December 17

Language Arts: Three Syllable words

Reading: Spelling test and Lost Lake test tomorrow. Brochures due tomorrow.

Math: Page 111 #1-10, Page 112 #19-29 due tomorrow

December 14

Language Arts: Cursive writing, journal, complex sentences

Reading: "Lost Lake", Spelling Unit 10, at home reading goal: 85 minutes

Spelling words:

there
first
its
right
around
between
always
don't
better
it's
English
perhaps
ready
complete
hundred
strong
voice
probably
area
horse

Math: Page 99, #10-20, worksheet Practice 3-3 both due tomorrow

Science: "The Sun" book and game

December 11

In language arts we worked on evaluating writing. We completed an activity in class.

In reading we took a spelling test and a test on the story "The Desert Under the Sea." We also visited the library and watched a short video about marine biology to wrap up our study of undersea life.

In math we used a 1000 chart to find sums and differences. Homework: Page 97 #1-13 DUE MONDAY.

In science we did an introduction to the solar system activity.


Finally, several student requested that I post photos of my new dog on this site. Here he is:

His name is Leo and he is a retired racing greyhound. He was adopted from Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption in Coon Rapids. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to re-homing former racing dogs.

December 9

Language Arts: We completed an author's purpose" activity as well as a combined sentences activity.

Reading: We continued to discuss "the Desert Beneath the Sea" and read some books about marine biology. Homework: Re-read the story before Friday.

Math: We took the Chapter 2 test today. We will begin Chapter 3 tomorrow!

Science: Moon phase experiment.

Online Book Club Ordering

Dear Parent,

I have exciting news. You can now place your Scholastic Book Clubs orders online!

Browse all the great monthly Book Club selections at low prices and order online. Plus, our class earns a FREE book every time a parent orders online.

Here’s how it works:

1. Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site.
2. Browse the titles with your child and place your order with your credit card.
3. Your order will come to me, and your credit card payment will go directly to Scholastic’s secure server. There’s no need to send money to school.
4. After I submit the entire class order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.

To get started, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. Note: You do not need to create your own user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
User Name: mrjakescott
Password: scott

Ordering online is the most convenient way to use Scholastic Book Clubs. You can order anytime, right up until the online order due date. You’ll also get instant access to over 500 additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts.

And don’t forget: Every time a parent places an order online, we earn a FREE book for our classroom library!

Sincerely,

JAKE SCOTT

12.8.2009

Language Arts: Combined sentences worksheet completed at school. Keyboarding.

Reading: Read "The Jason Project" and answered questions about it. Studied irregular verbs.

Math: Review chapter 2. Test tomorrow.

12/7/09

Language Arts: "Making Inferences" worksheet done in class.

Reading: Read "The Desert Beneath the Sea", got new spelling words (see previous post), reading goal this week is 80 minutes

Math: Chapter 2 review stations, reading clocks, reading calendars, finding elapsed time, comparing and ordering numbers.

Science: Please bring flashlights to school tomorrow for an experiment.

Spelling Unit 9

These spelling words will be tested on December 11.

there
their
people
only
right
began
it's
young
learn
toward
really
become
ready
special
hundred
fast
felt
kept
notice
can't

November 30-December 4

I apologize for the lack of updates this week, I was out of town. Hopefully students remembered to write in their planners.

In homeroom we worked on locating the main idea in a paragraph.

In reading we read the story "The Best New Thing" and designed our own space station. Students need to write a short paper describing a unique space station inspired by the setting of "The Best New Thing."

In math we are working on time and elapsed time.

In science we continue to learn about the solar system.

Have a great weekend!

November 19, 2009

Language Arts: Turkey pop-up art.

Reading: Answering questions in complete sentences, Icarus art project. The spelling exam and exam on "Wings" is tomorrow. We also have library, so bring your book.

Math: We reviewed concepts with Study Island. You can visit Study Island by going to www.studyisland.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Reading: We are working on answering short response answers to questions about the story Wings. We started an art project illustrating favorite parts of the story Wings. The homework is to complete the word chain worksheet (due Friday) and read at home.

Reading at home doesn't have to be independent silent reading. Students are encouraged to read aloud to parents or siblings or grandparents or anyone who wants to listen. You can also do partner reading, where each person takes turns reading and listening.

