Grade 5: Week of May 21st to 25th

Grade 5s will take EOGs this week.  The schedule is as follows:

Monday: Reading EOG
Tuesday: Math, calculator active
Wednesday:  Math, calculator inactive

We will receive the results of the Science retests and Math and Language Arts results Wednesday, May 23rd in the afternoon or early evening.  If your child makes a level 3 or 4, you will not receive a call.  If your child makes a Level 1 or 2, you will receive a call from Mrs. Dohner or Mrs. Berner and your child will receive remediation and a retest.  Students will not have Science homework in Science this week due to EOGs and remediation.

On Thursday and Friday, students will learn about Canada, which is part of the Grade 5 Social Studies curriculum.  Since I am a Canadian citizen, I will be teaching students about Canada's culture, customs, money, animals, transportation, and more.

Grade 6: Week of May 21st to 25th

Grade 6s will take EOGs this week.  The schedule is as follows:

Monday: Reading EOG
Tuesday: Math, calculator active
Wednesday:  Math, calculator inactive

We will receive the results of the Science retests and Math and Language Arts results Wednesday, May 23rd in the afternoon or early evening.  If your child makes a level 3 or 4, you will not receive a call.  If your child makes a Level 1 or 2, you will receive a call and your child will receive remediation and a retest.  Students will not have Science homework in Science this week due to EOGs and remediation.

On Thursday and Friday, students will continue to learn about soil, its uses, and its functions.

Grade 8: Week of May 21st to 25th

Grade 8s will take EOGs this week.  The schedule is as follows:

Monday: Reading EOG
Tuesday: Math, calculator active

We will receive the results of the Science retests and Math and Language Arts results Wednesday, May 23rd in the afternoon or early evening.  If your child makes a level 3 or 4, you will not receive a call.  If your child makes a Level 1 or 2, you will receive a call and your child will receive remediation and a retest.  Students will not have Science homework in Science this week due to EOGs and remediation.

Starting Wednesday, students will start researching about Science careers.  They will research duties of the job, education required, salary, benefits, and challenges of the job.   Students will participate in a mock career fare where they see if their qualifications match the job required.  Half the class will be employers and the others job seekers, and the jobs advertised will be those that the students have researched.

Grade 5: Week of May 14th to 18th

We will have our last day of review before the Science EOG on Tuesday.  Dr. Bunn advised me that we should know the results of the Science EOG by Wednesday night.   If your child makes a 3 or 4, passing, on the EOG then I will not call you.  Your child will receive the results when EOG testing is over.  However, if your child makes a 1 or 2, I will call you and get your permission to remediate on Thursday.  The Science EOG retest will be on Friday.  Students who pass the EOG will further practice Mathematics and Language Arts skills while I remediate for the Science EOG.  Due to the EOGs and tentative nature of next week, I am not assigning any homework.

Refunds for the EOG coach books are being processed.

I wish students the very best on their Science EOG!

Grade 6: Week of May 14th to 18th

I have really enjoyed students' presentations and other students in the class have too!  The presentation itself and presentation notes students write on others' presentations will count as test grades. We will listen to our final presentations on Monday and Tuesday, and watch a fascinating video on the Hubble Telescope.  On Wednesday we will begin learning about soil composition and its functions.  The only homework for next week is Pg. 495 questions on Thursday night.

We will not have an EOG in Science.  Grade 6 will take their EOGs in Mathematics and Language Arts next week from Monday to Wednesday.  I wish them the very best!

Grade 8: Week of May 14th to 18th

We will have our last day of review before the Science EOG on Tuesday.  Dr. Bunn advised me that we should know the results of the Science EOG by Wednesday night.   If your child makes a 3 or 4, passing, on the EOG then I will not call you.  Your child will receive the results when EOG testing is over.  However, if your child makes a 1 or 2, I will call you and get your permission to remediate on Thursday.  The Science EOG retest will be on Friday.  Students who pass the EOG will further practice Mathematics and Language Arts skills while I remediate for the Science EOG.  Due to the EOGs and tentative nature of next week, I am not assigning any homework.

Refunds for the EOG coach books are being processed.

I wish students the very best on their EOGs!

Progress Reports

Progress reports will go home this Wednesday.

Grade 5: Week of May 7th to 11th

This week students will receive a review sheet and their final chapter test on Ecosystems.  We will continue to review EOG questions as well, and write sentences for Column 5 and 6 vocabulary words. 5B and C will have their Ecosystem test on Wednesday.  5A will have their test on Thursday.

Homework for the week:

Monday:  Finish the review sheet, Column 5 sentences and pictures

Tuesday:  Column 6 sentences and pictures, study for the Ecosystem test

Wednesday:  Review sheet for Column 5 and 6; pg. 90-91 and pg. 142-143 questions in the EOG coach book

Thursday: Finish the Post test in the back of the EOG coach book. (Time was given in class to complete some of it.)

