I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas vacation!
There are no homework assignments for any of my classes.
Remember: There is a Reading Log in your Homework Folder. Record any reading that you did over the Break and you will recieve extra credit towards your final reading grade. Make sure you have your parents (or any adult) verify your reading time by initialing/signing the day's box.
Rest, relax, enjoy your family, and get ready for a great spring semester!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, December 12
It's already here...the last week before Winter Break!
Today in Reading, our major lesson and discussion was over Setting. (We have been going through the Elements of Fiction in great depth for the last two weeks.)
This week in Reading Groups:
Two Owls: Word Endings of -s, -ed, -ing & Story Elements
Red-Eye Eagles: Story Elements and Summarizing
Polar Bears: Story Elements and Summarizing
Homework for Language Arts this week will be to read every night. No new Spelling Sorts.
Math: We will have a Test tomorrow on Graphing/Probability/Rounding.
Science A & B: We have been discussing natural resources, how we use them and where they're found. All students should be able to name about 8 natural resources, how they are used, and why it is important to protect them. Science B er's are learning about how countries who are rich in a certain resource can make profit off of it and how human resources are most valuable.
Today in Reading, our major lesson and discussion was over Setting. (We have been going through the Elements of Fiction in great depth for the last two weeks.)
This week in Reading Groups:
Two Owls: Word Endings of -s, -ed, -ing & Story Elements
Red-Eye Eagles: Story Elements and Summarizing
Polar Bears: Story Elements and Summarizing
Homework for Language Arts this week will be to read every night. No new Spelling Sorts.
Math: We will have a Test tomorrow on Graphing/Probability/Rounding.
Science A & B: We have been discussing natural resources, how we use them and where they're found. All students should be able to name about 8 natural resources, how they are used, and why it is important to protect them. Science B er's are learning about how countries who are rich in a certain resource can make profit off of it and how human resources are most valuable.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Wednesday, December 7
This week in Reading Groups, your student has been working on:
Two Owls - Word Endings (double consonants, -ck, -s), Sight Words, and the Comprehension Skill of Topic, Main Idea, and Detail
Homework: Practice sight words every night and read story
Red-Eye Eagles - Problem and Solution, Sight Words, and paying attention to detail
Homework: Practice sight words every night and read story
Polar Bears - Problem and Solution, Vocabulary, and Summarizing and Outlining
Homework: Read Chapter 7
All Students: Sort your spelling words.
Two Owls - Word Endings (double consonants, -ck, -s), Sight Words, and the Comprehension Skill of Topic, Main Idea, and Detail
Homework: Practice sight words every night and read story
Red-Eye Eagles - Problem and Solution, Sight Words, and paying attention to detail
Homework: Practice sight words every night and read story
Polar Bears - Problem and Solution, Vocabulary, and Summarizing and Outlining
Homework: Read Chapter 7
All Students: Sort your spelling words.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 28th
Back from Break....hope everyone had a lovely holiday!
Today, we focused in on character studies and working on writing character sketches. We read about Paul Bunyan and his blue ox and did a character sketch for both Paul and Babe. This week, we will keep practicing this skill, finalizing with one for the main character in our independent reading novel that will be displayed on our poster boards. (A note will be sent out in your student's homework folder, but your student will need a Tri-fold poster display board soon.)
In Science A, we discussed all the different ways we use our natural resources, how we can conserve them, how quickly or slowly they can be replaced, and why it's important to protect them. In Science B, we are switching from slow changes to quick changes of the Earth's surface. Today, we built popsicle stick structures on "paper plate fault lines" and on Wednesday we will simulate earthquakes based on the Moment Magnitude Scale.
Homework: Sort your new Spelling Words!
Today, we focused in on character studies and working on writing character sketches. We read about Paul Bunyan and his blue ox and did a character sketch for both Paul and Babe. This week, we will keep practicing this skill, finalizing with one for the main character in our independent reading novel that will be displayed on our poster boards. (A note will be sent out in your student's homework folder, but your student will need a Tri-fold poster display board soon.)
In Science A, we discussed all the different ways we use our natural resources, how we can conserve them, how quickly or slowly they can be replaced, and why it's important to protect them. In Science B, we are switching from slow changes to quick changes of the Earth's surface. Today, we built popsicle stick structures on "paper plate fault lines" and on Wednesday we will simulate earthquakes based on the Moment Magnitude Scale.
