WHOOPING COUGH: I was given a pink note to send home today, but didn't get it out to Track 1 in time. (Track 2 was give the note to take home.) It states, "A person attending one of the classes your child attends was recently diagnosed with pertussis. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a contagious disease characterized by cold symptoms such as runny nose and an irritating cough. This infection can be life-threatening in small children..." This note was given to more classes than just mine. I've had 100% attendance in my class for the most part of this week and haven't heard anyone with a cough. Track 1 parents, look for the note tomorrow.
PEAK READERS: Peak Reader Forms are due tomorrow with parent signature on both the front and back. (It is a reading promotion by 7 Peaks.) I sent the notes home at the beginning of March, and students who were responsible enough to clear out their mailboxes daily and gave notes to parents will have done what was necessary to get a 7 Peaks Pass for this summer.
MATH: Students created questions for the Chp. 9 Test. I'll select the ones I want to use and give the test tomorrow. I'm expecting high scores due to the assignment scores I've been seeing.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Gave more time to finish the Book Jackets. From now on they must be finished at home. About 80% got done with the time allotted in class. Next project? Study newspapers online, find out what departments there are (News: local, national, international, Obituaries, Sports, Family Section, Opinion: Letters to the Editor, etc.). Students will become familiar with current events and become a reporter for one of the departments. Many students also began writing stories to go along with their Book Jackets. They're excited to write!
Spelling: Collected packets today. Test on Week #31 tomorrow.
SCIENCE: Taught about the following: uplift, fault lines, earthquakes, and the creation of mountains and valleys with the forces of nature - mostly taking many thousand and millions of years to form.
ASSEMBLY: We watched the 1st Grade assembly that had a patriotic theme. It was fantastic!
DANCE: We had dance today instead of last Tuesday. Mrs. Pugmire had students imitate dance poses from a collage of dancers. There was skipping, running, posing, and just lots of energetic fun!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
3-30-11
MATH: Went over Measurement Packet. Answered questions. Gave a "self-assessment" quiz for students to see what they knew and what they really need to focus on. Chp. 9 Test tomorrow.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We're finishing up the Book Jacket project. They are really looking good! Students are so excited about what they've done. Many now want to write a book that goes along with their summaries. Now, to come up with another fun, motivating reading/writing project,
Spelling - packets are due tomorrow (as usual).
COMPUTERS: Students went with Mrs. Naugle for Computer Specialty. Friday is the last day of Computers for this year. Next Specialty is P.E. which starts April 6th.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We're finishing up the Book Jacket project. They are really looking good! Students are so excited about what they've done. Many now want to write a book that goes along with their summaries. Now, to come up with another fun, motivating reading/writing project,
Spelling - packets are due tomorrow (as usual).
COMPUTERS: Students went with Mrs. Naugle for Computer Specialty. Friday is the last day of Computers for this year. Next Specialty is P.E. which starts April 6th.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
3-29-11
MATH: Worked to finish the Chp. 9 Measurement packet. It was really a great math work time. Students were (unusually) on task, and I was able to help those needing help the WHOLE time. (Was it a dream?) The packet is due tomorrow (must get done tonight at home). Most are already done.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Red group was able to type up their Book Jackets and start on the pictures. Can't wait until they're done and parents get to see them. Students have been very creative with their titles, summaries, and testimonials. I'm going to display them outside the classroom for two weeks and then send them home.
Spelling: Gave 30 minutes to work on packets.
TFK - 10 Most Important Women: Gave 30 minutes to blue group to work on packets.
SOCIAL STUDIES: I reviewed U.S. history timeline from Jamestown to Civil War. I introduced Civil War causes, effects, and events by having students go to www.pocanticohills.org/civilwar/cwar.htm and filling out a worksheet. We discussed the implications of a country dividing, and talked about how this would have affected the future of the United States. No homework.
SCIENCE: None today. Was going to show my slide show on the Colorado Plateau and talk about how the theory of plate tectonics and how they created the Rock Mountains, Great Basin, and Grand Canyon. Will do this tomorrow. (Social Studies was too fun to stop and the kids were really in the mood to learn about the Civil War. Go with the flow...)
LANGUAGE ARTS: Red group was able to type up their Book Jackets and start on the pictures. Can't wait until they're done and parents get to see them. Students have been very creative with their titles, summaries, and testimonials. I'm going to display them outside the classroom for two weeks and then send them home.
