January

__January 3, 2011__

Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today students got feedback on essay quizzes. Many of them need to redo some questions. Also, the next chance for retaking the 5 Elements Assessment is on Friday. Check with your child to see whether they need to do this. || Get January Newsletter signed. ||
 * Math || Today we talked about angle sums and looked at two different methods for finding the angle sum of any polygon. Some students worked on one method while others worked on another. || Problem 3.2, page 57, either A2 OR B2; depending on what they worked on in class. ||
 * Language || Today's journal topic was winter vacation. We reviewed run-on sentences and discussed effective web pages || No new practice ||
 * Reading || Learning goal: Review determining importance practice assessments with a teacher and discuss areas that are strong and areas that need work. || Read! Be on book 15. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students played a quadrilateral game, where they had to build different quadrilaterals based on different properties. || Problem 4.3, page 75, B: Write two new descriptions of quadrilaterals for the game grid. ||

__January 4, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice || Vocabulary #13 was handed out. Encourage your children to practice using the words in sentences. V13 due Friday. || Some students need to redo essay questions from their essay quiz for extra practice. 5 Elements Assessment re-take is Friday. ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Finished lab using graphs created yesterday to calculate walking and running speeds || no practice ||
 * Social Studies || Today students worked in groups to do various activities to solidify their knowledge of how the Greek and Roman unit related to the five elements of civilization. Ask you children about what they were doing and hopefully they'll be able to tell you lots about the Greeks and Romans.
 * Math || Discussed methods for find angle sums and found number expressions for find the angle sum of any polygon. We then related angle sums to tiling. || 3.3 Practice Sheet (adapted from Problem 3.3, page 58, A and B.) ||
 * Language || Today we prepared for the spelling quiz tomorrow and started making web pages on google. This website is on a topic of student choice. We are practicing and learning the different features available. We will follow this activity up in a few weeks by creating a writing portfolio web page. || Spelling quiz on Wednesday. Students may work on web page at home, but it is not due. ||
 * Reading || Continue to confer about practice assessments with determining importance. || Our readings for the last month have focused on proper internet use. This would be a great thing to discuss with your student. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students turned in Shapes and Designs books and got new Bits and Pieces 2 books. We did an introductory activity today on adding fractions to preview what students know and understanding about the concept. || Finish Thinking about Mathematical Ideas: Adding Fractions Sheet. ||

** __January 5, 2011__ **
Class Time ||~ Practice || Studies || Students continued connecting 5 Elements to Greece and Rome unit. Some were given specific assignments to complete dealing with this, but most did not need to do anything outside of class. || Keep practicing 5 Elements. 5 Elements Assessment retake is on Friday. Vocabulary #13 due Friday. || Continue to confer about practice assessments with determining importance. Our readings for the last month have focused on proper internet use. This would be a great thing to discuss with your student. Students should be on book 15.
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Completed computer simulation on races which ended in a photo finish. Simulations can be continued at home on a computer in order to reinforce graphing concepts || none ||
 * Social
 * Math || Discussed that when tiling, points of intersection have to have an angle sum of 360 degrees. Students received their last quiz back from Investigations 1 and 2. They are to make quiz corrections on a separate sheet of paper, if needed. || Quiz Corrections. ||
 * Language || Today we had our spelling quiz and revisited paraphrasing. Tomorrow we will continue to work on our web page skills. ||  ||
 * Reading ||  ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed the mathematical idea of adding fractions as a preview to our new unit, Bits and Pieces II. Students received their Shapes and Designs Test back. They are to make Test Corrections on a separate sheet of paper, if needed. || Test Corrections. ||

