Week of November 29- December 3, 2010

Friday HW
1.  Social Studies research continues.
2.  20 minutes of reading each day.
3.  Visit http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/ to fine tune your avatar.  Class pass is col--------.
Today we pursued novel study activities and day 3 of guided reading for the Green group.  We also introduced Unit 4 Lesson 1 in Math and looked at seven different ways to represent numbers.  In the afternoon we had a Ketchup (Day 2 of guided reading, Art) and Relish period and then we went to the Computer lab to use Bitstrips.

Thursday HW
1.  Social Studies booklet page 11 for Monday.
2.  Sign and correct test pack for Monday.
3.  Social Studies project research is ongoing.  More than half a dozen students regularly have no materials they've gathered on their own to do basic reading.  The materials I have in class are a start but should not be the only source consulted.
Today we wrote our Unit 3 Math test, did novel study activities and had Day 3 Guided reading with the Blue group in the morning.  In the afternoon we worked on our Social Studies projects.  At this point every student has had access to an internet linked computer to enrich their information gathering.  We will restart our cycle tomorrow.

Wednesday HW
1. Gather and read some research materials that are connected to your Social Studies project. This is important preparatory work so students can get a good start. Everyone should have at least one reasonably good information source in class to use with the research organizers.
2. Geometry Unit Test on Unit 3 is on Thursday December 3. Students should practice using the "Show What You Know" questions on pages 106-107 # 1 to 8 (all questions) and the unfinished questions seeded through the entire unit. Remember that ruler, compass and protractor use are required for the test. The first quiz was marked and returned today.  The average was just over 72 %. The test pack should be autographed and corrected and returned by Monday December 6.
3.  The class calendar and newsletter for December was distributed today.  Also received was a letter regarding an incidence of pediculosis (head lice) in our class.  The students were checked today.  The recommended precautions included home checks of the scalp for up to 10 days.
Tuesday HW
1.  Gather and read some research materials that are connected to your Social Studies project. This is important preparatory work so students can get a good start. Everyone should have at least one reasonably good information source in class to use with the research organizers.  These organizers and the rough pages of the project, which show exactly how long it should be, were distributed yesterday.
2.  Geometry Unit Test on Unit 3 is on Thursday December 3. Students should practice using the "Show What You Know" questions on pages 106-107 # 1 to 8 (all questions) and the unfinished questions seeded through the entire unit. Remember that ruler, compass and protractor use are required for the test.  The first quiz was marked and the average was just over 72 %.  They will be returned tomorrow.
3.  Social Studies booklet pages 9 and 10 for Wednesday.
4.  We completed our "A World Above and A World Below" art activity today.
5.  Complete a one page Journal response to the "Invisible Weapons" anti-bullying video we watched with Mr. Hochberg last week.  We have been discussing the idea of kindness towards classmates and inclusion for the past 2 weeks in response to some incidents in the playground and hallways of our school involving our class.  Our attempts to address this are ongoing.

Monday HW
1. Gather and read some research materials that are connected to your Social Studies project. This is important preparatory work so students can get a good start. Everyone should have at least one reasonably good information source in class to use with the research organizers.
2. Math Isometric drawing was reviewed again today.  Geometry Unit Test on Unit 3 is on Thursday December 3.  Students should practice using the "Show What You Know" questions on pages 106-107 # 1 to 8 (all questions) and the unfinished questions seeded through the entire unit.  Remember that ruler, compass and protractor use are required for the test.
3. Social Studies booklet pages 9 and 10 for Wednesday.  The kids should have a very good start on it. During a booklet check I found that a significant number of students had between one and three pages completely untouched out of the six we've started in class and assigned as homework so far. There is some catching up to do. If they are behind our pace they are welcome to stay in at recess to catch up.