Grade 6: Week of May 7th to 11th

On Monday students will write their good copy from the corrections written on their draft research paper.  Then, they will practice their paragraphs and read them aloud to prepare for their presentation.  Presentations on the Space project will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Please see last week's blog for specific details on the project assignments and grading.

Homework for the week:

Monday:  Finish the good copy of the research paper.

Tuesday:  Practice reading paragraphs aloud for the presentation.  Finish any late work for presentations Wednesday to Friday

Grade 8: Week of May 7th to 11th

Last week we were able to see interesting protists from the pond water students brought in.  This week students will finish their bacteria growth questions and graph, study cell theory, cell structure and function, and continue preparing for the EOG. 

Homework for the week:

Monday:  Bacteria questions and graph (if not finished in class), corrections on the EOG practice test, Post test questions #1-20

Tuesday:  Post test #20-39

Wednesday:  Post test #40-59

Thursday:  Post test #59-80

Grade 5 and 8 EOGs

The Science EOG  for Grade 5 and 8 will be Tuesday May 15th.  EOG week is from May 15th to May 21st.  I will update my blog with more information as I receive it.

Grade 5: Week of April 30th to May 4th

This week students and I will begin rapidly preparing for the End of Grade Science test.  We will go over the most missed questions every day as a warm up, will do homework from our EOG coach books, and will write sentences and pictures of the most important vocabulary words.  At the same time, we will finish up our final chapter on ecosystems and students will have their final chapter test next week.  Students will create their own food chain and food web using a certain ecosystem.  They will also choose a specific animal or plant and describe their niche, habitat, and adaptations.

I have graded the practice EOG tests and will be giving results to parents by email if your child received a Level 2.  I will support your child by providing extra tutoring two days per week.  Those who received Level 3 or 4 will be notified on the progress report.

Homework for the week:

Monday night:  EOG coach book - Read pgs. 52-54, answer questions pgs. 54-55 and pgs. 64-65

Tuesday night:  Finish food web, Column 3 sentences and pictures from the EOG coach book

Wednesday night:  Column 4 sentences and pictures from the EOG coach book

Thursday night:  Study for the Column 3 and 4 Vocabulary quiz, Niche/Habitat/Adaptation assignment

Grade 6: April 30th to May 4th

The Space project assignment requirements

and dates are the following:

Assignment	Mark	Date due
Notes: Notes on space facts, existence of life, and technology and exploration In note format – no full sentences or plagiarism	15 pts.	Friday April 27th
Bibliography: Four or more sources; no search engines	5 pts.	Friday April 27th
Visuals: Five or more visuals of space facts, existence of life, technology and exploration, and special characteristics Include a caption/sentence or more for each visual. The visuals may be put on flash drive, may be put on a poster or paper.  One or more visuals may be models.	5 pts.	Friday May 4th
Written research paper:  Draft  Five paragraphs on your planet including the introduction, space facts/special characteristics, existence of life, technology and exploration, and the conclusion	15 pts.	Friday May 4th (May be typed or hand written, double-spaced.)
Written research paper:  Good copy Rewrite the draft paper and include all peer and teacher corrections.  The good copy may be single spaced and/or typed.	10 pts.	Tuesday, May 8th
Presentation:  Eye contact, varied tone of voice, appropriate speed, prepared	10 pts. Counts as test mark	Wednesday May 9th , Thursday May 10th, Friday May 11th
Presentation notes: ·        Three or more notes on other students presentations	10 pts.	Friday May 11th
Participation: On task, cooperative, research brought to school, assignments handed in on time	10 pts.	ongoing

Grade 8: Week of April 30th to May 4th

This week we will review the twenty most missed questions on the practice EOG.  Students will study their Practice EOG test and have a small test on the previously missed questions.  We will also use microscopes in stations to view living protists and other types of microbes.  Some protists will come from a protist growing kit and other microbes will come from students bringing in pond water.  Meanwhile, we will begin reviewing for our Microbe unit test and writing the paragraphs for the Microbe book.

All students who scored a level 2 or borderline 2/3 will receive in school remediation 2:15 to 2:45 Monday and Wednesday and after school tutoring 2:45 to 3:30.  I will notify you by email if this is the case.  

Homework for the week:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday night: 
Write paragraphs and draw pictures of the Microbe book - due Friday;

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday night:
Sections of the Post test from the EOG coach book each night

Thursday night:
Study for the small test on previously missed questions on the Practice EOG, finish the first page of the Microbe Review sheet

5A, B, and C Monday night homework

Testing has now been changed to Wednesday and Thursday.  Therefore, 5A homework for tonight is to finish the Review sheet using column 1 and 2 vocabulary words.  5B and C need to finish pgs. 78-80 #2-10, 24, 25 in the Competitive Edge.