Spelling: Gave 30 minutes to work on packets.
TFK - 10 Most Important Women: Gave 30 minutes to blue group to work on packets.
SOCIAL STUDIES: I reviewed U.S. history timeline from Jamestown to Civil War. I introduced Civil War causes, effects, and events by having students go to www.pocanticohills.org/civilwar/cwar.htm and filling out a worksheet. We discussed the implications of a country dividing, and talked about how this would have affected the future of the United States. No homework.
SCIENCE: None today. Was going to show my slide show on the Colorado Plateau and talk about how the theory of plate tectonics and how they created the Rock Mountains, Great Basin, and Grand Canyon. Will do this tomorrow. (Social Studies was too fun to stop and the kids were really in the mood to learn about the Civil War. Go with the flow...)
Monday, March 28, 2011
3-28-11
Minimal Day today - Students went home early (T1 @ 12:30 p.m., T2 @ 1:45 p.m.).
MATH: Worked on Chp. 9 packets today. They are due Wednesday. The biggest problems seem to be conversion of measurements (inches to feet, feet to yards, miles to yards, etc.) and area of triangles. I wrote out all the conversions which students were asked to copy into their Math Journals. If your child was absent last Thursday or Friday, s/he should get this conversion table from a fellow student. Math Journals are allowed to be use on end of chapter tests.
LANGUAGE ARTS: I taught students how to go into MS Word, change orientation to Landscape. how to change Document Margins, and how to create 2-column format. Red group was able to start creating their Book Jacket by typing in summaries, title, and author. They will hand draw the jacket covers after printing. Blue Group started this week's TFK packet. Blue group gets the laptops tomorrow. New Lit Log handed out. Spelling Pretest for Week #31 given today (silent letters list).
SCIENCE: We partnered on laptops today and I challenged students to do Google searches to find fun and interesting website games, illustrations, and simulations for weathering and erosion. They found some pretty good ones that I'll check out thoroughly and then put on my website.
MATH: Worked on Chp. 9 packets today. They are due Wednesday. The biggest problems seem to be conversion of measurements (inches to feet, feet to yards, miles to yards, etc.) and area of triangles. I wrote out all the conversions which students were asked to copy into their Math Journals. If your child was absent last Thursday or Friday, s/he should get this conversion table from a fellow student. Math Journals are allowed to be use on end of chapter tests.
LANGUAGE ARTS: I taught students how to go into MS Word, change orientation to Landscape. how to change Document Margins, and how to create 2-column format. Red group was able to start creating their Book Jacket by typing in summaries, title, and author. They will hand draw the jacket covers after printing. Blue Group started this week's TFK packet. Blue group gets the laptops tomorrow. New Lit Log handed out. Spelling Pretest for Week #31 given today (silent letters list).
SCIENCE: We partnered on laptops today and I challenged students to do Google searches to find fun and interesting website games, illustrations, and simulations for weathering and erosion. They found some pretty good ones that I'll check out thoroughly and then put on my website.
Friday, March 25, 2011
3-25-11
MATH: Students brought their measurements of family members (height by feet & inches). We practiced converting to inches. We then talked about why my family has the highest average height (no little kids, all grownups) and why some students had smaller averages (a student was the oldest child in their family and had more shorter children to average in). It was fun! They also broke into groups and measured perimeters of things in the room and converted inches to feet. No homework tonight.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We analyzed book jackets, fronts and backs and determined the main components (title, author name, picture, summary, testimonial, ISBN #, publisher). Students were assigned to create their own book jackets by creating these basic components today. On Monday I will teach students how to use MS Word to make a document landscape format and how to do two columns with spacing for a picture in the left-hand column. Kids were excited about this project. It is due next Friday. I'll give about 30 minutes/day Mon. - Thu. to get done in class. We didn't have time to take Spelling Test #29 today - we'll do it Monday.
SCIENCE: We talked about different layers of the crust, with the oldest being at the bottom and younger layers working their way to the top of the crust. I showed the class geological maps of Utah County with faultlines. Is Cedar Ridge Elementary far enough from the fault lines? Would an earthquake during school affect us? We talked about the implications of an earthquake and what we would need to do to be prepared at home. (Japan's earthquake was brought up and discussed.) What if I-15 became damaged and cars couldn't travel north or south? What if store shelves were emptied of food and water in two hours after the quake? What if... It was a good discussion, and students felt the need to be prepared for an earthquake emergency.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We analyzed book jackets, fronts and backs and determined the main components (title, author name, picture, summary, testimonial, ISBN #, publisher). Students were assigned to create their own book jackets by creating these basic components today. On Monday I will teach students how to use MS Word to make a document landscape format and how to do two columns with spacing for a picture in the left-hand column. Kids were excited about this project. It is due next Friday. I'll give about 30 minutes/day Mon. - Thu. to get done in class. We didn't have time to take Spelling Test #29 today - we'll do it Monday.
SCIENCE: We talked about different layers of the crust, with the oldest being at the bottom and younger layers working their way to the top of the crust. I showed the class geological maps of Utah County with faultlines. Is Cedar Ridge Elementary far enough from the fault lines? Would an earthquake during school affect us? We talked about the implications of an earthquake and what we would need to do to be prepared at home. (Japan's earthquake was brought up and discussed.) What if I-15 became damaged and cars couldn't travel north or south? What if store shelves were emptied of food and water in two hours after the quake? What if... It was a good discussion, and students felt the need to be prepared for an earthquake emergency.
3-24-11
MATH: Taught about conversions from inches to feet, feet to yards, feet to miles, etc. Handed out a double-sided four sheet packet with practice for the following: conversions, perimeters, area of squares/rectangles/parallelograms. It won't be due until next Wednesday. We'll work on it Monday and Tuesday. (Conversions were difficult for students.) Tonight's homework: measure the height of each member of your family in feet & inches. Bring that list to school Friday where we'll convert to inches and find averages.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We spent most of this time getting on Skyward and finding missing assignments, handing out replacement worksheets, and working on current assignments (TFK, Spelling, etc.). Students also had time to finish the 3rd revision of "Where Am I?" on UtahWrite. So many students are getting above 100% lately!
CELEBRATION: We had a one hour celebration for those who had no missing assignments. Those who needed more time to catch up went to a Study Hall.
SOCIAL STUDIES: I put three new Civil War websites under the Social Studies link. Students had time to peruse them and see what's new and discover information about this war.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We spent most of this time getting on Skyward and finding missing assignments, handing out replacement worksheets, and working on current assignments (TFK, Spelling, etc.). Students also had time to finish the 3rd revision of "Where Am I?" on UtahWrite. So many students are getting above 100% lately!
CELEBRATION: We had a one hour celebration for those who had no missing assignments. Those who needed more time to catch up went to a Study Hall.
SOCIAL STUDIES: I put three new Civil War websites under the Social Studies link. Students had time to peruse them and see what's new and discover information about this war.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
3-23-11
ROOFTOP: Mr. Brunner spent the day on the rooftop today as a reward for students achieving a huge amount of Math Minutes. He threw out candy to students and they thoroughly enjoyed watching him sit and dangle his legs over the roof edge. We was up there from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. We love our principal!
MATH: Graded yesterday's assignments and did question/answer session. Today's assignment was a review for the test this Friday:
p.585 Sections 9-5 & 9-8
p.586 Sections 9-9 & 9-10
LANGUAGE ARTS: Red Group worked on UtahWrite and Blue Group worked on finishing TFK. Those who were already done were given a review of Parts of Speech worksheet. Everyone will get it tomorrow and it's due Friday. (I've never had so may high scores in UtahWrite in one days as we had today!) I also gave about 20 minutes for students to finish Spelling Packets which are due tomorrow.
COMPUTERS: Students have been going to Computers with Mrs. Naugle every Wed. and Fri. I don't believe there is every homework in Computers.
MATH: Graded yesterday's assignments and did question/answer session. Today's assignment was a review for the test this Friday:
p.585 Sections 9-5 & 9-8
p.586 Sections 9-9 & 9-10
LANGUAGE ARTS: Red Group worked on UtahWrite and Blue Group worked on finishing TFK. Those who were already done were given a review of Parts of Speech worksheet. Everyone will get it tomorrow and it's due Friday. (I've never had so may high scores in UtahWrite in one days as we had today!) I also gave about 20 minutes for students to finish Spelling Packets which are due tomorrow.
COMPUTERS: Students have been going to Computers with Mrs. Naugle every Wed. and Fri. I don't believe there is every homework in Computers.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
3-22-11
Picture Day was today - I had it down for Thursday. I guess the date was changed and I wasn't aware. I didn't see a note from the office go home, either. So sorry. There's always retakes...
