Monday, May 28, 2012

May 23, 2012


May 23, 2012

Dear Room 13 Families,

I cannot believe how quickly this school year is coming to an end!  We have been very busy in class, finishing up our lessons, rehearsing our show and our silkworm moths are getting ready to emerge from their cocoons.

Here are some important things to remember:

1. All work for credit must be turned in by May 29th (extended from May 25th)
        
2.  Room 13 End of the year show info:

Chanel 13 presents “Stuff”
performances on:

Wednesday May 30th at 8:30
and
Thursday May 31st @ 1:30

Students have been working hard singing, dancing and acting to get ready for this original performance.  All skits are written by our amazingly talented 5th graders.
We hope that you can make it to the show!

All students should come to school on performance day with jeans (or darkish bottoms) and a plain black or white shirt, unless they are wearing a special outfit for the show.

3.  Parent Volunteer Appreciation Wednesday May 30th from 1:30 -2:30
I look forward to seeing you there to celebrate all that you do for our school!!!!

4. We have started Family Life this week and it will continue into next week.  At the end, your child will have a packet with the all of the information we have covered (look for that in next weeks Friday’s Folder (I will be sending folder home on Friday instead of Thursday so that these packets can be included).

4. End of the Year Hike and Party at Niscene Marks and Ice Cream Party
(I have attached chaperone forms for drivers- we will be meeting in room 13 @ 9:45am) 
We still need a couple of helpers for the ice cream party back at Mar Vista.  Please email me if you can assist.

5.  Last Day of School Friday June 8th 11am dismissal

Thank you so much for an amazing year!

:) Mrs. Sara    
sara_thorington@pvusd.net

Monday, May 21, 2012

Westward Expansion and Pioneer Girl Vocabulary


Westward Expansion and Pioneer Girl Vocabulary

1. pioneer- a person who is one of the first to settle a region so that it opens up for others to occupy and devleop
2. claim (n.)-a piece of land claimed by a settler
3. heifer- a young cow
4.priarie- a large area of flat or rolling grassland
5. sod-a chunk of grassy soil held together by matted roots
6. homestead- a farmhouse, its buildings and the land it sits on
7. immigrants- people who leave their native country to settle in another country
8. fertile- rich in material needed to grow healthy plants
9. discouraged-in low spirits and without hope
10. propaganda- information or ideas used to influence how others think
11. memoir- an account of the personal experiences of its author
12.  destiny-  a predetermined event; something that is to happen
13. reservation-a tract of public land set aside for the use of an Indian tribe.
14. “trail of tears”- The route along which the United States government forced several tribes of Native Americans, including the Cherokees, Seminoles, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks, to migrate to reservations west of the Mississippi River in the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s. Those on the march suffered greatly from disease and mistreatment.
15. assimilate- to conform with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group or nation
16. "Indian Removal Act"- federal law that permitted the president to give public lands in the West to Indians residing in eastern states, in exchange for their removal west of the Mississippi River; it was sometimes applied unilaterally and enforced at gunpoint, in flagrant violation of previous treaties, to evict Indians from valuable lands in the East.

Monday, May 14, 2012

vocab


Custom the usual way followed by people
Determination  a firm intention or resolution (to carry out one’s plan) Extended made to include more
Inherit to receive something from an ancestor
Raid an attack for the purpose of taking property
Reputation what others think about the character and behavior of someone
Respect feelings of admiration and approval
Travois  a sledge used by the Plains Indians made up of a platform on two poles that were fastened to a dog or horse
 Coup stick a long stick used for striking an enemy in battle
Triumph a great victory
Retreat to withdraw or go back
Deliberate intentional, on purpose
Lance a long spear

Sunday, May 13, 2012

5/10/12


5/10/12
Dear Room 13 Families,

I really enjoyed getting to see so many of you at back to school night!
I am really proud of the work that our kids have done so far this year.  We are working hard to get ready for our performance. Here is some important information and some dates to help keep you organized in the last weeks of school.
Progress Reports
Last Thursday trimester 3’s progress report for class and homework assignments were sent home.
I have to say, that a good number of students dropped the ball on not completing or not turning in assignments.  As a result, there might be some disappointments in grades for work completion.  These assignment grades are one of the tools that I use to determine if students have met 5th grade standards… however, if little to no work is being completed, it is difficult for students mastery of standards to be determined and they are clearly not putting in the effort or meeting expectations for completing 5th grade assignments.  I do look at student performance on each assignment, especially on tests and on district benchmark assessments.  AR data (reading levels and quiz performance).  As the end of the year draws near, please also keep in mind that my expectations in the third trimester are raised and some standards can be more difficult and challenging for students.    All of these factors will be examined for the final report card.

If you and your child are not pleased with the scores you see, here is what to do:
1. turn in missing assignments (if you have the assignment, turn it in.  if you wish to correct/redo an assignment for a better score, do so).

