Schedule Changes

In order to not completely overwhelm the class, especially those who have been out sick (I can empathize!), I have rearranged the test schedule and made some changes.  Please see below for new test schedule.

Thank you!

Mrs. Lennon

Monday:

Social Studies - Take home test - Ch. 7.  

* Students may use their books, workbooks and notes to answer questions.  

** Students may not "work together" or work with parents or tutors on this assignment.  

***Students may get clarification on any wording in the questions from parents or tutors and only if they need it. But, please no help "finding the answers" or help wording or writing.

****Minimal other homework will be given tonight so the students may fully concentrate on this test.  Students should also be sure to study for states and capitals test on Wednesday.

Tuesday:

States and capitals moved to Wednesday.

Wednesday:

States and Capitals... All 30 states we have covered so far.... Link to list of 30

Simple Solutions - Lessons 45-52 Moved to next week Tuesday.

Thursday:

Spelling and Vocab Test - Link to list of words -

Friday:

Religion Ch. 7 Test

Math Ch. 5 Quiz (Lessons 5-6 - 5-12

Reading Log Due Today

Test Schedule for Next Week

Many chapters and lessons are coming to a close next week as our second trimester begins to wind down as well.  With a heavy test schedule next week, much of the homework will be study related to each subject.  So, if your student says, "I don't have any homework tonight!" Be sure to make sure they are studying for their exams!

Thank you!
Mrs. Lennon

Monday:
Nothing

Tuesday:
States and Capitals... All 30 states we have covered so far.... Link to list of 30


Wednesday:
Simple Solutions - Lessons 45-52


Thursday:
Social Studies - Ch. 7 Test
Spelling and Vocab Test - Link to list of words -


Friday:
Religion Ch. 7 Test
Math Ch. 5 Test
Reading Log Due Today

New Vocabulary/ Spelling Words

Quick Facts: 
1) New Vocab/Spelling words
2) Test date: March 3

For the next few weeks we will be switching between the vocabulary book and the vocabulary words found in our novel unit, Caddie Woodlawn.  The students were given the definitions that we will use on the test in class.  We will have our next Spelling/Vocabulary Test next Thursday, March 3.

The words included in this test will be:

1. fervor
2. samplers
3. escapade
4. victuals
5. parish
6. christenings
7. genial
8. unfathomable
9. abolition
10. aristocratic
11. despair
12. pioneer
13. relenting
14. pliable
15. sedate

Another Update...

First, I would like to thank those students who took advantage of the recess Math tutoring!  I have offered tutoring on Mondays and Tuesdays at recess, so the students can get things straight for the week.  This week, I have five students who took advantage of this useful time!  Way to go!


Secondly, I would like to clarify a few steps for the state brochure project.  

1. If you have Microsoft Word, they have templates already made for a three panel brochure.  
2. If you have a PC, you can go to the help menu and search for "brochure template"... it should list examples.  
3. If you have a Mac, you can select "File"  - "Project Gallery" - "Brochures"

Hope that helps smooth the process!  

Valentine's Day!

The students asked me for a class list for Valentine's Day... so here it is, along with a couple of rules:
1) If students bring Valentine's cards, they must bring one for everyone in the class.
2) Valentine's cards will be passed out at the end of the day.
Note:  The easiest way is to have the students only fill out the "from" part of the card (if the cards are generic), so they can pass them out easier in the class.

Class List:

Chuma

Joyce

Austin

Gavin

Kayla

Bryce

Anthony

Omar

David

Lauren

Chloe

Thomas

Ifeanyi

Alexys

Jean Paul

Jasmine

Matthew

Matthew

Joshua

Camille

Jonathan

Maxwell

My'khail

Sara

Miles

Kori

Matheus

30 States!

As our Social Studies text book moves westward, so do we!  We have 30 states east of the Mississippi so far!

1.      Alabama

2.    Arkansas

3.    Connecticut

4.    Delaware

5.    Florida

6.    Georgia

7.    Illinois

8.    Indiana

9.    Iowa

10.           Kentucky

11.           Maine

12.           Maryland

13.           Massachusetts

14.           Michigan

15.           Minnesota

16.           Mississippi

17.           Missouri

18.           New Hampshire

19.           New Jersey

20.           New York

21.           North Carolina

22.           Ohio

23.           Pennsylvania

24.           Rhode Island

25.           South Carolina

26.           Tennessee

27.           Vermont

28.           Virginia

29.           West Virginia

30.           Wisconsin

Asserting Their Independence

Dear Parents,

Now is the time that your son/daughter may be trying to assert their independence in many different ways.  One positive way that students can assert their independence is taking ownership of their school work.  If this is an area where your son/daughter is heading; celebrate!  If there is a developmentally appropriate exertion of independence this one is it!  (:

Today, the "State Brochure Project" form went home with your child.  We had an interesting conversation in class.  The students expressed great interest in completing this project on their own (smiles and pride from me).  This is the year!  It is an amazing transition from elementary into junior high and the hands on help they may have needed in previous years is now more of a "check-in" to make sure he/she is on track.

The script you may hear from your son/daughter, "Mom/Dad, I really appreciate your help.  I would really like to tackle this project on my own.  But, I would really like you to check it when I am finished, so you can let me know if there are any errors I can fix before I turn it in."

This too is a milestone in your son/daughter's education.  This type of communication will allow each student to take ownership and responsibility for their learning.  This will benefit their education for years to come!  

If you are having trouble with motivating your son/daughter to take control of his/her learning and projects, then an entirely separate script applies... It is more like this, "I have read Mrs. Lennon's blog and I see that you have a Social Studies project due on February 25."  

"Can you show me what you have done so far?"

"Here is a checklist from the blog of all the items you need to research for the project, which of these have you completed?"  Link to websites for research: Mrs. Lennon's Web Resources for State Project

"We can dedicate 30 minutes each night to the computer for your project.  Mrs. Lennon said she helped you learn how to make a brochure in computer class.  You should be able to get a good start with that, but ask if you have any questions."

Hopefully this takes care of the different places your student may be in this process.  Providing support for you son/daughter is the key as well as allowing them to dive into this project and have pride in the work they accomplish!

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lennon

Notes from the inside...

Dear Students,

The 20 states you have already quizzed on are:

State	Capital
Connecticut	Hartford
Delaware	Dover
Florida	Tallahassee
Georgia	Atlanta
Maine	Augusta
Maryland	Annapolis
Massachusetts	Boston
New Hampshire	Concord
New Jersey	Trenton
New York	Albany
North Carolina	Raleigh
Pennsylvania	Harrisburg
Rhode Island	Providence
South Carolina	Columbia
Vermont	Montpelier
Virginia	Richmond
West Virginia	Charleston
Tennessee	Nashville
Kentucky	Frankfort

The next ten will be posted soon.

This Week's Update

Hello Parents and Students,

I would like to thank you for all of your prayers, emails and warm wishes for the health of my father.  My father sustained a bad fall (lugging a shelving unit... in his 70's) while on stairs.  He was hospitalized for three days with the original diagnosis of a "broken back".  He has gone back for a second opinion and is recovering and resting.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time.  It meant a lot to my family and to me.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Lennon

P.S. See the "State Project Brochure update" in the right column for additional instructions (:

State Brochure Update!

So, due to technical difficulties, the students did not receive the "example/instruction page" for their brochure. Both my printer and the internet went out at separate and needed times. I believe someone up there is testing me!  Please accept my apologies and find the needed information below, for those of you who want to get a jump on the project this weekend.

Brochure Requirements: 

• Your Name 
• Date 
• (State Name) 
• A paragraph or two describing an interesting place to visit in your state.
• Another paragraph describing something else that might persuade someone to visit your state (recreational opportunities, national parks, museums, etc.)
• Make the cover page interesting  – you want to encourage people to travel to your state 
• 2 Graphics 
• 1 related to one or both of your paragraphs
• 1 State flag, map, interesting landmark, or state seal, etc.

General Facts 

1. Capital: 
2. Population (year): 
3. Population Ranking: 
4. Size (sq. feet): 
5. Nickname: 
6. Motto: 
7. Date of Admission: 
8. State Flower: 
9. State Bird: 
10. State Tree: 
11. Bordering States: 
12. Highest Elevation: 
13. Lowest Elevation: 
14. High/Low temperature: 
15. Main Products: (list 3) 
• **All of these facts must be included, however, if you have extra room you may include more facts. 

Did You Know? 
Here you include interesting facts about your state. You may want to include information about famous people from your state, facts about the state quarter, or information you find in your research.
• Use bullet format.

State Brochure Project

As many of you know, we have begun memorizing the states, capitals and locations of each state on the map.  The class started their quest on the eastern seaboard and will continue traveling westward as we learn about the colonization of America. 

For our brochure project, we recently traveled to our St. Jerome computer lab to learn how to create a "travel brochure."  Students learned about the template feature and how to edit and process the information in an organized manner.  Students will create a state brochure that solicits potential visitors to the state.

Due Date: Friday, February 25

•  Below please find helpful websites.   
• As soon as I learn how to post a pdf. sample file, I will post it... 
• For now, I will give this to the students in class.

http://www.netstate.com/states/index.html
Information on each state – includes maps, geography information, facts, and much more!
http://www.50states.com
Select your state to find out more information
http://www.theus50.com/
Click on the map to learn more about the state you are researching
http://www.infoplease.com/states.html
Learn more facts by clicking on the map
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/state/
Here you can find more information, including the Congressmen from the state you are researching