WEEK of JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 3rd

CLASS UPDATE
* The Cereal Box projects were outstanding!
* TUESDAY is Spirit Day so dress up with CRAZY HAIR!
* There will be little homework on Monday as we focus on our Social Studies prep. This Tuesday afternoon our class will take our test on the American Revolution. Please check the study guide on the right hand side of the blog, if you haven't already. It has been up for a week and a half now, so hopefully your child has had a chance to study.
* In Math we are dividing decimals so please check the right side again for one way I teach it in class.
* Room 12 will be finishing our final drafts of the"3 Things to Change the World" Paper.
* In Reading our 5th graders will be doing the Science World News and our HM Core Lit.
That's a wrap for now!
Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Finish Ch. 1-Sam is Dead
Math HM-Ch.14 L4
Study for Social Studies Test
Spelling/Vocab on Blog-
Write 10 sentences using the vocab words with definitions. Underline them and demonstrate you know the meaning with correct usage in your sentences.
CRAZY HAIR DAY TUESDAY!

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-Finish Ch.2 in "My Brother Sam is Dead"+ My Brother or My Father Activity.
Math-Finish L84 evens-Saxon
Vocab.-Finish 10 sentences by Friday

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-Finish Ch.3 in "My Brother Sam is Dead"+ LIT. CIRCLE JOB
Math-Finish HM CH. 14 Review/Dividing Decimals
Vocab.-Finish 10 sentences by Friday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Reading-Finish Ch. 4 + Last LIT CIRCLE IN PACKET
Writing-Finish Final Draft of "3 Things to Change the World"
Math-Do Saxon L 86/odds + HM Review Dividing Decimals
Vocab 10 sentences due tomorrow

WEEK OF JANUARY 23-27th

CLASS HAPPENINGS
* This week we will finish The Fighting Ground and have Lit. Circles at home along with new vocabulary.
* Our Cereal Box Project is due Friday, January 27th.
* In Math we are MULTIPLYING DECIMALS (HM CHAPTER 13) I will post a couple demonstrations
on the right side of the blog like last week.
* In Writing we will wrap up our 5-paragraph essay about our 3 things to change the world.
* In addition, we will begin to formulate our 3-things Video Project
* In American History we will finish Ch. 8 on Tuesday and begin prepping for our Test on Tuesday, January 31st. The study guide is posted on the blog. In the computer lab we are creating a newsletter using PAGES about an American Revolution Hero. Check out your child's flash drive to see who they are researching.
* On Wednesday we will be moving our desks into new groups.
* Our deadline to meet our A.R. Goal in the 2nd Trimester is on:
February 29th.

HOMEWORK MONDAY
READING-p.89-100+ Icon Sheet-Perspectives, Unanswered questions, language of Discipline (Military/colonial jargon)Details from reading
Math - L81 odds/HM 109 + 111 in wkbk
Vocab/Spelling Study words-On blog
CEREAL BOX PROJECT-
Finish Social Studies Pages-77-83 (Due Friday)

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
READING-p.111-121+ Lit. Circle
Math - L82 Evens/HM p.115 in wkbk Lesson 4 Ch.13
Vocab/Spelling Study words-On blog
HISTORY-Memorize: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —" DUE FRIDAY
CEREAL BOX PROJECT-
Finish Social Studies Pages-77-83 (Due Friday)

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
READING-p.121-129
Math - L83 odds
Vocab/Spelling Study words-On blog
HISTORY-Memorize: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —" DUE FRIDAY
CEREAL BOX PROJECT-
Finish Social Studies Pages-77-85 (Due Friday)

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
READING-optional
Math-Finish HM CH. 14 Lesson 1 + Pre-Test Saxon
Vocab/Spelling Study words-On blog
HISTORY-Memorize: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —" DUE FRIDAY
CEREAL BOX PROJECT-
Finish Social Studies Pages-77-87 (Due Friday)

WEEK OF JANUARY 17-20

SPELLING BEE CHAMPS FROM ROOM 12!

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-p.45-52 + Lit. Circles
Math p. 93+95 HM WKBK + Saxon L76 evens
NEWSTEAM SPEECH PRACTICE-
STUDY VOCAB/SPELLING

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-p.53-62 (3:05-4:01)FIGHTING GROUND + Lit. Circles
Math p. 97 + 99 HM WKBK (See blog link for reteaching of today's lesson)
NEWSTEAM SPEECH PRACTICE-
STUDY VOCAB/SPELLING

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Reading-5PM-6pm p.58-69 FIGHTING GROUND + SUMMARY
Math-Review Dividing Fractions Page
(See blog link for reteaching of this weeks lesson)
NEWSTEAM SPEECH PRACTICE-
STUDY VOCAB/SPELLING/DLR
CEREAL BOX PROJECT DUE NEXT FRIDAY


UPDATE
* This week we are continuing to read The Fighting Ground and do Lit. Circles.
* In writing we will be starting our rough drafts about "3 Dreams to Change the World"
in honor of Dr. King and the 3 Things Video project we will be doing.
* In Math we are dividing fractions by fractions and by whole numbers. I also taught cross canceling as a short cut. Please see the demonstration links on the right hand side to help clarify the methods.
* Our News Team presentations will be Friday so make sure your child practices their speech.
* Vocab and Spelling is from Social Studies, MLK and Fighting Ground.
* Cereal Box Projects are due on Friday, January 27th.
That's it for now!

WEEK OF JANUARY 11-13th

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-Fighting Ground-10:45-11:30(p.11-19) + Summary
Math-Finish L72 in Saxon
Vocab-Learn words(Test on Tuesday, January 17th)
Choose News Team Article, fill out the cover sheet and bring on Friday.
SUPPLY CHECK FRIDAY-2 Pencils, 2 Red Pens, 2 Blue Pens, 1 Pencil Sharpener, 1 Spiral
Notebook
If you already have these supplies, you are all set.

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Reading-Fighting Ground-p.24-32 + Summary
Math-Finish L74 in Saxon
Vocab-Learn words(Test on Tuesday, January 17th)
Choose News Team Article, fill out the cover sheet and bring on Friday.
SUPPLY CHECK FRIDAY-2 Pencils, 2 Red Pens, 2 Blue Pens, 1 Pencil Sharpener, 1 Spiral
Notebook, 1 Expo Marker and a sock
If you already have these supplies, you are all set.
CEREAL BOX PROJECT IS DUE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 27th.

HOMEWORK FRIDAY
Finish "My 3 Things to Change the World" Graphic Organizer
Writing-Finish writing summary on News Team Article-Due Tuesday
Work on Cereal Box Project
Get Supplies, if you did not get them yet
Dear Parents,
I hope everybody had a restful break with family and friends. Our vacation was a blast! Thank you so much for your kind gift of cash and all of the other amazing and thoughtful gifts! Wow! We were able to go out to Palapas, Betty Burgers and I purchased a new tennis racquet. Finally, I spent about a week putting new pavers in my backyard. Holy cow, I am happy to be a teacher and NOT a manual laborer. Rewarding, but I am sore.

Here are some quick updates:

* Our class has begun a new unit of study in Social Studies about the American Revolution. We also began a book entitled The Fighting Ground, which is a fictional, first person account of a young man involved in the war.
* In math we are going to do some review in Saxon and then we will be learning how to divide fractions next week.
* The school talent show tryouts are next Wednesday, January 18th.
* I sent home the Cereal Box Book project prior to the break. Check out the blog for the assignment. It is a google document. It is due on Friday, January 27th. Many students worked on these during our LONG break.
* This week our class will be learning about Martin Luther King Jr. as we read his biography and we do some writing about his dreams and how we can change the world in our lives. I encourage you to discuss the Civil Rights movement. In class today we saw his "I Have a Dream" speech and wrote about it.
* There will be no Spelling/Vocab this week, but we will next week starting on Tuesday, January 17th.

Happy New Year!

Mr. Sweet

"Where kind hearts and open minds rule."

WEEK OF DECEMBER 12-16th

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read AR-20 min.
Math-p.123+125 in HM Wkbk + L71 evens Saxon
Writing-Finish Final Draft of TWO Opinion Poems
Poetry-Practice Memorizing/Reciting Winter Poem and Free Verse Poem
Have parents read and sign/return the progress report/Check
AR Progress on it too.
Get a present for the White Elephant Gift exchange (Any toy/game/book/etc. under $15 by
Friday for the party

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read 20min
Math-p.139+141 HM Wkbk pages
Writing-Do two cinquains
Writing/Art-Finish Final Drafts of Colonial Exhibits-Due Thursday
Poetry-Practice reciting Winter Poem + Free Verse Poem
Go purchase a White Elephant Gift for the Exchange

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read 20min.
NO MATH!
Colonies-Finish 3 components-Due tomorrow
Practice Winter and Free Verse Poem for the recital Friday
Study Spelling

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Get White Elephant Gift
Math-Go over Saxon Pre-Test
Practice Poems for Recital
DRESS UP FANCY FOR RECITAL!!!
Study Spelling + Holidays(Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Saturnalia, Christmas



Room 12,
This is an exciting week, full of learning and fun.
* In reading we will be learning about an African American Hero during the Revolution: James Forten.
* Writing-We will finish our poetry final drafts and practice our TWO poems with memorization, reciting and fun style.
* Sweet's Poet Cafe-This will be on Friday from 9-10:45-Students will dress up in black/fancy clothing. Each child will be photographed and be graded on their speaking skills. PARENTS ARE INVITED!
* Math-We will be dividing with decimals in the divisor (over-->over--> UP)
* Colonies- We will finish our projects and post them on the poster board on Wednesday.
The Colony Museum Exhibit will be on Thursday at 1pm. Parents are invited to the final exhibits.
* Holiday Party-On Friday after the Poetry Recital we will do a "White Elephant Gift Exchange". Please get some kind of gift that costs less than $15.
Parents who would like to bring a treat, please let me know.
* In class we will learn about the history of the winter holidays of Saturnalia, Kwanzaa, Christmas and Chanukkah.
* Progress reports will go home on Monday. Please check online to see your AR progress
and % of goal achieved thus far. Sign and return the report to show me that you are up-to-date on your child's progress.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 5th-DECEMBER 9

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read 25 minutes (A.R.)
Math - Finish Ch.10-2 HM / Finish Saxon Math L67 odds
Writing-Finish Final Draft of Diamante
Poetry-Begin Memorizing/Practice Reciting Winter Poem
Study Spelling words

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read 25 minutes (A.R.)
Math - Finish Ch.10-3 HM / Finish Saxon Math L68 evens
Writing-Finish Final Draft of 3 Haiku Poems on white paper (Syllables-5-7-5/about Nature, one verb in each line)
Poetry-Begin Memorizing/Practice Reciting Winter Poem
Study Spelling words

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read 25 minutes (A.R.)
Math - Finish Mult.Fractions Review HM / Finish Saxon Math L70 odds
Writing-Write a Free Verse poem of at least 10 lines (it doesn't have to rhyme)
Poetry-Begin Memorizing/Practice Reciting Winter Poem
Study Spelling words

PARTY THURSDAY! DRESS UP! BIG SPIN!

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Read 25 minutes (A.R.)
Math - Saxon Pre-Test
Poetry-Memorize/Practice Reciting Winter Poem + Free Verse
Study Spelling words/DLR


Room 12,
* Well, due to our very sad Friday when school was canceled, our party was postponed until next Thursday, December 8th. Please bring the $2 for pizza.
* The Big Spin Day was changed to 1pm on Thursday, December 8th.
However, this Monday, December 5th, we will take our assessments that we missed on Friday, so please study over the weekend so that you are prepared.
* In reading this week we will read a story called "Katie's Trunk" which is about a Redcoat attack during the Revolution.
* In writing our class continues to write poetry in its various forms. This week we choose winter poems to recite on Friday, December 16th, at our Sweet's Poet Cafe. We will have hot chocolate, be dressed up in fancy clothes. Students will recite two poems: one Winter Poem by a famous poet followed by their own free-verse poem that they will write and revise this week. The goal is to memorize both of these.
* We will be learning how to multiply fractions this week.
* In History we will finish up our rough drafts of our exhibits and finish the final drafts at home.
* Remember to bring in 2nd Harvest Food to donate, or money. This truly makes a difference in our community and all of those families struggling through unemployment.
Enjoy a 3 day weekend!
Mr. Sweet

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 2nd

Room 12 Update
Welcome back! That was a restful break.
* For the next three weeks our class will be reading stories from our HM Anthology that focus on the American Revolution. At home students will be able to read any AR book and do their summaries.
* In Writing we will be starting a an exciting Poetry Unit.
* In Math we will finish up Chapter 8 in HM, which is adding and subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators.
* In American History we are doing Museum Exhibits about one of the many original colonies. This will be mostly an in-class project, but the final drafts will be done at home.
* On Friday at 1pm our class will have the Big Spin with all of the 4th, 5th and 6th graders, which honors students that receive awards.
More to come!
Mr. Sweet


HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read 20 minutes A.R. + Summary + Finish Science World p. 1-9
Math-p.75 in HM Wkbk + Saxon L61 odds
Writing-Write, or type on multiple choice question from Science World
Study Spelling-Test Friday

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read 20 minutes A.R.Finish Science World p. 10-18 (summary)
Math-p.79 in HM Wkbk + Saxon L63 evens
Colony Project-Begin researching your Exhibit Topics using the Internet
3 Parts-Art/Written/Chart
Study Spelling-Test Friday

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read 20 min. AR-Finish Science World-Write a summary about your favorite article
Math Finish L64 odds + HM p.81 (Subtracting Fractions)
Study Spelling
Continue Exhibit Project-(See exhibit contract paper for clarification)

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Reading-Finish and Review Science World News + Read AR 20 minutes (Reading Comprehension Smart quiz Friday on Science World with student-generated questions)
Math-Finish Saxon Evens L65 + HM p. 83
Spelling-Study words for the Test
Study for DLR-Test Friday
Continue Colony Projects
DRESS UP CRAZY SPORTS DAY TOMORROW
BRING $2 for pizza

THANKSGIVING WEEK

TWO WONDERFUL PARENTS WHO ALSO DRESSED AS TWINS
HOMEWORK MONDAY
Make your dish together
Go over Math L60 evens (We finished it in class)
You may correct and return mistakes on papers for a better grade.

together





Dear Parents,
* Tomorrow is pajama/stuffed animal/pillow/blanket day! The class has been just fantastic in their behavior and how hard they have worked, so tomorrow will be a fun day. I will give an extended period of silent reading time and they can curl up anywhere with their friends and read away...We will learn about the true roots of the original Thanksgiving along with some fun crafts and puzzles. The only homework will be cooking their dish to share. Hooray!

* Tuesday is a School Spirit Day-It is Twin Day. You may dress up together with as many people as you want!

Thank you so much to the parents who promptly returned the 3 options for the Feast on Tuesday. For those of you that have not
replied yet, you may reply to this email and fill in any gaps. We need side dishes and vegetables and a pasta dish. Here is the list of what students signed up for. My wonderful wife, Hilary, helped me put this together. Remember, you are invited!
1. Trevor-???
2. Aaron-Lemon Bars
3. Carter-???
4. Ellia-Stuffing
5. Elizabeth-Sprite
6. Ryan-Green Beans
7. Amy-Yams(The best)
8. Cooper-Candied Sweet Potatoes
9. Seth-Cornbread
10. Logan-Cranberry Fluff
11. Rowan-Bean and Cheese Tacos
12. Johan-???
13. Jack-Chocolate Pecan Pie
14. Ava-Biscuits
15. Jordan-Sparkling Apple Cider
16. Camille-???
17. Marcel-Apple Pie
18. Coral-???
19. Haley-Salad
20. Claire-Moose Droppings
21. Chance-Cornbread
22. Abby-"World Famous Mashed Potatoes"
23. Mac-Garlic Potatoes
24. Italia-???
25. Rowen Short-Plates and Utensils (I have napkins)
26. Josiah-Salad and Cranberry Sauce
27. Kody-Pumpkin Pie
28. Brynn-Chicken Divan
29. Bella-???
30. Casey-Turkey!!! Thank you!

The feast begins at 12pm on Tuesday. If you can bring hot dishes in just prior that would be ideal, but I understand if you are busy at work.

That's it for now.
Happy Thanksgiving Short School Week!
Mr. Sweet

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14-18th

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Reading-Read Ch. 37+38 (No summary)
Math-Finish Saxon L57
Vocabulary-Make a picture for your 10 favorite vocabulary words. (Learn the meanings of
all 20)
Art-Work on your Portrait of your medieval person

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-Read Ch. 40-42 (No summary)
Math-Finish Saxon L58 Evens
Vocabulary-Make a picture for your 10 favorite vocabulary words. (Learn the meanings of
all 20) (DUE FRIDAY)
Art-Work on your Portrait of your medieval person (We printed the photos up today)


HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-Read Ch. 47-49 (No summary)
Math-Finish Saxon L59 odds
Vocabulary-Make a picture for your 10 favorite vocabulary words. (Learn the meanings of
all 20) (DUE FRIDAY)
Art-Work on your Portrait of your medieval person-DUE FRIDAY
IN COLOR!

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
WRITE DOWN THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY DISHES ON FORM
Finish the Crispin Book
Math-Finish/Go Over Math Pre-Test (Saxon 9a)
Vocabulary-Study (No Spelling Test)
Finish Thankful Essay
Finish Vocab Art+Portrait



DEAR ROOM 12,
Our class is in their new groups and we are back to it for a full week of learning and fun. Report cards go home Monday so please sign and return the envelopes.

This week our class will finish reading Crispin and it will be the last week of vocabulary for three weeks. In addition, we will wrap up our Medieval Power Point Projects in the Computer Lab on Wednesday. Part of this assignment will be a portrait of their famous person. Each student will have all week to create their own portrait of their hero. We will print up a pic from the Internet and do the rough drafts in class on Monday and Tuesday. Students may use the paper I provide, or even get fancy and use a canvas. This art will be displayed on the wall in class.

In Math we will resume our work with fractions when we begin adding and subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators.

In writing we will begin our 5 paragraph essays about what we are thankful for. Finally, in American History we are learning about the original colonies and each group chose a colony to study.

Last, but not least, I have a tradition each year to have a Thanksgiving Feast. Each child signs up to bring some family dish and shares it with the class on Tuesday, November 22nd. Tomorrow I will send home the form and you can write down 3 of your favorite dishes. From this, I will e-mail the menu. Parents are all invited!

It's going to be a great week!
Mr. Sweet
"Where we use our hearts and minds well."

Week of November 7-10th

Room 12!

We will only have class Monday - Thursday this week in observance of Veteran's Day.
As a result, our homework will not be the same this week. We will still be reading Crispin. In math we will continue our study of adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators. There will be no spelling this week. Hooray!
In class we are also continuing our famous person Power Point Project from the Medieval Times to extend our learning of the middle ages from Crispin. Each child will be researching using our computer lab. This also includes a portrait that will be drawn in class. One more thing, we will practice our speeches in class and at home for the presentations on Wednesday and Thursday. The speeches will be 2-5 min.
Finally, come and join the school at the Monday morning assembly when our class sings "Hey Soul Sister," reads two papers and leads the flag salute.

HOMEWORK MONDAY-
Reading-Ch.26+27+Summary(20-4-1)
Math-Finish HM Fraction Review+SAXON L54 evens
Study 10 vocab words(They wrote the definitions on the pre-test)
Practice Speech

Homework TUESDAY
Reading-Read Ch.30+31+Summary
Math-Finish/Go over fraction HM Review: Test Thursday
Vocab.-Study 10 word meanings+usage
Practice Speech-They begin Wednesday

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading -Ch. 32-34 + Summary
Finish Saxon L56 odds + Do Test Review on computer for fractions (Under Study Guides)
Study Vocab for test tomorrow
Practice Speeches