Day 91 - Last Half Day

Good morning! Today is January 31, 2011, and today is another half day. This morning, we came in and unpacked our things, and got straight to work. At 9:05, we headed down to Music. We are doing a play called “Bullies Anonymous”, and today we got our parts. We rehearsed the script, and sang our graduation song. Then we came back to class and watched a speech from Barack Obama on education. We took notes, had a chat about how serious education is, and turned our notes in. After that we did math. We did appointment wheels and got to work, but it wasn’t working out, so we went back to working individually. The end of the day crept up, and it was soon time to pack up and leave. Here’s the homework for tonight:

Homework
Read 30 minutes and Reading Record
Amelia Earhart Packet
Type Color Poem
BP3, p 28, Q# 25 & 27-33, Bonus Q# 50-55

Day 90 - Halfway through the year

Hi, and welcome to January 28, 2011, the 90th day of school! Today is a half day again. We have library, so at 9:14, we headed out. We went over daily math, after we talked about the seriousness of education and the economy. We discussed how important it was for all of us to work hard and stay focused on what is important. The U.S. was rated 17th on a graph rated on the GDP, and our test scores. Shanghai was off the chart, and was rated 1st on the graph. Then we went over daily shape. After we cleared that, we did math. Today, we did review, because half the class needed it. It was beneficial to all of us. Plus we got a head-start on our homework. Speaking of, here it is:

Homework
Read 30 minutes and Reading Log
AP p. 84 & 85

Day 89 - Half Day 1

Good morning! Today is January 27, 2011, and today’s a half day! Everyone’s getting out at 12:00. This morning we came in, unpacked our things, and got straight to work on our daily math. We don’t have specialists today. At about 10:00, we did, “Chaos in the Canyon”!!! Everyone was so excited. We transformed and got all our stuff out. Once we were in our groups, we opened up our journals. We drew diagrams of our rafts, and where we would put our luggage, supplies, and our group members. We also chose our group names. Our goal is to get from Lee’s Ferry to Havasu Canyon, which is 90 miles! Everyone did the equivalent of 2 days. One group got bitten by a rattlesnake. At 11:00 we worked with our UWB Buddies. Then at 12:00, everyone packed up and left. Here’s the homework.

Homework
Read 30 minutes and Reading Record
BP2, p 28, Q# 17-24 & 40-44
Bonus Q# 49

Day 88 - Art Docent

Hi everyone! Welcome to school. Today is January 26, 2011. Everyone came in and unpacked, and headed down to music. We are doing a skit called Bullies Anonymous. Turns out, we only have two weeks to learn our parts and rehearse because the teachers wanted to have it then. So we read the rest of the script, and signed up for parts (We gave preferences on whether we wanted to be a bully, a teacher, or the chorus, and how good we were at singing solos, and our preference for the size of our parts. When we got back, Mr. Nash did math. We did the same thing, multiplying decimals. Our goal was to understand place value, and to come up with factor pairs. We transformed into groups of 4, and got to work. We focused on using multiplication to find the products that were listed in the book. For example, we had to find two numbers to that gave a product of 134.4. We also did “What number times 0.3 gives the product 9?” Then we stopped for break.

After break, we did science. You remember I said we designed experiments on Tuesday? Well we did them today. We took our rocks, and made our observations. Then the fun began. Everyone loaded their rocks into their jars. Mr. Steele had a timer, so he said go, and it got really noisy, really fast. One person from every group was shaking their jar. At the end of the minute, we made our observations. We did the same thing again, until the 3 mins. time. Then we went non-stop until 4 minutes (we traded off). Then we finished our experiment (Summary, Conclusion, and Improvements. It was lunch time, and most people went to Mrs. Miera’s Baby Shower. After lunch, we did Art Docent. We studied Paul Cezanne. He was born in France, and his father was a banker. All Paul wanted to do was do art, and he continued to do art throughout his life. He made Still Life art. We are doing a portrait of fruit. Here’s the homework for tonight.

Homework
Read 30 minutes & Reading Record
BP3, p 28, Q# 7-10 & 12-16, Bonus: #11

Day 87 - Multiplying Decimals

Good morning Mr. Steele’s class! Today is January 25, 2011. We started our morning off by going to PE at 9:05 in the morning. In PE, today is our last day of hockey. The people who were in the game on Monday got to finish the last 1 minute of their game. After PE, we finished calendar math and went over daily shape, daily conversion, and daily shape. Then at about 10:10, we did math. We started Investigation 2.1, multiplying decimals. We got with our 4:00 appointments and got to work. The trick to multiplying decimals is to think of the problem as a regular multiplication problem. Once you solve the problem, go back and count the # of numbers after the decimal (s) in the problem. Then, go to the end of your answer and count to the right (towards the ones place) however many numbers you counted after the decimal in the problem numbers. We took a break at 11:00- 11:00, and then got back to math.

At about 11:25, we started science. In science, we looked at sand. Where did it come from? How did it get there? Turns out, the oldest rock in the Grand Canyon is found under the Muav Limestone, which rock is 1,700,000,000 years old! A question was if sand comes from broken up rocks, how can we test this idea? So we got to design an experiment. 12:10 came, so we went out to recess and lunch. After lunch, we did Ketchup and Mustard. We had to do (in priority order) 1) Science Summative, 2) Amelia Earhart Packet, 3) Writing Prompt, 4) Color Poem, 5) Emperor Poster. At 1:45 in the afternoon, we took a trip down to the computer lab to type up our goals and finish our shopping lists, and do our power points for conferences. When we came back, we continued to work on things we needed to catch up so we didn’t have (as much) homework. At 3:20 we did jobs and wrote down the homework. At 3:25, we did PSV. And that was the end of our day. See you tomorrow!

Homework
Read 30 min. and Reading Record
BP3 p. 28, Q# 1-6 & 34-39
Bonus Q# 46-48
Amelia Earhart Packet

Day 86 - Online math test

This morning in class we came into class and unpacked our things. Now that we are back from the weekend we had to go to specialists. We had PE today and we played regulation hockey. We played about 5 games and had a lot of fun playing it. When it was 9:45, we lined up and headed back to class. At about 10:00, we went down to the computer lab. Mr. Steele had been designing a math test for us. So we went down to test it. At 11:30, we had a five minute break to stretch our legs, and eat our snacks. After that, instead of doing science, because of time, we worked on color poems until lunch. When we came back from lunch, we had a social studies test on Qin Shihuangdi and the Qin dynasty. When we got done with that, we had to work on, #1 Amelia Earhart, #2 Color poems, and #3 Posters of Qin Shihuangdi (Wanted or Reward). At the end of the day we did book clubs. We packed, stacked, and vacuumed, and wrote down homework. That was our Monday.

Homework
Read 30 mins and reading record
Parent & Child Goal Sheet NOT DUE UNTIL THURSDAY January 24, 2011
Math AP p.80

Day 85 - Steps to Respect

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our things. We started our day off with calendar math and daily word. We worked on the daily problem and all the other daily math things. Then it was 9:13 and we had to go to library. Today in library we came in and then we went to the computer lab to work on our book report. We did research on our authors for our book and also searched other things. Then it was 9:55 and we had to go back to our classroom. When we got back we checked homework and most people were a little confused with it so we worked on it for a while. Then we had break.

After break was over we continued to work on math. Except we didn’t keep working on homework we did daily math. We worked on math until about 11:50, and then we got a science test. We worked on the test until lunch. Then at 12:05 we went to the gym because we had extra minutes. At lunch recess we played our Friday game.

After our game and lunch was over we went back to our classroom. When we got back to the classroom we had to finish up our science test. After everyone finished the science test at 2:00 Mr. B came. So Mr. B came in and gave us steps to respect lesson. He talked about the different kinds if bullying and many other things. He will be coming every Friday for six more weeks. Once he left we did book clubs. We did them until it was time for jobs. Then we did pack stack and vac and went home for the weekend.

Homework
Read 30 min
WOD- Bookkeeping

Day 84 - UWB

Good morning!!! Today in class we came in and unpacked. Today is a Thursday so we didn’t have any specialist of any kind. Everyone started on their daily calendar math. We did daily shape, daily conversion, and daily problem. After everyone finished the calendar math we did our daily math. We wrote down our daily goals and then started the math. At 9:50 we lined up and went to computer lab. In computer lab we continued to work on our shopping lists and then we shopped around some more. Mr. Steele showed us how to use Microsoft Excel. We used that to put our data neatly on to paper. Then we went back up to classroom so we could do break.

Once break was over we had our college buddies! With our college buddies, we took the book we read and they asked us a few questions about it. Then they had us read over some words. Then at 11:40 we went back into our class. We did science then. We read some of the books and answered questions. Then it was lunch time.

After we got back from lunch we did social studies. We finished the video from yesterday. Then we read form our social studies book and then finished the page for it. Then we did book clubs until the end of the day.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- novelty
BP3 p.13
Q# 19-22 and 40-44
Bonus #49-52

Day 83 - Teracotta Wariors

This morning in class, we came in and unpacked all of our things onto our desk. We worked on today’s calendar math until we had to head down to music. Today in music we worked on the song for our graduation day. We had a lot to work on today. Once we had finished singing a little of the song we looked over the bully play. We listened to some of the songs we will be singing in that play. We also looked over the lines for certain bullies and teachers. So we will continue working on what parts everyone will do. Then it was time to go back to our class. When we got back Mr. Nash taught us the daily math. So we got to be with our appointment wheels. Then it was time to go to break.

After break was over we all finished up some of the math and then we did some science. We looked at some things about how certain rocks are in certain places. Then we got into our “Chaos in the Canyon” group. We talked about what we have and what we still need to get. Then the bell rang for lunch recess.

When we got back from lunch we went to social studies. We watched a video on Qin Shihuangdi. We had to take 5 notes on things that were interesting. We weren’t able to finish the video today because today is 2:00 dismissal. Then it was time to pack stack and vac. That was our day!

Homework
Read 30 minutes + reading record
Bp3 P.13 q# 8-18 AND 39
Bonus # 47 and 48
WOD- controversy

Day 82 - Catch up

We are back from the weekend now! This morning was cold and rainy but still nice in a way. Today we came in and did our calendar math. At 9:04 it was time to line up and go to PE. Today in PE we played regulation hockey. We had two teams and the main idea of the game was to make a goal. We had to stay in our certain lanes. It was fun because we had a lot of movement and action. Once it was time to go back to our class we lined up on our assigned number and walked up. So once again we started some of our daily math. Then at 10:50 the principal, vice principal, and the counselor from Finn Hill Junior high came to give us a presentation. They told us all about different things in the NEW school. They also answered questions and concerns. We learned a lot about the school almost everyone will go to and now some people are not as scared as they were at first. So a lot of people are excited to go to middle school next year. Since they came almost at our break time, we didn’t have break and the presentation ran all the way to our lunch time.

We all went to lunch and then came back at 1:05. Today we had a catch-up day. Mr. Steele printed out all the assignments everyone was missing and we just worked on whatever we needed to get turned in. We worked onto it until it was time to go home today.

Homework
Read 30 min
BP3 p.13 Q# 1-6 and 37 and 38

Day 81 - Team work

Today was a very rainy and wet Friday. We walked into class, our feet and hair very wet. Everyone grabbed their chairs from the stacked chair pile and went to their desk. We all started our daily math and then at 9:04 we went to the computer lab. In computer lab we did some more work on our “Chaos in the Canyon” project. We got into groups and then we all got into a row of computers and got our shop on!!! Most people went online and looked at the websites like, REI, Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, and Cabela’s. Everyone worked very well together and cooperated together too. So everyone shopped around and found some good supplies for their team. At 9:50 we lined up and headed back to our classroom for math. We finished up the calendar math and then we got a math test to do. It was the summative for the “How likely is it?” We worked on the test up until break time.

At 11:00 we opened the wall and saw all of our friends. We had a birthday today and they had brought cupcakes for everyone. We ate the cupcakes once break was over. So once the wall was closed and we were sitting, two people passed out the cupcakes. They were really, really yummy!!! We continued to work on our math test, or at least the people who weren’t already done. Once everyone finished the test we went over it and corrected it. Mr. Steele wanted us to know why we had Monday off, so we watched a video on Martin Luther King. We didn’t have enough time to watch the whole thing before lunch so we stopped at certain point.

For recess today, we played our game for Friday. We didn’t play anything different because everyone liked the game from last time. So everyone had a good time playing the game and had really good team work. After the bell rang for lunch we all went to eat. Once lunch was over we went back to our classroom. When we got back we talked about how the game went and things we could do to change it or make it more fun. Then we finished the video. When the video was over we talked about a lot of things that relate to that. Then we got a writing assignment that related to the video almost. The prompt was:

If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be? Write a multiple paragraph letter to your teacher explain what you would change and why.

Everyone got started on the essay right away because we want to get as much done as possible. We worked on the essay until it was time to do jobs. So this was the end of our Friday.

Homework
Read 30 min
Shopping list for “Chaos in the Canyon”

Day 80 - Chaos in the Canyon

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our things. We did calendar math and then we did our daily math. Today we got lottery tickets to scratch. If u got a matching number you won money. You would win however much you matched. When it was about 9:20 we went down to an assembly for Martin Luther King Junior. The third graders sang a few songs about him, and then we watched some of his “I have a dream” speech. When the assembly was over, we came back to the classroom and worked on math. We got into groups of people that had the same lottery ticket as ourselves. We made a big tree with all of our outcomes. Then we had break.

After break we had college buddies. College buddies are men and women that come from the University of Bothell. Everyone was paired up with a buddy and today we got to know them. We also showed them our color poems that we have been working on. They gave us advice on some things to do in the poem. Then at 11:40 they left. We then moved on to our Chaos in the Canyon project. We got into our groups for that and started planning our supplies for our “trip” Then it was time to go to lunch.

After we came back from lunch we did social studies. We read a section from our book and then did the paper for it. After that we did our act it out mini play. So each group took turns going and getting interviewed by reporters. After that we did book clubs. At book clubs we read as much of our book as we could and then we did our jobs. After that we read out of our science book about Powell. Then we did pack stack and vac and went home.

Homework
Read 30 min + Reading record
WOD- testimony
HL P.44 Q# 10 and 27

Day 79 - Emperor of Qin

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our back packs. It was really cold and slushy outside today because of all the snow last night. So we started our calendar math. We did word of the day, daily math, daily conversion, and daily problem. Then at 9:04 we lined up for music. Today in music we sang a little bit of our song for graduation day. We all sang a little of it and learned some of the words. Then we did the ukuleles. We practiced a little and then it was time to go back to class. When we got back to class we did the daily math for today. At 11:00 we had break.

After break was over we did science. In science we had a paper that we had to cut and paste. It was a line up sheet and in the lines we drew a small key for what kind of rock it is. We worked on the cutting and pasting and then it was time to go to lunch.

When we got back from lunch we did social studies. We worked on things from yesterday. We kept on reading chapter 22, “The First emperor of China” We read aloud throughout the classroom. We also answered questions from our social studies binder. Then it was time to pack stack and vac.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- Hoax
HL P.44 Q# 7-9 and 22
Bonus Q# 23-26

Day 76 - Hydrochloric Acid

This morning we came into class and unpacked our things. We had PE today and did a few games. One game was made up by one of the students and we played that too. So we first did the warm up in the morning then we practiced shooting and protecting the goal. Then we played a game like we did last Friday, but we had five pins instead. We used hockey sticks and our feet to protect the pins. It was a really fun game. Then we went back up to the classroom. In class we finished calendar math and then did appointment wheels and started daily math. Then it was break time.

After break was over we moved onto science. It was really fun!!! We took some of the rock samples and then put hydrochloric acid on it and observed what happened. Some did nothing and others spread around, and even some bubbled like when you open a soda can. Then we went to recess.

When everyone got back from recess we did social studies. In social studies we read the newest chapter in our book. Then we worked on some questions for that in our social studies binder. Then we did book clubs. After book clubs we worked on things we had to finish for the rest of the day. Then we did pack stack and vac and then went home.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- Aviation
HL p.44 Q# 3 and 11-17

Day 77 - Book Clubs

On this chilly morning, we came into class and started our calendar math. So we started to work on that but then we had to head down to PE. In PE we played a hockey game and some people had to sit out because they wore boots. By the way NO BOOTS ON PE DAYS!!! So we played a fun game and we will play it tomorrow too. We graded ourselves then went back up to the classroom. When we got back we kept working on our calendar math and then finished up our social studies test from yesterday. We worked on it all the way until break time.

Once break was over we worked on the daily math. We worked on daily math until it was time to go to lunch time. But before lunch we got new lunch helpers.

When we got back from lunch we did science. We had to draw a small and quick sketch of certain mountains. Then we had to write down some observations of the mountains. Then we did reading groups. After reading groups we did color poems for the rest of the day.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- Static
AP p.103

Day 76 - Grand Canyon Observations

This morning we came into class and unpacked all of our things. So we wrote down our word of the day and then we did calendar math. We had a little bit longer than normal to work on our calendar math because we had library today. So at 9:15 we went down to the library. At library Mrs. Joseph gave us some of the paperwork we needed for our book report. So we worked on some of our resources and other things the whole time. Then when we got back up to the classroom we did our daily math. We actually checked homework and then did a math test. So we worked on the math test for a while and then it was time for break.

At break we had snack and talked with all of our friends. Then we worked on the math test for a little. After everyone was done with the math test we corrected it together. Then it was time to go to recess. But instead of everyone going to recess we got to go play a Friday gym game. We played a new game today.

When we got back from lunch we did science. In science we got into groups and looked at different rocks. They were almost like ones from the Grand Canyon. We wrote down some observations about the rocks. Then we moved onto social studies. In social studies we had a test. We worked on the test until the end of the day. That was the end of our Friday.

Homework
Read 30 min + RR
WOD-bearing

Day 75 - Fire Drill

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our things. We pulled out our binders and started to work on our calendar math. We didn’t have any specialist today so we had a long solid time to work on our daily problem and everything else. So we worked on that all the way until it was 9:45 and at that time there was a fire drill. When the alarm went off we got in line and went silently down to the field. Then when we came back we went down to computer lab. In computer lab we worked on our new goals for this year. Mr. Steele also showed us how to do Microsoft publisher also.

We came back to class too late for break so we couldn’t have it. But we got out the math we started right before the fire alarm. So we ate our snack and finished up the math. Then we went to lunch.

When we came back from lunch we talked about this essay we will have to do for social studies. It is a CBA. So Mr. Steele gave us the information on that. Then we did book clubs and read for about half an hour. Then we worked on our color poems for the rest of the day.

Homework
Read 30 minutes + reading record
HL p. 28 Q# 10-12 and 32
Social Studies - discuss 3 Chinese philosophies with your family.
Conference forms go home, the sooner they come back the better chance you have of getting the time you choose.

Day 74 - Color Poems

This morning in class we came in and unpacked our things. We started our daily calendar math. We did all of our daily math things like the daily conversion, daily shape, and daily problem. Then we had to head down to music. In music we did work on a composer named Felix. He was a happy and friendly composer unlike the others we read about. We read two pages about him and then answered questions about him. Once we finished the questions we got our ukuleles out. We put up stands and sat down and did a small lesson for today. Once it was 9:45 we went back up to the classroom. When we got up we did today’s daily math. We worked on that until it was time to go to break.

At break we opened the wall and met up with our friends and had snack. Then when time was up we went back to our seats and started science. In science we read about the man who traveled the Grand Canyon. Then we went to lunch.

When we came back from lunch we did some language arts. We worked on our color poems. We got to brainstorm for a while and get ideas then we started to work on fitting our poem together.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
WOD- Equator
HL P. 28 Q# 7-9
Bonus #26-31 and 35

Day 73 - Legalism

Today we got to the class we unpacked at did our word of the day. At 9:04 we lined up to go to P.E and we played hockey but we had to practice all that time we were there. Then we came back and finished our daily shape, daily problem, and daily conversion witch ever you had to finish. After that we did math. And then it was time for break 11:00. And for science we watched a video on the Grand Canyon called (the river song). Then it was time for lunch at 12:10.then we came back from lunch/recess and did social studies. After social studies we did writing and we had to choose three of our favorite colors. Then we did our jobs and packed up and got ready to go.

Read 30min RR
Hl pg.28 Q#3-6 +17-24
NO BONUS

Day 72 - Welcome Back!

We are finally back from winter break! Those two weeks were really long and a nice time off. This morning we came into class, tired and cold. We had the normal daily conversion, daily shape, and daily problem up. It was now time to get back onto our normal schedule. So everyone got back into the routine. We got our binders out, did calendar math and then lined up for music. Today in music class we did ukuleles. Everyone was paired with a stand partner. One person went and got a stand and then we got the ukuleles and sat down. We learned the basics of the ukuleles. We learned 3 notes and those were E, F, and G. So we played a little of the ukulele the whole time. Then we went back to classroom. We did daily math and then had break.

After break we watched a science video on rocks. It talked about how rocks are given an age other things too.

When we got back from lunch we went to computer lab to research which book we wanted to read in our reading groups. When we came back from computer lab we worked on the Amelia Earhart packet. We worked on that for about half an hour and then moved onto color poems. We read a few color poems and then talked about the emotions and senses we feel when we see that color.

Homework
Read 30 min + reading record
HL p.10 # 1, 2, 14-16
Bonus #13 and 34