Vocabulary Definintions

1. despair - to lose all hope

2. speculation- ideas or guesses about something that is not known

3. consorts v. - to keep company

4. perfidy -an act of disloyality

5. egregious- especially bad

6. indulge- to give in to the desire of

7. contemplate -to consider with time and thought

8. repent -to regret, feel badly about

9. renounce -to refuse

10. fervent -great intensity of feeling

11. irony -a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what you expected

12. conform -to be obedient or compliant

13. indignant -angry because of something unjust

14. ordeal- an unpleasant or difficult experience

15. implications- possible future effects or results

16. beleaguer -to cause repeated trouble for

17. abyss- a hole or space so great it can’t be measured

18. eons -a long period of time

Online Book Orders

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: J3QRG

Dear Parents,
To make ordering books easier, we will be using an online Book Clubs Web site (that works with the orders that are sent home). You can choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.*

Here's how it works:

• SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Register" button in the "First Time Here?" section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
• SELECT the books you'd like to order -- choose from thousands of titles -- many more than in our monthly flyers.
• SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child's books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

You can still order using the form from the printed flyer.

Thank you,

Ms. Sara

*PS every month there will be catalogs to choose from online (orders are due the last day of the Month ex. Sept. Catalog orders are due Sept. 30^th)

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 do 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. chloroplast- 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, chloroplast, 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

National Park Brochure Project

Outline for the National Park Report/Brochure

Due Friday,

September 16

*Design a brochure to advertise a United States National Park

*The Brochure must be 2 sided and have 3 columns (on each side)

*Please include location of park, year it was started, historical information, maps, pictures, activities (what can you do there), animals that live there, something special about it, any other important information and its hours of operation.

*Please use proper spelling, punctuation and complete sentences (you may also use bullets to highlight some of the main attractions or other information)

*The brochure may be hand made (might be a little easier) or made on the computer

*Please have a Bibliography, citing where you found your information and pictures 2 source minimum (any of the following resources may be used: internet, encyclopedia, books, newspapers, magazines and other brochures).

*You will be presenting your brochure to the class, and identifying your national park on a USA map

Rubric for grading:

_____ 10 pts. overall look: neatness, well organized, followed directions 2 sided/3 columns

_____ 20 pts. information: did you include all of the written, information asked for

_____ 10 pts. spelling, punctuation, did the writing make sense?

_____ 5 pts. photos, pictures, maps

_____ 5 pts. Bibliography

Total ______/50 National Park

USEFUL WEBSITES

*Wikipedia is an okay place to start… but doesn’t count as a resource

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/

http://www.us-parks.com/

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

http://www.fodors.com/trip-ideas/national-parks/

http://www.us-national-parks.net/

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0774793.html

Greetings families,

I am really enjoying getting to know this special group of 5th graders! Thank you for getting all of those important papers turned in! Today we are starting to have our normal routines down. Everyday students should now have their binders in class daily. Homework also begins... Expect nightly reading (30 min.), nightly math and vocabulary homework. Your help in checking student binders would also be appreciated to ensure that your child is staying organized and writing down their assignments on their log.

Binders should include the following now...
Homework Log
HOMEWORK TAB
Homework Folder
MATH TAB
Math Folder
IMPORTANT PAPERS TAB
-rights work sheet (green)
BINDER PAPER TAB
binder paper

Vocabulary Work

Each Week Students will be given approximately 10-15 spelling /vocabulary words related to our classroom areas of study.

Homework will always include:

Monday- Definitions and part of speech (sometimes will be given on my blog)

Tuesday- Writing Assignment using words(sometimes sentences, stories, cartoons, comic strips, etc.

Wednesday- Word activity (word search, crossword, word sort etc)

Thursday- study

Friday- Vocabulary Test

This Weeks Vocabulary Words:

*words should also be known how to spell

1. impeccable

2. agreement

3. responsible*

4. integrity *

5. immune *

6. assumptions

7. clarification

8. regret *

9. compassion

10. respect *

We will be doing most of the vocabulary “homework” in class this week so that students learn how to do the work correctly!

All About Me Collage

Due Monday, August 29^th (this will be shared and displayed in class)

This is a chance to share a little bit about yourself with all of us in a fun and creative way. Please make sure that it is something you worked hard on and are proud of.

Your collage must include things that represent all of the following:

1. a hobby or free-time activity that you enjoy

2. at least 3 of your favorites (color, movie, book, food, music, subject etc.)

3. a place you would like to visit someday (or have visited)

4. something and/or someone that is really important to you

5. something that has to do with your family

6. something that reminds you of a memorable even or time in your life

7. a photo (or drawing of you) now and when you were younger

8. a person you admire

9. a wish or a dream that you have

10. at least one other item (you can also add more)

Some example items: photos, magazine cut outs, drawings or other artwork, post cards, cd covers, ticket stubs, small trinkets or toys etc.

*Please try to fit these items on the 12x18 paper provided

Welcome!!!

Dear 5^th Grade Families,

I am really looking forward to getting to know your children and help them to have a great year in 5^th grade. Fifth grade curriculum and fifth grade thinkers will make this year a really fun and challenging one. We will get to cover some really interesting topics: American History, The Solar System, Elements and Atoms, Body Systems, Famous Artists, negative numbers, decimals and percentages (just to name a few). We will also get to read a variety of non-fiction and literary works and explore our own writing in creative and formal pieces.

We will be going over the academic program and classroom procedures in greater detail at Back to School Night, Monday August 29^th. Until then, here are some things you should know:

Each week, students will be given a homework log (to be kept in the front of their binders). Binders MUST be brought to class daily! Homework will primarily consist of nightly reading (30 min.), math, and vocabulary/spelling work related to topics being studied that week (can be science, social studies or literature based).

Homework will also be posted on my blog!

Required Items for students to have in class every day (to be purchased … can be provided if needed) *Binder (a simple 3 ring would be best) *Binder Paper *Homework folder (that can go in binder) *Dividers (4) -Homework -Math -Important Papers -Blank Paper *Pencils *Red ball point pen (for correcting) *STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN A MATH FOLDER IN CLASS

Optional, but useful items *supply box/container *hand held sharpener (with lid- to keep in desks) *colored pencils *dry erase marker *old, clean sock *dictionary (kept at home) *glue stick

Classroom Wish list: *Binder Paper (is always needed) *Blank Shrink-a-dink paper (at Palace Arts) *Clorox Wipes *thin, black felt tip markers *tissue *hand sanitizer *sculpy clay *gift cards (Palace Arts, Beverly’s or Safeway, Kaleidoscope) *small things for prize box (cool erasers, fun pencils, decorative journals, notebooks, or other things your child might enjoy as a prize

I am very much looking forward to working with you to ensure that your child has a great year in 5^th grade!

Many Thanks,

Sara

I check my email often and it is a great way to communicate with me: sara_thorington@pvusd.net

Happy Summer!

Dear Students and Families,

Thank you so much for a great year! This group holds an extra special place in my heart. I had a few of these guys way back in kindergarten, my first year at Mar Vista. The following year I was able to have about half of this group in first grade. It has been a really enjoyable experience watching them learn and grow into their unique, talented and confident selves. I know that this group can do great things and will have a lot of fun at whatever they set their minds to.

Students~Be yourself and be good to each other!
Parents~ Thank you so much for all of your hard work and support! Your kids are lucky to have you! (I was, too!)

:)Happy Summer
I can't wait to see as 6th graders when schools back in session!