Wandered.

Sai, Passing Cloud 1, 2009

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

- William Wordsworth

Mrs. Hoge Language Arts ~ Week of January 30th

READING
We are continuing our novel, Number the Stars by Lois Lowery.  There will be an open book test on chapters 1-4 Tuesday, 1/31.  New vocabulary words will be assigned on Tuesday, 1/31.  Students will be reading and discussing chapters 5-7 this week during class.


WRITING
Students will be writing responses to literature in their composition books and posing questions they have for the main characters.  Our grammar focus is pronouns.

SPELLING and VOCABULARY
The words are from chapters 5-7 in our novel.
1. nervous
2. gesture
3.  dramatically
4.  automatically
5.  scornfully
6.  embroidered
7.  tentatively
8.  seldom
9.  distorted
10.  sprawling
11.  massive
12. exasperation
13.  outskirts
14.  extending
15.  appliqued
Bonus:  Scandinavian

Our spelling and vocabulary test will be Tuesday, February 7th.

Please check your child's agenda for spelling assignments.

Hoge ~ Science ~ Weeks of January 30th and February 6th

WELCOME TO..................... SCIENCE FAIR WEEK!!!!  


Science Fair projects and written reports are due Wednesday, February 1st.  Students are being assigned a day for their presentation, so they may bring their display boards and any props to help them on the day they are assigned.  However, all written reports must be turned in on February 1st.

Students will present their projects in class this week and part of next week.  It's important that each student have a composition book in which they can take notes on the projects being presented.

Please join us for the BWE Fifth Grade Super Spectacular Science Fair Showcase, Wednesday evening, February 8th, in the fifth grade classrooms from 5:00pm ~ 7:00pm.  All students, their families, and friends are encouraged to attend this exciting, culminating event in which you may view the projects students have worked so hard to complete.  It is not mandatory for students to attend, but it is highly recommended. They may come for 15 minutes or stay for the entire two hours, but all students should be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Students attending should plan on spending some time by their project to answer any questions visitors may have about the project they completed.  There will be drawings throughout the evening for stupendous science goodies, courtesy of Lakeshore Learning.  Hope we see you there!

Our Science Showcase will be followed by the annual Big Walnut District Science Fair at the high school, in which students in grades 5-12 present their projects to a team of judges, on Thursday, February 9th.  The public is welcome to attend. Students who have returned signed registration cards should plan on being at the high school by 6:00 pm to set up their projects.  More details are on the information sheet that was sent home.

Firchau: Language Arts (Week of January 30)

READING
This week we will continue reading Bridge to Terabithia. We will focus our guided reading on how the setting of the story influences the plot and plot sequence, and how the author's creative use of language can influence our senses and the mood of a story as we read it. Check your student's agenda for daily assignments.

The students will integrate the writing skills into extended response comprehension assessments (watch for details in your student's agenda).

WRITING
The week's writing practice will come from extended response questions in Terabithia comprehension assessments as well as responses to quick-write prompts and will challenge the students to create quickly prepared responses to oral prompts.

We will continue with learning parts of speech, focusing on pronouns.

SPELLING
Spelling words from chapters 8, 9, 10 of Bridge to Terabithia. The students will create analogies, associations, or illustrations for their words.

This section's words ...
clambered
complacent
dread
flounce
garbled
obliged
prissy
raveled
spectacle
canopy
conspiring
discern
earnest
repented
sodden
sporadically
vanquished
flank
intently
suppress
scrawny
anxiety
absorbed
disguised

Assignment:  Create analogies, associations, illustrations, or antonyms for each word.  Due 2/7/12
Assessment: Tuesday, 2/7/12

HOMEWORK
Monday: Values activity sheet
Tuesday: Comprehension questions for Ch. 5-7
Ongoing: vocabulary/spelling; read 20 minutes

Firchau: Social Studies (Week of January 30)

This week we will begin examining the similarities and differences between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies of early America. We will look at the geographical and economic elements that influenced the cultures of each region.