Homework: Sort your new Spelling Words!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thursday, September 17
Language Arts Homework:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles: Make sure you are reading your story several times each night. This is very important for building fluency and reading with expression. Then, have your parents check your comprehension of the story with the questions provided. Practice your sight words until you have mastered them as well.
Polar Bears: Have Chapters 2 and 3 read by Monday. Use your sticky notes to note the most important detail of each couple pages. We will use these to summarize the chapters together on Monday during Reading Groups.
All Students: Sort your spelling words. Any written activity done should be done in the back of your composition notebook.
Parents: Today, your student chose an independent reading book based on his or her level determined by testing scores. Over the next few weeks, your student will be reading and completing assignments on this book. Then, they will be compiling story elements into a Book Report Project. If you could provide a Tri-fold poster board for your child and bring it to school within the next week or so, that would be most helpful. This project will be a good cumulative sample of the reading strategies and skills your child has been working on since the beginning of school.
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles: Make sure you are reading your story several times each night. This is very important for building fluency and reading with expression. Then, have your parents check your comprehension of the story with the questions provided. Practice your sight words until you have mastered them as well.
Polar Bears: Have Chapters 2 and 3 read by Monday. Use your sticky notes to note the most important detail of each couple pages. We will use these to summarize the chapters together on Monday during Reading Groups.
All Students: Sort your spelling words. Any written activity done should be done in the back of your composition notebook.
Parents: Today, your student chose an independent reading book based on his or her level determined by testing scores. Over the next few weeks, your student will be reading and completing assignments on this book. Then, they will be compiling story elements into a Book Report Project. If you could provide a Tri-fold poster board for your child and bring it to school within the next week or so, that would be most helpful. This project will be a good cumulative sample of the reading strategies and skills your child has been working on since the beginning of school.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Week of November 14
Homework
Monday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and read story several times. Have a parent ask you the comprehension questions once you are comfortable with the story.
Polar Bears - Read Chapter 1 in Dolphins at Daybreak.
Tuesday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and reread story.
Polar Bears - Read Chapter 2 and complete first 4 vocabulary words.
Spelling Sorts
Wednesday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and read new story. Ask a parent to ask you the comprehension questions when you are comfortable with the story.
Polar Bears - Read Ch. 3 and use sticky notes to mark the most important events. Have these in class on Thursday for our summary writing. Complete vocabulary sheet.
Spelling Sorts
Thursday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and reread story.
Polar Bears - Read Ch. 4 and complete vocabulary sheet.
Spelling Sorts
Friday:
Spelling Sorts. Test will be on Monday.
Monday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and read story several times. Have a parent ask you the comprehension questions once you are comfortable with the story.
Polar Bears - Read Chapter 1 in Dolphins at Daybreak.
Tuesday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and reread story.
Polar Bears - Read Chapter 2 and complete first 4 vocabulary words.
Spelling Sorts
Wednesday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and read new story. Ask a parent to ask you the comprehension questions when you are comfortable with the story.
Polar Bears - Read Ch. 3 and use sticky notes to mark the most important events. Have these in class on Thursday for our summary writing. Complete vocabulary sheet.
Spelling Sorts
Thursday:
Two Owls & Red-Eye Eagles - Practice sight words and reread story.
Polar Bears - Read Ch. 4 and complete vocabulary sheet.
Spelling Sorts
Friday:
Spelling Sorts. Test will be on Monday.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, November 7th
Language Arts:
* We took our weekly spelling test - new words are assigned on Tuesday.
* Each Reading Group recieved new sight words/vocabulary words to study and practice. Please master these by the end of the week. Two Owls and Red-Eyed Eagles - you will recieve your new stories tomorrow. Reading Packet is due Thursday - please be working hard each class to finish your work on time.
Math:
* We took our Geometry and Fractions Test.
Science A:
* We finished up our island model discussion and began discussing different landforms and how the earth changes.
Science B:
* We reviewed for our test on Wednesday. See Study Guide on previous blog post.
Writing:
* To enrich our Word Choice Unit, we read the book, "Max's Words." We will be creating our own collection of words over the next couple weeks. If you have old magazines, newspapers, etc. at home that you could bring to school, it would be very helpful and appreciated!
* We took our weekly spelling test - new words are assigned on Tuesday.
* Each Reading Group recieved new sight words/vocabulary words to study and practice. Please master these by the end of the week. Two Owls and Red-Eyed Eagles - you will recieve your new stories tomorrow. Reading Packet is due Thursday - please be working hard each class to finish your work on time.
Math:
* We took our Geometry and Fractions Test.