** __January 6, 2011__ **
Class Time ||~ Practice || Studies || Students worked again to make connections between Greece and Rome and the 5 Elements of Civilization. || Vocabulary #13 is due tomorrow. 5 Elements Assessment retake is tomorrow. ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Today we practiced how to correctly set up a distance vs. time graph, and inferring information from the graphs. || None ||
 * Social
 * Math || We looked at the "I CAN" statements for Shapes and Designs, which are the skills that students are to understand and be able to do by the end of the unit. We worked on Problem 3.4, which dealt with finding interior and exterior angles. || Problem 3.4, page 61, A & B; and ACE Problems, page 63-64, #3-9, 13. ||
 * Language || Today we organized our writing folders and continued on with our web pages. Whew! These kids are really good at figuring it out. About twice as fast as me! Some of the pages are looking very nice. || none ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math || We started the first investigation in the Bits and Pieces 2 unit. Students played a game called, "Getting Close," where they estimated the sums of two fractions or decimals. || Problem 1.1, page 7, A & B. ||

__January 7, 2011__
 * **Class** || **During Class Time** || **Practice** ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Math || We discussed more about finding interior and exterior angles and updated our Practice Pals (a.k.a. Flipbooks). Students then practiced finding angle sums and exterior angles of polygons. || Finish Skill Practice Sheet: Angle Sums and Exterior Angles of Polygons, page 40 only. ||
 * Language || Paraphrasing and Web Pages || students may work on web page, but it is not homework ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math || We discussed strategies for estimating sums of two fractions or decimals and then introduced the idea of overestimating or underestimating sums. Students worked on estimating sums of fractions from story problems (Problem 1.2). || Finish Problem 1.2, page 8-9, A-D. ||

__January 10, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Students calculated how fast Susan Butcher was traveling when she completed her record setting race from Anchorage to Nome Alaska in the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. We then calculated her speed after subtracting out the time spent at the 24 checkpoints along the way. || No practice ||
 * Social Studies || Today we are beginning our unit on Monotheistic Religions. Students got a newsletter last week that should have been signed and returned. If you haven't seen this yet, please ask your child about it. Also, some students are coming to class with nothing to write with. Please make sure your child has a pencil bag with pencils, pens, and other needed supplies. || Get Newsletter Signed (from last week). ||
 * Math || Students built triangles today out of polystrips and determined whether or not three given sides make a triangle. Students found that in order to make a triangle, the two smaller sides must add together and be greater than the third side. We will look at building quadrilaterals in the same manner tomorrow. || Additional Practice Sheet, page 39, #1, 5, and 6. (Investigation 3, yellow sheet.) ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || We are finishing determining importance assessments, and checking vocabulary. A number of students have fallen behind on this. Please ask your student how he/she is doing for vocabulary-not just the word and definition, but what it reminds him/her of, the picture, and a caption using the word. || Check vocabulary (use the wiki for additional help) and READ! ||
 * Advanced Math || Started Investigation 2 in Bits and Pieces II. || Problem 2.1, page 18, A only; and ACE, page 25, #2. ||

__January 11, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice || Vocabulary #14 was handed out - due Thursday. || Practice Worksheet will be discussed tomorrow. ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Took a quiz over speed and distance problems and graphs || none ||
 * Social Studies || Students continued reading the section in the social studies book dealing with Judaism (The Ancient Israelites - p.180-185). Then they worked on a practice worksheet to reinforce some of the details they are learning.
 * Math || We finished discussing how to determine when 3 or 4 given sides make a triangle or quadrilateral. ( 2 (3) smaller sides add to be greater than 3rd (4th) side.) We then completed notes in the Practice Pal (flipbook). Students took a short quiz over Investigations 3 and 4. Students then worked on a packet of review problems related to each of the "I Can" statements from this unit. || Work on Unit Review Packet, due Thursday. We will discuss problems tomorrow. ||
 * Language || Studied for spelling quiz, practiced fixing run-ons, and worked on web pages. ||  ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math || Students discussed how to find fractional parts of sections, then they used what they found to answer questions related to acres of land and ownership. They practiced writing number sentences using fractions. || Finish Problem 2.1, page 18, A-F; And ACE, page 26, #29 ||

__January 12, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Today we finished our video on the iditarod race || none ||
 * Social Studies || Today we had a discussion of the Judaism section of our unit. Please ask your students what they've learned so far about Judaism. Some were very engaged in the discussion while others were not. I am worried that if they aren't engaged they won't be learning. || Vocabulary #14 is due tomorrow ||
 * Math || Reviewed for test tomorrow. Make sure to complete review packet and study. || Review Packet due tomorrow. Study for test. ||
 * Language || Today we took a spelling quiz and discussed an article on mandatory dress codes. ||  ||
 * Reading || Our goal on Wed. is to put the strategies that we practice into effect by having a good chunk of independent reading time. We have time everyday to practice, but since classes are short on Wed. I devote the entire class to reading. || Read. Book orders are due next Wed. ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed 2.1 and how to write number sentences with adding fractions. || Make sure ACE, page 26, #29 is complete. ||

__January 13, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice || Vocab crossword due Tues. Book orders are due on Wed. ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we finished our discussion of the Judaism section and moved on to start reading about Christianity. Also, feedback was given on vocabulary sentences. || None ||
 * Math || Shapes and Designs Unit TEST Today!!! || None. ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Students are going to be working on a vocabulary crossword today. This is due Tues. Any extra time will be used for independent reading. || Read!
 * Advanced Math || Worked on adding and subtracting mixed numbers and fractions. Students practiced writing the addition and subtraction in number sentences. || Finish Problem 2.2, page 20-21, A-E, if needed. ||

__January 14, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || NO SCHOOL ||  ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Math ||  ||   ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math ||  ||   ||

__January 17, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || NO SCHOOL ||  ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Math ||  ||   ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math ||  ||   ||

__January 18, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Learned that displacement is the change of position in a particular direction that can be positive or negative. Practiced graphing the displacement || Finish Clancy's Afternoon assignment if it was not finished in class today. It will be collected on Tuesday for a grade ||
 * Social Studies || Finished reading the section on Christianity and did a worksheet to gather basic information and thoughts and to prepare for discussion. Vocabulary #15 handed out. ||  ||
 * Math || Students turned in Shape & Designs books and got the Bits and Pieces II books for our next unit. Students then reflected on the math idea adding fractions. They were to answer 5 questions in relation to this idea. || Finish Thinking about Mathematical Ideas: Adding Fractions Sheet. ||
 * Language || We have been discussing and writing about issues that can be looked at differently. This unit's learning objective is: I can explain different sides of an issue fairly, even if I only agree with one. Last week we looked at school uniforms. Today we discussed and wrote about the pros and cons of cell phones in school. Next week, we will start a persuasive essay. || If your student didn't get done paraphrasing 3 pros and 3 cons of cell phone use in school and writing a class policy, they should finish this at home. NO SPELLING QUIZ TOMORROW ||
 * Reading || Discussion today of questioning while reading-clarifying (thin) questions and deep (thick) questions. Also went over questioning rubric. Week 1 of conferences. || Read, book orders due tomorrow. ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed how to write number sentences for adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. Students then worked on finding fact families using fractions. || Finish Problem 2.3, page 22, A-D ||

__January 19, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today in class students got a handout with the learning goals and success criteria for this Monotheistic Religions unit. This is some new terminology for social studies class and I hope it will help them be more focused in their thinking about social studies learning. Looking through this document would be a great way to talk to your child about what we are learning in class. Hopefully they can tell you which goals they feel confident about and which they still need more information about. || V15 due Friday. ||
 * Math || Discussed adding fractions and shared ideas on how to add fractions. Students received the "I CAN" expectations for our new unit. || None. ||
 * Language || Today we continued to look at different sides of an issue. Today the students journaled about rules they felt were unfair. The students were expected to listen to opinions respectfully and think of and discuss pros and cons of the issues. Tomorrow we will be reading an article about cell phone use in schools and responding in writing. || none ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed and corrected students' work on fact families and practiced adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. || ACE problems, page 25-26, #5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19. (5-19 odds) ||

