October 4, 2010

Dates you need to know:

OCTOBER
Wednesday 13--Book Project Due
Friday 15--Last progress report of the term to be sent home
Friday 18--After school class
Tuesday 19--Volcano Explosion Day
Tuesday 19--All assignments must be turned in to attend Worker's Holiday
Wednesday 20--Worker's Holiday
Wednesday 20--End of First Term
Thursday 21-Monday 25--Harvest Holiday/Fall Recess

Happy Birthday Jared!

READING
I gave each student the handout, Book Project Ideas, from which they can choose a project. This project will be shared with the class on the 13th. Some favorites include making a diorama, writing a sequel, writing a play, creating a board/card game, drawing a comic strip, writing a poem or rap, or making a video. Of course, these need to have something to do with the book they have read. I would like them to have their book with them on the day they share their project.

SCIENCE
I hope you read the Volcano Day paper I sent home last week. Remember, we will set off the volcanoes on Tuesday 19th at 2:30. Students may work with a partner from any of the 5th grade classes. Let me know if you need more information.

SPELLING WORDS
Practice these words, and look for other words with the same
spelling patterns.

Sort #34--wa/al/ou

watch, thought, walk, calm, bought, wand, talk, stalk, fought, chalk, ought,
brought, cough, almost, swat,

Sort #54 --ie/ei/cei

thief, receive, neighbor, seize, niece, ceiling, eighteen, weigh, deceive, weird, sleigh,
grief, shield, either, receipt, mischief, freight, conceit

Sort #23 --long and short "e" sounds

needle, feather, succeed, season, increase, leather, compete, repeat, defeat, feature,
heavy, freedom, pleasant, meaning, fifteen, extreme, sweater, steady, healthy, people,
thirteen, healthy

Sort #21 --long "o" sound

toaster, hostess, explode, bureau, suppose, lonely, closely, owner, remote, lonesome,
approach, awoke, postage, soapy rowboat, erode

SOCIAL STUDIES
We are setting up our Revolutionary Battle Camps.
Each "Battle Camp" will be named for a famous battle ground (Concord, Lexington, Valley Forge, Sarotoga, Ticonderoga, Bunker Hill). Each camp will create flags and a battle cry.
We'll learn about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and many other
great patriots. We'll learn about Valley Forge and the suffering of the soldiers. As part of our study of American History, we will be memorizing famous verses, speeches, quotes, and poetry. Some are required and some are optional. I will send home a packet next week.

MATH
Please sit down with your child and check to see if s/he can successfully divide with a single digit divisor (Ex: 345 divided by 4). With 31 students, it's sometimes hard to get to everyone who needs help. Thanks!