Science A:
* We finished up our island model discussion and began discussing different landforms and how the earth changes.
Science B:
* We reviewed for our test on Wednesday. See Study Guide on previous blog post.
Writing:
* To enrich our Word Choice Unit, we read the book, "Max's Words." We will be creating our own collection of words over the next couple weeks. If you have old magazines, newspapers, etc. at home that you could bring to school, it would be very helpful and appreciated!
Science B Study Guide
Here of the key information you should know for your test on Wednesday, November 9th.
Key Vocabulary:
Star
Sunspot
Corona
Eclipse - Solar vs. Lunar
Satellite
Crater
Planet
Solar System
Orbit
Rotation
Revolution
Key Concepts:
Moon Phases: New Moon, Quarter Moon, Half Moon, Gibbous, Full Moon
Waxing vs. Waning
Order of Planets, 2-3 Major Attributes of each planet, Inner vs. Outer Planets
Asteroids and Comets
Rotation vs. Revolution: What makes day and night? How long is Earth's Orbit?
Key Vocabulary:
Star
Sunspot
Corona
Eclipse - Solar vs. Lunar
Satellite
Crater
Planet
Solar System
Orbit
Rotation
Revolution
Key Concepts:
Moon Phases: New Moon, Quarter Moon, Half Moon, Gibbous, Full Moon
Waxing vs. Waning
Order of Planets, 2-3 Major Attributes of each planet, Inner vs. Outer Planets
Asteroids and Comets
Rotation vs. Revolution: What makes day and night? How long is Earth's Orbit?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4
I apologize for not posting this week.
Weekly Spelling Assignment: Sort Spelling Words every night. Follow handout for nightly activities.
Weekly Reading Assignments:
Two Owls ~ Read and reread mini storybooks until you are comfortable reading them without hesitation. Build your fluency by rereading familiar texts! Parents: To check your student's comprehension of the story, ask him or her questions about the story after they have finished reading it.
Red-Eyed Eagles ~ Read and reread mini book until you are completely comfortable with it. Rereading familiar text improves your fluency and comprehension! Parents: To check your student's comprehension, ask him or her questions about the story after they have finished reading.
Polar Bears ~ Master weekly vocabulary words and reread Mrs. Brown Went to Town as much as possible during the week on your own.
Weekly Spelling Assignment: Sort Spelling Words every night. Follow handout for nightly activities.
Weekly Reading Assignments:
Two Owls ~ Read and reread mini storybooks until you are comfortable reading them without hesitation. Build your fluency by rereading familiar texts! Parents: To check your student's comprehension of the story, ask him or her questions about the story after they have finished reading it.
Red-Eyed Eagles ~ Read and reread mini book until you are completely comfortable with it. Rereading familiar text improves your fluency and comprehension! Parents: To check your student's comprehension, ask him or her questions about the story after they have finished reading.
Polar Bears ~ Master weekly vocabulary words and reread Mrs. Brown Went to Town as much as possible during the week on your own.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 26th
Quick Recap of the Day:
Language Arts: All Reading Groups met and read/reread their assigned story, practiced their sight words, and focused on their comprehension skill of the week (compare/contrast, story structure and summarizing, fantasy vs. realism). Homework for tonight is to keep practicing their sight words until mastery and sort spelling words. Any written spelling work, should be done in the back of their composition book.
Math: We are working on naming fractions and adding and subtracting fractions.
Science A: We had a test today on our Space and Sky Unit.
Science B: Today was our last work day. Final Reports are due on Monday, October 31 (typed or printed). Presentations will be that day as well, so if you have a visual project bring it to class on Monday too.
Writer's Workshop: We began our discussion of "Techniques that Writers Use to Make Their Writing Sound Good." We opened with the technique of using and making up sound words. We like to learn from other writers, so we looked at how the author of "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything" uses sound words to make her writing fun and interesting.
Language Arts: All Reading Groups met and read/reread their assigned story, practiced their sight words, and focused on their comprehension skill of the week (compare/contrast, story structure and summarizing, fantasy vs. realism). Homework for tonight is to keep practicing their sight words until mastery and sort spelling words. Any written spelling work, should be done in the back of their composition book.
Math: We are working on naming fractions and adding and subtracting fractions.
Science A: We had a test today on our Space and Sky Unit.
Science B: Today was our last work day. Final Reports are due on Monday, October 31 (typed or printed). Presentations will be that day as well, so if you have a visual project bring it to class on Monday too.
