Monday, February 2, 2015

“All Heaven and Earth, Flowered white obliterate... Snow, unceasing snow” ― Hashin, Japanese Haiku


Another snowstorm?  REALLY?

"Linus" -- that's your name --  
A thousand miles of snow  
blasting across the country, 
tracking toward us. . .                                          
Linus, huh?
And whose idea was that?
Your wide, menacing swath 
impacting 100 million people 
in 29 out of 48 states and 
creating hazardous conditions 
on over 10,000 (and counting)
miles of interstate.
Frigid, arctic air both precedes you and follows you 
with wind chills that further exacerbate the conditions.
Tomorrow
You'll pummel us with as much as 12 inches of snow 
Leaving us to shovel out
In the wind and the cold.
                                                                                
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF 
FEBRUARY 2 (yup, a snow day) 3-6


SCIENCE


The Scientific Method is an integral part of Science.  That being said, I have news for you!; scientists don't always follow the sequential "Scientific Method" that is most often taught in schools.  They might skip a step, start in the middle and work outward, repeat steps. . .  The use their imagination, intuition, and problem-solving skills to discover scientific truths.That's what I want you to do. Don't just perform experiments step-by-step; problem solve. Figure them out. Got it?  Good! This is going to be fun!



Wednesday: No school in the afternoon! Bummer, huh?  Still, I want you to look over the information below about the Scientific Method.

Thursday:  Introduce Scientific Method. Activity: "Penny Lab" with a twist



INTRODUCING (TA-DA!) THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
   

Your basic information:  Interactive Scientific Method

Scientists rely heavily on their powers of observation.  How good are yours?  I challenge you to go HERE to find out! 


OBSERVATION
MEGA-CHALLENGE
~
Here's something to really test your powers of observation!  How many people can you "see" in this picture? I'll even tell you: there are 9. Can you find them all?  If you can, your powers of observation, your intuition, and your creative problem-solving capabilities are exceptional!

                    
            SOCIAL STUDIES


Look familiar??  We didn't get to this last week. . .  There are so many really cool "activities within activities" with this project that I'm just beside myself! (Or maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. . .) Anyway, let's get started!

Tuesday:  Introducing Independent Egyptian Book Project. Stay tuned for directions and lots of opportunities to create!
Friday:  Continue working on Egyptian Book Project.  The extremely awesome mummy/sarcophagus project will be introduced next week -- get ready! (That means, have your work done.)


Real Go-To Places!
Explore Egypt in THIS fun interactive site.


Two short videos to watch this week:

Try this ALL ABOUT MUMMIFICATION trivia quiz.

Although these instructions will vary slightly from ours, it clearly shows how to use paper mache and a few common supplies to create a sarcophagus. This is a project that will take several sessions to complete.
The written directions can be found HERE.


DONATED SUPPLIES WE COULD USE: 
Small soft butter tubs with lids
small stick-on gems/sequins for decoration
metallic markers or paints in various colors


LANGUAGE ARTS

Tuesday:  Introduce Independent Egypt Book Project 

Wednesday:  Getting back on track with January's Center Square activity, Extended Metaphors.  Use this awesome Graphic organizer.

Thursday:  Complete activity

Friday:  Moving on to February's writers' notebooks' choice options/activities
~

MATH
It's all about the numbers. . .



Tuesday: Pgs. 157-158 & 4.3

Wednesday:  Pgs. 161-162 & 4.4

Thursday:  Pgs. 165-166 & 4.5

Friday:  Mid-Chapter Checkpoint, Pgs. 167-168


Great (and oh-so-easy) way to locate equivalent fractions!
Check it out:



Equivalent fractions show a relationship between numerators and  denominators.
Now let's "relate" that to ratios (since ratios are all about relationships):




VOCABULARY/WORD STUDY

We'll complete Unit 10
Test on Friday

READING
Remember, it is your responsibility to read independently each month. You should fill out a "Planning Ahead" form at the beginning of the month and maintain it; it's part of your grade.  Be prepared to complete some form of book project that will be announced to you in advance. Independent reading assignments and activities are one third of your overall reading grade, and not completing a book carries with it a significant negative impact. This is not only a relaxing way to improve your grade, it also represents your willingness to hold yourself accountable for your learning. Be that person.