MAR 31st Homework

Homework:
MATH: all math pages through page 66
READING: Read independently for 30 minutes

Homework and news for MAR 27th

HOMEWORK
MATH: pages 60+61
SPELLING: Test on your 6 words
WRITING: Write one paragraph using the body to show emotions
GOVT: Read about Alex Lin and if possible look at both the videos below.
Using the sheet provided write a sentence about how he or Erica took the steps to make a difference as outlined in the sheet provided.


Below are examples of students making a difference by using their creativity and exercising their 1st amendment rights. Here is a video about Alex Lin from Rhode Island speaking about his work on recycling computers.



And here is Erica Fernandez from California talking about her experience working to stop a liquefied natural gas facility that was proposed for the coast of Oxnard and Malibu with a 36-inch pipeline routed through low-income neighborhoods.

Homework and news for MAR 26th

HOMEWORK:
MATH:53+54
WRITING: Write the beginning of a scary story. Use one metaphor and one simile. Minimum of one paragraph.

A SIMILE is a figure of speech where X is compared to Y , using the words AS or LIKE .

His eyes were as blue as the sky.
His eyes were blue like the sky.

A METAPHOR is a figure of speech where X is compared to Y, and where X is said TO BE Y. A METAPHOR says that X IS Y.

Her hands were blocks of ice. - Metaphor does not use as or like
Her nose was a cherry on a white cake.

Homework and news for MAR 25th

READING: 30 Minutes of independent reading
MATH: pages 47- 49
We worked on our persuasive writing by creating drafts for an initiative to change how we use paper at the Atrium and in the larger world.
How does a writer create suspense, drama and surprise ? Building on the reading assignment from yesterday ( sorry, that assignment was not introduced well by me- Norah) Dan led the class in a brainstorm of a list of questions about how an author creates suspense and drama in a story. We will be reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen together to examine and deepen understanding of some elements of good writing.
LIST:
What details or word choice creates drama?
How do setting, Voice, Change of point of view, create drama?
Students noticed that some elements of suspense are created by:
Pacing of plot elements
Slow pacing to build suspense
fast pacing-
Change the pace suddenly to scare or startle
Foreshadowing - written hints of things to come...
-events are mentioned but not explained...

Homework and news for MAR 24th

It was great to have Dan back all day today and Shayna too !
HOMEWORK:
MATH: page 45
INDEPENDENT READING:30 minutes
READING RESPONSE: Think of 3 questions that you can ask about something important or interesting to you in the book you are reading. The form was in the homework basket but I can see most people did not pick it up. I will attach it to an email and write here some of the prompts:
Suppose...? What would happen if...? I wonder...? Why did...? What caused...? How did...? What might...? If ...?

Update for MAR 21st

Our students gave a wonderful performance of Freedom Bird from Thailand at the Freedom Assembly. We worked hard on orchestrating sounds inpsired by gamelan or khong wong yai playing pi-phat music to enhance our rendition of the story and the students learned all their words and their parts through the time honored oral tradition. Thanks to Ilana and Courteney who had to give up playing music to portray our bird and hunter. And thanks to Cole for bringing in his cymbal and borrowing a gong to help create music like that which is used to accompany shadow puppet plays. We hope to have pictures from Tory soon.
We had a test on the Bill of Rights today and most students did well.
To our generous families- Thanks for the books from the book fair:
The Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan.
Much appreciated.

We are studying angles in geometry. Sometimes we can confuse acute and obtuse angles. A way to remember is that cute things tend to be small things as well. An acute angle is the smallest type. A nice interactive site on this subject can be found at:
http://www.mathopenref.com/angleacute.html

Homework and news for MAR 20th

Happy first day of spring ! Following Simone Liebman's (Eli's mother)wonderful presentation on the First Amendment earlier in the week, today we had Louise Kennedy (Christian Corrigan's mother), a writer for the Boston Globe, talk to us about persuasive writing. Among other things, Louise told us about ways writers work, the difference between news and opinion and some of the elements of a good editorial. Thanks so much to these generous parents for sharing their time and expertise with us.
HOMEWORK ~ MAR20th
SPELLING: test on your words
GOVERNMENT: Study the Bill of Rights to prepare for a test
MATH: finish pages 37+38
READING: each student should finish their Readers Workshop presentation worksheet in preparation for our Book Talk iii.
Please be on time for the Freedom Assembly this Friday. We have been listening to Balinese gamelan music and pi-phat music from Thailand, as inspiration for our performance of the "Freedom Bird".

Update for MAR 19th and homework

Dan will resume teaching on MAR 24th. Sorry for the lack of clarity on that. Miriam will be sub in class on WED. I am in Agawam, MA all day performing for 4th - 6th graders. I will return on THURSDAY.
HOMEWORK for MAR 19th
WRITING: Students will do a rewrite of their argument for a "new right".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights Using a check list/ work sheet [provided in class] they will collect material to write a new piece that should include good parts from their first paragraph and these elements. The rewrite will be done in class. This is a research and thinking exercise:

1. Clearly state the main thing, point, stance or case you are making
2. Why the "right" you have chosen is important and why you think the reader should know about it
3. Refer to an authority -- support your main idea with quotes or statistics or expert opinion
4. Give needed definitions - be specific
5. Describe; give some examples
6. Arguments against - just a few with solutions to these
7. Use an a story to make a point (think of Simone L's examples about the 1st amendment)
8. Offer background information from your ( the writer's ) point if view that illustrates your case - "In my neighborhood, I see..." or "Once, when we were driving...." or "When my little sister was almost..."
9. A strong conclusion that restates the main idea.
   

SPELLING: write your 6 words in sentences and 3Xs each in cursive
MATH: pages 35+36 in workbook pages

We are thinking about a class outing ( not during school time) to attend the d2E at the Hynes on FRI MAR 28th ( see sidebar). I am willing to go if we have enough adults. Nina Berger has offered us free passes and it should be a fun night for all.