Writer's Workshop: We began our discussion of "Techniques that Writers Use to Make Their Writing Sound Good." We opened with the technique of using and making up sound words. We like to learn from other writers, so we looked at how the author of "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything" uses sound words to make her writing fun and interesting.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, October 25th
Homework:
Language Arts -
All reading groups should practice reading their sight words until mastered.
Two Owls and Red-Eyed Eagles should reread their mini-book until completely comfortable with it.
All Reading Groups need to be prepared by bringing their composition book to class every day.
All Spelling Groups should be sorting your words every night. Write any spelling activities you complete in the back of your composition book.
Science B -
We will have one more In-Class Work Day on Wednesday. Final Copies will be homework from there and are due on presentation day on Monday, October 31.
Language Arts -
All reading groups should practice reading their sight words until mastered.
Two Owls and Red-Eyed Eagles should reread their mini-book until completely comfortable with it.
All Reading Groups need to be prepared by bringing their composition book to class every day.
All Spelling Groups should be sorting your words every night. Write any spelling activities you complete in the back of your composition book.
Science B -
We will have one more In-Class Work Day on Wednesday. Final Copies will be homework from there and are due on presentation day on Monday, October 31.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Friday, October 14
Short recap of this past week:
Our reading groups have officially began and your student has been paired up with another based upon DRA scores. During group meeting times, your student will be introduced to a selection of sight words which he or she will practice daily in order to read them effortlessly. Reading Groups will focus on reading strategies and comprehension skills based on individual needs. Your student will get a new leveled reader every meeting to take home and read as often as needed in order to read it comfortably and with expression.
As you have seen, your student has a Composition Notebook for both Reading Groups and Spelling Work. They will need to have this at school every day. In the front of the notebook will be your student's sight word list for the week and any assignments related to Reading Group work or independent Word Work. In the back of the notebook your student's spelling words are attached. Starting at the last page of the book, your student will complete any spelling assignments.
In Science, we are finishing up our Weather and Sky Unit. We made flashcards to study the key vocabulary words. We will have a test on the Wednesday after the Fall Break. We will review all the covered material on Monday.
During Writing Workshop, we began writing our nonfiction picture books.
Homework for Fall Break:
Language Arts: Read new story as often as needed and master sight words. Sort spelling words.
Science: Review Science Vocabulary (with flash cards if you brought them home). Vocabulary words are: planet, star, orbit, rotation, solar system, phases
Have a safe and wonderful Fall Break!!
Our reading groups have officially began and your student has been paired up with another based upon DRA scores. During group meeting times, your student will be introduced to a selection of sight words which he or she will practice daily in order to read them effortlessly. Reading Groups will focus on reading strategies and comprehension skills based on individual needs. Your student will get a new leveled reader every meeting to take home and read as often as needed in order to read it comfortably and with expression.
As you have seen, your student has a Composition Notebook for both Reading Groups and Spelling Work. They will need to have this at school every day. In the front of the notebook will be your student's sight word list for the week and any assignments related to Reading Group work or independent Word Work. In the back of the notebook your student's spelling words are attached. Starting at the last page of the book, your student will complete any spelling assignments.
In Science, we are finishing up our Weather and Sky Unit. We made flashcards to study the key vocabulary words. We will have a test on the Wednesday after the Fall Break. We will review all the covered material on Monday.
During Writing Workshop, we began writing our nonfiction picture books.
Homework for Fall Break:
Language Arts: Read new story as often as needed and master sight words. Sort spelling words.
Science: Review Science Vocabulary (with flash cards if you brought them home). Vocabulary words are: planet, star, orbit, rotation, solar system, phases
Have a safe and wonderful Fall Break!!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Monday, October 10th
Homework for Reading Groups:
The Two Owls (Emily S, Tyler): Reread "Cat" until you are comfortable with it and review sight words.
The Red Eyed Eagles (Alyssa, Ian): Reread "Pet Shop" until you are comfortable with it and review sight words.
Group 3 (Faith, Kayleb): Reread "Fussy Gail" until you are comfortable with it and review sight words.
The Polar Bears (Jaidin, Emily P.): None. We will meet on Tuesday.
The Two Owls (Emily S, Tyler): Reread "Cat" until you are comfortable with it and review sight words.
The Red Eyed Eagles (Alyssa, Ian): Reread "Pet Shop" until you are comfortable with it and review sight words.
Group 3 (Faith, Kayleb): Reread "Fussy Gail" until you are comfortable with it and review sight words.
