8/30

Sp. in ABC order in agenda
Begin vocab. sentences (due Thurs.).

*Genre project is due Friday!

Most but not all students finished LA p. 82 & 83. Finish if you didn't!

Complete AM corrections if you had any (just a few kids).

Study 0-6 times tables all week if you did not make a 100 last Friday; test again this Friday!

Week 3 Spelling and Vocabulary Lists

Spelling: Frequently misspelled words

1. library
2. tried
3. went
4. where
5. were
6. wear
7. surprise
8. lose
9. loose
10. disappoint
11. clothes
12. until
13. principal
14. absence
15. calendar
16. signed
17. difficult
18. really
19. especially
20. receive

Vocabulary: Words from TBGB

1. grimaced
2. barged
3. potential
4. dignity
5. inspire
6. counsel
7. mentor
8. ferociously
9. appreciate
10. hesitated

Anyone Reading?

Is anyone reading our blog? We would love to hear from you to know if this is tool is worth maintaining. You can either leave us a comment, shoot us an email (hdyer@ucschools.org or tmartin@uschools.org), or even write a note in your child's agenda. THANKS!

8/27

Read at least 20 pages in your AR book over the weekend!

CONGRATULATIONS!

We are so very proud of our students! On today's spelling and vocabulary tests, everyone made an A+! No one made less than a 95! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!

8/26

Study spelling, vocab, and times tables (0-6) for tomorrow's tests!

Complete the spelling categories sheet and the English sheet (Miss Alaineus: 4 Types of Sentences).

In social studies we are studying the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and each student has created a list of our rights and responsibilities. They have also started listing their own personal rights and responsibilities. Please look over the lists and offer any suggestions for improvement/completion.

Read at least 20 pages if you haven't already!

Correct Heading

Unfortunately there is still some confusion about what a correct heading should be for students' papers. We have it on the board each and every day, but we realize that the board doesn't go home with you.

Begin on the top line of your notebook paper, starting immediately to the right of the red margin line.

First Last Name #
Date
Subject/Assignment*

*They don't write subject/assignment but instead write the actual assignment as written on the board in class. For example, here is what a recent language arts assignment's heading would look like:

Sammy Student #25
8/24/10
LA p. 12 (1-10)

8/25

Finish vocabulary sentences. Remember that each sentence must be labeled with what type of sentence it is (declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory), and each of the four types must be used at least once.

Remember to read at least 20 pages in your AR book!

Grammar Lesson: Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences; Conjunctions

As part of today's grammar lesson, we enjoyed watching and attempting to sing "Conjunction Junction" from Schoolhouse Rock. You can find the video HERE and the lyrics below.

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Conjunction Junction, how's that function?
I got three favorite cars
That get most of my job done.
Conjunction Junction, what's their function?
I got "and", "but", and "or",
They'll get you pretty far.

"And":
That's an additive, like "this and that".
"But":
That's sort of the opposite,
"Not this *but* that".
And then there's "or":
O-R, when you have a choice like
"This or that".
"And", "but", and "or",
Get you pretty far.

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hooking up two boxcars and making 'em run right.
Milk and honey, bread and butter, peas and rice.
Hey that's nice!
Dirty but happy, digging and scratching,
Losing your shoe and a button or two.
He's poor but honest, sad but true,
Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hooking up two cars to one
When you say something like this choice:
"Either now or later"
Or no choice:
"Neither now nor ever"
Hey that's clever!
Eat this or that, grow thin or fat,
Never mind, I wouldn't do that,
I'm fat enough now!

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hooking up phrases and clauses that balance, like:
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
He cut loose the sandbags,
But the balloon wouldn't go any higher.
Let's go up to the mountains,
Or down to the sea.
You should always say "thank you",
Or at least say "please".

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses
In complex sentences like:
"In the mornings, when I am usually wide awake,
I love to take a walk through the gardens and down by the lake,
Where I often see a duck and a drake,
And I wonder as I walk by
Just what they'd say if they could speak,
Although I know that's an absurd thought."

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hooking up cars and making 'em function.
Conjunction Junction, how's that function?
I like tying up words and phrases and clauses.
Conjunction Junction, watch that function.
I'm going to get you there if you're very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
I'm going to get you there if you're very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
I'm going to get you there if you're very careful.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend Open House last night! If you were not here, you will have an information sheet in your child's orange communication folder today. Please read through this sheet thoroughly and keep it for your records.

If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

8/24

Finish spelling 3x each.
Be sure to have read at least 20 pages in your AR book.

Finish LA (language arts) p. 12 (1-10) if you didn't finish and turn it in already. (This assignment was classwork, but any unfinished classwork automatically be comes homework.)

Sign and return the orange communication folder if you weren't able to attend Open House today at 5:30.

This Month's Genre Project

Each month, our class studies a different reading genre. Students are required to read ONE book in the required genre during the month and complete the assigned project. This assignment counts as two reading test grades.

This month's genre is realistic fiction. Because we're getting a late start reading, this month's project is due no later than 9/3/10. Yesterday, each student checked out a realistic fiction library book. We encouraged each one to get a fairly short book that they were confident they could finish in less than two weeks for this month's project. Our project this month is a book report, and the forms were passed out to everyone yesterday.

We are unable to make extra copies of the form, but if you would like for us to email you an electronic copy we'd be happy to do so. Just send either of us an email requesting the form.