LEARNING TARGETS
Chronology
I can …
create time lines and identify possible relationships between events.

Settlement
I can …
... explain how American Indians settled the continent and why different nations of Indians interacted with their environment in different ways.

... explain why European countries explored and colonized North America.

... describe the lasting effects of Spanish, French and English colonization in North America including cultural patterns evident today such as language, food, traditions and architecture.

... explain how the United States became independent from Great Britain.

Growth
I can …
... explain the impact of settlement, industrialization and transportation on the expansion of the United States.

People in Societies
Cultures
I can …
... compare the cultural practices and products of diverse groups in North America including:
a. Artistic expressions;
b. Religion;
c. Language;
d. Food;
e. Clothing;
f. Shelter

VOCABULARY
British
colonial regions
economy
democratic
diverse
indentured servants
granted
Assembly

MONDAY
• Group work on Billboard Project (slogan and phrases to describe colony and attract colonists)

TUESDAY
• Group work on Billboard Project (create visuals based on slogan and phrases)

WEDNESDAY
• Review Ch. 7
• Group work (begin practicing presentation and final draft of Billboard Project)

THURSDAY
• Ch. 7 Unit Test
• Group work (practice presentation and final draft of Billboard Project

FRIDAY
• 50 states test (20 minutes)
• Presentation of Billboard Projects

Corven's Language Arts Class-Week of January 30th

READING
    We continue our study of Tuck Everlasting with a focus on chapters 11-15. The students will analyze the imagery that author, Natalie Babbitt uses to develop the settings of the story. We will also look at how the settings reflect the traits of the main characters.

WRITING
    This week in class, the students will write journal responses and comprehension responses based on chapters 11-15. Pronouns will be our grammar focus.

SPELLING
  The spelling and defintions of the following 10 words will be assessed next Wednesday, Feburary 15th.
   groves,  assemble,  haste,  tremble,  protest,  ordinary,  routine,  linger,  gallow,  decisive
Please see last week's blog post for the spelling/vocabulary words that will be assessed this Wednesday, February 1st.

HOMEWORK
Monday- Study spelling/vocabulary
Tuesday- Study spelling/vocabulary
Wednesday- Section 3 of Tuck Everlasting Packet (Due Friday)

MATH-Week of January 30th

We continue our study of unit 7 this week. As we begin the week, students will review standard notation, exponential notation, powers of 10, and scientific notation. The focus for the rest of the week will be order of operations. Ask your child about the mnemonic device we are using to remember the steps involved with order of operations. Beginning Tuesday of this week, students can log onto Study Island and complete a fraction review assignment for 15 extra credit points. Please encourage your child to earn some extra credit points!


HOMEWORK
Monday- Math Journal p.217
Tuesday- Math Journal p.224
Wednesday- Math Journal p.223
Thursday- Math Journal p.225
Friday- No assignment

Fifth Grade Book Club

The Fifth Grade Book Cub will begin this week!  There has been such an interest among students to join in the fun that we have had to divide the club into two groups.  Each group will meet for one half hour during lunch time (12:30-1:00) every other week, with the first group beginning Thursday, January 26th.  The second group will start Thursday, February 2nd.  Mr. Firchau and Mrs. Hoge will be leading the groups in Book Talks, as well as helping students decide on books they would like to read while in the club.  Group lists were posted outside the fifth grade classrooms today.
For the first meeting, students are asked to bring a book they have enjoyed reading this year that they would like to share.  We're pleased and excited to offer this opportunity to our fabulous fifth graders!

Firchau: Social Studies (Week of January 23)

This week we will begin examining the similarities and differences between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies of early America.  We will look at the geographical and economic elements that influenced the cultures of each region.

LEARNING TARGETS
Chronology
I can …
create time lines and identify possible relationships between events.

Settlement
I can …
... explain how American Indians settled the continent and why different nations of Indians interacted with their environment in different ways.

... explain why European countries explored and colonized North America.

... describe the lasting effects of Spanish, French and English colonization in North America including cultural patterns evident today such as language, food, traditions and architecture.

