Homework for the week of November 1st

Vocabulary: Cell Structure

1. cell- the basic unit of all living things

2. tissue- a group of cells that work together to perform a specific function

3. organ- a group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function

4. organ system- organs that work together to ado a job for the body

5. amoeba- a single celled organism

6. organelles- different structures in a cell that have a certain function to help keep the cell alive

7. nucleus- an organelle that directs the cell’s activity (the “control center”)

8. cell membrane- holds the cell together and separates if from its surroundings (the “protector”)

9. cytoplasm- jellylike substance that help the cell stay together (the “goo”)

10. mitochondria- releases energy from nutrients (the “powerhouse”)

11. endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-folds and transports proteins (“protein highway”)

12. chromosomes- an organized structure of DNA and protein in cells

13. ribosomes- make proteins from amino acids

14. golgi apparatus- sorts, processes and packages proteins and lipids

For plant cells:

15. choroplast- makes food for the plant cell

16. cell wall- supports and protects the plant cell

17. vacuole- stores food, water, waste

For animal cells:

18. vesicle- stores food, water, waste

Monday and Tuesday= Use the Diagrams on the reverse side to draw and label your own plant and animal cells. Write definitions next to the labels or on the back of the page (use words: nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, cholorplast, vacuole, vesicle, cell wall)

Wednesday= Crossword puzzle

Thursday= Study for vocabulary test

Due Friday: A plant and animal cell diagram labeled with vocabulary words and their definitions and the crossword puzzle

Explorer Poster/Advertisement

Today in Class we began this fun assignment about the age of exploration.

It's purpose is to familiarize students with some of the famous European Explorers. We have been discussing why different countries explored. This assignment is meant to allow students to think of what was needed to make their expeditions successful and to practice mapping skills. All work on this assignment is to be done by hand (no computers for final product). Computer research is fine. Posters may be anywhere from 8 x11" to 11x17". We will be working on it in class through this Friday. It will be due the following friday

Here is a link to a helpful site: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/namerica.shtml

you can also use the online encyclopedia: http://www.britannica.com/

Explorer Poster/Advertisement: Due 11/5

You will be assigned an explorer of the 14^th or 15^th century. You are trying to recruit other sailors to join you on your expedition.

Create a poster to advertise the open position aboard your ship.

Please include:

-your name and a drawing of yourself

-a map of the route you will be taking (please use the actual route that your explorer took – you are intended to learn and teach your route to the class)

-why you are going on your expedition?

-why should this sailor go with you?

Please use the following pages of your Social Studies Text book to help you get started. Choose 1 explorer from the group based on your first name.

p. 124 : Columbus, Caboto, Vespucci, Balboa, Magellan (if your first name starts a-j)

p. 131: Ponce de Leon, Cortes, Cabrillo, Coronado, De Soto (if your first name starts k-r)

p. 139: Hudson, Verrazano, Cartier (if your first name starts s-z)

October 24 update and student spotlight

Greetings wonderful families,

I really enjoyed meeting with all of you during conference week. Our kids are so lucky to have such supportive parents at home. We are working on building organizational skills, independence and responsibility, but many students still need your support at home with this. We had a lot of work sent home this past week in the Thursday folder. Please remember that students can corrects tests to bring up their grade.

Last week we began "Student Spotlight" a fun and educational way for us to learn about each other and where we come from. This is meant as a learning opportunity for your child to find out a little bit more about their families heritage and experiences. It is also a time when they get to share about themselves. 2 students get to share every week.

Here the general outline (students were already given this about 3 weeks ago, I will be giving out extra copies to those students who turn is near).

Monday You may bring 1 something special from your younger years and 1 current thing to share with the class, that helps us learn more about you.

Tuesday Please share something special or interesting that your enjoy doing with your family (this could be a photo, a story etc)

Wednesday Research your family’s history. How did they end up living in California? What parts of the country or world did your family come from? How did they get here? What jobs did they do? Is there something interesting you learned about them or their journey? You may either fill in the chart to answer these questions or write a paragraph. Please be prepared to locate on map (with help) the places your family comes from.

Friday During your week you may bring a cultural dish to share or a favorite treat.

(Feel free to switch activities/days as needed)

The schedule is posted on the left side of the blog.

Many thank yous,

Mrs. Sara

P.S.

Some classroom needs:

* I need a room parent! :) I promise I will be easy to work with and we can work together co-plan things. We can also have co-room parents please let me know if you are interested.

* Binder paper

* Red correcting pens

oct. 18th

Homework: week of Oct. 18th

Tall Tales- Vocabulary and Spelling words

1. pioneer

2. requirement

3. reputation

4. protrude

5. maul

6. varmint

7. extraordinary

8. forage

9. dismal

10. instinct

11. cascade

12. gigantic

13. navigate

14. quicksilver

15. obliged

Monday: definitions

Tuesday: write a story using at least 10 of your words. Make sure that you use your words in ways that make sense and hint at the meaning of the word

Wednesday: crossword puzzle

Thursday: study for test on Friday

A reminder about two other very important assignments…

Due Friday 10/22 Sign of the Beaver Journal (worth 50 pts)- We have been working on this in class for the past 2-3 weeks. I gave students and check off list, so they can be sure they have each of the journal assignments. I would encourage your child to bring this home to show you and go over it together.

Due Wednesday 10/20 Sign of the Beaver Essay Outline and Paragraph.

Last week we were working on a 5 paragraph essay outline for Sign of the Beaver. The outline needs to be completed. Then, students are to choose one part from the outline(intro, detail paragraph or conclusion) to write on a piece of binder paper, in paragraph form. Please check your child's work and sign your name (at the bottom of each piece of writing).

October 9, 2010

Hello wonderful parents,

I am really looking forward to meeting with all of you one on one this week at parent/teacher conferences to ensure that we help your child have a great year.

If you need to make any changes to your conference time, please let me know.

Many thanks,
Mrs. Sara