Math: Today we practiced comparing numbers. The assignment is page 69 #3-12. Most students were able to finish this in class. Students who did not finish in class are to complete it at home. If they are unsure of what to do, they should spend no more than 15 minutes trying to figure it out. If they still need more help they can bring it back to school tomorrow and work with Mr. Scott.

Language Arts: Today we finished reading the book "Bunnicula" by James Howe. We also practiced making graphic organizers and wrote a journal entry.

Science: We are continuing to learn about the planets and solar system.

Tuesday November 17

Reading: Writing complete sentences, word chain page due Friday

Math: Comparing numbers Page 66-67 #1-28

Language Arts: Keyboarding, Graphic organizers

11-16

Language Arts:
Practice paraphrasing
Journaling

Reading:
This week we are reading the story "Wings."

Spelling words for this week:

1. there
2. their
3. because
4. should
5. always
6. important
7. sure
8. it's
9. example
10. turned
11. half
12. remember
13. idea
14. special
15. complete
16. oh
17. person
18. hot
19. anything
20. hold
    

Math:
Today we learned how to play cribbage. We are playing cribbage because it reinforces addition skills in a fun way.

11-12

Language Arts

• Handwriting practice

• Rereading to understand

Reading

• Doughnuts presentations
• Doughnuts test

• Homework: Read "Building Bridges" and answer the questions on a separate paper. Answer must be complete sentences. Due Monday.
• The story can be read here: http://highlightskidsplus.com/Stories/Fiction/F1297_bridges.asp
• The question are:
• 1. Who is telling the story?
  2. Describe James. What is he like?
  
  3. The author says that James “faded into the walls during class.” What does that mean?
  
  4. At one point in the story Eddie was “laughing like a hyena.” What does that mean?
  
  5. How does the author feel about being partnered with James? How would you feel?
  
  6. What is the assignment the children have to complete in the story?
  
  7. Why do you think James is so quiet at school?
  
  8. Who is the man who enters the classroom at the end of the story?
  
  9. Why do the boys stop Mrs. Kramer from adding weights to the bridge?
  
  10. How will the author be different after completing this assignment with James?
  
  

Math

• Practice reading and writing numbers and numbers lines with Study Island

11-11

Math: Finding sums with 3 addends, reading and writing numbers on Study Island

Reading: Doughnuts presentations

Tuesday Nov. 10

Reading: Doughnut presentations begin tomorrow. We are also working on constructing complete sentences when answering questions. Remember to read at home.

Math: We are working on finding sums with mental math. There is also a math packet is due on Monday.

Language Arts: We are learning how to write compound sentences.

Health: We are learning about good nutrition and food groups.

Monday, November 9

Language Arts: Students are practicing writing complete sentences. Today we practiced writing simple sentences and learned how to write compound sentences.

Reading: Students are practicing persuasive speech and writing. They will be working on an advertisement for Uncle Ulysses Doughnuts from the Homer Price story. Ads and presentations are due Wednesday.

There is no spelling this week because of the short week.

Math: Students are working on addition and subtraction strategies. Students are strongly encouraged to visit www.studyisland.com to practice math skills and concepts.

Book orders are due Thursday, November 12. If you're interested in ordering online, visit http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/parentsHome.jsp Ordering online is a fast and easy way to place book club orders.

Friday Novmeber 6

Language Arts: Students are creating simple sentences and remembering to capitalize the first letter and put an end mark (period, question mark, exclamation point) at the end.

Reading: Students are learning to give persuasive speeches and write persuasively. Students will create advertising and a presentation to sell Uncle Ulysses Doughnuts. This will be due Wednesday, November 11.

Math: Students are practicing addition, subtraction, time, money, and other math skills with the Study Island computer program. Students can access the site at home by visiting www.StudyIsland.com and entering their user name and password.

Here's the website with Jackson Pollack painting: https://wbx-files.s3.amazonaws.com/jacksonpollock_by_miltos_manetas.swf

Have a great weekend!

Thursday November 5

Language Arts: Sentence writing

Reading: Students need to have their rough drafts finished and edited by a parent for tomorrow. Students should also be brainstorming ideas for the doughnut advertising activity. Read at home and prepare for the spelling exam.

Math: Practice with partial sums. Complete worksheet at home if it was not finished at school.

Here is a link to the Turtle Game.

Wednesday November 4, 2009

Language Arts: Today we read from "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and wrote in our journals.