... explain how the United States became independent from Great Britain.

Growth
I can …
... explain the impact of settlement, industrialization and transportation on the expansion of the United States.

People in Societies
Cultures
I can …
... compare the cultural practices and products of diverse groups in North America including:
a. Artistic expressions;
b. Religion;
c. Language;
d. Food;
e. Clothing;
f. Shelter


VOCABULARY
British
colonial regions
economy
democratic
diverse
indentured servants
granted
Assembly


MONDAY
• Review targets ... ask, "Why?"
• Complete first billboard activity (share, discuss)
• Introduce final billboard project


TUESDAY
• Review targets ... ask, "Why?"
• Review section 7.1, 7.2 (note-taking, main idea, supporting details)
• Read, take notes, section 7.3, 7.4 (complete ISN activity for New England colonies)


WEDNESDAY
• Review targets ... ask, "Why?"

• Review section 7.3, 7.4 (note-taking, main idea, supporting details)

• Read, take notes, section 7.5, 7.6 (complete ISN activity for Middle colonies)

THURSDAY

• Review targets ... ask, "Why?"

• Review section 7.5, 7.6 (note-taking, main idea, supporting details)

• Read, take notes, section 7.7, 7.8, 7.9 (complete ISN activity for Southern colonies)

FRIDAY

• 50 states test (20 minutes)

• Begin group work for billboard project

Firchau: Language Arts (Week of January 23)

READING

This week we will continue reading Bridge to Terabithia. We will focus our guided reading on how the setting of the story influences the plot and plot sequence, and how the author's creative use of language can influence our senses and the mood of a story as we read it. Check your student's agenda for daily assignments.

The students will integrate the writing skills into extended response comprehension assessments (watch for details in your student's agenda).

WRITING

The week's writing practice will come from extended response questions in Terabithia comprehension assessments as well as responses to quick-write prompts and will challenge the students to creative quickly prepared responses to oral prompts.

We will continue with learning parts of speech, focusing on pronouns.

SPELLING

Spelling words from chapters 5-7 of Bridge to Terabithia. The students will create analogies, associations, or illustrations for their words.  They will be assessed on Thursday, January 26.

This section's words are ...

crimson

distracted

parapet

regicide

snickered

tangle

annoyance

consolidated

obsessed

speculation

splurged

surplus

betrayed

exiled

reluctant

smirked

tolerated

vile

Language Arts (Corven's Class) Week of January 23rd

READING
     We continue our study of the novel, Tuck Everlasting. Our focus will be over chapters 6-10. The students will evaluate the pros and cons of living forever. They will share their thoughts through several writing activities this week in class. On Thursday and Friday, the students will create a watercolor illustration based on a passage from the story that is full of imagery.
   Students should have chosen a book for Reading Counts. The first book needs to be read by Monday, February 13th. Information regarding this was sent home last week. Please see the blog post entitled, "Reading Counts" for more information.

WRITING
      The students will write journal entries in their composition books throughout the week based on events and imagery found in Tuck Everlasting.

SPELLING/VOCABULARY
       Students will be tested over the spelling and definitions of the following words on Wednesday, February 1st. Please see last week's blog post for the spelling words that will be assessed this Wednesday, January 25th.
 peculiar, brooch, vanity, embankment, shudder, gypsy, scornful, melancholy, perilous, cavernous


HOMEWORK
Monday- Word Detective Worksheet
             - Study spelling and vocabulary for test on Wednesday
Tuesday- Study spelling and vocabulary
Wednesday- Finish section 2 of Tuck Everlasting packet

MATH-Week of January 23rd

We finish unit 6 in math this week. We are officially half-way through the 5th grade Everyday Math program! The students will receive the second math journal this week. On Monday, the students will spend time in class reviewing all of the unit 6 learning targets in preparation for the test on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will begin unit 7 focusing on exponential notation, standard notation, and powers of 10.

HOMEWORK
Monday- Review math notes in composition book, Review practice sheet
Tuesday- Unit 6 Test, No assignment
Wednesday- No assignment
Thursday- Math Journal p.211
Friday- No assignment

READING COUNTS PROGRAM

Reading Counts information, along with a recommended reading list were sent home last week with your child. 
A copy of the letter sent home is posted below.

                                                                                                      

                                                

                                           January 17, 2012

Dear Families,

      Reading books of interest is one way to develop a love for reading. We want to encourage 5^th grade students to read more books the second semester of school. Therefore, we are assigning each student to read at least two books this grading period. The first book needs to be read by February 13^th and the second book needs to be read by March 19^th. The students are given time each day in class to read. As long as they use their time wisely, students should be able to complete the majority of their reading at school.

       Your child recently completed an SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory) on line assessment to determine his or her lexile level. More specific information regarding SRI can be found on the backside of this letter. Attached is your child’s most recent lexile score as well as a list of books, based on your child’s interest. Each student needs to choose two books from the list in order to complete his or her reading requirement for the third grading period. After each book is read, the students will take an Scholastic Reading Counts online assessment to determine their understanding of what was read. The students will have opportunity to use the school library to find a book, but may also need to go to a local community library. Thank you in advance for encouraging your child to read at home.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Corven

Mr. Firchau

Mrs. Hoge

Report cards go home TODAY!!!

Students received their report cards for the second quarter today and should have them in their folders to take home.  Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions about his/her grades.  Thank you!

And remember, science fair projects are due February 1st!

Mrs. Hoge Language Arts ~ Weeks of January 16th and 23rd

Reading ~    We have started reading the novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowery.  This Newbery Award winning novel's setting is Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of this small country.  Ten year old Dane, Annemarie Johansen is best friends with ten year old Ellen Rosen, a Danish Jew.  The story details their friendship and the lengths some people will go to help and protect their friends.

We'll be reading through chapter 4 by the end of next week.  Students should familiarize themselves with the vocabulary words, understanding their meanings, being able to use them in the context of the story.

Spelling/Vocabulary words ~  (Spelling test will be Tuesday, January 24th)
1.  halte
2.  contempt
3.  hoodlums
4.  defiantly
5.  recognize
6.  residential
7.  hesitated
8.  civilized
9.  reassure
10.  anxiously

Bonus word:  impassive

All spelling/vocabulary assignments will be done during class time.

Writing ~ students will be recording responses to literature in their writing journals.

Grammar ~ We'll be reviewing parts of speech with an emphasis on using pronouns.

Please check agendas each night for updates!  

Science/Health ~ Weeks of January 16th and 23rd

Students are providing details about the progress of their science fair projects during class this week.  We will start each day with a science fair discussion so students who may have questions can ask them.  It's important that all students have started the process of working on their projects so they have enough time to conduct their experiments, record observations, and analyze their data to draw their conclusions.

Next week students will bring a paper home for parents to sign detailing their progress with their projects.  REMEMBER!!!  SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS AND WRITTEN REPORTS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1st.

We started a new Health unit this week on communicable and noncommunicable diseases.  Students will be learning about how they are different and some causes,  they'll be learning about different types of microbes, and also how those microbes can be spread.  In addition, they will  learn preventative measures and how vaccines are used.

Language Arts (Corven's Class) Week of January 16th

READING
This week we begin the novel, Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt. It is an enchanting novel about an overprotected young girl named Winnie Foster who comes into contact with the Tuck family and learns a magical secret. Winnie must decide whether or not to keep the Tuck's secret- and whether or not to join them on their neverending journey of life. Chapters 1-5 will be the reading focus this week.

SPELLING/VOCABULARY
The following 10 words will be assessed on Wednesday, January 25th. The students will need to know the spelling and definition of each word. Words can be found in chapters 1-5 of Tuck Everlasting.
quivers, oppressive, acre, immense, suspend, intent, seized, horizon, console, resentful


GRAMMAR
The students will review pronouns this week in class

Writing
All writing activites will be journal responses based on what is read in Tuck Everlasting

HOMEWORK
Tuesday- Anticipation Guide Worksheet
Wednesday- Section 1 of the Reading Response Packet (Due Friday)

Math-Week of January 16th

Adding and subtracting fractions will be the focus in math this week. Students will learn how to add and subtract fractions with common denominators and unlike denominators. Finally, students will put their answers in lowest terms, also called simplest form. There will be a unit 6 test on Tuesday, January 24th.

HOMEWORK
Tuesday- 10 practice problems from the smartboard
Wednesday- Math Journal p.190
Thursday- Math worksheet over adding/subtracting fractions
Friday- Review notes for unit 6 test on Tuesday

"Heroes in the Making" Blood Drive!

• Help Fight Cancer at the "Heroes in the Making" Blood Drive!!!
• Big Walnut Middle School
• Friday, January 13th
• 1:30-7:30 p.m.
• Please consider donating blood to help save a life.  Invite your friends and neighbors, too! Big Walnut graduate Matt DeMint and current students Hayden Althauser and PJ Bennett are battling cancer and have received many blood and platelet transfusions during their chemotherapy treatment and surgeries through the kindness and generosity of people like you!
• 
  
• Each Big Walnut student who invites an adult to come donate blood will be recognized as a "Hero in the Making" and will receive an American Red Cross thank you gift.  If a parent has more than one child in the school, each child will be recognized.
• 
  
• To donate blood, you must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., be in general good health, and have a photo ID upon donation.
• Those who come to donate will receive a Dunkin' Donuts coupon and can enter to win free groceries for a year from Kroger!
• 
  
• Don't delay!  Visit the American Red Cross website below to schedule your blood donation appointment.  Use sponsor code BWMS.
• 
  
• THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE!

http://www.RedCrossBlood.org/make-donation

Firchau: Social Studies (Week of January 2 and 9)

This week we will begin exploring the motivations behind European Exploration of the "New" World. The test for this unit will be January

LEARNING TARGETS
Chronology
I can …
create time lines and identify possible relationships between events.

Settlement
I can …
... explain how American Indians settled the continent and why different nations of Indians interacted with their environment in different ways.

... explain why European countries explored and colonized North America.

... describe the lasting effects of Spanish, French and English colonization in North America including cultural patterns evident today such as language, food, traditions and architecture.

... explain how the United States became independent from Great Britain.

Growth
I can …
... explain the impact of settlement, industrialization and transportation on the expansion of the United States.

People in Societies
Cultures
I can …
... compare the cultural practices and products of diverse groups in North America including:
a. Artistic expressions;
b. Religion;
c. Language;
d. Food;
e. Clothing;
f. Shelter

VOCABULARY
settlements
Roanoke
Jamestown
Plymouth
colonists
tobacco
cash crop
House of Burgesses
Separatists
Mayflower Compact

WEDNESDAY
Introduce English Settlement in the New world
• Image analysis
• Read, discuss introduction to History Alive! ch.6
• Partner read chapter, take notes

THURSDAY
Partner activity

FRIDAY
• States test
• Review, discuss partner activity

MONDAY
• Review English Settlements in the New World unit

TUESDAY
• Unit test English Settlements in the New World

WEDNESDAY
"Nightmare at Jamestown"

THURSDAY
States test - West
Finish "Nightmare at Jamestown"

FRIDAY
No school

Important Dates!

The second grading period ends Thursday, January 12th.

There is no school for students Friday, January 13th (Teacher Workday) and Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Grade cards go home Friday, January 20th.

Mrs. Hoge - Language Arts - January 4th ~ 12th

Happy New Year!!  Hope the holiday season was especially memorable for all of you!

Our spelling and vocabulary this week and next will be derived from a reading selection from our Literacy Place Reading program titled Number the Stars by Lois Lowery.  We will be reading an excerpt from the historical fiction novel this week before beginning our novel study towards the middle of next week.  The story is a Newbery award winning novel about the deep friendship between two families in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Johansens and the Rosens. The Johansens risk their lives to help the Rosens, who are Jewish, escape relocation at the hands of the Nazis during the occcupation of Denmark in 1943. The story is told through the eyes of young Annemarie Johansen as she describes the events she and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, and the two families must endure to escape Nazi persecution.


Spelling/Vocabulary:

1.  courageous           

2.  innocent                       

3.  endure           

4.  Europe

5.  Denmark                        

6.  Danish                        

7.  Jewish                        

8.  Nazi

9.  persecuting           

10.  occupation          

11.  relocation

12.  rationed

13.  soldiers                        

14.  rescue                        

15.  foreign                        

16.  beliefs

17.  scarce                        

18.  urgently      

19.  frantically           

20.  religion

Bonus:  belligerently

Assignments:

Wednesday, January 4^th - Homework: Write words in agenda correctly and have a parent check/sign.  Identify each word's part of speech.

Thursday,  January 5^th – Choose 10 words to write in sentences based on the context of the story.  As we read, keep track of word meanings in composition books. Sentences are due Friday.

Friday, January 6^th – Complete a word search puzzle in class, with key, using the remaining 10 words from list.  Study words over the weekend.  Have agenda signed.

Monday, January 9^th – Write an original short story using 15 of your spelling words. Due Wednesday.

Tuesday, January 10^th – In class review for test tomorrow.


Please ask your child to share with you what we are reading in class.  Better yet, check the book out at the library so you can read what we're reading.  There are also several other Holocaust stories, some biographies, but most historical fiction, in our classroom library, told through the eyes of a child.


Writing:
We'll be journal writing in response to our literature selection and will be completing quick writes on a variety of topics.


As always, please check your child's agenda each night.

Science ~ January 4th - January 12th

Welcome back!  Hope the holiday season was memorable for you and your families!

We'll be finishing our study of simple electrical circuits and then moving back into Health, focusing on communicable and noncommunicable diseases, after the grading period ends.

Don't forget!  Science Fair project topics are due Thursday, January 5th.  Students will write about their project idea in class and share any progress that has been made conducting their experiments.  We will be visiting the computer lab this week to research ideas for the written report.

There will be an electrical energy quiz next week, Wednesday, January 11th.

The grading period ends January 12th!

Corven's Language Arts Class-January 4th through January 12th

READING
We will finish the novel, Mr. Popper's Penguins, early next week. Chapters 16-20 will be the reading focus this week and next. This week in class, the students will be working with a partner to identify the main idea and supporting details of several chapters in Mr. Popper's Penguins. There will be an assessment over Mr. Popper's Penguins on Tuesday, January 10th.

SPELLING
The following 10 spelling/vocabulary words will be assessed on Wednesday, January 11th. These words are found in chapters 16-20 of Mr. Popper's Penguins.
ecstatic,  temptation,  musician,  reputation,  porter,  berths,  irritable,  charmed,  dismal,  judicious


GRAMMAR
The students will work on Daily Language activities each day in class.

WRITING
The students will finish their research of penguins this week and begin a "scrapbook" page in class to illustrate the information learned through research. The scrapbook page will be due on Thursday, January 12th.

MATH- January 4th through January 12th

Analyzing data will be the focus in math over the next two weeks. The students will organize data onto line plots, circle graphs and frequency tables. In addition, we will spend time reviewing the landmarks (minimum, maximum, range, median, mode and mean) of a given set of numbers. There will be a math quiz on Thursday, January 12th over the math concepts learned this week and next week.

HOMEWORK (week of Jan. 2nd)
Wednesday- Math Journal p.167
**Also, ask an adult how many different states they have visited. Record this number in your agenda.
Thursday- Study Link Worksheet 6-1
Friday- No assignment

HOMEWORK (week of Jan. 9th)
Monday- Math Journal p.179       **Review math notes for quiz on Thursday
Tuesday- Review math notes for quiz on Thursday
Wednesday- Math Journal p.181  **Review math notes for quiz on Thursday
Thursday- No assignment