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Spelling: We reviewed consonant blends today (br, cr, cl, st, str).

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

Reading: Today was a discussion day in Literature Circles. Students are now finished with their books and will begin working on projects to share their books with the class.

Writing: Students continued to work on 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 Monday, March 29.

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 continued to practice multiplying double digit numbers using the distributive property (our book calls this “Multiplication Wrestling.”) Homework is to complete two multiplication problems:

1. 96*87
2. 52*34

Here is an example of multiplication using the distributive property.

Science: None today due to library.

The Globe at Night project was due today.

Social Studies: The final two groups presented what they learned about the Northeast and West regions and how they are similar to the Midwest.

St. Patrick’s Day: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! The class was filled with green outfits and shamrock shakes!

We also watched a video about Ireland, saw some Irish Dancing, and listened to an Irish song!

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 3
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 9

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 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.

Spelling: None today due to extra time with writing.

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

Reading: None today due to (another) class discussion on bullying, meanness and generally poor decision making. I told students that if they cause the same types of problems that we have been discussing in class, they will receive the full consequence of their actions. Failure to learn from the mistakes of others receives no mercy.

Writing: Students continued to work on 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: Students continued to practice multiplying double digit numbers using the distributive property (our book calls this “Multiplication Wrestling.”) Homework is to complete Journal pp. 115-117 started in class.

Here is an example of multiplication using the distributive property:

Science: We graded the Investigation Review from yesterday and wrote notes in our minibooks about the earth and the moon. We learned that a hammer and a feather would fall on the moon at the same time, because there is no air on the moon. They fall slower because the moon has less gravity. Here is the video:

The Globe at Night project has begun and is due tomorrow, 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: Two groups presented what they learned about the Southeast and Southwest regions and how they are similar to the Midwest.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 1
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 1
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 6

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 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.

Spelling: We used letter cards to form different words with suffixes.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences, seven or more words each, are due on Fridays. Students also completed a Cursive Mad Minute today, writing the sentence, “Beware the Ides of March.”

Reading: Today was a reading day in Literature Circles. Some groups worked on making inferences as a reading strategy.

Writing: Students continued to work on 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: Students learned a way to multiply double digit numbers using the distributive property (our book calls this “Multiplication Wrestling.”) Homework is to complete StudyLink 5.2.

Here is an example of multiplication using the distributive property:

Science: We read about gravity on the moon. Homework is to complete Investigation Review p. 42.

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: None today due to art.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 4
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 4

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.

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.

Spelling: None today due to completing a student satisfaction survey.

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

Reading: Today was a reading day in Literature Circles. Some groups worked on synthesizing and summarizing as a reading strategy.

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: Students completed a math test today over these ideas:

• Decimals, decimal comparing, ordering, fractions and decimals;
• Metric measurement;
• Metric conversion; and,
• Decimal addition and subtraction.

Science: We planned a moon picnic today! We decided that we wouldn’t need fishing poles, bathing suits, kites or bug spray because there is no life, liquid water, or air on the moon. But we decided to bring our bats and baseballs, slides, swings, sunglasses and shovels.

Also, 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 worked on comparing their selected region to the Midwest region. Homework is to finish their Venn diagram comparison if not finished in class.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 3
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 10

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

Notes:

• 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.