Reading: The students are writing newspaper articles about "The Doughnuts". A rough draft of the article is due tomorrow. The draft should include the who, what, where, why, when, and how.

Math: Practicing with partial sums. Students who do not complete the worksheet in class must complete it at home.

Health: Students will record the food they eat in a nutrition log.

Tuesday November 3

Language Arts: Journal, crossword puzzle

Reading: Read at home, complete "Doughnuts" pre-writing graphic organizer

Math: Group work, no homework

Health: Nutrition activity


Students,

As the weather turns colder please remember to dress appropriately. This means wearing jackets, hats, and gloves.

Monday November 2

Language Arts: Journal, keyboarding

Reading: Spelling unit 6

1. there
2. their
3. each
4. its
5. again
6. next
7. sound
8. often
9. almost
10. however
11. city
12. early
13. nothing
14. certain
15. fire
16. special
17. ran
18. full
19. town
20. complete

Read "The Doughnuts"

Math: Partial sums

Health: Nutrition activity

Tuesday-Friday

A Message from Mr. Scott:

I am at home sick and will likely be out for the remainder of the week. Please check your student planners for assignment updates. Remember to read at home and fill out your reading logs.

We still have a need for rat-sitters this weekend. Please return your permission slips as soon as possible. Caring for a rat is fun and easy! If you're interested, you can turn in your permission slip or email me.

Have a good week.

Mr. Scott

Monday October 26

Language Arts: Keyboarding. No homework.

Reading: Unit 4 spelling exam. Spelling Unit 5 words (test Friday).

Unit 5 words:

1. there
2. their
3. first
4. its
5. because
6. always
7. together
8. form
9. animal
10. several
11. ground
12. front
13. American
14. mean
15. certain
16. fire
17. ready
18. green
19. yes
20. built

Math: Adding 10, adding 9, practice facts. No homework.

Health: Nutrition activity.

Reminder: If you're interested in rat-sitting this weekend, please send the permission slip this week. If you no longer have the original permission slip, just send a note.

Otsego Music Club

Mrs. Halverson is starting a music club for Otsego 4th and 5th graders. The club will meet Tuesdays before school. Students will be responsible for arriving on time to the club.

An information sheet is being sent home today and is due Friday, October 30, but early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

Friday October 23, 2009

Homework

Language Arts: None

Reading: Complete invention drawing, read at home, sign reading log (65 minutes this week), complete the word find (due Monday), and prepare for spelling test on Monday.

Math: Worksheet due Monday.

Health: Menu due Monday.

Reminder: Book orders are due October 30.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday October 22, 2009

Homework

Language Arts: None

Reading: Practice spelling words; at home reading, the weekly goal is 65 minutes

Math: Making 10s. Students can practice at home by playing the "Make 10" game with a deck of cards.

Health: Students are to create a menu for their own imaginary restaruant. Menu must include 5 balanced meals. Each meal needs to have one item from each food group. We will have some time to work in class on Friday, it will be due at the end of the day.

Remember to get your planner signed so you can attend Fun Friday!

Book orders are due Friday, October 30.

10-21-09

Language Arts: No homework

Reading: "4the Grade Rats" Read at home, study spelling words (Spelling test on MONDAY October 26)

Answer questions about "A Piece of String is a Wonderful Thing"

1. Prehistoric people didn't have string. What kinds of problems did this cause?

2. How did people solve the problem of having to haul and lift heavy loads?

3. Why do you think people keep finding more and more uses for string?

4. Should string be added to the time line "Amazing Inventions & Discoveries"? Why?

5. Why are the inventions you read about in "Amazing Inventions & Discoveries" and A Piece of String is a Wonderful Thing so important?

Math: Turn Arounds and Doubles +1 addition practice. Due tomorrow.

Late Start Day

Language Arts: Descriptive writing.

Reading: We are reading the story "A Piece of String is a Wonderful Thing."

Spelling words this week:
there, their, then, than, words, most, worked, enough, country, true, United States, though, behind, rest, perhaps, certain, six, feel, cold, Americans

Skill: words with the 's' sound

Math: Greg Tang's "Go Fast, Go Far!" addition and number sense strategies. Adding 4 and "Turn Around Facts."

Homework:

• Read at home
• Math worksheet (+4)
• Turn in Rat adoption papers if you'd like to adopt or babysit a rat