February

February 1, 2011-
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Discussion of geographic location of the story we will begin. || Read. ||
 * Math || Discussed problem 2.1, which dealt with adding fractions with common and uncommon denominators. || ACE problems, page 24-25, #1-2. ||
 * Advanced Math || Worked on multiplying fractions and changing mixed numbers to improper fractions in order to multiply them. || Problem 3.4, page 38, A-B. ||

February 2, 2011-February 3, 2011: No School due to Snow

February 4, 2011
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we did the essay portion of our Monotheistic Religions assessment. Monday we will have the short answer part as well as the vocabulary quiz that was scheduled for this last Wednesday. Students have material to study for these assessments and this is a large portion of their grade, so they should spend a significant amount of time this weekend studying. || Review Learning Goals and Success Criteria and study vocabulary 13-16. ||
 * Writing || Today most students finished up checking their pros and cons papers. We also worked on sentence fragments and run-ons. || If your student is not done with the pros and cons paper, this should be a top priority. We have worked on it in class, but enough kids are done, that we can't spend more time on it during class. ||
 * Reading || We started reading //Number the Stars// today. Students are required to ask at least one question for each chapter, 2 or more if they would like an A. || Students are to read and ask questions for Chapters 1-5 for Wed. We will be having a class discussion that day. Students are asked not to read ahead so it does not hinder their participation. They should continue their independent reading as well. ||
 * Math || We worked more today with adding and subtracting fractions. Students worked a problem dealing with recipes of spices and answered questions of how many ounces were in a total recipe. They practiced adding and subtraction fractions with mixed numbers. || Finish Problem 2.2, page 20-21, A-C. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students worked more with multiplying fractions and determining different patterns and strategies for multiplying fractions. They completed problem in Investigation 3.4. || None. ||

February 7, 2011
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we are doing the rest of the monotheistic religions assessment (short answer and vocabulary). Any student who hasn't finished the religion summary should complete that. It was due last week. ||  ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || We continued reading //Number the Stars// by Lois Lowry. We will discuss on Wednesday, and students will be scored based on a discussion rubric that we will go over tomorrow. || Read Ch. 1-5 and do questions and answers. Read the story. ||
 * Math || Students worked on adding and subtracting mixed numbers. Some problems required students to rename mixed numbers into improper fractions in order to subtract. || Finish Problem 2.2, page 20-21, A-E. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students worked towards finding an algorithm for multiplying any two fractions. || Finish Problem 3.5, page 39, A-C. ||

February 8, 2011
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today students watched a video that introduces the Middle Ages, our next area of study. However, many students are not doing well on the Monotheistic Religions assessment that I am in the process of grading. Some will not be starting on the Middle Ages until they have learned some basic information about the religions. More explanation will be given to students about this over the next few days. || Complete any missing work (summaries, vocabulary, etc.) ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || We went over the discussion rubric that will be used to score students' participation in our discussions of //Number the Stars.// Our first discussion is tomorrow over Chapters 1-5. Students must have their question and answer sheets completed to be a part of the discussion. || Finish Ch. 1-5: reading as well as questions and answers. Reading independent books also. ||
 * Math || Reviewed how to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers. || Add & Subtract Fractions Practice Sheet. (White Sheet/One-sided) ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed an algorithm for multiplying any two fractions. Students took a quiz over multiplying fractions. (Quiz over Investigation 3.) || None. ||

February 9, 2011 Students will be handing in their questions and answers after the discussion. || Begin next reading assignment for //Number the Stars//: Ch. 6-9 for discussion on Tuesday (2/15)- question and answer sheet will be due that day.
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Discussion of Chapters 1-5 of //Number the Stars.//

Keep reading independent books-finish book 19 this week to be on track to get a B in the next book count. ||
 * Math || We practiced adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. || None. ||
 * Advanced Math || We took notes on fractions in our new Flipbooks, or 'Practice Pal', for this unit. Students practiced adding and subtracting fractions. || Add or Subtract Mixed Numbers Practice Sheet. ||