2.  to avoid having to hunt for old work (I will also not be tracking down old assignments or make extra photo copies of old work)  here are extra credit options:

Math: Please ask Mrs. Sara  in writing for extra credit (I will give your child something that will benefit them individually)

Reading:  Book Report (rubric available in class)

Writing: Essay (rubric available in class)

Science:  Experiment (be sure to include date, title/question trying to solve, purpose, hypothesis, materials, procedure, data/observations/results and conclusion.

Social Studies: 5 paragraph Essay on topic we have studied this trimester (Constitution/Bill of rights, 3 branches of government, soon to be studied Westward expansion (pioneers, trail of tears, etc)

All work must be turned in by May 25th
Only one extra credit assignment is allowed per subject (example: you can do 2 book reports).

Chanel 13 presents “Stuff”- performances on Wednesday May 30th and Thursday May 31st @ 1:30

Parent Volunteer Appreciation Wednesday May 30th from 1:30 -2:30

Family Life will begin the week of May 21st

End of the Year Hike and Party at Niscene Marks and Ice Cream Party

Last Day of School Friday June 8th 11am dismissal

Monday, May 7, 2012

AR BOOK PROJECT DUE 5/18
remember choose a cereal box book report, photo album or game,


Name _____________________________

A New Cereal on the Shelf

If you could invent a cereal based on a fictional book you read, what would it be?  After you think of a name and shape for your cereal, you’ll design a cereal box for it.

materials:
empty cereal box, white or light-colored paper, scissors, markers or crayons, construction paper, glue, tape,

optional materials:
clay, fabric, needle, thread…other craft supplies

Directions:

1.    Chose an AR book that interests you (it can be one you are in the middle of reading) and have it approved by your teacher.

Book Title: _________________________________________

Author: ____________________________________________

2.  Think about what you will name your cereal.  Choose a name that sounds enticing and that relates to the story in some way.  Then, choose a shape for the cereal, as well as colors and ingredients that also relate to the book.  For example, for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, you might invent a cereal called Wizard Wands, a toasted oat cereal in the shape of miniature lightening bolts.

3.  Cover an empty cereal box with white or light-colored paper.  Or you might want to write and draw on appropriate-sized sheets of paper and then glue them onto the box.  Here are the guidelines for each side of the box:

Front
Write the name of your cereal and draw a picture to go with it.  You might draw characters or other pictures to help you sell your product.  Make your cereal box look appealing and fun.  Look at actual cereal boxes for ideas.

Back
Design a game that is based on the story.  It can be a puzzle, a word game, or any other fun activity that might be found ton the back of a cereal box.  Make sure it includes information from the book.  Describe your idea below.

Right side
Under the heading “Ingredients,”  list the main characters and write a sentence about each one.  Then describe the setting (place and time).  Write your rough draft below.

Left side
Write a summary of the book.  Describe the main conflict and the resolution.

Top
Write the title and author of the book and your name

Inside
create a prize that is related to your book (it could be a something you sew or make out of clay)

4.  Plan a two-minute commercial for your cereal that includes important information about your book,     and present it to the class.


Cereal Box due (and prepared to present)
Name ________________________________           Cereal Book Reports    

Cereal/Book:
    Points possible    Points earned
Did you hand in your report on time?    10   
Is your cereal box neat, colorful and attractive?    10   
Is the front of the box complete and thoughtfully done?    10   
Is the back of the box complete and thoughtfully done?    10   
Is the right side complete and accurate?    15   
Is the left side complete and accurate?    15   
Is the top complete and accurate?    5   
Is the prize interesting and relates to the book?    5   
Are the spelling punctuation, and grammar correct?    10   
Was your commercial/presentation informative and interesting?    10   



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name _____________________________

Design a Game

Create a board game based on the book you read.  The game should include information about characters, setting and story.

Game Elements:
-a game board
-clear and easy to follow directions
-a spinner or die
-cards
-playing pieces
- a fun name

A game should have a clear purpose and that students should determine how a player wins.  Avoid getting too complicated so that you will not be able to explain the rules. 

Be sure to incorporate elements of their story into the game.  Include information about characters, setting and story.  Anyone should be able to play the game (the purpose is not to test knowledge of the book).


1.  Find a fictional story that is at your level and have it approved by your teacher.

Book Title: _______________________________________________________________________________
Author:  __________________________________________________________________________________

2.  Write the characters’ names, along with a descriptive sentence about them (including who they are).
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. In a few sentences, describe the setting of the story.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.  What was the main conflict or problem in the story?  Explain how this was resolved.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

5.  Think about how you can design a board game based on all or most of the information above (characters, setting, conflict, and resolution).  Keep in mind that players should be able to play the game even if they have not read the book.

Consider:
How is the game played? What are the rules?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What will the game board and playing pieces look like?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________How does someone win? (Will they  reach the finish first?  Will they collect the most points along the way? Explain.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Will you use a spinner, cards, or dice in your game?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6.  On a separte sheet of paper, sketch the game board.  Test your game to make sure it works before your final copy.