The Polar Bears (Jaidin, Emily P.): None. We will meet on Tuesday.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7
Today was our Project Day, so we made mobiles to show the orbits of the 8 planets plus Pluto today. It hasn't been announced in class, but there will be a quiz on the order of the planets and the major distinguishing features of each planet on this coming Wednesday.
Homework for Language Arts:
* Nightly Spelling Sorts activities. Test will be on Monday!
* Handwriting Practice page. Remember to trace first, and then write on your own. Take your time to make neat letters!
* You should always be reading a little bit at home every night. Record it in your Reading Logs!
Homework for Math:
* Packet is due on Monday.
Homework for Science A:
* Have your Moon and Star Journal in class on Monday for discussion. I realize there has been many cloudy nights lately, so you only need to have observations recorded on nights that are clear.
Homework for Science B:
* Your Planet Fact Sheets and books are due on Monday.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the snow...
Homework for Language Arts:
* Nightly Spelling Sorts activities. Test will be on Monday!
* Handwriting Practice page. Remember to trace first, and then write on your own. Take your time to make neat letters!
* You should always be reading a little bit at home every night. Record it in your Reading Logs!
Homework for Math:
* Packet is due on Monday.
Homework for Science A:
* Have your Moon and Star Journal in class on Monday for discussion. I realize there has been many cloudy nights lately, so you only need to have observations recorded on nights that are clear.
Homework for Science B:
* Your Planet Fact Sheets and books are due on Monday.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the snow...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday, October 6th
Homework for Language Arts:
You should be sorting and practicing your spelling words every night according to the activity sheet that was sent home.
You need to complete your nightly handwriting practice page.
Homework for Science A:
Observe the night sky tonight and draw what the moon and the stars look like in your Journal. You should try to do this every night until Monday. Have your Journal in class on Monday for discussion. If the sky is cloudy and you are unable to see anything, make a note in your Journal for that day, and try again the next day.
Homework for Science B:
You should be working on your Planet Fact Sheet. This is due on Monday, October 10th. Please have your 2 planet books in class on Monday too.
You should be sorting and practicing your spelling words every night according to the activity sheet that was sent home.
You need to complete your nightly handwriting practice page.
Homework for Science A:
Observe the night sky tonight and draw what the moon and the stars look like in your Journal. You should try to do this every night until Monday. Have your Journal in class on Monday for discussion. If the sky is cloudy and you are unable to see anything, make a note in your Journal for that day, and try again the next day.
Homework for Science B:
You should be working on your Planet Fact Sheet. This is due on Monday, October 10th. Please have your 2 planet books in class on Monday too.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tuesday, October 4th
Homework for Language Arts:
Your student will be bringing home a handwriting worksheet to complete almost every night. The homework page is the same as the practice sheet that he or she completed in class that day. Good handwriting is an important skill not only to be legible for others to read your writing, but it also helps build strong fine motor skills.
Your student also recieved his or her new spelling word sorts. Please encourage and support your child at home with this. Refer to the handout for specific nightly activities.
Homework for Mrs. Fells' Math Class:
Your student should be studying with her flashcards every night, either on her own or with a family member. We will be taking timed math fact quizzes every day to improve on speed and accuracy. We are beginning our new unit now which will cover geometry and fractions.
Your student will be bringing home a handwriting worksheet to complete almost every night. The homework page is the same as the practice sheet that he or she completed in class that day. Good handwriting is an important skill not only to be legible for others to read your writing, but it also helps build strong fine motor skills.
Your student also recieved his or her new spelling word sorts. Please encourage and support your child at home with this. Refer to the handout for specific nightly activities.
Homework for Mrs. Fells' Math Class:
Your student should be studying with her flashcards every night, either on her own or with a family member. We will be taking timed math fact quizzes every day to improve on speed and accuracy. We are beginning our new unit now which will cover geometry and fractions.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday, October 3rd
Happy October! Today was a busy day...
In Primary A Language Arts, we took our weekly spelling test, introduced a new component of our Daily 5, and read another chapter of the classic novel Moby Dick! In Science, we discussed and modeled the Moon Phases. Review with your student the four main phases and how long it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth. During Writer's Workshop we continued to work on our picture books. Each student should have at least 1 completed book on Thursday to share with the class.
Homework: Read for at least 15 minutes tonight. Record your reading on your Reading Log in your Homework Folder.
Primary B Science:
You recieved an Informational Packet explaining your Planet Report Project. Please read through the entire packet. Please ask me if you have any questions about anything. We will discuss report and presentation expectations in more detail in the next couple class periods.