February 10, 2011 Some students still need to pass the Monotheistic Religions learning goals. They were given study materials today. Please ask your student which group they are in. If they need to do the Monotheistic redo on Monday, they should have some study materials with them tonight. They will get more things tomorrow and be asked to study over the weekend and have someone sign to say that they worked with an adult on it for at least 20 minutes. || Finish any unfinished summary, vocabulary, etc. Study for redo test if needed. ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today some students started doing preview activities for the MIddle Ages unit coming up.
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Read Ch. 6-9 of //Number the Stars// for next Tuesday. Complete question and answer sheet. || Read both //Number the Stars// and independent books. ||
 * Math || We discussed fact families today. Students worked to find fact families involving fractions and mixed numbers. || Problem 2.3, page 22, A-D. ||
 * Advanced Math || Updated notes in flipbook. Introduced division of fractions by relating it to division of whole numbers. || Using words and pictures, explain why 12 divided by 4 = 3. ||

February 11, 2011 Read Ch. 6-9 of //Number the Stars// for next Tuesday. Complete question and answer sheet. Read both //Number the Stars// and independent books.
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Students who are retaking the Monotheistic Religions assessment should be studying this weekend. They have a sheet that should be signed by whoever helps them study. ||  ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||
 * Math || We focused on adding fractions and are working on writing an algorithm that works for adding any two fractions including mixed numbers. || Finish Problem 2.4, page 23, A #1-4 only. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students started dividing a whole number by a fraction by drawing a picture and writing a number sentence to help show their thinking. || Finish Problem 4.1, page 50, A-B. ||

February 14, 2011 Finish //Number the Stars// Chapters 6-9. || Have reading and questions/answers finished for tomorrow's discussion. Keep reading independent books (finish #20 for Feb. 25th) ||
 * Science || Completed force lab today and identified the Newton as the unit for force. || No HW ||
 * Social Studies || Students who needed to took retakes of the Monotheistic Religions assessment today. Those who didn't shared some extra credit they have been preparing. Tomorrow the plan is to get started with the Middle Ages unit, hopefully with everyone participating. || Check grades and finish any missing work. Some students still have summaries missing. ||
 * Writing || We started a new unit today on reviews. The learning objective is: I understand what a review is and what makes a good review. The success criteria is: 1. I can recognize different forms of reviews (food, movie, car, etc.) 2. I can identify important elements in a book review. || Bring a book that you can write a review on to class tomorrow. ||
 * Reading || Learning target: Apply questioning strategy to reading.
 * Math || Discussed an algorithm for adding fractions. Students worked on developing an algorithm for subtracting fractions, including mixed numbers. || Problem 2.4, page 23, A-C. ||
 * Advanced Math || Continued to develop an algorithm for dividing fractions. Students used diagrams and pictures to help build their understanding of how to divide a whole number by a fraction. || Problem 4.1, page 50, F; and Write and solve own story problem dealing with dividing a whole number by a fraction. ||

February 15, 2011
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing || Today we started writing book reviews. || If you didn't remember to bring a book today, please remember for Thursday. Please complete the pre-writing activity if you didn't get it done in class. ||
 * Reading || We are applying our discussion skills to our second of four whole-class discussions about //Number the Stars// (this time over chapters 6-9). || The new //Number the Stars// assignment is to read Chapters 10-13 for discussion next Tuesday (2/22). Students are to read and do questions and answers for each chapter. These are questions that the students are creating and they are to think of the answer. Many times it isn't answered in the text that they have read, but they need to infer the answer and explain their reasoning. This demands higher level thinking! ||
 * Math || Finished discussing algorithms for adding and subtracting fractions. Students took a quiz over Investigations 1 and 2 from Bits & Pieces 2. || None. ||
 * Advanced Math || Starting to develop ideas on how to divide fractions. Students are looking now at how to divide a fraction by a whole number. || Problem 4.2, page 51, A-E. Due Thursday. ||

February 16, 2011 Students will be attending a field trip at the University of Iowa teaching hospital to learn about different careers in the medical field.

February 17, 2011
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing || Students wrote reflections on the field trip. We also practiced writing intriguing introductions for our book reviews and started writing the rough draft. || If you did not get your intro done and a good start on your rough draft, you should finish tonight. ||
 * Reading || Students are working on reading Chap. 10-13 of //Number the Stars.// || Question and Answer sheet for Ch.10-13 is due for discussion next Tues. ||
 * Math || We introduced multiplying fractions today. We are working on developing the understanding of what happens when you find a part of a part, or a fraction of a fraction. || Problem 3.1, page 33, A-D. ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed algorithms for dividing fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by fractions and now we're discovering how those ideas apply to dividing fractions by fractions. || Problem 4.3, page 52-53, A-E. ||