MATH: Taught how to find the area of parallelograms and triangles. Parallelogram areas are figured the same as rectangles, length X width. Triangles are simply 1/2 of the parallelogram formula (1/2 X Base X Height). This is because you can make any triangle into a parallelogram by duplicating it and attaching it to the first triangle. Assignments:
p.553 #1-7
p.555 #1-7
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were given 15 minutes of SSR, which they absolutely love. Taught prefix co-, meaning "together" or "with." Examples: comingle, coauthor, coeducation. Taught prefix en-, meaning "cause to be" as in enslave, encounter, or entangle. Gave time to Blue Group to type revision for "Where Am I" into UtahWrite.com. Red Group was given 30 minutes to work on this week's TFK Thomas Edison Packet. Time was given after lunch to work on Spelling Packets.
SOCIAL STUDIES: A representative from Nystrom Atlas gave a presentation on Social Studies in the afternoon.
MATH: Taught how to find the area of parallelograms and triangles. Parallelogram areas are figured the same as rectangles, length X width. Triangles are simply 1/2 of the parallelogram formula (1/2 X Base X Height). This is because you can make any triangle into a parallelogram by duplicating it and attaching it to the first triangle. Assignments:
p.553 #1-7
p.555 #1-7
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were given 15 minutes of SSR, which they absolutely love. Taught prefix co-, meaning "together" or "with." Examples: comingle, coauthor, coeducation. Taught prefix en-, meaning "cause to be" as in enslave, encounter, or entangle. Gave time to Blue Group to type revision for "Where Am I" into UtahWrite.com. Red Group was given 30 minutes to work on this week's TFK Thomas Edison Packet. Time was given after lunch to work on Spelling Packets.
SOCIAL STUDIES: A representative from Nystrom Atlas gave a presentation on Social Studies in the afternoon.
Monday, March 21, 2011
3-21-11
MATH: Started Chp. 9, but there are limited sections that we have to cover for 5th grade core. Today I taught (reviewed) perimeter and area. Circumference of a circle was a new concept and is calculated by Pi (3.14) times the diameter of any circle. Assignments for today (due tomorrow):
p.541 #1-11
p.543-544 #1-7
p.551 #1-11 & 13-14
Most students probably will have Math homework to do tonight. We have 20 minutes of homework time before lunch, and an additional 10 minutes after the Chemistry Assembly this afternoon. Most students were not on task after the assembly so missed out on the extra 10 minutes.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We had SSR for 15 minutes (Silent Sustained Reading), then a lesson on the suffixes -able, -ant, -ent. For the last 30 minutes, half of the class (Red Group) was able to type in a 1st revision of "Where Am I" into UtahWrite.com while the Blue Group worked on this week's TFK packet. New Spelling Packet #29 was handed out. Students were given 20 minutes to work on the Spelling Packet after lunch.
SCIENCE: Mrs. Hill's father is a high school chemistry teacher and gave an amazing chemistry magic show this afternoon! Students were in awe as they witnessed the laws and rules of chemistry.
p.541 #1-11
p.543-544 #1-7
p.551 #1-11 & 13-14
Most students probably will have Math homework to do tonight. We have 20 minutes of homework time before lunch, and an additional 10 minutes after the Chemistry Assembly this afternoon. Most students were not on task after the assembly so missed out on the extra 10 minutes.
LANGUAGE ARTS: We had SSR for 15 minutes (Silent Sustained Reading), then a lesson on the suffixes -able, -ant, -ent. For the last 30 minutes, half of the class (Red Group) was able to type in a 1st revision of "Where Am I" into UtahWrite.com while the Blue Group worked on this week's TFK packet. New Spelling Packet #29 was handed out. Students were given 20 minutes to work on the Spelling Packet after lunch.
SCIENCE: Mrs. Hill's father is a high school chemistry teacher and gave an amazing chemistry magic show this afternoon! Students were in awe as they witnessed the laws and rules of chemistry.
Friday, March 18, 2011
3-18-11
SKYWARD: Absolutely everything is graded as of 4 p.m. today. Most students are aware of what they are missing and are working to turn in assignments.
NOTE: Missing Science assignments for Heredity (Mrs. Hill) will not be accepted after next Wednesday, March 23rd.