Remember, we recommend that each student read around 20 pages a day. This will help them stay on track and on task. Thanks for your help!

Spelling and Vocabulary Lists ~ August 24, 2010

Our spelling and vocabulary lists come from the book Miss Alaineus that we read in class on Monday.

Spelling:
Monday - Write your spelling words in ABC order in your agenda - due Tuesday.
Tuesday - Study your spelling words and write them 3x each (print, print, cursive - just like we have practiced in class) - due Wednesday.
Wednesday - Study your spelling words for your test on Friday.
Thursday: Study your spelling words for your test on Friday.

Spelling list - words with short vowels

1. batch
2. nick
3. rough
4. lead
5. dove
6. fling
7. shrug
8. gush
9. stuff
10. notch
11. jut
12. damp
13. tenth
14. scan
15. guess
16. cot
17. tough
18. stump
19. laugh
20. sense


Vocabulary:
*Use vocabulary words # 1 - 5 to write fabulous sentences - due Thursday! Write one of each of the 4 types of sentences, and the 5th sentence can be your choice. Label the type of sentence at the end of each sentence.
Monday - Study your vocabulary words and definitions and begin writing your fabulous sentences - due Thursday.
Tuesday - Study your voc. words and def. and work on your fabulous sentences - due Thursday.
Wednesday - Study your voc. words and def. and finish fabulous sentences - due Thursday.
Thursday - Study your voc. words and definitions for your test on Friday.

Vocabulary list

1. slumped
2. soggy
3. strands
4. capable
5. categories
6. gigantic
7. credit
8. luminous

8/23

We were able to go to the library today, so all students now have a book! We have assigned this month's genre project, a book report form to fill out about a realistic fiction novel, and given out the form. This project is due NO LATER THAN 9/3 and counts as two reading test grades.

We recommend that each student read about 20 pages each day in their independent AR book. We did not have any reading time today in class, so everyone has AR homework: read to at least page 20.

Write spelling in agenda in ABC order.
Start on vocabulary sentences.

A few students have AM homework because they either didn't finish their practice today or they have corrections. Please check to see if your child has AM HW. Thanks!

Please make plans to attend Open House tomorrow night beginning at 5:30 in the gym. See you then!

8/19

Study for your spelling and vocabulary tests!

Finish vocab sentences.

If you did not get your DARE letter signed, do so tonight! They were due today.

Some students did not get their classwork finished or have homework corrections, so be sure to check your child's agenda carefully for any additional work.

We earned our 10th star today! Ask your child what that means. :)

8/18

Finish spelling 3x each.
Continue to work on vocab. sentences (due Fri.).

8/17

Start spelling 3x each if you haven't already (due Thurs.).

Continue to work on vocabulary sentences (due Fri.).

Help Wanted

If you have any old magazines, we need some for pictures for an upcoming collage project. Just send them in at your convenience. Thanks!

8/16

We had another great day today! Be sure to sign or initial your child's agenda every week night (Mon.-Fri.)

Thank you for filling out all the paperwork and returning it. EVERYONE brought back all their forms today. Yippee!

Homework (HW):
Write spelling (Sp.) in agenda in alphabetical (ABC) order.
Start on your vocabulary (voc.) sentences (due Fri.).

Spelling and Vocabulary Lists Wk #1

Spelling (Frequently misspelled words)
1. chief
2. again
3. guess
4. already
5. different
6. always
7. awful
8. beautiful
9. listen
10. believe
11. doesn't
12. bought
13. every
14. knew
15. receive
16. finally
17. friend
18. heard
19. goes
20. answer

Vocabulary List (from TBGB read aloud)
1. befuddled
2. distorted
3. flabbergasted
4. glared
5. scoffed
6. timidly
7. bulging
8. suspiciously
9. honesty
10. tolerance

Upcoming Events

Please take note of these upcoming events:

8/24 5th Grade Open House: Report to the gym at 5:30.

9/6 Labor Day HOLIDAY

9/10 Red, White, & Blue Day (Wear these color if you'd like.)

9/21 Progress reports go home to be signed & returned.

9/22 Fall Pictures (Smile!)

10/11-15 FALL BREAK

10/22 End First Nine Weeks grading period

Great First Day!

We had a great first day of school today! The students were so well behaved and listened so attentively. What a great omen for the year!

Thanks for Stopping By!

It was so nice to meet most of you today at "Meet the Teacher!" If you were unable to attend, we look forward to meeting you soon.

Please mark your calendars now for 5th grade open house on Tuesday, 8/24, at 5:30 in the gym.

Meet the Teacher 8/12

Drop in from 1:00-3:00 to see our classroom and meet your teachers, Mrs. Dyer and Ms. Martin. See you soon!

Supply List for 2010-11

· a good attitude and willingness to try

· binder (Zippered binders tend to last longer.)

· five tabbed dividers to use for reading (red), English/language arts (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)

· another pronged folder with 25 sheets of paper and a pencil for Technology

· hand-held pencil sharpener

OPTIONAL but helpful:

· pink pearl eraser and cap erasers

· scissors

· boxes of Kleenex (class use)

· refill size hand sanitizer (class use)

· two packs of white or colored copy paper (class use)

HELPFUL HOME RESOURCES: ruler, scissors, and glue