February 18, 2011
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Math || Discussed multiplying fractions; we're still developing an algorithm on how to multiply fractions. We took notes on adding and subtracting fractions in new flipbooks (Practice Pals). Student received their Shapes & Designs test back. || Students are to make corrections to their Shapes and Designs Test, if needed. This has to be done by Next Friday, which is the end of trimester 2. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students worked on creating a final algorithm for dividing any two fractions, including mixed and whole numbers. We will be preparing for a unit test next week. || Finish Problem 4.4, page 54, A-D. ||

February 21, 2011 End of the trimester is Friday: 20 books finished for a B. ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we are working on designing a manor for a manor competition. Students are working in groups and applying the information they learned last week about life on a manor. || Trimester ends this week. Make sure all late work is finished. ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || We went through a list of success criteria for the questions created over chapters 10-13. Learning Target today: Evaluate questions and answers based on the criteria reviewed. Tomorrow= 3rd discussion of 4. || Finish Ch. 10-13 (reading and questions/answers) for tomorrow's discussion.
 * Math || We continued working with multiplying fractions. || Problem 3.2, page 35, A-D. ||
 * Advanced Math || Started reviewing for the Unit Test on Wednesday. || Bits & Pieces 2: Unit Review Packet due Wednesday. ||

February 22, 2011 Vocabulary #17 was handed out. Due Friday. ||
 * Science || Covered an introduction to gravity || No HW ||
 * Social Studies || Today we played Jeopardy to review some of the material we have learned so far in this unit. Students also worked on their manor designs which will be judged on Thursday. || Tomorrow we will have a short check-up quiz. This will not affect students' grades, but will be listed in the grade book so they can see how they did. It covers feudalism and manorialism.
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Discussion 3 of 4 over //Number the Stars// today. Students will be evaluated over their questions and answers before they are able to finish the book. The last questioning sheet will be their final evaluation for the questioning strategy, and I want to make sure they have the skill at a proficient level before they move on. || Students SHOULD NOT finish //Number the Stars.// Focus should be on finishing their independent books before the end of the trimester, which is Friday (20 books). ||
 * Math || Discussed how multiplying fractions less than 1 produce a product that is less than the two factors. Students started to work four different multiplication story problems. || Problem 3.3, page 36-37, A-D. ||
 * Advanced Math || Reviewed in class and passed back last 2 quizzes to review with and make corrections to if needed. || Study for test tomorrow. Bits & Pieces 2: Unit Review Packet due tomorrow. ||

February 23, 2011
 * Science || Completed a computer simulation of a force bench where we determined the force needed to move objects || Test Thursday over Force and Motion ||
 * Social Studies || Today we had a check-up quiz on the middle ages. Also finished work on manors which will be judged tomorrow. || Vocabulary 17 due Friday. ||
 * Writing || Over the next few days, students will be asked to read their independent books while I work with individual students on evaluating their Ch. 10-13 question sheets and deciding if they are ready to finish //Number the Stars.// || Students should have 20 books done by 2/25 for a B- on the Reading Trimester 2 Evaluation. ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Math || Discuss problem 3.3. Students got their last quiz back, which they are to make corrections on, if needed, before Friday. || Make quiz corrections if needed. ||
 * Advanced Math || Starting Bits & Pieces 2 Unit Test Today! We will continue the test tomorrow. Students turned in their review packets. || Study for test. ||

February 24, 2011 ALL LATE WORK DUE TOMORROW! ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Manor Judging, Notes on Knights || V17 due tomorrow.
 * Writing || Holy Mackerel! I forgot about the Wiki! This week we have been working on reviews. We wrote a bad review and a good review. Peer editing was a strong theme this week. We tried to read very carefully and offer constructive criticism. Today we tried to wrap up all our loose ends before the end of the trimester. The reviews will be on next trimesters report. || All work prior to the reviews that is not yet completed needs to be turned in by tomorrow. ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Math || Practiced multiplying fractions and mixed numbers. || Skill: Multiplying Fractions, page 53, odd numbers only; AND Skill: Multiplying Mixed Numbers, page 54, odd numbers only. ||
 * Advanced Math || Continuing Bits & Pieces 2 Unit Test Today! || None. ||

February 25, 2011 **END of TRIMESTER 2!**
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we took notes on castles and discussed V17. Students also had time to work on their personal coats of arms. || None. ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Math || Students developed an algorithm for multiplying fractions, including mixed numbers. Then we updated their flipbooks for this unit. || None. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students received tests back and were able to make test corrections. || None. ||

February 28, 2011 No School.