WEEK 24

Homework Monday
Reading-4th Grade read 20 min.
5th-Read ch. 1 (entry 1) in Fighting Ground
Math-p.133, 134-4th Grade
5th Grade-p. 99+100
SCIENCE-STUDY FOR TEST
Spelling-Write mistakes 3 times in cursive-Due Friday

Homework Tuesday
Reading-4th Grade read 20 min.
5th-Read to 12:05 pm entry in Fighting Ground
Math-p.135, 136-4th Grade
5th Grade-p. 111+112
SCIENCE-STUDY FOR TEST
Spelling-Write mistakes 3 times in cursive-Due Friday

Homework Wednesday
Reading-4th Grade read 20 min.
5th-Read to 12:05 pm - 1:05pm in Fighting Ground
Math-p.137, 138-4th Grade
5th Grade-p. 115+116
SCIENCE-5th Grade-Illustrate in color a plant or animal cell with labels of organelles. Describe each one and its function
Spelling-Write mistakes 3 times in cursive-Due Friday

Homework Thursday
Reading-4th Grade read 20 min.
5th-Read to 1:05-2:30 in Fighting Ground
Math-Pre-Tests
SCIENCE-4th Grade-Illustrate producers(photosynthesis, herbivores, carnivores, death, decomposition, producers again.)label each step
FIELD TRIP-Wear pants, bring umbrella and jacket.

WEEK 23

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read 20 min.
Math p. 95+96-4th Grade
5th Grade-p.91+92
Finish Pen Pal Letters (Typed or written)
Gold Form signed
Field Trip Form + Drivers

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
READ 20 min
MATH do Pre-Test
Study Spelling Words
Science test next Wednesday(see study guide on blog)

WEEK 22

HOMEWORK TUESDAY-
Reading-4th-Finish Ch.13
5th-Finish Ch.11
5th-VALENTINE'S BREAKFAST TOMORROW
Writing-Adjective Activity due tomorrow

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY-
Reading-4th-Ch.15
5th-Finish Ch.12
Math p. 79-82-4th Grade
5th Grade-81-84
EXTRA CREDIT DUE FRIDAY-
Inconvenient Truth 1-page response
Johnny Cake/Dirt Cake Recipe
STUDY VOCAB

HOMEWORK THURSDAY-
Reading-FINISH BOOK
Math p. p.83+84-4th Grade
5th Grade-85+86
EXTRA CREDIT DUE FRIDAY-
Inconvenient Truth 1-page response
Johnny Cake/Dirt Cake Recipe
STUDY VOCAB

WEEK 21

Monday's Homework
Reading-4th-Ch.8
5th-Ch.7
Math 4th-p.69+70
5th-p.73+74
Vocab-Learn words
#21-30-4th Graders
#1-20-5th Graders
ANO NUEVO TRIP THURSDAY, 2/4
Social Studies Test Wednesday-SEE LINK ON RIGHT FOR STUDY GUIDE

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read Ch. 9
Math p.71+72-4th Grade
p.75+76-5th Grade
STUDY FOR TEST TOMORROW
5th Grade-Bring $5 for Valentine's Breakfast(See paper sent home for details)

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
Read Ch. 11-Due Friday(Long CHapter)-4th
Read Ch. 10-Due Friday(Long Chapter)-5th
Math-4th-p73-76
5th-p.77-80
Vocab.-Learn words/We wrote definitions in class
NEWS TEAMS 4th Grade Due
WRITING-Write a "tell sentence"
and some "picture sentences"
5th Grade-Bring Valentine's $5
Rock Field Trip Form Due

What's Happening in Room 12?!
Where to start? Well, in reading we are continuing our fantastic books: By the Great Horn Spoon and My Brother Sam is Dead.
We are doing a fun journal going along with the Gold Rush in 4th and the Revolution in 5th grade. We will be taking b/w photos and making a genuine-looking, historical journal. These journals incorporate many of the new things that we have learned in these history units. In HM Math we are working from Chapter 8 and we are focusing on Evaluating Algabraic Expressions in 4th grade and in 5th we are reviewing adding/subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators. In Social Studies we are reviewing CA becoming a state in 4th and the Revolution in 5th to get ready for the tests on Wednesday. The Study Guide is posted on this blog on the top right hand side.
During our time in the Computer Lab we are putting together our American Hero Projects using Power Point. In addition, in Art we are finishing our portraits of the Heroes. Finally, the Tunes we created last week will be converted to a song with their recorded voice using Garage Band and then converted to an Itunes file.
Our final day to take a quiz in Accelerated Reader is on MONDAY MARCH 1st.

See you at school!
Mr. Sweet

Room 12 Parents,
Hopefully you all received my phone message last night. Here are the drivers for the Ano Nuevo Field Trip this Thursday morning when we leave at 8:15 a.m. I tried to choose parents who have not driven yet. If you are not on the list and wanted to come along as a chaperone, feel free to show up on Thursday morning.

As I stated in the message, please wear very warm clothes...no shorts. Prepare for rain and heavy winds and if you have raincoats, make sure your child wears them because we can not bring umbrellas.
It is a very long walk so make sure to pack a big lunch w/water/juice.

Drivers
Caryn A. (4 students)
Kelly M. (4)
Lindsey H.(3)
Melinda L. (5)
Jamie M. (4)
Tawnie P.(3)
Ian W. (4)
Gina W. (5)

WEEK 20

WEEKLY QUOTE
“I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, natural history and naval architecture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry, and porcelain.”
ekmckinn
John Adams quotes (American 2nd US President (1797-1801), 1735-1826)

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read-4th-Read Chapter 2 of Great Horn Spoon
5th-Finish Ch. 1 of My Brother Sam is Dead
Math-p.51+52-4th Grade
p. 65+66-5th grade
Spelling/Vocab-Make Word Search w/15 words
Make Crossword for 10 vocabulary words + 5 other spelling words
Go to: puzzlemaker.com----DUE FRIDAY

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read-4th-Ch.3+ Sea Routes Handout-Use Google
5th-Finish Ch.2-I am Sam+My Brother or My Father Handout
Work on Vocab and Spelling

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-4th Grade-Ch.4 Spoon
5th - Ch.5-Sam
Math-4th-p.138+139 in BOOK
5th-p.163 in BOOK
Turn in Yearbook Forms
Finish Vocab Crosswords/Word Search
Social Studies Study Guide at:4th grade-http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd4k696h_13gt2gk4gk
5th grade-http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd4k696h_12fp3frkgr

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Read Ch. 6
5th Grade-Copy Preamble in cursive and memorize "We hold these truths...."
Study for tests

WEEK 19

Quote of the Week:
"We must all learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools." Martin Luther King Jr.

Weekly Update-
* In reading our class will be finishing up the story Bridge to Terabithia
* Both grades will be finishing chapter 5 in the HM Book in math
* Using the computers, we are finishing up our 5 paragraph essays about our dreams in response to MLK and his "I Have a Dream" speech.
* Social Studies-We are learning about how California became a state in 4th grade. 5th grade is learning about the Boston Tea * Party along with the Boston Massacre. In addition, we are learning about, "Taxation with out representation," and how this led to the American Revolution.
* REMINDER-The Newspaper Book Project is due on Friday.Once again, there will not be as much homework this week so we can wrap up our Projects
* The 4th Grade Mission field trip is on Thursday
* Our class will have a Spelling Bee on Friday. Check this link if you would like to practice: http://mcoeweb.marin.k12.ca.us/es/spellingbee/Elem0910/ElementarySpellingList.pdf
The two top winners will on to compete against students from other 4-6th grades. In class we will learn words from Bridge to Terabithia along with the Civil Rights movement. We will learn the meaning and usage of 10 of these words in class on Wednesday.
* In computers we will be working on typing and beginning our Important People of the American Revolution Power Point Projects. 4th Grade will be doing their projects on California History during CA becoming a state. This is an in-class project.

I hope you all enjoyed your 3-day weekend. See you at school! Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read Ch. 7 in Bridge....
Math p. 45-46-4th grade in wkbk
5th-p. 49+50
Newspaper Project
THURSDAY FIELD TRIP DRIVERS-4th Grade
Stephanie Chamberlain(4)
Kira H.(4)
LEARN SPELLING WORDS+Usage-See spelling blog

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read Ch. 10 (Perfect Day)
Math Next page in wkbk
Study spelling/vocabulary + Spelling Bee Friday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Finish Bridge to Terabithia
Math-Do Math Pre-Test 19a
Finish Newspaper Project
Study for Vocab/Spelling
BOOK ORDERS Due

WEEK 18-HAPPY NEW YEAR/DECADE

Dear Parents,
Did you receive my fancy robo-phone message? Pretty cool, huh? Don't worry....I won't do those that much at all. This blog will be used mostly to convey all of the information you need.

Wow, what a vacation. My family had a memorable time together over a blissful 3-week break.
I can't thank you enough for your amazing generosity. We enjoyed toffee, ornaments, a gift basket, a gift certificate to Kaleidoscope, Sharks tickets/shirt, a lot of candy, and much more. You are all amazing! Initially, our break had a fantastic start when I had the rare opportunity to have my son's band, The Exceeders, along with the Rio Rockers, open up for my band at Don Quixote's. It was quite a proud moment to see Josiah truly rocking out. We went to some wonderful celebrations with amazing food, friends and fun. The Christmas craziness was a blast because Santa got us an air hockey table. ;>) Hilary and I enjoyed an amazing Sharks game. It was one of the best live games I have seen because the Sharks scored a record-setting two penalty shots and beat a really good team...The Capitals (who have the best player in hockey). We also went to a memorial for my wife's grandmother who passed away recently. It was great to hear stories, laugh, pray, cry together and sing songs. Josiah and I even caught a fish together. Our vacation ended with a spectacular trip to Disneyland for 5 days. My kids went on all of the big rides, which made it a lot of fun for me.

Enough about me....I look forward to hearing all about each of the students' vacations this week.

What is happening in Room 12?

* In writing we will be responding to MLK's Dream and writing about our own dreams in class and at the computer lab.
* In reading our class will all be reading "A Bridge to Terabithia"
* In Social Studies the 4th graders will begin learning about California's Road to Statehood. 5th Graders will be starting our new Unit on the American Revolution.
* Students can, if they haven't already done so, start their Newspaper Book Project, which is due on Friday, January 22nd. We will not have much homework the next couple of weeks to have time to complete this fun project.
* We will start using the HM Math Book together. In class we will use the book and we'll have homework from our workbooks.

See you at the school "where kind hearts and open minds rule."

Quote of the Week-
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King Jr.

TUESDAY'S HOMEWORK
Read Ch. 1 of Bridge to Terabithia
Math-4th p. 37-40 in wkbk
5th-p.41-44 in wkbk
NEWSPAPER BOOK PROJECT-
FIELD TRIP FORMS/DRIVERS/$

WEDNESDAY'S HOMEWORK
READ ch. 2 of Bridge to Terabithia
MATH-4th p. 41+42
5th-p.45+46 in wkbk
SPELLING BEE NEXT FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd. See the link on this blog
BOOK/SOFTWARE ORDERS DUE NEXT FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd
NEWSPAPER BOOK PROJECT

THURSDAY'S HOMEWORK
READ p. 29-38 of Ch. 4 + Reassess Your Value Structure Page
MATH-4th-p.43+44
5th-p. 47+48
PELLING BEE NEXT FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd. See the link on this blog on the top-right side
BOOK/SOFTWARE ORDERS DUE NEXT FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd
NEWSPAPER BOOK PROJECT

WEEK 17-Last week of the year!

Dear Parents,
Did everybody enjoy the wet weekend? I wanted to fill you in on everything that is happening this last week before our break.
* A BIG THANKS goes out to Gina Wheeler for organizing the party on Friday and all of the parents who provided tasty treats for the class.
* I hope every 5th grader enjoyed their Family Heritage Reports. Many students have been coming up to me saying, "Guess what Mr. Sweet...I'm related to _____________, or, "My dad was stabbed in a peace rally!" I can't wait to hear a bunch more family stories this week.
* All of this week we will be learning about the holidays: Kwanzaa, Hannukah, Saturnalia and Christmas. The spelling words will all be about the holidays.
* This week our class will be finishing the Saxon Math Book and will be using the HM Book after our return from the break.
* On Thursday of this week I'll be sending home each student's progress report. Please check it over and return it on Friday. You may look online to see their progress in Accelerated Reader. Keep in mind that the trimester began on November 5th and it ends March 5th.
* On Friday our class will be having a "White Elephant" Gift Exchange. I do this every year and my classes love it. Make sure not to spend more than $15 and try to make the gifts something both boys and girls would like.
* If you haven't done so, please check the blog from last week because I have shared a Newspaper Book Project from last year. The link describing the project is on the blog on the lower right portion. Students will be learning how to type in columns like in a real newspaper. Also, they will be bringing home their favorite colored construction paper from class.These projects are not due until Friday, January 22nd. The reason I assigned it prior to the break is that many students get bored over the three weeks and it will give them a chance to get it done, if they wish.
* On Friday of this week the 5th graders will be turning in their Colony Museum Exhibit Projects. We have been working on these in class and they will be finishing them up at home. This creative project will take the place of a Social Studies Test. (The class was very happy about this!)
* Finally, on Monday I am sending home a Mission San Juan Bautista Field Trip form for the 4th graders along with an Ano Nuevo Field Trip for everybody. The Mission trip costs $1 and the Ano Nuevo trip costs $2. Please sign and return the form + $ and let me know if you would like to drive by signing the attached paper.

It should be a great last week. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Mr. Sweet

"Where kind hearts and open minds rule."

HOMEWORK MONDAY
READING-Optional
Math L116
Practice Heritage Speech
Social Studies Test on Thursday-4th Grade-Study Guide sent home Monday
Colony Museum Exhibits Due Friday-(Mostly done in class)

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-Optional
Math L118
Practice Heritage Speech
4th Grade-Study for Social Studies Test
5th Grade-Finish Colony Museum Exhibits-Due Friday.

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Finish Colony Project
Practice Speech
Get White Elephant Gift
BRING BACK PROGRESS REPORT WITH PARENT SIGNATURE

WEEK 16

NEWSPAPER PROJECT EXAMPLE
Homework Monday
Reading-4th Grade-20-4-1-A.R. Book
5th Grade-Finish Crispin and write a summary about the end of the book
CHOOSE A BOOK by Friday for our exciting Newspaper Book Project (Click on link at the lower, right portion of the blog)
It is due on Friday, January 22nd.
MATH-L104
Coordinate Plane Graphing-Create four of your own designs (At least 5 sets of ordered pairs for each graph)
Due Thursday
FAMILY HERITAGE REPORT DUE NEXT MONDAY-DECEMBER 14th
No Spelling this week!
CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Homework Tuesday
Reading-4th Grade/5th Read 20 min.
CHOOSE A BOOK by Friday for our exciting Newspaper Book Project (Click on link at the lower, right portion of the blog)
It is due on Friday, January 22nd.
MATH-L106
Coordinate Plane Graphing-Create four of your own designs (At least 5 sets of ordered pairs for each graph)
Due Thursday
PRACTICE POETRY RECITATION-Memorize by Friday's recital
FAMILY HERITAGE REPORT DUE NEXT MONDAY-DECEMBER 14th
CANNED FOOD DRIVE

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
CHECK OUT PICTURE ABOVE OF NEWSPAPER PROJECT
NO READING OR MATH
Practice Poem
Heritage Report
Bring Canned Food
BRING $2 for class party on Friday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Practice Poem-Recitals tomorrow + Heritage Report Due Monday
Bring $2 for party (13 students still haven't brought it)

WEEK 15

Welcome back! Wasn't that wonderful to have a whole week off?! My family had a total of 5 Thanksgiving Celebrations with family and friends! Needless to say, I look forward to getting back into shape.
Here is what is afoot in Room 12 this week:
* Both grades will be continuing their books. In 4th grade we will be wrapping up James and the Giant Peach the next two weeks. 5th grades will also be finishing Crispin together.
* In Technology our class is learning to use Microsoft Powerpoint. In doing so, we are growing in our understanding of how to import images, the paraphrasing of research and creating a Bibliography. In 4th grade they are learning about the main characters of James and the Giant Peach while in 5th grade we are learning about the Middle Ages, Castles, Knights, Peasants, Weaponry etc.
* In Social Studies 4th grade will learn about the Land Grants in Alta California, which led to the ranchos. Each 4th grader will be writing their very own land grant letter along with a diseno of the land they wish to take over.
5th Graders will continue to learn about the original colonies. Each child will be designing a museum exhibit as a team. These exhibits will consist of diary entries, poems, mobiles, pictures, portraits, ceramic/clay structures and much more.
* In Math we will be finishing up our first book by the winter break.
* 5th graders should be about a half way through the Family Heritage Projects, which are due close to our break.

That's it for now!

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Reading-4th Grade Ch. 33-37 James + Summary
5th-Ch. 30-31 + Summary
Math L94
Learn Vocab-4th Grade-#21-30
5th Grade #1-20
Winter Food Drive
Heritage Report

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-4th Grade Read A.R. Book for 20 minutes
5th-Ch. 34+35 + Summary
Math L96
Learn Vocab-4th Grade-#21-30
5th Grade #1-20
Winter Food Drive
Heritage Report

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-4th 20-4-1
5th-Ch. 40-42+Summary
Math L98
Study Vocab
News Teams-Meaty Mammoths Choose Article-Due Thursday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Reading-4th -20 min. AR
5th-Ch. 47-49
Math L100
Study Vocab/Spelling for tests
News Teams-Meaty Mammoths Choose Article-Summaries due Monday
Practice Poem recitation