MATH: Students took the Chp. 6 Test. Scores were very good on the whole, an improvement from Chp. 8. No homework for the weekend, as usual.
LANGUAGE ARTS: States & Capitals Test was taken online today. Most scores were in the 90's, but a few want to retake it next Friday. Students also were given time to type in their "Where Am I" essay into UtahWrite.com, first draft. Third draft is due by next Friday, March 25th. Spelling Test #28 was also taken online today with most scores very high. We finished the "Forms of Adverbs" worksheet handed out last Wednesday.
SCIENCE: Parts of a volcano were taught using a cutaway picture from Internet. Students sketched the diagram and watercolored it. Students also finished watercoloring their landforms pictures today.
NOTE: Missing Science assignments for Heredity (Mrs. Hill) will not be accepted after next Wednesday, March 23rd.
MATH: Students took the Chp. 6 Test. Scores were very good on the whole, an improvement from Chp. 8. No homework for the weekend, as usual.
LANGUAGE ARTS: States & Capitals Test was taken online today. Most scores were in the 90's, but a few want to retake it next Friday. Students also were given time to type in their "Where Am I" essay into UtahWrite.com, first draft. Third draft is due by next Friday, March 25th. Spelling Test #28 was also taken online today with most scores very high. We finished the "Forms of Adverbs" worksheet handed out last Wednesday.
SCIENCE: Parts of a volcano were taught using a cutaway picture from Internet. Students sketched the diagram and watercolored it. Students also finished watercoloring their landforms pictures today.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
3-17-11
MARCH MATH MADNESS CONTEST: We were the 5th grade winning class! Students were able to eat lunch, play at recess, then enjoy root beer floats in the gym provided by Mrs. Oler and crew. Thanks students and volunteers who provided the time & effort to make this happen!
MATH: I taught three mini-lessons today: 1) p.360 Congruent & Similarity, 2) p.364 Transformations, and 3) p.368 Symmetry. Today's assignment: practice test on pgs.380-381 #1-28 EC #29-31. This is due tomorrow. We'll grade it as a class, go over any questions, then hopefully take the REAL chp. 6 test, depending on how long the review is.
I've been giving small point quizzes to determine where students are struggling in fractions. Quiz #3 (given yesterday) showed a major lack of understanging: adding and subtracting mixed numbers. I'm going to review this tomorrow to help them get it down for end-of-year tests and to get ready for 6th grade.
LANGUAGE ARTS: I gave them a new prompt titled, "Imaginary Place." In www.utahwrite.com it's called "Where Am I." Students were given 40 minutes to write their response. We'll type in the first draft by Monday and have the final revision due next Friday, March 25th. TFK packets were turned in. Spelling packets were also turned in. Spelling test tomorrow, as usual.
SCIENCE: Students were given time to watercolor their sketches of an arch, butte, glacier valley, and river valley. This was a review of how landforms are created, and if they are created suddenly or over thousands of years. I reviewed weathering (breaking up of rocks by wind, water, ice, and earthquakes) and erosion (the movement of earth's surface, whether small or large). These are tough concepts for kids to keep straight.
MATH: I taught three mini-lessons today: 1) p.360 Congruent & Similarity, 2) p.364 Transformations, and 3) p.368 Symmetry. Today's assignment: practice test on pgs.380-381 #1-28 EC #29-31. This is due tomorrow. We'll grade it as a class, go over any questions, then hopefully take the REAL chp. 6 test, depending on how long the review is.
I've been giving small point quizzes to determine where students are struggling in fractions. Quiz #3 (given yesterday) showed a major lack of understanging: adding and subtracting mixed numbers. I'm going to review this tomorrow to help them get it down for end-of-year tests and to get ready for 6th grade.
LANGUAGE ARTS: I gave them a new prompt titled, "Imaginary Place." In www.utahwrite.com it's called "Where Am I." Students were given 40 minutes to write their response. We'll type in the first draft by Monday and have the final revision due next Friday, March 25th. TFK packets were turned in. Spelling packets were also turned in. Spelling test tomorrow, as usual.
