January 9, 2012

Some students still need to remember to bring in signed reading logs from December. We are starting a game in class called WIZARDS, which helps support reading fluency, words their way, handwriting, vocabulary, and non-fiction reading. Students earn power levels for WIZARDS, when they hand in their monthly reading log.

Second term ends next Wednesday and third term starts next Thursday. Mrs. Dezember (science) and Mrs. Johnson (history) have told students that the last day to hand in assignments for their classes is THIS FRIDAY. I will accept math and reading assignments until next Tuesday, Jan 17th.

Remember - no school next Monday.

I was lax about the blog last week, here is the homework hotline board for last week:

December 12, 2011

This week's homework hotline. This week students will take their mid-year math test. They have a review sheet they should be working on - both in class and at home. The test will be Thursday. If students are not attending school for any reason on Thursday, they will need to let me know, so they can take it on Wednesday. Thanks.

Thursday the 6th grade will be making gingerbread houses in the afternoon 2:00-3:30. If you would like to volunteer, we can use some extra help. If you would like to donate supplies, we can use graham crackers, white frosting or royal icing, and small candies to decorate. Thanks.

Last week's homework hotline. Sorry, I was at home with the chicken pox virus.

November 28, 2011

I'm so sorry to be late with this BLOG entry. I took a photo of the Homework Hotline board yesterday and printed it for students who tape it into their planners, but then forgot to post a BLOG entry. OOPS.

I have asked students to be more prompt with math and reading assignments. I am correcting them each night, putting them in the SIS gradebook, and giving them back to students the next day. That is a big effort and I want you to know the gradebook is absolutely current in math and reading. If you see a missing assignment there - it's because it has not been turned in.

Students are creating string, line designs in math to practice graphing skills. They are hanging in the hall at the top of the stairs. Students have worked hard and these designs look great! Some students are still stitching. The designs are due by Friday.

Your students have probably mentioned we will be making plaster bandage masks next week. look for a note tomorrow.

Students have constructed a magnetized pocket viewer for the front of their lockers. These are designed to show off their "best work." Right now, students are displaying a WORDLE poem, which they wrote to describe themselves. At a later time they may display artwork or their best math paper.

November 21, 2011

Please note there are two important tests this week. Today students will take the Theme 2 reading test and tomorrow they will take the Unit 4 math test. This means a lot of review and not so much homework. Tonight's important homework is to go back through the answers on the math review sheet, and circle any problems that are confusing or hard. We can do a quick review before the test.

Students will also be working on sewing a graphed line design and reviewing new vocabulary from this year in a game format.

Missing assignment reports were handed out last Friday. Many students have been very responsible about getting caught up and handing things in. This is a good point to check SIS and see how your student is doing.

November 14, 2011

In math, students start working with 4 quadrant graphs tomorrow. They need to know the name of each quadrant (Quandrant I, Quadrant II, Quadrant III, and Quadreant IV) and how to plot ordered pairs in each quadrant. In other words, they need to know how to place (4,5) ; (-4,5); (4,-5); and (-4,-5) on a graph that has (0,0) at the center.

We are also writing rhythm chants to help us remember to use the correct signs when we add, subtract, multiply, and divide positive and negative integers.

This week, we are reading a story "Trapped by the Ice," which is our first non-fiction story. It is about the Shackleton expedition to Antarctica in 1914. Shackleton wanted to be the first to cross the polar ice cap, but because of the many challenges they faced, this expedition turned into one of the most amazing true-life survival stories on record. If you want to see videos of this amazing adventure, you can watch "Endurance" (the name of their ship) on YouTube. This is the link to the second section. I will show parts of it in class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff_0nhx-10I&feature=player_embedded

November 07, 2011

Please note we are one day behind in our math assignments.

Tomorrow is the Veteran's Day assembly at school. Our homeroom will be performing The Star Spangled Banner with hand bells.

One of our students suggested a really good website to practice spelling and vocabulary words. You can use the regular version for free and it looks like it offers a lot of ways to practice words. Check it out: http://www.spellingcity.com/

Second term is when assignment due dates start to tighten up. This is the general rule:

I do not accept late work after 5 days, unless students have been sick (a note is required) or there is another really good reason. The 5 days start when the assignment has been posted in the SIS grade book. However, the grade for the project drops every day by 10%, whether the assignment has been posted or not. So, I may accept an assignment late, but it will not be for full credit. I am encouraging and reminding students every day to complete and hand in assignments.

I do want students to do the work, though, so I may be willing to negotiate in some cases. I can't reward students for continually returning late work, though. Late work means that students are not prepared for quizzes, tests, and the next topics we will study. Thank you for the support you give your children. Please email me if you have questions or concerns.

The paper bag book reports are so much fun! Students have done a fabulous job! When we finish sharing them in class, we will put them on the wall by the stairs. Look for them starting next week.

November 1, 2011

Friday is the last day to bring the October book report and reading log for full credit. The October restroom cards are also absolutely due Friday, if you want to receive a prize.

Please note the field trip tomorrow. This requires field trip uniforms (white shirt and navy pants or skirt). There is a science test on Thursday - study! Students have been informed about the option of participating in the Presidential Volunteer Service challenge. You can find out more by checking this website or contacting me.

http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm