WEEK 26

NEWSPAPER BOOK REPORT EXAMPLE
HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read p. 76-88
Math - Finish Ch.3 test (No parent help)
Finish p. 89
Writing-Finish Rough Draft of American Revolution Story
Newspaper Book Report Due Thursday

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read p. 97-111
Math - Team A-p. 121HW WKBK/p. 134 Daily
Team B- p. 170 Daily/157, 158 Hw Wkbk
Newspaper Book Report Due Thursday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Finish Math - p. 301-302
Finish Bookmark
Finish Final Draft of Revolutionary Writing

Weather Unit Review…Test-Thursday, March 12th.

1. Describe the three levels of the Earth’s atmosphere. Which level has the most pressure? Thickest? Where does most of the weather take place?

2. Why is air pressure highest at sea level?

3. Describe what happens in an area of high pressure.

4. What are convection currents?

5. What happens to cause a sea breeze?

6. Describe the flow of the California current.

7. Where on Earth does the water evaporate the fastest?

8. Understand: humidity, current, precipitation and wind.

9. Understand the difference between: cirrus, cumulus, cumulonimbus and stratus clouds.

10. What are condensed small water droplets that are near ground level?

11. Describe what a barometer, hygrometer, anemometer and thermometer measure.

12. Every air mass has two characteristics…what are they?

13. Understand different air masses and the type of weather they bring.

14. What is the difference and what results from a cold/warm front?

15. How does wind interact with a tropical depression?

16. Describe what happens in a hurricane. On land, at sea, how fast are the winds?

17. If air pressure is going up each day what can you infer about the weather that is coming? Why? Explain.

PRESIDENTIAL CUBE

This project will give you the opportunity to research one of our nation's past presidents! You will present and explain your cube in front of the class for an oral grade.

Directions: You may gather information about your president using your Social Studies book, encyclopedias, other books, the Internet, or any other appropriate resources. Neatly type or write the information onto a separate piece of paper and glue it to the cube. Cover a square tissue box with white or colored paper. Decorate your cube with borders and accents. You may use colored pencils, markers, crayons, stickers, construction paper, or any other appropriate materials.

Your cube has six sides. Below is a list of the information that must be on the cube.

Side 1: The President's Name (in large letters)
• The years he served as president
• His numerical order (Washington was the 1st president)
• The number of terms in office (each term is 4 years)
• Optional information: political party (republican, democrat, etc.) and vice presidents
Side 2: Previous life experience
• This side should include any information about previous jobs held by this president (lawyer, governor, actor, etc.)
Side 3: Major Historical Events during the president's term
• List any historical events that occurred while that president was in office (was there a war during his term, etc.)
• This side should also mention any well-known policies enacted by the president such as FDR’s "New Deal."
Side 4: Personal Information
• This information must include the date of birth and death (if applicable), the cause of death, and information on his family (wife, children, etc.)
Side 5: Map of your president's home state
• This map should be hand drawn, in color, include the capital and the city of the president's birth
Side 6: A picture of the president
• A hand drawn picture of your president
• This picture can be traced or sketched free-hand. It cannot be a photocopy, a photo from a book, or printed from a computer.
Remember: Neatness and Creativity Count

WEEK 25

WEEKLY QUOTE
“Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colors appear.”

WEEKLY RIDDLE
You do not want to have it, But when you do have it, You do not want to lose it? What is it?

Dear Parents,
I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the Science Projects. The students, as you know, gave their speeches last week and they turned out so well! Thanks for all of your support and assistance at home with this exciting project. Here are few quick reminders about this week and what is coming soon:
* This Monday we are going on a field trip to The Santa Cruz Symphony at 10am on the bus.
* Thanks to Lisa Bruce and her family for donating a new class set of a hardcover books entitled The Fighting Ground. It is a Newbery Medal winner about the American Revolution that will be used for years to come. We will be starting this book on Monday, as well.
* Spanish class resumes tomorrow after several weeks off.
* Our class is still presenting their Revolutionary Hero Power Point Presentations. This week we will also start researching for our Presidential Cube Project. Most of this project will be completed in the lab and in class. It is not due until Friday, March 13th.
* Each student should have begun their Newspaper Book Report, which is due, Thursday, March 5th.
* The last day of the trimester is Friday, March 6th. This is also the last day to take an A.R. test. Report cards will go home the following Friday, March 13th
* This Friday we will be going on a field trip to UCSC Life Lab to learn about Nutrition and how we can plant our own garden in the coming months. Some of our class funds will pay for this ($160) so parents will not need to pay for this one.
* Please check out our Writers Blog. There is a link from this page. There are two exceptional letters that were written to President Obama that I wanted to share.

That's it for now...See you at the school where kind hearts and open minds rule. Well, we are working on it anyways ;D
Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read p.7-19 in THE FIGHTING GROUND
Math-p. 24+25 in book (Review Test) No parent help
Vocab-write the word, the sentence it is in and the definition. (10 words)
Due Friday
Newspaper Book Report
Extra Credit due next Monday


HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read p.38-48 in THE FIGHTING GROUND
Math-Team A-p.60inbook/ Team B p. 140+142
Vocab-write the word, the sentence it is in and the definition. (10 words)
Due Friday
Newspaper Book Report
Extra Credit due next Monday


HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Read p.59-70 in THE FIGHTING GROUND
Math-Team A-p71 inbook/ Team B p. 46/47 in book
Vocab-write the word, the sentence it is in and the definition. (10 words)
Due Friday
Newspaper Book Report Due next Thursday
Extra Credit due next Monday

WEEK 24

Homework Tuesday
Read 20 min.
Math-Team A p.1-7 hw wkbk/Team B-Book 1-125,126/Book 2-137/138
Science Packet L1
Practice Speeches

Homework Wednesday
Read 20 min.
Math-Team A p.1-8 Daily Routines Wkbk/Team B-HW Wkbk p. 129 + 209
Newspaper Book Report Paper sent home
Bring Bags + Newspaper
Practice Speeches

Homework Thursday
Read 20 min.
Math-p. 9 in hw wkbk
Practice Speeches
Science packet p. 2 (From Lesson 2)
Extra Credit opportunities: El Nino, Cloud Study, "Northern Lights"
(Last chance this trimester)

WEEK 23

Valentine Mommies


WEEKLY RIDDLE
"What two things can you never have for breakfast?

Valentine's Day Quotes
"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." ~Author Unknown

"Must, bid the Morn awake!
Sad Winter now declines,
Each bird doth choose a mate;
This day's Saint Valentine's.
For that good bishop's sake
Get up and let us see
What beauty it shall be
That Fortune us assigns.
~Michael Drayton

"Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end." ~Author Unknown

Dear Parents,
This week we have a lot happening in Room 12. First, and foremost, I will be moving our Science Test to Wednesday so we can have one more night to study for our Unit of Study on the Water Cycle. On Tuesday we will be finishing our Power Point Presentation on our American Revolutionary Hero in the computer lab. In addition, in class, we will be preparing our Science Project Speeches using 3 by 5 cards. Students will present their projects after these are complete. Also, they will be able to enter their project in the Science Fair too! On Thursday we will be starting our new unit of study in Science on Weather. In reading we finished our book, My Brother Sam is Dead, so we will be going back to our Houghton Mifflin book and do a couple of short stories about the Revolution times.
On Wednesday we will have our big Valentine's Breakfast Bash for all of the 5th grade at 8am in the MPR.

See you at school!
Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read 20 min.
Math L116/93, 95, 97, 99
Revolutionary Hero Presentations next Tuesday
BRING $5 for Valentine's Breakfast tomorrow.


HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read 20 min.
Math L117/113, 114/123, 126
Revolutionary Hero Presentations next Tuesday
Spelling-Write your misspelled words 3 times in cursive ON your pre-test-Due Friday
Newspaper Book Report Due: Thursday, March 5th...CHOOSE BOOK BY FRIDAY(It can be one
that you have read this trimester)


HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Read 20 min.
Math L119
Revolutionary Hero Presentations next Tuesday
Spelling-Write your misspelled words 3 times in cursive ON your pre-test-Due Friday
Newspaper Book Report Due: Thursday, March 5th...CHOOSE BOOK BY FRIDAY(It can be one
that you have read this trimester)
WEAR RED, WHITE, PINK OR PURPLE
Optional: Bring Valentines
FIELD TRIP FORMS

WEEK 22

I am very sick at home right now and I'm hoping to be back Wednesday. I have a horrendous soar throat and a high temp. Here are the details for this week. Our only homework after tonight is our Science Projects and whatever students did not finish for their math assignment. Some parents were wondering about the Science Test. It will not be until next Tuesday because of my absences. The study guide will be sent home tomorrow. However, for those of you who would like it now, here it is online.

