updates

Greetings Room 12 Families,

State Testing will officially  begin tomorrow.  Please help your child get a good night's rest and breakfast in the morning.  This week we will be having a week off of homework.  However, continuing to read and work on AR is a great idea... students should continue to bring AR books to class, as that is their only activity they can work on if they finish testing early. 

Progress Reports will be sent home on Thursday!  Some students have a lot of missing assignments to track down or make up with extra credit.

Next week we will be working on the new common core state testing... if you want an early preview you can go to:
https://sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student/

We will be piloting the math version.


:) Sara

O'neill Website

http://oneillseaodyssey.org/learners/

Weather study guide

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Weather:  Science Test Study Guide

*We will go over any questions you may have on the study guide in class on Wednesday

*Test on Friday

Here is what you need to know….

1.  Be able to describe what the following are and how they form:

Hurricanes (and storm surge)

Tornados

Thunderstorms

types of precipitation (drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, hail)

2. Cloud types and what type of weather they indicate:

        

Cirrus clouds

Cumulonimbus clouds

Cumulus clouds

Stratus clouds

3. The water cycle:  evaporation, condensation, precipitation

4. How air temperature affects density

5. How the ocean affects weather

6. Read a data table and graph that shows temperature change:

For example:  What was the temperature change from day 1 to day 6?

 day       temp

1       =    43

2       =    53

3       =  50

4       =   57

5       =  59

6       =  67

7. Know the vocabulary words:

thunderstorm        wind        hurricane         humidity          convection current   meteorology           tornado         thermometer         barometer          anemometer

hygrometer               ozone

Weather Vocabulary

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Weather Vocabulary Definitions

1. weather – the state of the atmosphere; most weather occurs in the troposphere and is caused by pressure differences and changes in air, heat and moisture

2. atmosphere- the gasses surrounding earth (made up of the troposphere and stratosphere)

3. meteorology - The study of weather

4. troposphere- the lowest layer of the atmosphere (6-12 miles) above the earth and is where most weather occurs.

5. ozone- The gas the protects the earth from the Sun’s harmful rays

6. current – a large portion of air (or water) moving in a certain direction

7. convection current - The upward and downward movement of air in the atmosphere

8. humidity - The amount of water vapor in the air

9. precipitation (includes: drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, hail that fall to the earth

10. wind- The horizontal movement of air

11. monsoon - A monsoon is a seasonal wind, found especially in Asia that reverses direction between summer and winter and often brings heavy rains and a flooding period as well as a drought period

12. tornado - A violent rotating column of air that extends downward from thunderstorm clouds and touches the ground

13. tsunami - A very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.

14. hurricane- A large rotating tropical storm with wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour

15. earthquake- A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action

16. thunderstorm- a storm with wind, rain, hail and lightning

17. thermometer - An instrument used to measure temperature

18. barometer - An instrument used to measure pressure

19. anemometer - An instrument used to measure wind speed

20. hygrometer  - An instrument used to measure the moisture in the air/humidity

Monday and Tuesday 4/15 and 16- write definitions

Wednesday 4/17-crossword

Thursday 4/18 –write sentences using at least 10 words (1 vocab word per sentence)

Friday 4/19- (turn in weeks homework definitions and sentences for all words)

Monday 4/22- fill out study guide (given out Monday 4/22)

Tuesday 4/23-fill out study guide (we will go over any questions on study guide in class on Wed.)

Wednesday 4/24- study for weather test

Thursday4/25 – study for weather test

Friday 4/26- test (you may use study guide and science notebook)

Homework- week of April 8th

4/8/13

Greetings Room 12 Families....

I hope you all had an enjoyable break...  I am sorry I had to be absent today, but we will be back on track tomorrow.  Here is this week's vocabulary work.

And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?  Vocabulary

1. cargo- the freight carried by a vehicle

2. colonies- territories governed by a parent country (also the name of the thirteen territories that became the original United states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.)

3. express- fast, direct

4. liberty - freedom from the control of others

5. oppose - to act against something or someone

6.  Patriot- a person who loves and defends his/her country  (a colonist who was against the British rule in the time of the Revolutionary War)

7. revolutionary - of or tending to promote radical political or social change

8. sentries - soldiers who stand at watch for danger or people without permission to pass

9.  taxes - fees for the support of government required to be paid by people and businesses

10. militia - an army of citizens who are not professional soldiers

11. congregation - a group of people who regularly worship at a church

12. engraved - carved, cut or etched into a material

13. dispatched - sent off to a specific destination

14. overtake- to catch up with

15. succession- a sequence or series

Monday: Definitions

Tuesday:  Write a realistic or fantastical Newspaper article using at least 10 of your vocabulary words.

Wednesday:  Crossword puzzle

Thursday:  Study for vocabulary test

Other Vocabulary to know… but will not be tested.

*bookplates- labels posted inside books that show the owner’s name

*porringers- shallow cups or bowls with handles

*ewers- large, wide-mouthed pitchers or jugs

*spurs- short spikes or sharp-toothed wheels attached to the heels of a rider’s boots and used to urge a horse forward

*petticoat- a skirt or slip worn by girls and women as undergarment

*volley- many shots fired at the same time

*green- a grassy area usually located at the center of  a town or city

*lines- battle areas closest to the enemy

*foundry- a place where metals are cast and molded

March 21 updates

March 21, 2013

Dear Room 12 Families,

I cannot believe our 3^rd trimester has began and that Spring Break is just around the corner.  