This week, you need to be working on your Planet Fact Sheets. This is due on Monday, October 10th. Use the books that you were given and the Internet if possible. Please return the books on October 10th as well. Here are some websites you might want to explore:
Mercury:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/mercury.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/mercury/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mercury.htm
Venus:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/venus.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/venus/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/venus.htm
Mars:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/mars.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/mars/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mars.htm
Jupiter:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/jupiter.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/jupiter/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/jupiter.htm
Saturn:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/saturn.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/saturn/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/saturn.htm
Uranus:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/uranus.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/uranus/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/uranus.htm
Neptune:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/neptune.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/neptune/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/neptune.htm
Pluto:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/pluto.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/pluto/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/pluto.htm
Have fun researching!!
In Primary A Language Arts, we took our weekly spelling test, introduced a new component of our Daily 5, and read another chapter of the classic novel Moby Dick! In Science, we discussed and modeled the Moon Phases. Review with your student the four main phases and how long it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth. During Writer's Workshop we continued to work on our picture books. Each student should have at least 1 completed book on Thursday to share with the class.
Homework: Read for at least 15 minutes tonight. Record your reading on your Reading Log in your Homework Folder.
Primary B Science:
You recieved an Informational Packet explaining your Planet Report Project. Please read through the entire packet. Please ask me if you have any questions about anything. We will discuss report and presentation expectations in more detail in the next couple class periods.
This week, you need to be working on your Planet Fact Sheets. This is due on Monday, October 10th. Use the books that you were given and the Internet if possible. Please return the books on October 10th as well. Here are some websites you might want to explore:
Mercury:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/mercury.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/mercury/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mercury.htm
Venus:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/venus.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/venus/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/venus.htm
Mars:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/mars.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/mars/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mars.htm
Jupiter:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/jupiter.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/jupiter/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/jupiter.htm
Saturn:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/saturn.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/saturn/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/saturn.htm
Uranus:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/uranus.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/uranus/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/uranus.htm
Neptune:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/neptune.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/neptune/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/neptune.htm
Pluto:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/pluto.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/pluto/
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/pluto.htm
Have fun researching!!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Week of September 19
In Language Arts, we have been continuing with the set-up procedures of the Daily 5. Your students have been working hard and, on Wednesday, they will be introduced to two more of the components: Word Work and Listening to Reading.
The new spelling words were assigned today. I have included a handout in your child's Homework Folder describing different activities you can do with your child each night to practice the words.
In Science A, we are continuing to study the Water Cycle, the Sun, and the Earth's rotation.
In Science B, we are continuing our study of the Solar System by reading about eclipses. We are exploring the Sun's energy before we get into the other planets of our galaxy. Moon Journals will be due next Monday, September 26. There was no required number of observations, but your student should have a drawing for about 2 times a week since the assignment was given on Wednesday, September 7.
Writing Workshop has been hugely successful so far!
The new spelling words were assigned today. I have included a handout in your child's Homework Folder describing different activities you can do with your child each night to practice the words.
In Science A, we are continuing to study the Water Cycle, the Sun, and the Earth's rotation.
In Science B, we are continuing our study of the Solar System by reading about eclipses. We are exploring the Sun's energy before we get into the other planets of our galaxy. Moon Journals will be due next Monday, September 26. There was no required number of observations, but your student should have a drawing for about 2 times a week since the assignment was given on Wednesday, September 7.
Writing Workshop has been hugely successful so far!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thursday, September 14
Great work is being done from the Primary A room!
The last several days we have been walking through what our Literacy Learning Centers will look like by focusing on each center intensely and in great depth. Today, we learned about Reading to Someone (Shared Reading) and one of the ways to do this. We discussed what it should look, sound, and feel like. They know that the purpose of reading to someone is to practice their reading skills and strategies, build fluency, and to have fun.
My math class has been working on different addition strategies, like counting on, doubles facts, doubles plus 1, and combinations of 10.
In Science A, we are taking a look at the different seasons and what changes occur throughout the year. We are now in the process of making flip books to visually show the changes a tree goes through.
In Science B, we are continuing our Solar System unit by exploring the positons of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Did you know that the Sun is 400 times bigger than the Moon? The students homework continues to be to observe the Moon and to record it in their Moon Journal.
Well, we officially started our very first day of Writing Workshop today! Writing Workshop will be every Monday and Wednesday from 2:40 to 3:40 pm. Your students are off to a great start and I am so excited to get to read their finished books!
Homework: Sort Spelling Words every night. Spelling Test will be Monday, September 19th.