Homework for MAR 18th

HOMEWORK MAR 18th
GOVERNMENT/WRITING
A copy of a new "Bill of Rights" written by F.D.R. was sent home.
Students should chose one of the "rights" and write a 50 word paragraph that argues why it should be added to our Constitution. Then Students should chose one of the 1st Ten Amendments (except the 1st, which we discussed and studied in class with civil rights lawyer, Simone Liebman ) and write a 50 word paragraph about why they think this right is important.
READING: 30 minutes of independent reading
some links from Simone and others follow. Thanks so much!

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/WelcomeEducatorsandStudents/index.shtml#educators

http://www.rightsmatter.org/curriculum/16.html

http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html

http://www.abanet.org/publiced/lawday/schools/

http://www.lawrelatededucation.org/index.html
United States Bill of Rights -- The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution --
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/roc2/Sa4roc2.shtml
United Nations Declaration of Human Rights -- complete text.
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/roc2/Sa3roc2.shtml
United Nations Declaration of Human Rights --
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/roc2/Sa2roc2.shtml

Update for MAR 13th and homework

HOMEWORK: Spelling test and Independent reading.
This week we have been studying about electromagnetism. We shared our knowledge of magnetism at the Eureka science event. Below is a small slide show. We shoot these pictures as quickly as possible to maximize our teaching time and minimize documentation.


Many thanks to Cindie Weldon for the materials in our science room and the organization of the event. We will continue our study by constructing telegraphs,buzzers and other things that go bump in the night.
Students worked with Dan on math and persuasive writing this morning too.
We looked at Cezanne's still life paintings at the Metropolitan Museum website http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/cezannes_apples/splash.html and wrote and drew about a still life in our classroom. Today students did some amazing work on still life drawing and painting while exploring the possibilities of transparency in watercolor.
We will be using our math skills to evaluate some changes we can make happen in the Atrium and in the larger world of Watertown and perhaps even statewide.
More news forthcoming.
Norah

Homework for MAR 11th

WRITING:We are starting on Persuasive Writing.Indy Kids -Read the two "articles" or opinion pieces and rate ONE of them on the form provided. In notes area of the form write at least 4 sentences of your own about the issues raised in the article you chose.
READING: Independent reading for 30 minutes minimum
SPELLING: write your 6 words 3Xs and use in sentences.

Homework and news for MAR 10th

The best news is that Dan will be back on WED for half a day and half a day on THURS and will be in full time starting on Monday, MAR 17th. Other news is that we are studying electromagnetism and are working on some demonstrations and projects for the Science Fair.Parents are welcome and needed to help in classroom for this event which is from 10 - 12 on WEDNESDAY the 12th of March.

HOMEWORK MARCH 10th
SCIENCE:
Study words and definitions and there will be a quiz on these words tomorrow.
(sheet was sent home)
atom,conductor,electromagnet,energy,fieldlines,insulator,magnetism,parallel circuit,
series circuit, switch
READING: Independent reading for 30 minutes

Book Talk ii Characters

MARCH 6th news and homework

I will be out all day tomorrow, FRIDAY MARCH 7th.
I will be performing with Motoko and Eshu Bumpus,
in the Atrium 2 PM on MARCH 9th. These are two excellent
world class storytellers. Spring ahead!

Spelling: Complete test provided.
Look up and define these words:
Union
Justice
Insure
domestic
Tranquility
promote
Welfare
Posterity
Ordain
From the Preamble to the US Constitution:
We the People of the United States, in order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice,insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

MATH and THEME:
Estimate some of your kilowatt hours:
Pick five appliances from the list that
you use in your house. [one must be the hot water heater or refrigerator]
Estimate # of hours you use them. You may round up the wattage.
Multiply the hours Xs the wattage on list provided.
Add all 5 products into one sum.
Optional/Extra: If you can, take a look at your electric meter.
Also, you might want to take a look at your electric bill.

MAR 4th Homework

Homework MAR 4th
Spelling: Write your 6 words from the list 3 times in cursive and write 6 sentences.
Independent Reading: 30 minutes - we are still looking for descriptions of place. We will be making collages of settings from our reading later in the week.

optional
Collage: If you can, finish up your collage of your room - These do not need to be highly detailed but we do need to see that we are inside somewhere.
We looked at the work of Simone Bearden and Faith Ringgold. Some fun links below.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/most/ho_1990.237a-c.htm
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/the_block/index_flash.html
http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/artist_work_lg_137_1.html
http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/artist_work_lg_137_1.html

Homework and news for MAR 3rd

News:
Scholastic Book Fair - students will look at books on TUE MAR 4th, but may not purchase during class time. The fair will be open before and after school for children to make purchases with their parents.
I will be out on WED and FRI this week - sorry, I could not reschedule my performances. Cindie, Nicole and Linda E. will cover.

Primaries: Show on blank US map all the states names ( abbreviations are fine) Create a color code for the states carried for the two candidates you are interested in. Also a color key for the states who will vote tomorrow.

Writing: we are looking at descriptions of place in Reader's Workshop. Please write a description of your favorite room in your home. Minimum of 50 words. Please include sounds,sights,smells, and details from sense of touch.

Our journal prompt this morning was a brain stretching exercise. If students did not do so already they are to draw an "8" at least 5" high or long. The prompt was to change it into something else. The "8" may be at any angle and the two loops can be of equal size. They are to imagine the "8" is something else and add to the drawing. Answer these Qs:
Where would you find this new item?
What is it called?
What can one do with it?
Who uses it?

Please, if you have any could you bring in old magazines for collage?

Thanks,
Norah

Simple Machines and Bamboo Pens