The Water Cycle Study Guide
Unit 3


Lesson 1 – How does Water Move Earth to the Air and Back Again?
What source drives the water cycle?
Describe what happens to water vapor as it rises higher into the air
What is ground water, aquifer,


Lesson 2 – How do Californians Get the Water they Need?
What is a dam and a reservoir? How do they function?
What is it called when you do not get much of any rain/snow over a long period of time?
What is a watershed?
What bodies of water hold the most of Earth’s water?

Lesson 3 – How Can People Conserve Water?
Describe all of the methods of conserving water.
What is called the recycling of water?
What are some examples of pollution in water?
Describe various practices used to conserve water.

Essays:
Be able to describe what a water table is and how it functions.
Explain the process that water goes through in the water cycle
Name and explain the 5 ways you will conserve water.

WEEK 21

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read Ch. 8
Math L106/29,30x2
Spelling-Study Missed words (Spelling Bee on Wednesday)
Social Studies Review of Ch. 8 p.86 and 87 in wkbk
*Memorize excerpt from Declaration of Independence: "We hold these....
(p. 350 in book) Do Study Guide...Test Thursday
Science Projects due next Friday, February 6th.

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read Ch. 10 (p. 127-131)
Math L107/35 + 37
Spelling-Study Missed words (Spelling Bee on Wednesday)
Social Studies - *Memorize excerpt from Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths....
(p. 350 in book) Do Study Guide...Test Thursday
Science (Water Conservation)-I _______________hereby vow to save water by:
write 5 things. I will also teach my families these things.

WEDNESDAY
Read Ch. 11 p. 146-155
Finish Math L108/39-41x2
Study for Social Studies Test Thursday w/study guide
CONGRATULATIONS TO SYDNEY AND DANIEL, who won the Spelling Bee in our class.


THURSDAY
Read Ch. 12
Finish Math L110/43,44 HW/47, 48 Daily
Study for tests
CONGRATULATIONS TO SYDNEY AND DANIEL, who won the Spelling Bee in our class.

Class Update
This week our class continues learning on many fronts. Specifically, we wrap up Ch. 8, The Colonies Unite, of American History and take a test on Thursday. The study guide was sent home last Thursday. In Science we will finish our Unit of Study on the Water Cycle, which focuses on California's water and conservation. In reading we continue My Brother Sam is Dead. We are also working on our American Revolution Hero Power Point Presentations at the computer lab. Spanish will resume on Monday, as well. That's it for now,
Mr. Sweet

Weekly Quotes
(American Revolution-Social Studies)
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy." -- John Adams
"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood." -- John Adams, 1776
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." -- Nathan Hale's last words before being hanged by British

(Conservation of Water-Science)
"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, (1706-1790), Poor Richard's Almanac, 1746

WEEK 20

WEEKLY QUOTE
Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes:
"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential." President Barack Obama

WEEKLY RIDDLE

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read Ch. 5 + Yankee Doodle/Letter Handout-Due Thursday
Math - Finish L102/Wkbk 13/14 x2
Spelling-Correct mistakes 3 times in cursive
Science Projects

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read Ch. 6 + Yankee Doodle/Letter Handout-Due Thursday
Math - Finish L103/Wkbk 16/17 x2
Spelling-Correct mistakes 3 times in cursive
Science Projects
Extra Credit-Make 4 shapes on coordinate plane
Write ordered pairs down for another student to solve in class

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Write a 1-page letter to Barack Obama-Briefly introduce yourself.How do you feel about him becoming our president? Hopes? Concerns? What would you like the president to do? Education? Congratulations, feedback on the Inauguration. MLK Dream?
Math - L105/Ch.2 test + Ch.3-1 wkbk page
Study for Spelling/Vocab/DLR
* EXTRA CREDIT-See above

Week 19

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read Chapter 1 of My Brother Sam is Dead page 1-12
Math L96/ p. 1&2 in orange workbooks
Science Project Investigation Plan Due Friday
Projects are due Friday, February 6th.(There will be no homework, other than finishing math, the week it is due so they can focus on finishing it)
Vocabulary-Study words with 3" by 5" cards in class
* You may get more info. at home for your American Revolution Powerpoint Projects
(These are being done in the Computer Lab exclusively)

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read the rest of Ch. 2
Math L 98/p.3&4 in orange workbooks
Social Studies p. 77-79 in wkbk

Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope everybody enjoyed their winter break with time to rest, play and travel. I’m sure everybody missed homework over those three weeks! My family had such a memorable break. Some family highlights included: A friend of mine lent me his PS3 Rock Band with hundreds of songs. It was quite adorable seeing Juliet playing drums and Josiah belting out Punk Rock Songs vocally. I also took Josiah to his first Sharks game, which he just loved. We also went up to the Long Barn Lodge in the snow to go ice-skating and sledding. Reading Tales of the 4th Grade Nothing to my children was hilarious. They hung on every word. Finally, I was really excited because my band, The Wild Rovers, finally went to the studio and recorded 6 songs consisting of 3 originals and 3 traditional Celtic Songs. They will be available at St. Patrick’s Day. This process was a deep learning experience for us, and a great bonding time.

We were so blessed with the outpouring of love and kindness from the parents and students in this class. A special thanks goes out to all for the class gift of Sharks tickets along with the Seven Restaurant Certificate. Hilary and I look forward to this rare date night next week. I also look forward to seeing each of you to thank you personally for the other thoughtful gifts.


Now it is time for an update for all that is happening in room 12.

#1 - Science Projects. Before the break I handed out a sheet to summarize each project. This will help each child along organizationally. These projects are due Friday, February 6th. Just like the Heritage Reports, we will do a speech together IN CLASS after these are turned in. Please let me know if you have ANY questions about this exciting project.

#2 – I sent home progress reports for everybody. If you would like to meet to go over any concerns, please let me know.

#3 – I am excited that we will be starting a new unit in Science about Water. In fact, Hugh Voris, Tom’s dad, will be teaching a lesson tomorrow on the Water Cycle.

#4 – We are starting one of my favorite subjects in history…The American Revolution. We will start reading a book entitled My Brother Sam is Dead, which is all about the revolution.

#5 – On Tuesday we will start utilizing the Computer Lab. Our first project will be to learn about the American Revolution. In addition, in pairs students will create a Power Point Project on a Famous American from this era.

#6 – Next Monday we will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Being named after this amazing man, I love teaching about his life and its tremendous impact. This year is an amazing year to learn about his story along with the historical inauguration of President Barack Obama.

#7 – In Math, Group B will be starting the new math book. Group A will have a couple more weeks with the Saxon Book.

That’s it for now!

See you at school,

Martin Sweet

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I will be enjoying my break with family and friends. We are heading to the snow for Josiah's first attempt at Snowboarding. Our band will also be recording over the break.
See you in a couple of weeks. ENJOY!
MR. SWEET

Week 18

Homework Monday
Read 20 min.
Finish Math l91/112
Spelling-Write a sentence with each challenge word. Due Friday\
Social Studies-Wkbk p. 68, 69
BRING $4 for class party on Friday
WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT

Homework Tuesday
Read 20 min.
Finish Math L92/116
Spelling-Write a sentence with each challenge word. Due Friday\
Social Studies-Wkbk p. 71 /73

WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT
FIELD TRIP TOMORROW!

Homework Wednesday
Read 20 min.
Finish Math L94/118
Spelling-Write a sentence with each challenge word. Due Friday\
Social Studies-Wkbk p. 74,75

WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT

Homework Thursday
Read 20 min.
Finish Math L95/120
Spelling-Write a sentence with each challenge word. Due Friday

WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT