Winter Break Packets

Students will be receiving a review packet on Friday.  I definitely recommend reviewing the skills and concepts in the packet with your child during the extended break!

Congratulations Classroom Spelling Bee Winners!

Angeli and Gaby will be representing our class in the school Spelling Bee which will be held on January 11th.  Good Luck Girls!

Math Extra Credit #3

How many active volcanoes are there in the world?

Clue: A scientist is planning to see all the active volcanoes in the world.   He needs to visit 75 volcanoes per year for the next 20 years to see them all.

Math Extra Credit

How thick is the ice in Antarctica?

Clue: If you chiseled through the ice in Antarctica at a rate of 4 feet per hour, it would take you 1,625 hours to reach the bottom of the ice.

Due by December 10, 2010

James Forten Spelling Words

James Forten Spelling Words and Dictation Sentences
Final Test - 12/16/2010

1. jewel
2. sparkle
3. angle
4. shovel
5. single
6. normal
7. angel
8. legal
9. whistle
10. fossil
11. puzzle
12. bushel
13. mortal
14. gentle
15. level
16. label
17. pedal
18. ankle
19. needle
20. devil
21. mineral
22. influential
23. vital
24. neutral
25. kernel

Dictation

1. The kernel was like a jewel sparkling in the sun.
2. Have you ever found a needle or a fossil in a bushel with a shovel?
3. The influential angel used a whistle to show what was legal.

Extra, Extra...Math Extra Credit

Solve the following word problem and turn it in to Mrs. Soto by Friday, December 10th to receive 5 points of extra credit in Math!

The most expensive painting ever sold is The Portrait of Dr. Gachet.  How much did it sell for?

Clue: If someone bought the painting with only $500 bills, the buyer would need 150,000 of them.

EXTRA, EXTRA!!!! Credit that is...

Create a word collage with this week's spelling words.  You can use magazines, newspapers, whatever you want to create the words.  You might be able to find entire words or might have search for individual letters and create the words.  You must include at least 10 words to get the 20 points extra credit.

Good Luck!

If you have any questions let me know!

Trustworthy Character Pillar

Congratulations to the students voted on by their classmates to receive the Trustworthy award for the month of November.

Gaby L.
Delilah I.

December is Caring Month!

Music in Our Classroom

Fluency is such a huge part of achieving great things in school and life.  During class we practice reading from our Reading, Science, and Social Studies texts. Recently, we started including music and poetry as part of fluency practice.  I am attaching a link for a couple of songs that we are going to start singing in class every so often to further increase our student's fluency. As you can tell the songs are mainly class type songs not songs from the modern era.  If you have any questions, please let me know!

Lean on Me by Bill Withers

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

Twist and Shout by The Beatles

 Yellow Submarine by The Beatles

We Are The World

Que Sera Sera by Doris Day

Katie's Trunk Spelling Words and Dictation

Spelling Words
Final Test - December 7, 2010

1.equal
2.parlor
3.collect
4.closet
5.perhaps
6.wedding
7.rapid
8.value
9.arrive
10.behave
11.shoulder
12.novel
13.tulip
14.sorrow
15.vanish
16.essay
17.publish
18.aware
19.subject
20.prefer
21.device
22.skittish
23.logic
24.sincere
25.nuisance  
Dictation
1. Perhaps she would prefer to carry a tulip at the wedding.
2. Are you aware the subject of the essay and the novel are logical?
3. When you arrive in the parlor, please collect the device from the table.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

The following link will allow your child to practice adding fractions with unlike denominators.  Please practice at home with your child!

Fractions Activity

1st Quarter Awards Assembly

On Friday, November 5th, we had the 1st quarter award assembly.  Congratulations to all the students who received awards for academics and attendance.  Next quarter, I want to see ALL my students up on stage with me!

Character Counts

At MES, we are Building Character for Success everyday!  We have had two character assemblies in the past couple of months to recognize students who show character everyday.  Students in Room 42 vote for who they think deserve the award each month.  November is Trustworthiness - watch the blog to see who demonstrates character this month!

August/September - Responsibility
Lizzy
Kayla
Gaby
Damaris

October-Citizenship
Gaby
Orlando

Fraction Review Sites

We have been studying fractions in class for the past couple of weeks.  Some students picked it up immediately while others are struggling to connect the concepts.  The site below is a fun, interactive review of fraction concepts.
Fraction Review Page

Paul Revere Spelling Words

And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?

Final Test Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Spelling Words

1. theater
2. actor
3. mirror
4. powder
5. humor
6. anger
7. banner
8. pillar
9. major
10. thunder
11. flavor
12. finger
13. mayor
14. polar
15. clover
16. burglar
17. tractor
18. matter
19. lunar
20. quarter
21. oyster
22. clamor
23. tremor
24. scholar
25. chamber

1. The theatre actor looked in the mirror as she applied powder.
2. Did the scholar point his finger at the mayor in humor or anger?
3. There was a clamor of noise as the tremor rose from the chamber.

Mae Jemison Spelling Words and Dictation Sentences

Extra Credit

In an effort to encourage more students (and parents) to check the blog for links and assignments, I will occasionally be putting extra credit assignments on this blog only.  The assignment will have a specific due date and WILL NOT be discussed in class (paper-based assignments or classtime will be available for students who do not have internet access at home and have notified me in advance).

More information will be provided regarding subject areas and points possible with each extra credit assignment.

Stay tuned!

13 Colonies Web Quest

In 5th grade you have been learning about the original 13 colonies, including why people travelled to the new world and noteworthy individuals.  After completing this Web Quest you will have a broader understanding of what happened during the colonial days and what life was like.  Although the Web Quest indicates that it is a group activity, for Mrs. Soto's class it is an individual task.

We will be completing the Web Quest, including a worksheet during multiple computer lab times.

Click on the Resources link to start your Web Quest!

13 Colonies Web Quest Site

La Bamba Spelling Words

1. hawk
2. claw
3. bald
4. tower
5. halt
6. prowl
7. loyal
8. pause
9. moist
10. ounce
11. launch
12. royal
13. scowl
14. haunt
15. noisy
16. coward
17. fawn
18. thousand
19. drown
20. fault
21. announce
22. poise
23. loiter
24. somersault
25. awkward
26. The awkward hawk paused on the tower.
27. Did the noisy fawn announce itself too soon?
28. It was the coward's fault that we had to halt.

Moon Webquest

Use the links below to complete the worksheet Mrs. Soto gives you in the Computer Lab and the tasks below .  If you need finish the worksheet or tasks after computer lab time, return to this blog and complete the assignment at home.  The final assignment is due September 29th after computer lab time.

The First Task - The Worksheet

Worksheet Links
Link 1
You will have to scroll about halfway down the page to see the answers!
Link 2
Be sure to scroll down to see all of the pictures on this link!
Link 3
Check out the great pictures on this page!!!


The Second Task

Draw a picture of the Moon on the day you were born.

Process
Go the website below. Select the month and year of your birth.
Moon phase when I was born

The Third Task
A calendar illustrating the phases of the Moon every day for a month. Select the current month.

Complete the worksheet for the month.

Process
Go the website below. Select the current month.
Moon phases everyday

Observing the Moon

Students have an ongoing assignment that was officially assigned on Friday.  They were given a packet that will allow them observe and record what they see when they look at the moon.  I would like each student to attempt to view the moon at roughly the same time every night and record their findings.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Sign the Constitution

Friday, September 17 was Constitution Day to commemorate the signing of the Constitution.  The below link allows students the opportunity to be part of history and see their names written on a historic document.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_sign.html

Spelling Words

Michelle Kwan:

Heart of a Champion


Spelling Pre-Test: September 13

Final Test: September 22
1. basketball
2. wheelchair
3. cheerleader
4. newscast
5. weekend
6. everybody
7. up-to-date
8. grandparent
9. first aid
10. wildlife
11. highway
12. daytime
13. whoever
14. test tube
15. turnpike
16. shipyard
17. homemade
18. household
19. salesperson
20.brother-in-law