__January 20, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Took a leisurely walk and recorded both time and distance of our complex motion. We then broke the trip down into smaller legs for the purpose of graphing. || Students should finish the graphs for each of their 3 leisurely walks ||
 * Social Studies || Today students read the section in the textbook dealing with Islam. They have a worksheet to complete in order to prepare for the discussions we'll be having over the next few days. || Vocabulary 15 is due tomorrow. ||
 * Math || Started Investigation 1, which allowed students to play a game called Getting Closer, where they estimated the sums of fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals by relating them to benchmarks. || None. ||
 * Language || Today we continued our discussion about the pros and cons of cell phones. The students wrote from two perspectives: a parent who does not want his/her child to have a cell phone, and a student who feels they need one. This was challenging for many because most have cell phones. || None (unless they didn't get finished in class) ||
 * Reading || We are having great discussions about thin and thick questions around the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Frost. Discussion of literal meanings and how we clarify using questions, as well as deeper meanings, and how thick questions look at the deeper meaning. || Read-book count for January is next Wed. 17 books finished for a B and to be on track for the 30 books for the year. ||
 * Advanced Math || We talked about algorithms today and practiced writing algorithms for changing fractions to decimals. Then students practiced finding algorithms for adding and subtracting fractions. || Problem 2.4, page 23, A-B ||

__January 21, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we started to discuss the Christianity section of the book. For Monday students should be prepared with both Christianity and Islam worksheets so they can be an active part of the discussion. || Make sure Christianity and Islam worksheets are finished. ||
 * Math || We discussed different strategies for estimating the sum of fractions and decimals and students had to explain what strategies they use. We focused on how to estimate fractions using benchmarks. || None. ||
 * Language || Today we continued with the week's learning objective, but the students brainstormed other controversial issues and then chose one to begin writing about. The students webbed pros and cons on a drawing document. Next week we will write our essays. || none ||
 * Reading || Today we are reading a very unusual book that is perfect for generating questions-//Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky// by Faith Ringgold. Students are working on creating questions. On Monday we will discuss questions-are they thick or thin? What are possible answers to them? || Read- book count for January is next Wed. (17 books for a B). WEEK 2 Conferences are next week-letters need to be ready prior to conferences. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students shared ideas about algorithms for adding and subtracting fractions. They were then assessed over ideas in investigations 1 & 2. || Extra practice: Problem 2.4, page 23, C. ||

__January 24, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || Today we reviewed over recording time and distance motion data. Students started an assignment in class on a Road Trip from Toledo to Birmingham. || Finish graphing Road Trip data and answer the 3 related questions on pages 42 & 43. Brief quiz tomorrow on motion. ||
 * Social Studies || We continued our discussion of Christianity and Islam. || None. ||
 * Math || Students worked more with estimating the sum of two fractions. We talked about overestimating and underestimating, and when it's appropriate to use one or the other. || Problem 1.2, page 8-9, A-B ||
 * Language || Today students finished up their webs and started writing their essays. Instructions and a checklist were emailed to them as well in their google accts. || If you haven't finished your web, it would be a good idea to wrap it up and be ready to write tomorrow. ||
 * Reading || We are looking at questions that Mrs. Huch came up with during //Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky// and discussing if they are thin or thick and what possible answers could be. || Read-book count this Wed. (17 books for a B). ||
 * Advanced Math || Students finished a quiz from Friday and worked more practice problems dealing with adding and subtracting fractions. || ACE problems, page 26-28, #20-25, 47. ||

__January 25, 2011__

Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Religion discussion day. We also reviewed the learning goals and success criteria and completed a map with places important to the three religions. || V16 handed out, due Friday. ||
 * Math || Students worked more story problems that dealt with adding fractions and finding common denominators. || Finish Problem 1.2, page 8-9, A-D; and ACE problems, page 10, #2-18 Evens only! ||
 * Language || Today we prepared for our spelling quiz tomorrow and continued to work on our papers. || Spelling Quiz tomorrow. Webs should be completely done, and papers well started. ||
 * Reading || Students are discussing the questions they created about //Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky.// || Book count tomorrow! ||
 * Advanced Math || We introduced multiplying fractions. Students worked on drawing diagrams to help represent the problems. || Finish Problem 3.1, page 32-33, A-D. ||

