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Spelling: We finished reviewing common rules for adding suffixes to words:

1. Change the y to i before adding a suffix (except ing);
2. Double the last letter for one-syllable words that end in a vowel and consonant;
3. Add es to words that end with ch, x, z, s and sh.

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

Reading: We reviewed the final two common responses for Literature Circles notes: visualizing with illustrations and selecting passages. Students also completed a STAR reading test today. Below is a chart of our results continuing from last year and our new reading goal:

Congratulations to the class, who continued to grow their reading level over the summer!

See our other goals at our Class Data Center.

Writing: None on Tuesdays due to technology.

A personal narrative is due Friday, September 24. Students should be revising at this time. Please note that a personal narrative is a story that includes your student. Narratives have characters, plot and settings.

Math: We continued to review square numbers today.

Science: We continued to review electricity topics learned in fourth grade.

Social Studies: We learned that American Indians migrated to desert, mountain, ice field, and grassland environments and had to adapt to the natural resources available.

Behavior Update:

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

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

Notes:

• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• 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 6th grade.

The Writing page has been updated with the schedule of writing pieces for this year. See the changes below. Visit the Writing page for complete details about writing, including what students should be doing daily and how grades will be achieved.

Writing Schedule

Students will write 12 pieces in a variety of styles and genres over the course of the year. Here is the general schedule of writing pieces:

1. Personal narrative (a memory or story about the student; see here for a helpful guide)
2. Personal narrative
3. Personal narrative (slightly fictionalized)
4. Narrative (fiction)
5. Narrative (fiction)
6. Narrative (fiction)
7. Choose Your Own Adventure fiction/technology project (see our gallery of past projects)
8. Persuasive Letter to the Editor writing/Social Studies project
9. Novel Writing Month final fiction piece and paperback publishing project
10. I-Search research project and I-Search Conference presentations
11. Poetry collection
12. Find It, Decide It comparative decision making writing/technology project

There is a new page in the Parent section to help with planning school lunches. You can find it in the future by clicking on the Parent tab at the top of the page, or look in the right sidebar. View the page below:

You can check the lunch menu, deposit money, or check lunch balances online:

• Current Lunch Menu (via the Dining Services page)
• Deposit lunch money or check balances

View the Dining Services page below, or click here for a full screen version.

Spelling: We reviewed common rules for adding suffixes to words:

1. Most of the time, just add the suffix to the end of the base word;
2. For words ending in silent e, drop the e before adding a suffix beginning with a vowel.

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

Reading: We made word charts to teach the school about the words, prediction and perspective. These are words that are commonly on the MEAP test.

Writing: Students worked on drafting their personal narrative.

A personal narrative is due Friday, September 24. Students should be drafting or revising at this time. Please note that a personal narrative is a story that includes your student. Narratives have characters, plot and settings.

Math: We reviewed square numbers today. Homework is to finish Journal pp. 18, 20.

Science: We played a game to review energy forms and electricity, topics learned in fourth grade.

Social Studies: We learned that American Indians likely migrated to America from Asia during the ice age.

Behavior Update:

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

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

Notes:

• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• 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 6th grade.

Spelling: None due to Team Day.

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

Reading: None due to Team Day.

Writing: Students worked on drafting their personal narrative. Each student also received a colored file folder to use as their writing portfolio. Students were told that they could add pictures, stickers, magazine clippings or other decorations, and then the portfolios will be laminated next week.

A personal narrative is due Friday, September 24. Students should be drafting at this time.

Math: None today due to STAR Friday.

Science: None today due to Team Day.

Social Studies: Today is Constitution Day. We watched some SchoolHouse Rock video clips about how and why our country fought for our freedom. We also watched a movie about what America might be like if we didn’t have the Constitution or the Bill of Rights to protect our freedoms.

Team Day: Thanks to all the family members that volunteered to help with Team Day stations today. The class was successful at overcoming difficulties and solving their Team Day challenges, including:

• Untying a knot in a rope tied around a tree, while holding on to the rope and not letting go;
• Lowering a hula hoop held up by one finger from each group member, and not letting any finger leave the hoop;
• Piling the entire team on a sheet, then folding the sheet in half again and again while still fitting everyone on it; and,
• Mingling arms and holding hands in a tangle, and then untangling the group without letting go.

Look for pictures and videos soon!

Behavior Update:

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

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

Notes:

• School Supply list: Some students still need to purchase poly folders to organize their math, science and social studies materials (I have them in class for $1 each).
• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• 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 6th grade.