Challenge
extraordinary
self-assured
quick-witted
limelight
junior high school


Dictation:


1. The extraordinary cheerleader made everybody happy during the basketball game.


2. Did your brother-in-law steal the limelight from your grandparent last weekend?


3. Make sure you are up-to-date in your first aid before you get on the turnpike.

Volcanoes Spelling Words and Dictation Sentences

Volcanoes Spelling Words &
Dictation Sentences
Spelling Pre-Test - Monday, 8/30/2010
Final Test - Wednesday, 9/8/2010


1. thrown
2. stole
3. clue
4. dew
5. choose
6. rule
7. boast
8. cruise
9. stroll
10. route
11. mood
12. loaf
13. growth
14. youth
15. slope
16. bruise
17. loose
18. rude
19. flow
20. flute

Challenge
subdue
pursuit
molten
reproach
presume

Dictation Sentences:

1. He played the flute as he took a stroll on the cruise.

2. It would be rude to presume the thief stole the loaf of bread while on the loose.

3. The youth was in the mood for a fast pursuit down the slope.

Math Vocabulary - Chapter 2

After reviewing Wednesday night's homework, it was clear that some students are not grasping math vocabulary.  Each week, there will be a math vocabulary page sent home reviewing words and concepts we have gone over in class.  Let me know if you have any questions.

variable - a letter that represents a number in a algebraic expression
b+2
f-7

expression - a number, variable, or any combination of numbers, variables, and operation signs
a+5=10

evaluate - to substitute the values given for the variables in an expression and perform the operation to find the value of the expression
If a=5, then a+2=7

Commutative Property of Addition - changing the order of the addends does not change their sum
b+2=2+b

Associative Property of Addition - changing the groupings of the addends does not change their sum; also known as the Grouping Property of Addition
6+(2+2)=(6+2)+2

Identity Property of Addition - the property that states that the sum of any number and 0 is that number
g+0=g

estimate - a number close to the exact amount that tells about how much or about how many
   126----->100
+  456----->500
                    600
round - to find about how many or about how much by expressing a number to the nearest ten, hundred, and so on
56,456 rounded to the nearest 100s place = 56,500

equation - a mathematical sentence that shows that two expressions have the same value
n+8=10
n=2

Earthquake Terror

We just finished reading a story about the 1989 World Series Earthquake.  Watch the blog for student descriptive news reports in response to the story!

The next story is Eye of the Storm about Tornado Chasers!

Spelling Words

As promised...here are this week's spelling words and dictation sentences.

Spelling Words and Dictation Sentences
Long Vowel Sounds


Pretest – 8/19/2010
Final Test - 8/27/2010

1. speech
2. claim
3. strike
4. stray
5. fade
6. sign
7. leaf
8. thigh
9. thief
10. height
11. mild
12. waist
13. sway
14. beast
15. stain
16. fleet
17. stride
18. praise
19. slight
20. niece
21. campaign
22. describe
23. cease
24. sacrifice
25. plight

1.The sign said you had to be a certain height to ride The Beast.
2.The thief made a speech to praise his niece.
3.Did the sacrifice make the plight of the leaf easier?

Great Group of Students!

The students in room 42 have been doing a great job getting used to new routines and starting to learn 5th grade standards.  Thanks to all the parents who have returned the student information page, it will make communicating with each of you much easier. 

We have already have to move students around from table to table to ensure each is listening and allowing others to learn.  Please remind you child of the importance of listening and paying attention!

Tomorrow is the First Day of School!

I am excited to see all of my students bright and early tomorrow morning.  Get ready for 5th grade!!!

Meet the Teacher Night

Meet the teacher night will be on Friday, July 30th from 5:00-7:30PM. I look forward to meeting all of my new students and parents. Supply lists will be available.