SCIENCE: Students were given time to watercolor their sketches of an arch, butte, glacier valley, and river valley. This was a review of how landforms are created, and if they are created suddenly or over thousands of years. I reviewed weathering (breaking up of rocks by wind, water, ice, and earthquakes) and erosion (the movement of earth's surface, whether small or large). These are tough concepts for kids to keep straight.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
3-15-11
MATH: We graded the packet that was due last Friday. It took the whole time. No homework today, as nothing new was taught. Tomorrow's assignment will be out of the textbook, a review of what was on the worksheets.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students took the Spelling Test #27 today that we didn't have time to take last Friday. I assigned a new TFK for this week - "People Power," and handed out a 2 page packet due this Thursday. New Spelling Packet Week #28 handed out also. Students had about 40 minutes to work on these two packets today. Students should have brought home a new Lit Log for this week...
GRAMMAR: I'm focusing on Parts of Speech, as you see on the back of the Lit log. Today's review was on Adverbs. We went through four forms of adverts: time, place, manner, and degree. Examples: We went to the store later (tells time). She turned left (tells place). He hit the ball hard (tells manner or how). They were totally relieved (tells to what degree). Classwork was handed in today.
SCIENCE: I'm teaching "Earth's Changing Surface" concepts. We finished sketching four landforms today and taught the characteristics of arches, buttes, glacier valleys, and river formed valleys. We'll watercolor them on Thursday or Friday. Students also are studying Heredity with Mrs. Hill. The final test is tomorrow, so they should study tonight in prep for the test.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students took the Spelling Test #27 today that we didn't have time to take last Friday. I assigned a new TFK for this week - "People Power," and handed out a 2 page packet due this Thursday. New Spelling Packet Week #28 handed out also. Students had about 40 minutes to work on these two packets today. Students should have brought home a new Lit Log for this week...
GRAMMAR: I'm focusing on Parts of Speech, as you see on the back of the Lit log. Today's review was on Adverbs. We went through four forms of adverts: time, place, manner, and degree. Examples: We went to the store later (tells time). She turned left (tells place). He hit the ball hard (tells manner or how). They were totally relieved (tells to what degree). Classwork was handed in today.
SCIENCE: I'm teaching "Earth's Changing Surface" concepts. We finished sketching four landforms today and taught the characteristics of arches, buttes, glacier valleys, and river formed valleys. We'll watercolor them on Thursday or Friday. Students also are studying Heredity with Mrs. Hill. The final test is tomorrow, so they should study tonight in prep for the test.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
3-9-11
MATH: Handed out a three paper packet (six sides) that is due Friday by the time students walk into the school in that morning. (I have to be specific, as students think they have Friday to work on the packet. Not so.) I went over any questions page-by-page that students had. We will be working on the packets during Math time tomorrow. Most students finished four or five of the six pages today.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students have a free read 15-20 min./day to get started. Then they work on memorizing the U.S. states and capitals for 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time is given to work on TFK worksheets (2 double-sided pages this week). I'd say 80% finished their TFK worksheets yesterday. Some students decided to work on states & caps instead, though I told them that this wasn't due until March 18th. They knew that TFKs would be homework tonight if they did this.
COMPUTERS: Students began this new specialty this week.
SCIENCE: Quiz on Friday.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students have a free read 15-20 min./day to get started. Then they work on memorizing the U.S. states and capitals for 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time is given to work on TFK worksheets (2 double-sided pages this week). I'd say 80% finished their TFK worksheets yesterday. Some students decided to work on states & caps instead, though I told them that this wasn't due until March 18th. They knew that TFKs would be homework tonight if they did this.
COMPUTERS: Students began this new specialty this week.
SCIENCE: Quiz on Friday.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
3-8-11
MATH: Students wrote in their Math Journals for a LONG time today. We defined many geometric terms (circles, radius, diameter, polygons, classifying triangles and parallelograms, etc.)! I went over examples of each. There was no homework given. I'm giving the next three days' assignments tomorrow, and students are going to work on it dilligently so we can grade them on Friday. I'm spending extra math time in class to accomplish this.
LANGUAGE ARTS: TFK - Another 2-sided worksheet given today. Only two papers for this TFK due Thursday. I went over all the pages with students and gave them 15 minutes today to work on them. They will have 20 more minutes tomorrow in class to finish all four sides.
SPELLING: I'm not giving time for Spelling in class this week. Students were given the whole packet on Monday and were told it is homework, due this Thursday. I figured it would be easier to spend more time on Math in class and have parents help with Spelling at home. Right?
SCIENCE: Ask your students what assignment they were given today from Mrs. Hill as they studied Heredity.
LANGUAGE ARTS: TFK - Another 2-sided worksheet given today. Only two papers for this TFK due Thursday. I went over all the pages with students and gave them 15 minutes today to work on them. They will have 20 more minutes tomorrow in class to finish all four sides.
SPELLING: I'm not giving time for Spelling in class this week. Students were given the whole packet on Monday and were told it is homework, due this Thursday. I figured it would be easier to spend more time on Math in class and have parents help with Spelling at home. Right?
SCIENCE: Ask your students what assignment they were given today from Mrs. Hill as they studied Heredity.
Monday, March 7, 2011
3-7-11
MATH: Started Chp. 6 - Geometry. We took copious notes in the Math Journal from the first pages in the chapter. Assignment: pgs. 330-331 #1-20. For this assignment, there are quite a few different correct answers for most of the problems. I will give a quiz tomorrow to see how well students did. I'm also giving a grade if students completed their homework.
LANGUAGE ARTS: New Lit Log sent home today. We started TFKs again this week. One double-sided worksheet was given out today, due this Thursday.
SPELLING: List #27 I stapled all of this week's worksheets together as a packet and all of the kids liked it. They wanted to work on it on their own pace, so these packets are how homework. I'm going to focus on more vocabulary instruction during the normal Spelling time. The packets are due on Thursday, as usual.
SCIENCE: I started teaching our class "Earth's Changing Surface" today. We took notes on weathering and erosion and drew sketches of an arch and butte. Students rotated to Mrs. Hill and had an assignment to color a handout of a horse named "Paint." That is due tomorrow.
LANGUAGE ARTS: New Lit Log sent home today. We started TFKs again this week. One double-sided worksheet was given out today, due this Thursday.
SPELLING: List #27 I stapled all of this week's worksheets together as a packet and all of the kids liked it. They wanted to work on it on their own pace, so these packets are how homework. I'm going to focus on more vocabulary instruction during the normal Spelling time. The packets are due on Thursday, as usual.
SCIENCE: I started teaching our class "Earth's Changing Surface" today. We took notes on weathering and erosion and drew sketches of an arch and butte. Students rotated to Mrs. Hill and had an assignment to color a handout of a horse named "Paint." That is due tomorrow.
Friday, March 4, 2011
3-4-11
GRADES: I met with many students today and gave them one last chance to get work done and handed in. Many were able to bring "N's" up to a respectable grade. They were reminded that Trimester 3 requires a 100 word essay or 20 cursive sentences consequence for late assignments.
WILLIAMS MALL: This was fantastic! Students had great fun buying and selling items. The last one will be the end of May. Williams Auction coming up next Friday.
MATH: I handed back Chp. 8 Tests and told students they will have quizzes all next week over Chp. 8 concepts to help them see where they are having problems. Students may retake the test starting on Mar. 15th with a note from a parent that students have studied missed problems and are now ready to try again.
WILLIAMS MALL: This was fantastic! Students had great fun buying and selling items. The last one will be the end of May. Williams Auction coming up next Friday.
MATH: I handed back Chp. 8 Tests and told students they will have quizzes all next week over Chp. 8 concepts to help them see where they are having problems. Students may retake the test starting on Mar. 15th with a note from a parent that students have studied missed problems and are now ready to try again.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
3-3-11
WILLIAMS MALL: This will be tomorrow from 10-10:45 a.m. Students were reminded about this two weeks ago, but I think they forgot. I told them today, so we'll see how it goes.
MATH: We took the Chapter 8 test today. I haven't graded papers yet, and scores will not be on Skyward until next week. I'll send home tests with students tomorrow. FYI: After I teach the daily concept I meet with a small group of students who are still struggling with the homework assignment. I usually have around 2-6 students, the same students every day. If you child did poorly, please suggest they come to the study group when they are turned loose on the homework assignment. I go through the problems one-by-one for as much time as we have before lunch. We will now be going back to Chp. 6 - Geometry.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were given time to type in their rough drafts for "Free Time Activiy" into www.utahwrite.com. 24 used to be 100%, but I've raised the bar to be 26 for Trimester 3. (30 is a perfect score.) Students are doing much better at writing and I'm pleased with their progress.
SPELLING: Several students didn't turn in their Spelling Packets today. The Late Assignment Penalty applies (write 100 word essay or write 20 cursive sentences - see previous blogs for this week). Students will still get full credit for late assignments, but only if accompanied by the penalty paper.