The last several days we have been walking through what our Literacy Learning Centers will look like by focusing on each center intensely and in great depth. Today, we learned about Reading to Someone (Shared Reading) and one of the ways to do this. We discussed what it should look, sound, and feel like. They know that the purpose of reading to someone is to practice their reading skills and strategies, build fluency, and to have fun.
My math class has been working on different addition strategies, like counting on, doubles facts, doubles plus 1, and combinations of 10.
In Science A, we are taking a look at the different seasons and what changes occur throughout the year. We are now in the process of making flip books to visually show the changes a tree goes through.
In Science B, we are continuing our Solar System unit by exploring the positons of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Did you know that the Sun is 400 times bigger than the Moon? The students homework continues to be to observe the Moon and to record it in their Moon Journal.
Well, we officially started our very first day of Writing Workshop today! Writing Workshop will be every Monday and Wednesday from 2:40 to 3:40 pm. Your students are off to a great start and I am so excited to get to read their finished books!
Homework: Sort Spelling Words every night. Spelling Test will be Monday, September 19th.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Week of September 12
Primary A Homework:
Sort new Spelling Words. Be sure to say the word out loud listening to the sounds and looking at the spelling pattern. You should be sorting your words at least once every night. Your test will be on Monday, September 19th.
If you needed to fix your Spelling Test from yesterday, write each misspelled word correctly in a complete sentence on a separate sheet of paper.
Read at least 15 minutes every night and record what you have been reading on your Reading Log in the back of your Homework Folder.
Remember to get your Homework Folder signed every night and turn it in first thing in the morning!
Primary B Science:
Observe the Moon and draw what it looks like in your Moon Journal. See if you can tell what phase it is and if it is waxing or waning.
Sort new Spelling Words. Be sure to say the word out loud listening to the sounds and looking at the spelling pattern. You should be sorting your words at least once every night. Your test will be on Monday, September 19th.
If you needed to fix your Spelling Test from yesterday, write each misspelled word correctly in a complete sentence on a separate sheet of paper.
Read at least 15 minutes every night and record what you have been reading on your Reading Log in the back of your Homework Folder.
Remember to get your Homework Folder signed every night and turn it in first thing in the morning!
Primary B Science:
Observe the Moon and draw what it looks like in your Moon Journal. See if you can tell what phase it is and if it is waxing or waning.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, September 7th
Primary A Homework: Sort Spelling Words and practice reading them.
Mrs. Fells' Math Homework: Review Doubles Facts
Primary B Homework: Observe the Moon tonight (or the next clear night) and draw in your Moon Journals.
We had a fabulous day today!
During our Language Arts block, we learned about two of different ways to read and what Reading to Self looks, sounds, and feels like. We are beginning our Daily 5 Literacy instruction and part of that is building our reading stamina.
During Science A, we finished our Cloud Books which describe and illustrate what cumulus/cumulonimbus, stratus, and cirrus clouds look like! Your students will be predicting the weather for you just by looking up at the clouds.
During Science B, we discussed our Sundial findings and related it to our clock. Now, we are taking a look at our Moon and its phases. The students will be recording what the Moon looks like at least once a week for a month in their Moon Journal. If it is too cloudy one night, they should try the next night.
During Writing today, we discussed Story Structure by introducing our first theme: Silly Stories and writing with fantasy vs. realism.
Mrs. Fells' Math Homework: Review Doubles Facts
Primary B Homework: Observe the Moon tonight (or the next clear night) and draw in your Moon Journals.
We had a fabulous day today!
During our Language Arts block, we learned about two of different ways to read and what Reading to Self looks, sounds, and feels like. We are beginning our Daily 5 Literacy instruction and part of that is building our reading stamina.
During Science A, we finished our Cloud Books which describe and illustrate what cumulus/cumulonimbus, stratus, and cirrus clouds look like! Your students will be predicting the weather for you just by looking up at the clouds.
During Science B, we discussed our Sundial findings and related it to our clock. Now, we are taking a look at our Moon and its phases. The students will be recording what the Moon looks like at least once a week for a month in their Moon Journal. If it is too cloudy one night, they should try the next night.
During Writing today, we discussed Story Structure by introducing our first theme: Silly Stories and writing with fantasy vs. realism.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Spelling Sorts!
Your student received their first spelling list today! Their homework every night this week is to sort their words by the spelling pattern. We did this once in class today. so your student should be able to do this at home.