Thank you again to all of the drivers who made our trip to NASA possible.  Again I am sorry there was a restriction on the number of adults.  The kids did an amazing job there and learned a lot!!!

We have been busy working on persuasive writing.  Students should all have chosen their topic and had you sign permission to research for their topic (there is a copy of the that my blog).  This piece of writing will be done entirely in class!  We will be also working in the computer lab on powerpoint or prezi presentations to accompany our letters/essays.

Reminders

Monday, March 25^th = Field trip to Cabrillo Planetarium

 We will be leaving Mar Vista to walk to Cabrillo at 12:50 (chaperones please meet in Room 12 by 12:45).  Wear comfortable shoes, we will be walking!!!

Chaperones: Julie, Leila/Billy, Melissa,  John/Rena, Rich, Jeanne/Sean                            

There is plenty of space on this walking trip… feel free to join us!

Spring break = 4/1 – 4/5

Wednesday April 17^th= Persuasive Writing Publishing Party

 in room 12, 11:45-12:25  (Wednesday the March 27^th)

Thursday April 25^th= O’neill Sea Odyssey

This is another limited adult event.  You are welcome to drive to the trip and meet us for lunch, but I am only able to have 8 adults (in addition to myself) come on this trip.

We currently have enough drivers…official chaperone list coming soon.

*If you would like to drive but not go on the boat portion of the trip… please let me know.

Food: Please make sure your child has a good breakfast the morning of the trip.  We will be very busy and working until about 11:30.  Bring a lunch from home because we will be eating on the beach.

Clothing: Please dress comfortably and bring a warm jacket (hat and gloves on colder days). It is usually cold on the ocean, even on sunny days, so be prepared and wear layers. Life vests will be provided. You may want to bring sunscreen and sunglasses.

Shoes: Soft-soled, non-skid shoes are required! Dress shoes, platforms, sandals, high heels or slick soled shoes are not allowed. They are unsafe and you will be asked to remove them. Please wear sneakers or other practical shoes.

Wish list…

*White board markers (thin ones for students to use on white bards)  Thank you to all who continually support this cause (Abby L, Cameron, Melissa…just to name a few J)

Thank you ,

Mrs. Sara Thorington

Persuasive writing

A copy of the following was sent home Monday of last week....

Please remember that this project is to be written entirely in class.

Students might need to research at home.

Please note there was a change of dates:

Rough Drafts due  Wedneday March 27th

Final "Published Date"  will Be Thursday April 11th. 

Presentation/PowerPoint will be done completely in class and is due 4/12

Publishing  party Wenesday April 17th in Room 12, 11:45- 12:25

Persuasive Writing and Informative Power Point/Prezi

We have begun our persuasive writing unit.  Students have been brainstorming ideas about issues that they care about and are important to them.   They will be writing to express their opinion and to try to persuade other to see and understand their point of view.  Students will be researching their topic at school, but support at home would also be helpful, especially if students have chosen are more sensitive topic… they might need more assistance finding credible research.

Students will be working on their Persuasive Essay in class (about 5 paragraphs including Introduction, 3 body paragraphs explaining their reasons with a variety of evidence and facts and a conclusion) see rubric on reverse.

They will then (in class) create a power point or prezi presentation on their subject:

(Prezi may be accessed by any computer online @ http://prezi.com/   and they may use my account : sara_thorington@pvusd.net  password: teacher)

1. Summary about the topic/issue, including possible different perspectives and opinions on the issue.

2. Write their own opinion about the issue

Time Line:

Topic must be chosen and parent approved by 3/12  with research in class by 3/18

*we will be researching in the computer lab 3/12 if parent permission received.

Essay “published copy” due Wednesday 3/27

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Student Name ______________________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to research and write about ______________________________________________________________

Student signature    __________________________________________________

Parent signature      __________________________________________________

Teacher signature    __________________________________________________

Rubric for Essay:

Your job is to write a Persuasive Essay/letter in class that

clearly states your opinion and logically groups the reasons that support your opinion.  Those reasons are supported by facts and details.

Introduction (5pts)		_____title _____clear introduction _____introduces what the paper/topic will be about _____background information _____thesis/topic sentence clearly states opinion
Body Paragraphs (10 pts)		_____To get the full 10 points 4 paragraph min. _____clearly written, make sense, flows _____well organized _____supports your thesis _____accurate information _____strong vocabulary _____variety of transitions  used _____reasons are supported by facts, details (link evidence to the reasons they support)
Conclusion (5pts)		_____clearly sums up point _____interesting/gives a concluding message related to your opinion/claim
Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation (5pts)		_____Grammar _____Spelling _____Punctuation
Neatness (5pts)		_____ Neatly typed or hand written _____mistakes are erased completely _____is in “Final” polished draft form
Total Score (30pts)

Informative Issue Power Point Rubric

1. Summary about the topic/issue, including possible different perspectives and opinions on the issue.

2. Write their own opinion about the issue

Your Presentation will have :

___________ (8 pts) a minimum of 8 slides, with at least one image (picture) on each slide

____________(6 pts) it must have an introduction, body and conclusion (thought it doesn’t have to be in paragraph format)

_______ ( 3 pts)  a question page- where questions are given about the topic  (as part of presentation can be used to introduce or conclude presentation, the answers should be given at some point)

_______(5 pts) student opinion page

_____(3) bibliography

____________/ Total 25 points