Teacher Has Been Sick

Friday, October 23, 2009 I am finally back at school – feeling a bit weak and weary, but glad to be over the worst of the flu. Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts as I vanished from the scene. Between my class at Xavier last Friday, and the four days that I was home ill, I have been gone a whole week! To make it even more difficult for us all, I was unclear enough about what was really happening in my absence that I didn’t keep the website up either. So, for the record, here’s the list of things that students worked on this week: Science – P. 33 in the textbook – a worksheet and timeline Cell parts worksheet Cell parts flashcards Social Studies – Africa Heroes Reports were due on Tuesday Africa Video Notes Math Thales— Chapter 2 Foldable Notes from Lesson 2-1 p. 54-55, problems 1-10 Draw a Line Graph/Draw a Bar Graph worksheet Math Archimedes – p. 54-55, problems 1-10 Draw a Line Graph/Draw a Bar Graph worksheetExtra Practice, Lessons 2-1 and 2-2, pp. 596 & 597 Special Note: Many students have missed parts of the Terra Nova and InView tests. We will work to makeup these tests over the next week.

Looking At "Boxes of Dirt"

Late in September, students were asked to go out and walk around in their neighborhoods -- in their socks. The hope was that they would "capture" various seeds on their socks. They then "planted" their socks and waited to see what would sprout. By the time the projects came to school on October 5, there were only a few sprouts showing. We stashed the "boxes of dirt" all around the classroom and watered and watched and waited. By the early part of this week, we had many more seedlings up and growing and we took time to observe the developments. Plotting where the various seeds were gathered on a map of the city gave us a picture of the dispersion of our seeds, and knowing which ones grew and which didn't gave students a much clearer picture at the way plants are adapted to their environments in terms of their seed dispersal mechanisms.

Giant Map of Africa

We've had the National Geographic Giant Traveling Map of Africa in the old gym this week. According to the National Geographic website about these maps, Giant Traveling Maps invite children to explore geography in a very hands-on —or rather feet-on—way. The maps’ brightly-colored, smooth vinyl surfaces accurately illustrate and label the countries, bodies of water, mountains and cities. Students take part in activities including safaris, scavenger hunts, and competitive games. Along the way they gain knowledge of country locations, capital cities, population centers, and physical features, as well as learn important historical, wildlife and cultural characteristics. Accompanying each map is a set of ready-to-use activities as well as atlases, books, music, videos, and game materials. Recommended grades: K-8What teachers are saying about National Geographic Giant Traveling Maps... One teacher who used the map, Bo Garrett, said: “I loved it! It was big enough for the whole class to sit in the Sahara Desert. I feel like I had a connection to Africa...” Students in the sixth grade spent two class periods on the map, studying the various regions, and then planning an imaginary trip around the continent. They gained familiarity with the African continent and had an opportunity to apply their measurement and math skills.

"Hatchet" at LaBoiteaux Woods

We spent our day today learning about "surviving in the woods." The program, presented by naturalists from the Cincinnati Parks Department's LaBoiteaux Woods, led our students in an experience based on the book, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen.

The book tells how a routine journey turned into a life-threatening and life-changing experience. The central character, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson, is stranded alone at a lake deep in the Canadian wilderness for fifty-four days. A small plane, carrying Brian from his mother's home in Hampton, New York, to the oil fields in Canada where his father works, crashes after the pilot dies in flight from a heart attack.

Our students learned a great deal from their experience today. They built survival shelters, and tried to start a fire using flint and steel. They gathered tinder and kindling and built small firest themselves. A hike through the woods gave them an opportunity to discover what might, or might not, serve as food and water sources, should they find themselves lost for an extended period. Too, a great deal of our day was spent on learning how to not become lost in the first place.

They worked together, listened and participated with enthusiasm, and made us very proud. It felt like a very good day.

Swine Flu

We are all concerned about the Novel H1N1 virus this season, and it makes sense to pay close attention to the risks and the news that hopefully helps us to prepare as best we can. We've certainly talked about it at school, and we are careful to make sure that all of us cover our coughs and wash our hands frequently. But... life does go on from day to day in spite of the swine flu. I ran across this picture and thought it was a fun and light-hearted look at what is a serious issue -- dealing with this virus:

We're Going on a Field Trip :-)

Next Monday, we'll be traveling to one of our beautiful city parks to enjoy a day in the woods and experience first hand some of the challenges that we've read about in Reading Class. Our day will be based on the book, Hatchet, and we'll practice a number of survival skills as we work with a park naturalist to bring that book to life.

WE DO NEED TWO PARENT CHAPERONES TO ACCOMPANY US ON THIS TRIP

BRINGING LITERATURE TO LIFE: SURVIVAL LITERATURE Season Available: F, S Grade Level: 4 – 8 Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain or Danger Along the Ohio will come to life as students hike to locate sources of food and water, build an emergency shelter in the woods and try essential outdoor skills like fire building, reading maps and using a compass. The program will build excitement, deepen understanding and instill self confidence. Read the book before the program

Assignment Archive -- August / September, 2009

September 30-- Math Archimedes -- p. 41, problems 9-21 (odd) Math Thales -- p. 36, problems 23-34 (except for 31) Social Studies -- Finish the Africa Stories project. Here's the link to the website: http://msdanielswebquests.blogspot.com/2009/09/stories-from-africa.html September 29 -- Health -- read pp. 2-4, and answer questions 1-3 on p. 5 Math Thales -- Writing in Math #2 is due Monday, 10/4 p. 595, Lesson 1-5, problems 1-5, and Lesson 1-6, problems 1-5, plus an apology for classroom behavior. Math Archimedes -- p. 38, problems 1-3 Chapter 1 test is scheduled for Monday, 10/5 Science -- Plant a sock project is due on 10/5 September 28 -- Social Studies test is tomorrow. Math Thales -- write a 2 paragraph summary of your strategy for solving one of the guess and check problems that you worked on in class today. Writing in Math #2 is due Monday, 10/5 Math Archimedes -- Writing in Math #2 is due Friday, 10/2. P. 36, problems 23-34 (except for 31). September 25 -- Science test is Monday. Social Studies test is Tuesday. Math Archimedes -- Writing in Math #2 is due Friday, 10/2 September 24 -- Science -- Unit 1 test, 9/28. Plant a Sock project due on 10/5 Geography -- continents test -- tomorrow Social Studies -- Culture and Social Justice Unit test, 9/29. Finish your 25 things about me/10 questions about you work for the visit with the Australians. Math Thales-- Correct p. 30 problems Math Archimedes -- write a 2 paragraph description of your process/strategy for solving one of the guess and check problems we worked on in class. You can find the problems, if you need them, at this website: http://library.thinkquest.org/25459/learning/problem/psguess.html September 23 -- Science -- Plant a sock projects are due on 10/5 Geography -- Continents test is 9/25 Social Studies -- Test over Culture and Social Justice unit is Tuesday, 9/29. Students have study materials. Math Thales -- p. 30, problems 32-43 Math Archimedes -- correct the problems from p. 30 based on the discussion in class today. September 22 -- Science -- read pages 20-21 and answer questions 1-3 Science -- don't forget your Plant a Sock Project -- due 10/5 Geography -- continents test on Friday Math Thales -- Read pages 28 and 29. Take notes: definitions for vacabulary, work the examples, anything else? Math Archimedes -- p. 30, problems 32-43 September 21 -- Social Studies -- if you didn't finish your culture poster in class, finish it tonight. Math Thales -- p. 26, problems 15-31 (odd) Math Archimedes -- Read pages 28 and 29. Take notes: definitions for vacabulary, work the examples, anything else? September 18 -- Science -- Read pp. 12-13 and do questions 1 & 2 on p. 13, Read pp. 14-15 and do question 1 on p. 15, Read pp. 16-17 and do questions 1-3 on p. 16 Begin your "Plant a Sock" project. Social Studies -- Analyze a coin (not a penny) for culture clues September 17-- Math -- p. 26, problems 14-28 (even) Science -- make a dichotomous (taxonomic) key for the leaves Social Studies -- Unit 1 framed notes are due tomorrow Geography -- Continents test is 9/25 September 16 -- Science -- complete the Match It worksheet Geography -- Continents test is 9/25 Social Studies -- Unit 1 framed notes are due on Friday 9/18 September 15-- Math -- p. 20, problems 5, 14-16, 24, 29, 38, 39 Science -- Play A Touch of Class online. Complete the handout for this activity. September 14 -- Geography -- students should be preparing their study guide maps for the continents test on 9/25. I do not collect these, but for students who expect to be prepared, this is an important step. September 11-- Math -- Complete the review packet: prime and composite numbers and prime factorization. Science -- Read the packet. Answer all Checkpoint questions and complete the Section 1 and Section 2 reviews. Social Studies -- Complete the Unit 1 Framed Notes. Due Friday, September 18. Geography -- Continents test: Friday, 9/25 September 10-- Math Thales -- p. 16, problems 4, 5, 8, 9, 47 Math Archimedes -- p. 16, problems 31-47 (odd numbers only). September 9 -- Math -- factor rainbows for 32, 64, 75, and 98 Science -- Read pages 6-9. Use the SQ3R reading strategy that we talked about in class. Here's a link if you want to know more: http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/sssq3r.htm You should have at least one question per subheading to turn in. September 8 -- Math -- writing in math and divisibility rules assignments are due tomorrow. Social Studies -- bring family history artifacts and stories to share on Thursday. Geography -- Continents test is scheduled for 9/25. September 4-- Math -- **Writing in Math assignment is due on Sept. 9 **Divisibility rules assignment is due on Sept. 9 September 3 -- Math -- Internet research on Thales and Archimedes is due tomorrow. Writing in math assignment is due on Wednesday, September 9. Science -- Finish the Cosmic Oranges Project. Write an "Ode to an Orange (poem)". Illustrate your poem. Tape your observations and questions, your written description, and all of your sketches and drawings to the bottom of the poem. September 2 -- Math -- Writing in math problem -- due September 9. September 1 -- Social Studies -- find a news article about something related to social justice. Science -- Write a good, detailed, complete description of your Cosmic Object. August 31 -- Social Studies -- read the article on Catholic Social Justice, and write a list of vocabulary that is confusing and questions or ideas that come up as you read. Science -- Finish your poem "in the style" of Wallace Stevens. Math -- Read pages xxv-xxviii. Complete the "scavenger hunt"on page 1. August 28 -- Math Thales -- Thales Internet research http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/science/math/thales.htm . Due Friday, Sept. 4 Math Archimedes -- Archimedes Internet research http://www.cs.drexel.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/contents.html . Due Friday, Sept 4 August 27-- Math -- go to http://www.msdanielspage.blogspot.com/ and complete the "Check-in" assignment. Math Thales -- complete your Thales worksheet Math Archimedes -- complete your Archimedes worksheet All students -- cover hardbound books by Friday. August 26 -- Science -- find a news article about H1N1 (Swine Flu). Your article may be from a newspaper, magazine, or from an online source. Write a 5-7 sentence paragraph about your article. Attach your paragraph to the copy of your article. Social Studies -- discuss the Seven Habits of Highly Responsible Students sheet with a parent. Have them sign your plan. ** Bring magazines for us to use on poster projects. August 25 -- We had a great first day! I so enjoyed meeting all the students. Homework tonight: Cover all hardback books. Have parents sign all the various forms. Parents -- I would like to have email addresses for everyone, so if you will send me an email, I can get your address from that, of, if it is more convenient, send a note. See everyone tomorrow. Start of School, 2009-- I hope everyone has had a wonderful and relaxing summer. Everything is ready for your return. I cannot wait to see you on Tuesday. All the best, Ms. Daniel