They will first pick out the headings that are printed in bold. Then they should put each word under the correct category. For example: Under the category -ot, there could be words got, hot, and lot. Your student should be saying each word while he or she is doing this as well.
Please remind your student to turn their Homework Folder in every morning as well as put their lunchbox (unless it needs refrigeration) in the red tub in the back of the room. If they have a snack for the day, they should be putting it in the snack box first thing in the morning.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Creek Trip
What an exciting trip to the creek! To spotting a baby hummingbird in its' nest to examining a large crawdad to collecting hundreds of different samples of leaves, Plum Creek was at its finest. The water was high and creek life was thriving.
After we came back, your students further examined and reflected on their trip in order to write about it in their Science Notebooks.
Please remind your students to have their yellow Homework Folder signed every night and have it on their desk first thing in the morning every day.
I hope every one has a fabulous Labor Day weekend. Your student should be reading at least 15 minutes every night and recording it in his or her reading log in their Homework Folder.
After we came back, your students further examined and reflected on their trip in order to write about it in their Science Notebooks.
Please remind your students to have their yellow Homework Folder signed every night and have it on their desk first thing in the morning every day.
I hope every one has a fabulous Labor Day weekend. Your student should be reading at least 15 minutes every night and recording it in his or her reading log in their Homework Folder.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Science Class: August 31
Science B:
Today, we explored the Earth's orbit around the sun and how this explains our seasons. Throughout the seasons, it changes the path in which the Sun travels across the sky each day. To observe this, we made homemade sundials. For homework, students are supposed to record the Sun's shadow three times one day over the weekend. They should have recieved an assignment sheet explaining the process in class, but, in case it was misplaced, it will be posted here.
There is ONE UPDATE the students should be aware of:
When recording your measurements, be sure to put the sundial in the same place, same direction every time! This will be the key to a successful observation.
Directions:
1. Choose a sunny day to do your assignment. In the morning (7-9 AM), go outside with your sundial and a marker. Working on the ground, make sure your pencil is anchored to the center of the paper.
2. Use your marker to draw a straight line through the middle of the shadow. Label the line with the date and time!
3. Measure the pencil's shadow again at 12 PM and again in the afternoon (3-5 PM). Label the line with the date and time!
4. Afterwards, write a Conclusion in your Science Notebook. Answer these questions:
What was the tool that you can use to measure the Sun's path?
How does the position of the pencil's shadow change throughout one day?
Is the Sun high or low in the sky when the shadows are the longest?
Science A:
Today, we defined what a cloud is and what it is made out of. We looked at the different types of clouds and learned about what kind of weather comes from each kind. Now, we are in the process of making Cloud mini-books to show four different cloud types: cirrus, cumulus, cumulonimbus, and stratus.
Today, we explored the Earth's orbit around the sun and how this explains our seasons. Throughout the seasons, it changes the path in which the Sun travels across the sky each day. To observe this, we made homemade sundials. For homework, students are supposed to record the Sun's shadow three times one day over the weekend. They should have recieved an assignment sheet explaining the process in class, but, in case it was misplaced, it will be posted here.
There is ONE UPDATE the students should be aware of:
When recording your measurements, be sure to put the sundial in the same place, same direction every time! This will be the key to a successful observation.
Directions:
1. Choose a sunny day to do your assignment. In the morning (7-9 AM), go outside with your sundial and a marker. Working on the ground, make sure your pencil is anchored to the center of the paper.
2. Use your marker to draw a straight line through the middle of the shadow. Label the line with the date and time!
3. Measure the pencil's shadow again at 12 PM and again in the afternoon (3-5 PM). Label the line with the date and time!
4. Afterwards, write a Conclusion in your Science Notebook. Answer these questions:
What was the tool that you can use to measure the Sun's path?
How does the position of the pencil's shadow change throughout one day?
Is the Sun high or low in the sky when the shadows are the longest?
Science A:
Today, we defined what a cloud is and what it is made out of. We looked at the different types of clouds and learned about what kind of weather comes from each kind. Now, we are in the process of making Cloud mini-books to show four different cloud types: cirrus, cumulus, cumulonimbus, and stratus.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Welcome!
Please visit this link to see the first two posts of our Classroom Blog:
woodlandsfirst.blogspot.com
From now on, I will be posting updates on your student's classroom experiences here at the Woodlands Academy blog site. Please check back often for important news!
Thank you!!
woodlandsfirst.blogspot.com
From now on, I will be posting updates on your student's classroom experiences here at the Woodlands Academy blog site. Please check back often for important news!
Thank you!!
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