MATH: We took the Chapter 8 test today. I haven't graded papers yet, and scores will not be on Skyward until next week. I'll send home tests with students tomorrow. FYI: After I teach the daily concept I meet with a small group of students who are still struggling with the homework assignment. I usually have around 2-6 students, the same students every day. If you child did poorly, please suggest they come to the study group when they are turned loose on the homework assignment. I go through the problems one-by-one for as much time as we have before lunch. We will now be going back to Chp. 6 - Geometry.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were given time to type in their rough drafts for "Free Time Activiy" into www.utahwrite.com. 24 used to be 100%, but I've raised the bar to be 26 for Trimester 3. (30 is a perfect score.) Students are doing much better at writing and I'm pleased with their progress.
SPELLING: Several students didn't turn in their Spelling Packets today. The Late Assignment Penalty applies (write 100 word essay or write 20 cursive sentences - see previous blogs for this week). Students will still get full credit for late assignments, but only if accompanied by the penalty paper.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
3-2-11
MATH: Graded Chp. 8 Practice Test from pgs. 514-515. Scores were much lower than expected. I worked through about half of the problems on the board, reminding students that their Math Journals should have the hints and helps they need to work all of these problems. Homework for tonight is to get prepared for the real test tomorrow.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Handed out pgs. 95-96 (one worksheet, double-sided) for students to extract information from the textbook. We will work more on this tomorrow. This is NOT homework, as the textbooks are not allowed to go home.
SPELLING: Packets are due tomorrow, as usual. Remind your 5th grade child that late packets must be accompanied by the 100 word essay or 20 cursive sentences saying, "I will turn in homework on time."
WRITING: Students should be working on their rough draft of "Free Time" writing assignment. Students will have time in class tomorrow to type it into UtahWrite.com.
STORYTELLING ASSEMBLY: This was held today. Two six-grade girls won. They were really amazing!
SOCIAL STUDIES: Handed out pgs. 95-96 (one worksheet, double-sided) for students to extract information from the textbook. We will work more on this tomorrow. This is NOT homework, as the textbooks are not allowed to go home.
SPELLING: Packets are due tomorrow, as usual. Remind your 5th grade child that late packets must be accompanied by the 100 word essay or 20 cursive sentences saying, "I will turn in homework on time."
WRITING: Students should be working on their rough draft of "Free Time" writing assignment. Students will have time in class tomorrow to type it into UtahWrite.com.
STORYTELLING ASSEMBLY: This was held today. Two six-grade girls won. They were really amazing!
3-1-11
NOTES:
1) Lit Log was changed and explained to students. No parent signature needed. Backside will be parts of speech for this month.
2) Late Assignments will be accepted only if accompanied by a 100 word persuasive essay stating why I should accept it late, OR accompanied by the sentence, "I will turn in homework on time" written in best cursive 20 times. EACH late assignment needs to have a unique essay or the sentences attached.
3) Cursive: Students must use cursive for only assignments turned in to me.
Here's what was done today...
MATH: Chp. 8 Practice Test, p.514-515
WRITING: Rough Draft of "Free Time" was started. It needs to be typed into UtahWrite.com by this Friday. We will work on the three revisions next week. Final revision is due 3-11-11.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Worksheets pgs. 91-94 were handed out and worked on (two pieces of paper, both double-sided). This is NOT homework. Students have to use the United States textbook in order to find the answers on the worksheets. About 45 min. given today to work on these.
SPELLING: Second practice sheet was given out.
1) Lit Log was changed and explained to students. No parent signature needed. Backside will be parts of speech for this month.
2) Late Assignments will be accepted only if accompanied by a 100 word persuasive essay stating why I should accept it late, OR accompanied by the sentence, "I will turn in homework on time" written in best cursive 20 times. EACH late assignment needs to have a unique essay or the sentences attached.
3) Cursive: Students must use cursive for only assignments turned in to me.
Here's what was done today...
MATH: Chp. 8 Practice Test, p.514-515
WRITING: Rough Draft of "Free Time" was started. It needs to be typed into UtahWrite.com by this Friday. We will work on the three revisions next week. Final revision is due 3-11-11.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Worksheets pgs. 91-94 were handed out and worked on (two pieces of paper, both double-sided). This is NOT homework. Students have to use the United States textbook in order to find the answers on the worksheets. About 45 min. given today to work on these.
SPELLING: Second practice sheet was given out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)