7.  Write clear directions explaining how to play it.  Number each step in the directions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8.  make a final copy of your game board and other parts (cards, spinner, playing pieces, etc.)  Write the title and author of the book somewhere on the game board, along with your own name and a name for the game.

9.  Plan a two-minute commercial for your game that includes important information about your book,     and present it to the class.

Game due (and prepared to present)



Name ________________________________           “Game” Book Reports    

Cereal/Book:

Points possible
Points earned
Did you hand in your report on time?
10

Is your game neat, colorful and attractive?
10

Is the board game complete and thoughtfully done?
10

are the cards/pieces complete and thoughtfully done?
10

Is the game based on the book? (did you complete the worksheet?)
15

Did you write clear directions for your game?
15

Does the game include your name, the book and the author and title of the game?
10

Are the spelling punctuation, and grammar correct?
10

Was your commercial/presentation informative and interesting?
10



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Name _____________________________

Design a Photo Album

Create a photo album of important people, places, events or objects from a book that your read this trimester.

Imagine that you have just taken a journey to the setting of their book.  They visited the places in the book, witnessed the events, and met the characters.  While there, you snapped pictures the entire time, to capture every detail.  You are going to choose 6 important photos.  These should show the most important aspects of your book.  You will draw 6 pictures and write a caption at least 3 sentences for each explaining why the image is so important to the book.  Finally mount the photos and captions in a construction paper album.

1.  Find a book that interests you and is at your level and have it approved by your teacher.

Book Title: _______________________________________________________________________________
Author:  __________________________________________________________________________________

2.  Make a list of the most important people, places, events and objects in the book and explain why they are important.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.  Choose the six most important or interesting items on your list.  Draw and color illustrations for each one to create a “photo”.

4. Write an interesting caption to describe each photo (at least 3 sentences).  In the caption, explain why the image shown is important in the book.

5.  Fold a piece of construction paper in half, like a book.  On the front, write a title for your album.  Include the book title, author and your name.

6.  Arrange photos and captions in the album.

Plan a two-minute commercial for your Album that includes important information about your book,     and present it to the class.

Photo Album due (and prepared to present)

Name ________________________________           “Photo Album” Book Reports    

Cereal/Book:
    Points possible    Points earned
Did you hand in your report on time?    10   
Is your album thoughtful, neat, colorful and attractive?    10   
Did you choose 6 important pictures to represent your book?    20   
Did you write captions that were at least 3 sentences?    15   
Did the captions explain the importance of the photos?    15   
Did you display the photos and captions in the album?    10   
Are the spelling punctuation, and grammar correct?    10   
Was your commercial/presentation informative and interesting?    10   

governing the nation vocabulary


governing the nation vocabulary

1. convention – an important meeting
2.  federal system- a system of government where power is shared by a national government and state governments
3. republic- people choose representatives to run the government
4. compromise –an agreement reached by each side giving up some part of what it wants
5.  principle- a rule for action
6.  legislative branch- the lawmaking branch of our government
ex. congress= house of representatives (based on population) and the senate (2 from each state)
7.  separation of powers- the sharing of power between the 3 branches of government so that on branch cannot control the government.
8.  executive branch- the President is the chief leader who has the  power to enforce laws that are made by congress.
9.  electoral college- the group of electors who votes for the president (citizens vote for them)
10.  veto- to reject
11. impeach- to accuse someone of crimes (often associated with the president being accused of a crime) 
12. judicial branch- the court system
13. justices- judges
14.  amendments- changes
15. ratify- to approve
16. Cabinet- people who advise the president
17.  political party- a group that tries to elect officials who will support its policies

Friday, May 4, 2012

may 4 2012


May 4, 2012

Dear Room 13 families,

It was great to see so many of you at Open House!  I am so proud of the work our kids have done and it was enjoyable to share it with you!!! I can hardly believe this year is coming to an end already. Thank you to all of the students and parents who mad the spaghetti feed possible and a smashing success.  A special thank you to Anna Winston, for making this fundraiser happen!

We will be back on track, with regular homework next week!

Here are some important things to be aware of during the last 5 weeks of school…

* Room 13 read in and movie pajama party Wednesday, May 9th

*Progress Reports will be sent out in next week’s folder
(all make up work must be handed in by Wednesday, May 23rd)

*Family life and Puberty/Heath info:
Family life permission slips went out in last week’s folders, they need to be returned with the box checked for yes, your child can participate or no, they cannot participate.

Tuesday, May 8 @ 6pm = preview night of materials next week on in the Library
Tuesday, May 15 =Permission slips due
May 21st-June 1st= lessons will be taught

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, or are unable to make it the preview night, but would still like the curriculum!

*AR book project (game, cereal box book report or photo album) due Friday, May 18th

* Channel 13 presents “STUFF”  (room 13’s performance)
Wednesday, May 30th @ 8:30 am & Thursday, May 31st @ 1:30 pm

*Wednesday June 6th =End of the year field trip @ Niscene Marks
-please return permission slips and $5 (or a note if you are unable to send the $5) by Tueday 5/15


Thank you so much,

Mrs. Sara