__January 26, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today students started their outlines for their religion summary. They will be working on this summary in class the rest of the week. They can also work at home if they feel they are behind. After today they should have a good start on their outline. Most students are nearly finished. || V16 due Friday. ||
 * Math || Students worked on estimating the sum of fractions and mixed numbers. || Finish Skill: Estimating with Fractions sheet, page 45-46. ||
 * Language || Today we took out spelling quiz and continued to work on our papers. Tomorrow we will have a class discussion on more controversial issues (student lead) and work on chunking information and ideas into paragraphs. || If students are not at least 1/2 way done with either the pros or cons essay, they should probably be spending time outside of class to get caught up. ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Advanced Math || Students worked on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. || Finish Skill: Adding and Subtracting Fractions/Mixed Numbers, page 49-50. ||

__January 27, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science || We visited fossweb.com and worked on motion graphs. Graphs were printed out when successfully completed. Students who did not finish their graphs may complete them at home or at school over the next few days || Test tomorrow over motion graphs and speed problems. ||
 * Social Studies || Today in class most students finished up outlines if they weren't already done and wrote rough drafts which will be typed tomorrow. Please check with your child and see how they are doing. If they don't have the rough draft at least half done, they should work on that at home. || Vocabulary #16 is due tomorrow. ||
 * Math || We discussed Problem 1.2, which dealt with estimating fractions and then finding common denominators to add fractions to get an exact answer. Students also received a quiz back from the last unit that are to make corrections on if needed. || Make quiz corrections on Shapes and Designs Quiz 3-4, if needed. ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Apply questioning strategy to read aloud of //The Wretched Stone.// || Week 3 letters due next week. Read. ||
 * Advanced Math || We discussed Problem 3.1, which dealt with multiplying fractions. We are just discovering why we multiply fractions and building the understanding behind the multiplication. Students are to use different representations to show the multiplication. || Problem 3.2, page 35, A. ||

__January 28, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Students today typed religion summaries. If they are not finished, they should finish at home. They can share them with me on googledocs or print them on Monday. || Finish Summary ||
 * Math || We worked on Problem 2.1, where students found fractional parts of acres of land. || Finish land Section 18 from Problem 2.1, page 18, A. ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Discuss questions from the //Wretched Stone//. || Read! ||
 * Advanced Math || Students worked on multiplying fractions and are developing the algorithm for multiplying fractions. || Make sure Problem 3.2 is complete. ACE problem, page 40, #5. ||

__January 31, 2011__ Class Time ||~ Practice || Wednesday - Vocabulary Quiz - covering V13 - V16 __**If there is a snow day on Wednesday, this will be given on Friday.__ Thursday - Essay Quiz - covering some of the Learning Goals/Success Criteria Friday - Short Answer Quiz - covering the rest of the Learning Goals/Success Criteria || Study and Prepare for assessments! || Read! ||
 * ~ Class ||~ During
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we started preparing for the monotheistic religions assessments that we will be having this week. I spoke with students about the importance of taking their social studies things home to study/prepare in case we have bad weather between now and the tests. The assessment schedule is as follows:
 * Math || We worked on finding fractional parts of a whole by relating it to a problem of finding how many acres a person owns. Students also practiced adding fractions together. || Problem 2.1, page 18-19, A-F. (A was done in class on a lab sheet.) ||
 * Language ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Activate prior knowledge of World War II and discussion of the difference between World War II and the Holocaust. || Week 3 conferences.
 * Advanced Math || We discussed algorithms for multiplying fractions and introduced multiplying mixed numbers. Students were asked first to estimate products and represent the problems with a model or diagram. || Problem 3.3, page 36-37, A-D. ||