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Spelling: We reviewed irregular verbs and homophones today.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences, seven or more words each, are due on Fridays.

Reading: Today was a discussion day in Literature Circles.

Writing: Students continued to draft their novel today. Each student has a daily word goal of 130-350 words. Ask your student how many words they’ve written so far! The novel is due Friday, March 26.

Here is more about this project:

Novel Writing Project
The final piece of the 3rd Marking Period will be our final fiction project of the year. Students will write a novel. You read that right! Each student will write their own novel, with a word goal minimum of 1,000-3,500 words, based on their reading level (each student’s minimum writing goal is equal to their reading level multiplied by 500). The novels will be written in Google Docs (docs.mrhowd.com) to make use of the word count feature. Final novels will be uploaded to lulu.com and published as paperback books, which can be purchased for reasonable prices. So yes, students will actually write and publish their own novels. This project is based on the National Novel Writing Month Young Writers program. Here are more details:

• We will start this project in class on March 8 and it will be due on March 26; however, students can begin early.
• This is our final fiction project; the novel can be any type of fiction story (mystery, science fiction, fantasy, realistic, historical, etc.)
• We will be working in the computer lab most days, using docs.mrhowd.com to type the novel. Students can also work on this from any internet-connected computer outside of school.
• Students might want to start thinking now about how they will use a computer afterschool if they need to, and if they will go to the library, use a home computer, or use a friend or family member’s computer.
• If friends and family would like to order a paperback version of the book, we will upload the final texts to lulu.com. Most books will cost between $5 and $10.
• A big portion of this grade will be if students complete their own, personal word count goal.

Math: We started a unit on multiplication today by practicing basic (5*3=15) and extended multiplication facts (30*5=150, 3*50=150, 30*50=1500). Homework is to finish Journal pp. 112-114.

Science: None today.

The Globe at Night project has begun and is due March 17; here is more information about this project:

• Students have from March 4-16 to complete their observation
• Students should observe the sky between 7-10 pm, and need to let their eyes adjust to the darkness for about 10 minutes before making the observation
• Students are looking for the constellation Orion in order make their observation
• Help with finding the latitude and longitude of your viewing location can be found here
• Students will turn in their record sheet for their grade (see handout from class, or look here)
• All the details, and a record sheet, can be found here
• Help with finding Orion in the sky can be found here and here
• Visit Globe at Night for complete details
• Other free resources to help with this project:
  • Download Stellarium to observe space in a 3D viewer
  • Download Celestia to explore space
  • Download Google Earth and use the Sky layer to view the stars!

Social Studies: Groups completed their team Venn diagram comparing their selected region to the Midwest region. Homework is to complete any unfinished work related to this project. Groups will present their diagrams to the class next week.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 2
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 12

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet. Need help with SnapGrades?

Notes:

• Read-a-Thon Mackinac Fundraiser next Friday, March 19. All donations go toward the $100 per student cost of the trip.
• Spring Parent Teacher Conferences are March 23-26. Sign up, view or edit your time by visiting shortlinks.mrhowd.com/conferences
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• View grades, assignments, and attendance at SnapGrades.

Our Mission:
Every student in Room 130 leaves improved and prepared for 5th grade.