Friday, December 17, 2010

Day 71 - Squid Dissection

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our things. We started calendar math. We had a really, really hard problem today. We had to do a lot of simplifying and only a few people got it. At 9:14 we went to library. At library, Mrs. Joseph assigned us a book report. We have to find a Newberry award winning book and read it. When we get back from winter break we will do the actual report. So we spent the whole library time finding books. So when we got back from the library we worked on the math problem all the way until break time.

At break we had our snacks. Then we did Houghton Mifflin. We worked on the packet of papers for the Amelia Earhart. We did that until it was time to go to lunch.

When we got back from lunch we did the squid dissection. We all had one stinky squid. We had a razor blade and then dissected it and it was really, really fun. Then we had free time until the end of the day.

ONLY READING FOR THE WHOLE BREAK

Have a great winter break!!!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 70 - Choir Assembly

Today, we have been in school for 70 days exactly!!! We only have 110 days of school left. So this morning in class we came in and unpacked. We started on our calendar math. Today we didn’t have any daily conversion, only daily shape and daily problem. We did calendar math all the way until 9:45. Then we started daily math. Today we would have gone to computer lab at 9:50 but we didn’t have time. Instead we worked on daily math until about 10:20. At ten twenty we went to computer lab. In computer lab we went to our assigned computers. We were planning on checking out Microsoft office publisher, but we had to work on changing our passwords. The computers were really, really slow so it took a long time. Some people already had theirs changed, so they got to play on coolmath4kids.com. By the time most people were finally on, we needed to go back to the classroom for break.

We actually didn’t get to have brake because we had about 15 minutes of game time on the computer and that was considered our break. So once we got back we just got to have snack quietly at our seat. Mr. Steele passed out our science quiz. The quiz was 17 questions long. So we did the quiz. We worked on it all the way until lunch time.

When lunch recess and lunch was over, we came in and then kept working on the quiz. We worked on it for about 45-1 hour. Then we went over it and corrected it. Then we did social studies. In social studies we moved onto the next thing in the Zhou Dynasty. Then we went to an assembly and did a sing a long. Then we did pack stack and vac and then went home.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD-Aviation
Previous WOD- accomplish: having success in something
HL p.13 Q# 9, 10, 24, 25

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Day 69 - Goodbye Bacteria

            This morning in class we came in and unpacked. We had music class today. In music we practiced all of our Christmas songs. Then Mrs. Frank told us that we are going to do a small musical. We normally don’t do one in 6th grade but this one is about bullying. So we will start it in about May. Then when we got back to the classroom we worked on math. We went over our math assessment that we did. Then we did some more daily math all the way until break time.

            Once break was here we had snack. We are still having break alone. Then break was over and we went back to our seats. We worked on the same math paper until it was time to go to lunch.

            When we got back from lunch we did science. In science we looked at the bacteria we have had growing. Then we moved onto our science notes again. We worked on the science notes until it was time to go and do jobs. We did jobs and then it was time to pack up and go home.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- accomplish
Previous WOD- moral support
HL P.13 Q# 6-8
Bonus # 21-23
Study science

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 68 - How Likely Is It?

This morning we came in and unpacked our things. We got to work right away on calendar math. Then at 9:04 we went down to PE. In PE we played a game and I don’t of different colored hula hoop in front of each team. Then there were 3 hoops in the middle of the gym with 6 beanbags in each. In each group there were about 4 or 5 people. So once the PE teacher says go, we run to get the bean bag and put it in our hoop. Then we would tag the next person and they would go get a bean bag and you had to try to get as many bags as you could. Then we mixed up the rules and added many different tricks. Then it was 9:50 so we went back to the classroom. When we got back we worked on math. We are moving onto a new bits and pieces. It is called “How likely is it?” So we worked on one problem all the way until break.

We had break. Then we did the same math problem all the way until lunch time.

When we got back from lunch we did science. In science we kept writing down some notes for our test that we may do tomorrow or on Thursday. Then we moved onto social studies. In social studies we did work on Daoism. We had to be peaceful and quiet. We could do anything and sit with our partners. We went through and read the section on Daoism and then filled out the questions for them. Then Mr. Steele pulled names of people and if you were called, you would answer whatever question he asked you. Then we did Houghton Mifflin. We read a really long story about Amelia Earhart. Then it was time to do jobs. After jobs we did pack stack and vac and then we went home.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD-Moral support
Previous WOD- Ancestral
Study Science
HL p.13 Q# 1, 3-5, 19 and 20
Bonus # 2 and 31

Day67 - Substitute

Today we came unpacked and lined up to go to P.E at 9:05. At 9:50 we came back did our test and we got right to work most of us finished before break but we still had to be quite for the ones that were still working and that was ok because it was quite reading time and everyone liked it or I think they did. And we worked until 11:00 break time. But today during the break we couldn’t open the wall today because it was too rough during break time. After break time we saw a science video on bacteria and we saw it until lunch time at 12:10. Then when we came back we did social studies and we watch two videos on china. The video would tell us how there life was like. Then we did writing on the three of the topic we worked on over the week end and choose one of them and put it into a paragraph. Then we packed up and went home!!!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Day 66 - Confucianism

        This morning was a cloudy but nice, in a way morning. So we came into class and we had no daily shape or conversion. We had another one of the math tests. They are technically almost like the MSP but not as crucial. So Mr. Steele went over some things and then we had library at 9:14 so we had to go.  When we got to library we did another scavenger hunt on the “World book online” Then when we finished we got about 15 minutes of checkout. Then we went back up to the classroom. When we got back to the classroom we did the test again. We did it all the way up until break time.

            When we started break some boys got into rough housing so we have to stop break for a while. So for a while, I don’t know when, but we will not have break. We worked on the math test for about 45 minutes more. Then we did science. In science we worked on our graphing again. We only had about 10-20 minutes to work on that. So when it was time to go to lunch, we did.

            When lunch was over we came back in to our classroom. We started on social studies. We got into 4 different groups and formed our desks into circles. Then one desk was set in the middle. The “elders” would sit in the middle on top of their desk. They would tell us certain things to do. They weren’t bossy though. Then we studied up on questions. Then Mr. Steele assigned everyone in the group to a question. Then he would ask all the questions. So as he asked questions, we answered them. If you answered them right, then you get $20. Then we did some reading out of Houghton Mifflin. Then it was time to do planner and then do jobs. Then we went home for the weekend. Have a nice weekend.

 

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- Loam
Previous WOD- Amid: in the middle of
Write about three objects that spark a memory

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 65 - Math Assessment #1

This morning was a drizzly morning! We came in today and unpacked our backpack and everything else. Today was the day we did the first math assessment. Today we had no specialists. We also had no daily problem or daily shape. We would have gone to the computer lab but the math assessment was really long so we didn’t have time for computer class. The math assessment took up all the time until it was break time. We corrected the test before break and we got to correct it ourselves, but Mr. Steele still helped us.

So we had snack and took a break from the test. Then we continued to work on the assessment. We worked for about 20 more minutes and then started on science. In science we talked about how each colony of bacteria has about 1 million cells in them. Then in our science notebook it had a page that we were going have to make 1 million dots. In two minutes most people made about 250-300 dots. When we combined them all together we had about 8,000 dots. We figured out that it would take about 4 hours to get to one million dots without stopping. Then it was time to go to lunch.

When we got back from lunch we did social studies. In social studies we did some reading and some work on a page in our binders. Then we did some Houghton Mifflin. In our reading book we read more poems. Then we did some haiku poems. We did one on the topic of Christmas and holidays, and then one was a mystery. Everyone had to try to guess the topic of your haiku. Then we did some MSP reading review. Then it was time for pack stack and vac. That was the end of our day.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- Amid
Previous WOD- monotony: boredom

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Day 64 - End of the Shang Dynasty

This morning in class, we came in and unpacked our stuff. We started our daily calendar math and got situated for today. Then at 9:04 we went down to music class. When we got to music class our reading books on composers were on our spots. We read more on a new composer today and then watched a video on a song from that composer. Our composer today was Schubert. So we did the reading and then did the question sheet. After that we sang about 10 Christmas songs from the little green song books. Then it was time for us to go back to our classroom. When we got back we did daily math. We worked on that up until it was time to go to break.

When break was over we continued working on the math for about another half an hour. Then we moved onto science. Today we finished watching the video from yesterday. The video finished right at lunch time so we went out to lunch next.

When we got back from lunch, we did social studies. We had to do a test for the end of the unit. Since today was Wednesday we didn’t do anything except the test. Then at 2:00 we went home.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- monotony
Previous WOD- Rouge: red makeup
Finish todays math review
Bonus work is small slip of paper with math questions you must answer at least one.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Day 63 - The Unknown World

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our binders and reading books. Then we started calendar math. At 9:04 it was time to go down to PE. In PE we played a game called pin knock down. How you play pin knock down is you set up all the bowling pins around the gym. Then one person goes to each pin. Then everyone who didn’t get to a pin lined up. There were bean bags everywhere and people grabbed them. Then the game started. Everyone had to protect their own pin while trying to knock down others pins. When the game first began, it was really slow. But then at some point it got really fast and then the boys all formed an alliance and were knocking girl’s pins down really easily. Everyone had so much fun! But then the fun was over and it was time to go back to our classroom. When we got back Mr. Steele told us we will be doing a lot of review on math. We had a lot to do because of certain tests that are coming up. The test will be finding out what we have learned from the Bits and pieces 1 and 2. It is not the MSP though. After we went over some things it was time for break.

At break we had snack and then did a lot of talking with our friends. Then we moved onto science. In science we took another look at our bacteria. Some people bacteria grew more compared to yesterday. Then we wrote down our observations. Then we watched a video about different organisms and things that are places we would never guess. Then it was time to go to lunch.

When we got back from lunch we did social studies. We got to talk to our neighbors while we did some social studies art. Then we did some Houghton Mifflin reading. We read some poems about friendship. Some were happy and some were sad. Others were just sort of both. Then we filled out and worked on a paper about the poems. We worked on that until it was time for jobs. We did jobs and then pack stack and vac. Then we went home for the day.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
Review sheet (ONLY THE ODD NUMBER QUESTIONS!!!)
WOD-Rouge
Previous WOD- Tiered= in rows

Monday, December 6, 2010

Day 62 - Finn Hill Survey

Welcome back from the weekend! This morning we did our calendar math. We had music today, so at 9:04 we went down to music. In music class we did some reading on Beethoven. We read about 5 paragraphs and then answered questions about the reading. When everyone finished the reading we got a book of songs. In the book there were songs like, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, the twelve days of Christmas, and many others. On the twelve days of Christmas, we got assigned a part to sing. We are singing eleven lords a’ leaping. So we sang songs all the way until it was time to go back to class. When we got back we finished up calendar math. Then we moved onto daily math. In math we didn’t do partners because Mr. Steele wants us to be more independent with our math. So we finished that up and then it was time for break.

We had break and filled our stomachs a little with snack. When break was over we sat back down. Then we moved onto science. In science we observed our bacteria. We recorded anything new that happened. Then we did some reading out of the diversity of life book. Then we went to lunch.

When we got back from lunch we did social studies. In social studies we worked on the same thing we have been for the last couple of days. Then we did some language arts things. Then it was time to do pack stack and vac. That was the end of Monday.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
BP2 p.55 Q# 15-23
Bonus # 38 and 40

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day 61 - Bacteria

This morning in class, we came in and unpacked our backpacks. Today we didn’t have library so we did math all morning. In math we got to have appointment wheels. We didn’t do much except work all the way up to break time.

When break came around we got to talk to our friends. We had cupcakes also because of someone’s birthday. We have had 5 birthdays this week. When the wall was closed we went back to the math. If you were done with the math then you would work on the thank you card. The thank you card was for all the hamlet actors. We would thank them for staying after and for putting effort in for us to see their play. We would say who our favorite actor/actress was and then say our favorite part too. We also decorated it fancy and fun for them. Then we moved onto science. In science we learned some things on bacteria. We got to get a cotton swab and then go around and swab something. There were four people in your group and each got one Q-tip. Some people tested toilet seats and some tested door knobs. Many things were tested. Then it was time to go to lunch.

At lunch recess, we got to play battlefield. The other class was invited to play also. It was really fun! Then we went and ate lunch. When we came back from lunch and recess we did social studies. We did the decoder thing again but were able to work in groups of four. Once social studies was over, we did a Hamlet opinion. Everyone took turns and typed it on a computer. Then we did language arts for the rest of the day. We did pack stack and vac and then went home for the weekend.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- symbolize
Previous WOD- Treacherous: Dangerous, life threatening
Finish Design a scene
BP2 p.55 Q# 11-14 and 36 & 37

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day 60 - HAMLET!!!

Today was our play! Each student has written a brief paragraph below discussing their favorite part of the play!

My favorite part of Hamlet was when Ophelia went mad, and was handing out flowers, which were really actually rocks. She was dressed in a white shirt with a collar at her neck, and cuffs at her wrist. Ophelia was also wearing a maroon cloak that trailed a couple feet behind her. She had “Rosemary for remembering”, pansies, daisies, and she would’ve given some violets, but they all shriveled when her father died. It was funny to watch her, but sad at the same time because she lost her father, Polonius.

My favorite part in Hamlet were two parts, first when Hamlet and Laretes were sword fighting. The scenes were intense and nerve racking. And second when Ophelia went mad and brings flowers but they were rocks. I loved a lot of the parts but I chose these because they meant a lot to me in some way. The play was awesome.

My favorite part in Hamlet was when Laertes and Hamlet were sword fighting because it was intense and great to watch. It was intense because everybody who died in that part was poisoned Hamlet, Hamlet’s mom Gertrude, Claudius died of stabbing. Every time someone died it was great and filled with action. It was one of the best Shakespeare plays I’ve ever seen. It was awesome.

I had a couple favorite parts of the play. One of them were the scenes when Hamlet and Ophelia go mad and crazy such as, Ophelia thought that rocks were different types of flowers and Hamlet would say random stuff that was really funny. A scene I would have probably liked that they didn’t show was the grave digger scene. I also liked the sword fighting scene. Laertes and Hamlet sword fight. Hamlet has a normal sword, but Laertes has a poisoned sword. Hamlet got two out of three hits on Laertes, so the queen Gertrude had a toast for Hamlet. What she didn’t know was that the cup that she drank from was the poison goblet for Hamlet to drink from. Laertes got a cheap shot on Hamlet and so now Hamlet was envenomed. Hamlet got the sword from Laertes and struck him. Then Laertes told Hamlet that Claudius the king killed his father. In the end, Polonius, Ophelia, Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes and Hamlet died.

My favorite part was when they were burying Ophelia. That’s my favorite part because that’s when Hamlet and Horatio came the closest to me. They came to the edge or the crowd by us.

I really liked the scene where Ophelia went crazy because she did a great job acting and the make-up made it seem real. I felt I was there in the moment.

My favorite part of the play, Hamlet, was the very end when the ghost of Hamlet’s father meets Hamlet when he died. I really liked this part because a really wasn’t expecting Hamlet’s father to meet him, with his hand reached out toward Hamlet.

My favorite part of the play was when Hamlet and Laertes had the sword fight because it looked so real. It was also close up. It was really intense and gave me that feeling where I’m wondering what’s going to happen next.

My favorite part of Hamlet was at the end of the play, when everyone dies except Horatio. I like this part because of the actors. They made it seem like I had gone back in time and seen it all with my own eyes. It was so intense and so amazing, yet it was so unreal. I loved it and even the sword practice looked unpracticed. I know I already said this, but I loved it.

My favorite part of the play was when Hamlet grabbed Gertrude, slapped her, and when she cried for help, so did Polonius. When Hamlet heard him, he took out his knife, and started stabbing Polonius. This was my favorite part because Hamlet dragged the dead body out, and the actor Polonius didn’t even move a muscle!

My favorite part was when the wall opens like double doors, and Hamlet’s father comes in and takes Hamlet by the hand and he goes with the ghost.

My favorite part of Hamlet was when Hamlet was pretending to stab Ophelia’s father because then when he was being dragged out by Hamlet, he held perfectly still which was amazing.

My favorite part of the play was the end when the ghost comes out at the end. I liked it because the makeup he had on was awesome. I also liked how the lights when on and off like bolts of lightning in the dark sky.

My favorite part is when Hamlet had the sword fight with Laertes
For me, my favorite part of the play, Hamlet, was when Hamlet and Laertes had the sword fight. This was my favorite part of the play because the scene was very intense. Like at the part where Queen Gertrude drank from the poisoned cup and was dying during the fight. I loved that the people acting out Hamlet and Laertes really showed how angry they were by yelling and spitting.

My favorite part of the play was when Ophelia came out and was crazy and thought the rocks were flowers. It was my favorite part because of how Ophelia handed the king the rocks by throwing them at the floor. I also like how her hair was styled and how she got into character.

My most favorite part was where Ophelia enters the stage with blood singing and passing out rocks. I love this beautiful part because it is creepy and anger filled the room. It made me look at the stage like an addicting video game.

We went to see the play hamlet yesterday. My favorite part was the sword fighting. I liked it because there was a lot of action. The people were poisoned and in the end all the main characters died. Their names were Hamlet, Ophelia, the king, the queen and Laertes.

My favorite part of Hamlet was the beginning with the uncle giving the speech. I liked it because it was nice and bright and I liked the costumes they wore. They were white and I liked the look of the scene.

My favorite part was when Laertes and Hamlet were having a sword fight because it was full of action. Almost everybody died. Hamlet died, Claudius, Laertes, and Gertrude. It was an intense scene among all the other scenes because a lot of people died during that scene. Especially they died by poison. When Hamlet switched swords it was a smart choice because it had venom so Laertes and Hamlet end up dying. Then Gertrude died by drinking poison and the king got stabbed by Hamlet.

My favorite part of the play was all the intense scenes because they had lots of drama in them and they were full with action like for example: They would kill, they would fight, they would die, bleed, drink poison, and all that really cool stuff. There were other parts that were cool like that but that was my favorite of all the other ones because their times where you couldn’t believe your friend so it was really. You should go see it because it is awesome and a onetime experience you won’t get to live again.

My favorite part of the play of Hamlet was when Ophelia went mad because she made it seem like it was real.

My favorite part is when they had the sword fight because if a normal person did it they will hit each other with the sword when they’re not trying to hit each other and it will take a lots of practice.


Homework:
Reading Record

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day 59 - Tomb Excavation

This morning was a nice, but cool morning. As we came into class we were warmed up because it was nice and toasty in our class. We unpacked all of our stuff and started calendar math. We would have originally had music class today, but there was a fourth grade play we had to go to. This play was about Thanksgiving. In the play there were many songs and it was really cute and funny. At one point the turkeys came out with protest signs saying things like, “Eat sweet potatoes instead or turkey!” and “Kiss my giblets!” That was the funniest part in my opinion. After the assembly we helped put chairs away as usual. It gets done so fast when everyone helps out! So once every chair was hung and put away, we walked back up to our classroom. When we got back it was about 10:30. We started today’s daily math. Today we got to work with our appointment wheels. We did some work on dividing fractions again. Then it was time for break.

At break we saw our friends and hung out for the short time we had. When break was over, we closed the wall and went back to math for another 10 minutes. We moved onto language arts next. Today we finished up the writing on our special moment and drew a small picture. We worked on that until it was time for lunch.

When we got back from lunch we did social studies. Our desks were all rearranged for some activity we were going to do. We read a little and then got partners to do the activity. Then we had to go and do jobs. Then we went home for the day.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- restitution
Previous WOD- Folly: to have no good common sense
BP2 p.55 Q# 5-8 and 30-34