March 15th, 2012
Class activities for Thursday, March 15
Spelling: None 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 work on their fiction novel project today. During this project, each student has a daily word goal of 150-300 words. The novel is due Monday, March 26. See below for more details. Students should be drafting at this point.
Novel Writing Project
The final piece of the 3rd Marking Period will be our final fiction project of the year. Students will write and publish a novel. Each student will write their own novel, with a word goal minimum of 1,000-3,000 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 February 27 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 afters chool 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 reviewed solving two-step problems. We also played a game to review for Monday’s math test about multiplication. There is a practice test on p. 200-201 in the math book that would be a good review.
Science: We learned more about the features of the moon. We also modeled how far away the sun is from the earth. If the sun were a beach ball, the earth would be a small bead, and they would be as far apart as the length of our McGrath soccer field.
Social Studies: We used some special purpose maps, including highway and elevation maps, to learn about the United States.
- Yellow magnets: 1
- Orange magnets: 1
- Red magnets: 0
- STAR Awards: 0
- Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 3
Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at JupiterGrades to see if your student moved their magnet. Need help with JupiterGrades?
Notes:
- Students, wear green tomorrow!
- Spring Parent Teacher Conferences are next week. Select or check your spot here.
- Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
- View grades, assignments, and attendance at JupiterGrades.
Our Mission:
All students in Room 130 will do their best and get ready for 5th grade.
