 & 26)

The will be a Science Fair Workshop on SATURDAY, JANUARY 15^TH  @ Barnes and Noble beginning at 11 AM. Pat Lowthian and John Pulasky will be there to give information.

This contradicts my initial comments to the kids. I will visit with them tomorrow. AND, I will attach a timeline to the report cards so you know my expectation.

Social Studies

Memorize the states:  4^th grade. They took their first test last week. They have 3 opportunities to retake it this week: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They can take it every day or just once. They will keep the BEST grade

Memorize Central Am: 5^th grade. Same as above. I give them a list of countries and capitals. They have to place them on a blank map. I include Cuba and Jamaica, too.

4^th graders will begin learning a song to help memorize the state capitals. We will go in sections of the US for that. Quizzes will be mid-week next week. They are also going to begin learning about “regions” of the US. They will make a creative presentation in a group about their region.

5^th grade will move on to South America. In the text, they will begin explorers. They will have a report to do on an explorer that will include a prop or costume. More details later.

Spelling

4^th and 5^th graders will now be taking spelling tests in cursive   and in blue or black ink pen. They may not use red ink on spelling tests. When studying with them, you may want to have them practice using pen and cursive.

4th grade spelling words Unit 19 Jan 18^th-21^st  Words with the sounds of K (k, ck, c) NG sound before the k (blanket), and the KW sound of qu

BASIC:  track, pocket, attack, struck, risky, topic, blank, monkey, junk, public, picnic, banker, electric, blanket, mistake, ache, stomach, question, equal, earthquake

CHALLENGE: request, skeleton, peculiar, attic, reckless

REAL-WORLD VOCABULARY: Staying Fit

fitness, exercise, laps, strengthen, lungs, flexible, nutritious, energy

5th grade spelling words Unit 19 Jan 18^th-21^st  Words with  -ed or –ing

BASIC:  scrubbed, stunned, knitting, beginning, skimmed, chatting, shrugged, whipped, quizzed, scanned, upsetting, listening, carpeting, wandered, gathering, bothering, suffering, ordered, totaled, answered

CHALLENGE:  compelling, deposited, occurred, threatening, canceled

REAL-WORLD- VOCABULARY: Material

designer, stylish, fashion, trend, fabric, wardrobe, linen, garment