This Week's Spelling & Vocabulary (8/31-9/4)

Spelling: 5^th Grade Frequently Misspelled Words

Tuesday: Write spelling words in agenda in ABC order – due Tues.

Due Wednesday: spelling 5x each (4x in print, 1x in cursive) [Because grades were so poor on last week's test, MOST students have to write this week's words 5x. If you did well on the test, then you only have to write this week's words 3x because you are obviously studying.]

1. a lot 11. where

2. capitol 12. capital

3. with 13. you’re (you are)

4. were 14. awesome

5. they 15. threw

6. favorite 16. believe

7. your 17. which

8. our 18. something

9. heard 19. went

10. really 20. while

Vocabulary List #4

Ø Write a fabulous 5^th grade sentence using each vocabulary word (total of 6 sentences)– due Thursday.

Ø Underline the vocabulary word in each sentence.

Ø You must write one declarative sentence, one imperative sentence, one interrogative sentence, one exclamatory sentence, and the last two sentences are free choice of the four types of sentences. At the end of the sentence (after the punctuation mark) label the type of sentence you wrote.

[Because last week's grades were so awful, last week's words will ALSO be on this week's test. Be sure to study all 16 words!]

1. entrusted - given to someone to care for

2. plodded - walked heavily; trudged

3. assured - made certain

4. bountiful - abundant; plentiful

5. destiny - a person’s fate

6. domesticated - to train in order to live with humans

Happy birthday, Brandon!

Happy birthday, Brandon! Enjoy your special day!!!

8/31

Our fresh fruit and vegetable snack program has been very popular! We eat our snack around 10:30 each morning. Have you asked your kids what snacks they've been getting? Please encourage them to TRY each and every snack, even if they don't want to eat the entire serving. Ms. Martin and I have been surprised at the number of students who have not tried some of our selections. So far, we've been treated to apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi, cherries, blueberries, peaches, nectarines, grape tomatoes, carrots, and celery. The nectarines were very popular (and delicious) so consider them as one of your next fresh fruit purchases.

Write sp. in ABC order in agenda.
Study sp. & vocab.!
Have you found a WOW (due Wed.)?

Make corrections to math p. 52-53.
Study for Ch. 1 math TEST Tues. and for the speed test (0-10) Thurs.

Don't forget that next Monday 9/7 is Labor Day holiday.

8/27

Finish writing paragraph.
Correct WOW to earn back points. (If grade is 90+, no corrections are necessary.) Be sure to make the corrections ON THE BACK.
Finish reading realistic fiction novel by Monday. Complete genre review sheet (also due by Mon.).

Most students did really well on today's 0-8 speed test. Continue to study them this weekend as we will have another speed test next Thurs. (0-10 times tables).

8/26

This month's genre is realistic fiction, and students were given their "genre review" to complete and turn in NO LATER THAN the end of the month, Mon. 8/31. This report counts as a reading test grade, as does their AR test score. Be sure that the book is finished and the review is completed.

Finish vocab. sentences.

We have started writing a fabulous paragraph about something that we like to do. The final, neat draft is due Friday.

Study for 0-8 speed test.

Finish coloring the Great Seal of the United States if not already turned in.

Please sign and return orange communication folder & signed papers if you haven't already.

Don't forget to sign agendas Mon.-Fri. Thank you!

The Great Seal of the United States

Today in social studies we examined the Great Seal. Here is a great website resource we found:
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/seal.html

You can see what it looks like to finish coloring if necessary.

8/25

Finish sp. 3x each (2x print/1x cursive).
Finish WOW. (See earlier post for more info. Students have a handout to fill out.)

Study 0-8 times tables. Ch. 1 math test will be given next week (day TBA).

Finish sci. definitions and microscope drawing.

Hunt for the motto of the United States ("E pluribus unum") and list places where you found it.

Happy birthday, Virginia!

Happy birthday, Virginia! Have a great day today!

8/24

We got our official agendas! Please be sure to check and initial them nightly (Mon.-Fri.). Thank you for your help with this task.

Write sp. in ABC order in the agenda.
Start on vocab. sentences (due Th.).
Start on WOW (Word of the Week) due Wed.

Study 0-8 times tables (speed test Thurs.).

8/21

We hope everyone has had a good week and that you will enjoy your weekend! We think that we've had a good week at school. The routines are becoming habits and expectations and boundaries are much clearer. We even earned our 10th star, so popsicles were passed around to celebrate. We also earned our 10th panther paw for no tardies, so we got extra recess yesterday.

Please try to get caught up on reading AR books if you haven't already. Don't forget to sign the agenda paper for Friday also. Thanks!

WOW (Word of the Week)

One of our Georgia Performance Standards (GPS; our required curriculum) is that students acquire new vocabulary. New words are all around us, and students are expected to find one each week as they read. They are to complete the following assignment and turn it in EACH Wednesday. Because these are due EVERY WEDNESDAY, students are expected to turn them in even if they were absent Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

Here are the directions that the students will receive on Monday:

As you read your AR book, be on the lookout for a word that is new to you (one that you don’t already know the meaning of). This word will become your W.O.W. (Word of the Week). Be ready every Wednesday morning to turn in the following information about your word. You do not have to recreate these boxes on your notebook paper, but please follow this order, number each section, and include all the information (below). Thank you! You will receive a reading and an English grade for this weekly assignment.

*Use the correct heading on your paper:

First & Last Name #

Date

W.O.W.

The assignment handout also includes an example that we did in class. For the first few weeks, students will complete their WOW on a graphic organizer that we will give them. If you'd like a copy of this organizer, feel free to email Mrs. Dyer (hdyer@ucschools.org). We don't know how to post attachments here on the blog. (If you know how to post attachments, please let us know!)

Communication

Please understand that it is next to impossible for us to call parents during the day! You are welcome to email us any time at hdyer@ucschools.org or tmartin@ucschools.org. We can return phone calls generally at the end of the day. Notes back and forth in the agendas work well if they are not of a sensitive nature. (Sensitive notes are better handled in sealed envelopes.) Thanks a bunch! We want to be in touch with you and communicate effectively and efficiently.

8/19

Study for 0-6 times test tomorrow!

Finish vocab. sentences.

Read at least 20 pages.

8/18

Please ask for the orange communication folder this evening. You will find important information in there. First, we are sending home our QSP fundraising packet. Thank you in advance for your help! Our school get 40% of all magazines sold! You can renew current magazines and/or fill out at least 10 of the 11 address postcards. (Each address must be complete and different from each other.) The students win prizes for bringing back their booklets. You will also find a Scholastic book order form. If you'd like to order books, please make checks payable to UCES. We'd love to get these back by Friday.

The info in the front pocket can be kept at home. Please sign the AR/AM Weekly Log in the center section. Finally, look through the stack of stapled signed papers in the back pocket. Please sign the top paper and return the entire packet in the orange folder. Thanks!

Sp. 3x each (2 print/1 cursive) is due tomorrow. Study vocab. and work on sentences (due Thurs.).

Read at least 20 pages in AR book!

Study 0-6 times tables.

This Week's Spelling & Vocabulary

Spelling:

1. library
2. tried
3. went
4. people
5. really
6. surprise
7. nickel
8. lose
9. loose
10. disappoint

11. clothes
12. until
13. principal
14. absence
15. calendar
16. signed
17. difficult
18. dictionary
19. especially
20. receive

Vocabulary:

1. *grimaced- (grimace) twisting of the face that expresses disgust or pain

2. *barged- (2barge 2) to move or push oneself clumsily or rudely

3. *potential- capable of developing; having possibility

4. dignity- a look or way of behaving that suggests self-control or seriousness

5. *inspire- to cause to have a particular thought or feeling

6. counsel- advice sought or given by somebody, especially somebody who is wise or knowledgeable

7. mentor- a wise and faithful adviser or teacher

8. ferociously- very intense; very fierce or savage

9. *appreciate- to be grateful for

10. hesitated- to stop or pause

8/17

Our week has gotten off to a great start! We didn't get any names on the board today. We're still working on establishing our routines and procedures, and the students are getting quicker at doing what they're asked.

Write spelling words in ABC order on a sheet of notebook paper.
Begin working on vocab sentences (due Thurs.).

Many students are not reading enough each day. If they haven't already finished their AR book, then they should be on about page 100. Please work diligently to get caught up. We recommend about 20 pages of reading a day!

List 5 goals for this year in 5th grade.

Study for multiplication speed test (0-6) Thurs.

8/14

For the most part, today's spelling and vocabulary test grades were great! Ms. Martin did tell each student his/her grade, so ask about them. The test papers will go home in folders on Tuesday.

Please read at least 20 pages this weekend in AR book. Students should be on about page 100 when they return to school on Monday.

Happy birthday, Nikki!

We all wish Nikki a very happy birthday today!

8/13

Study sp. & vocab. for the test!
Finish voc. sentences (1st 5 words).

Read, read, read your AR book!

8/11

We had a very productive day today! Though the pace may seem a bit slow at first, we are working on establishing our routines and procedures. Learning these early will make for a very smooth year!

Two things many students need to work on are the proper heading and legible handwriting. Many of our assignments here at the beginning are to help improve these skills.

Most of our students earned FIVE Accelerated Math objectives today! Way to go! They remember a lot of math from last year.

Study times tables for speed test Thurs.

Work on sp. 3x each (2x cursive/1x print) due Thurs.
Work on vocab. sentences (1st 5 terms) due Fri.

Read AR book! :)

8/10

We will try to post homework assignments and other info each day.

Since agendas are not in, we are using a sheet of yellow paper for our assignments this week. When you finish your homework, please be sure to get a parent (or whoever is taking care of you) to sign the sheet. Thanks!

Write spelling words on a sheet of notebook paper in ABC order. (We will normally do this in our agendas.)
Study vocabulary. Begin writing five vocab. sentences (due Fri.).

Study times tables (Speed Test Thurs.).

Be sure to finish registration packet to turn in by Wed.! Thanks!

First Day of School Recap

We had a great start to school this year! If you were stuck in any of the traffic, please be patient and know that it will run smoother as the days go by. You might also want to consider riding the bus this year.

We're really looking forward to a great year, and if this year's first day is any indication, it's going to be a fabulous one! Thanks so much for your support.

Open House Thursday @ 6:30

We hope to see each of you this Thursday at 6:30 PM for Open House. This year, "meet the teacher" is not a drop-in event, but rather an open house. We will begin at 6:30 in our room (#4) and share some important information with you. Hope you can make it! You'll be glad you came.

Class Supply List

In case you need a copy, here is our class supply list.

Supply List for Dyer/Martin Grade 5 2009-10

• a good attitude and willingness to try
• binder (Zippered binders tend to last longer.)
• five tabbed dividers to use for reading (red), English (orange), spelling & vocabulary (yellow), science (green), and social studies (blue)
• loose leaf notebook paper - wide ruled
• a blue spiral notebook (100 or more pages) for math
• number 2 pencils
• colored pencils
• glue stick
• a red and a blue folder with prongs (plastic folders last longer)

OPTIONAL but helpful:
• hand-held pencil sharpener
• pink pearl eraser and cap erasers
• scissors
• box of Kleenex
• refill size hand sanitizer
• pack of copy paper (white or colored)

HELPFUL HOME RESOURCES: ruler, scissors, and glue