Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Family Project- Research Paper

Our next and final family project is a research paper and a diorama on an animal of your child's choosing. Last week I went over how to do a research project on an animal. I modeled how to take notes from information and then how to turn that into a research paper that made sense. Going home today is more specific information about what animal your child chose and what the guidelines are for this activity.

Both the paper and the diorama are due Monday, May 9th. The written report is mandatory and the diorama is optional for extra credit. Using information about their animal found in books, magazines, online, etc. students will take notes and write a paper on the sheets included in the packet. The research paper should be presented in a folder with the child's name, animal, and picture of the animal on the front.

Parents will more than likely need to assist their children with this project. However, the work should be done by the child (i.e. in the child's own words, handwriting, diorama work, etc.)

If you have questions please ask! Students will also be presenting their projects to the class on Wednesday, May 11th.

What's new this week...

Spelling List 21- how, round, dishes, blue, argue, diver, enjoy, overpay, afternoon, vacation, early*, learn*. Words with an asterisk* are sight words and should be memorized.

Sentences: Braden found four spiders in the corner of the dark barn. The soil there was moist and cool.

Bonus Sentences: His cat wanted to sniff them. He didn't want the spiders to bite his cat on the mouth.

Going home this week will be information about our upcoming field trip next week, as well as the research paper your children will need to complete for this last quarter.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Japan Tsunami Relief - Part 2

All this week we are still collecting supplies to help out the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last month. Any new supplies you want to bring in on any day would be great! Supplies can range from medical, first aid to personal hygiene. For specific ideas please see the World Care website at www.worldcare.org, the Link, or even this blog!

Please help out where you can! Every little bit goes a long way to help these families who have lost so much!

Coming Events...

For next week, give you a bit of an early start on your practicing... Spelling list 21: how, round, dishes, blue, argue, diver, enjoy, overpay, afternoon, vacation, *early, *learn. Words with an asterisk* are sight words and should be memorized.

Sentences: Braden found four spiders in the corner of the dark barn. The soil there was moist and cool. Bonus sentences: His cat wanted to sniff them. He didn't want the spiders to bite his cat on the mouth.

Homework: There will still be homework this week, however the book log and book report form that were sent home will be due next Friday instead of this week.

Family Project: Our next and final family project is a research paper and a diorama on an animal that your child will be assigned at school. Guidelines will go home in a couple of weeks. Start saving a shoe box for this.

Pool Party: The school year is coming to an end. We are planning a swimming party for students who have behaved and turned in all their homework (book reports, book logs, phonics, math, etc.) Permission slips will be sent home as soon as we have the date and authorization from the office.

Final Field Trip: We don't yet have confirmation on this either, but we would like to visit our senior reading buddies at their place of residence to sing a few songs and hand out cards we've made for them. We are hoping to do this the first week of May. We do need parent volunteers to help out. This field trip is free! Permission slips for this will also be sent home as soon as we get confirmation from the office.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Spelling List 20

Spelling list 20 this week...

Words: by, say, for, even, point, nation, portion, sliding, September, carnation, *only, *answer.
Words marked with an *asterisk are sight words and should be memorized because they don't follow the spelling rules.

Sentences: Please eat after you clean your jeans. The meat and beans are getting cool.

Bonus sentences: I hear that your team is on the corner lot. Each team is really eager to play.
Bonus sentences are extra points and will be added to your child's final score.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Field Trip Update!

Due to some serious behavior issues with most of the class the last couple of weeks, children will be required to have either a green or white card (i.e. acceptable/respectful behavior) every day for the rest of this week in order to go on the field trip next Monday, April 11th. If your child has to remain behind, we will find a class for them to stay with while they do extra review work for the day. You will also be refunded your $5 if you have already paid it.

Also, in order to go on the field trip we need more parent volunteers or we will have to cancel. (Volunteers must be fingerprinted in the front office or have a fingerprint clearance card.) Please let me know ASAP if you can attend and help out! Be sure to turn in all forms and money or children cannot attend!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Japan Tsunami Relief

All this week our school will be doing a supplies drive to help the relief effort in Japan from the earthquake and consequent tsunami. We have teamed up with World Care, an organization that helps places after a natural disaster or other tragedy strikes. You can visit their website at www.worldcare.org for more information. Please bring in new items and share what you can!

Monday, April 4th- First aid supplies: gauze squares or wraps, iodine, exam gloves, antibiotic ointment, cotton balls, hand sanitizers, etc.

Tuesday, April 5th- Emergency relief items: flashlights, batteries, work gloves, tents, folding cots, etc.

Wednesday, April 6th- Packing supplies: boxes, packing tape, rubber bands, scotch tape.

Thursday, April 7th- Hygiene supplies: large sturdy hair combs, shampoo, bar soap, individually packaged toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine products, baby wipes/diapers.

Friday, April 8th- Medical supplies: crutches/braces, over the counter pain relievers, band-aids, liquid band aid (new skin), wound care cleansers.

Spelling and Butterflies!

Spelling list 19 this week:

Words- off, boy, hiding, turtle, disturb, survive, acorn, Friday, elbow, hurt, *many, *any.
Words with an *asterisk are sight words and need to be memorized.

Sentences- My cat had five kittens on my birthday. The first ones were girls and the rest boys.
Bonus Sentences- Curt burned his hand on the hot car. The burn hurt and felt like fire.

AND... We have butterflies!
In class over the next few weeks we are going to be studying how caterpillars change into butterflies. Our caterpillars have already grown so much over the weekend. We are going to be making observations and recording them in our journals, as well as learning about the growth patterns of these animals. The class is already soooo excited!