Grade 5: Week of April 23rd to 28th

Students will receive a Practice Science EOG test on Tuesday and their Language Arts or Math Practice EOG test Wednesday.  I will have all Practice EOG exams marked by Friday and will communicate with you as soon as possible if your child received a Level 2.  Your results will also be communicated on the progress report.

I will not see 5B or 5C these Practice EOG days but will see 5A in the afternoon all five days. Therefore, homework and tests will be different for each group on some days.  5B and 5C will have their vocabulary quiz on columns 1 and 2 this Monday and 5A will have it on Thursday.  5B and C already completed a small review sheet last Friday and 5A will receive this Monday.

We will learn about food webs and food chains this week, and begin reviewing our Column 3 vocabulary words.  We will also review the different components a food web:  producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, and scavengers.  All groups will receive a mini review lesson at the beginning of each class to prepare for the Science EOG.

Homework for all groups Monday night:  Competitive Edge Pgs. 78-80 #2-10, 24, 25 *full sentences for most questions

5B and 5C Tuesday and Wednesday night:  Food web tree map and Interactions in an Ecosystem sheet.  The tree map on the Food web will be started in class.  Students will need their Competitive Edge book to do this.

5A Tuesday night:  Interactions in an Ecosystem side of the worksheet only
5A Wednesday night:  study for the Vocabulary 1st and 2nd column quiz

Homework for Thursday night all groups:  Column 3 sentences and pictures

Grade 6: Week of April 23rd to 27th

Students will continue to research their planet at school and at home, and we will begin writing our paragraphs next week due to two days of Practice EOG tests and the Planetarium visit on Friday.  Please have your child bring in the Planetarium consent form and $5.00 as soon as possible.  Students will not be able to attend the educational on-site field trip presented by Morehead Planetarium without either of these.  We will have a change of lunch schedule on Friday  so we may go on the field trip at 11:30.  If bringing lunch to the school on Friday, bring it 11:00 to 11:30 or before.

A few students scored below 70% on their Sedimentary and Metamorphic rock test and need to retest.  The retest will be held 7:20 to 7:45 am or 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Friday.  To retest, your child must do corrections of those s/he got wrong.  Students will write out the sentences with the correct word three times and include a picture.  The maximum mark that a student may receive on a retest is 70%.  In addition, students will not be allowed to retest if I have not checked their corrections.  This includes if they did them and are at home.

Our schedule for the week is as follows:

Monday:  research on the computer, go over the Sedimentary and Metamorphic rock test
Tuesday and Wednesday:  Practice EOG testing - I do not see students
Thursday:  Research on the computer, write the bibliography
Friday:  Research for 15 minutes, 11:00-11:30 eat lunch, 11:30-12:20 Planetarium visit to the "Dome"

Homework for the week:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night:

1. Bring in Planetarium and consent forms:  please do wait until Friday to do this!!!


2.  Write notes on the following subjects:

•  Planet facts and Special Characteristics (minimum 7 notes - no full sentences)
• Ability to support life (minimum 7 notes - no full sentences):  include gases in the atmosphere, organic/plant matter found on the planet, water, distance from the sun, temperature range, storms, wind speeds on the planet, and compare to Earth's ability to support life
• Technology used to explore the planet (minimum 7 notes - no full sentences):  include satellites, telescopes, rovers, probes, rockets

3.  Complete the Bibliography:

• Students must have at least four sources - 1 book and 3 websites.

4.  Study for the retest on Friday if you received less than 70%.  Do corrections and show them to me on Thursday.


Thursday night:  complete the bibliography and all research notes; study for the retest. 

I will mark the notes and bibliography over the weekend for a grade.  Students' notes will be graded on detail, scientific vocabulary, accuracy, and effort and receive a total of 15 marks.  Students' bibliography will be graded out of 5 marks for accuracy, completion, and neatness.

Grade 8: Week of April 23rd to 27th

Grade 8s will receive review every day until the EOGs.  We will have practice testing on Tuesday and Wednesday - Tuesday is the practice EOG Science test and it will be graded by Friday.  I will let you know the results on the progress reports and will contact you ASAP if your child makes a level 2 on the test.  Your child will also receive tutoring on Wednesday and Friday if they make a level 2 (plus regular in school remediation) - more details to come.  In addition, because we have practice EOG tests, I do not see 8b for two days, but see 8A in the afternoon so each group will have a different set of homework.

We are continuing to work on our Microbes booklet and I will show protist mini-videos of Euglena, Paramecium, and Amoebas.  Students will see how amoebas engulf their prey by a process called "phagocytosis".  We will explore how each protist moves, its animal and plant characteristics, special features, and binary fission.  We will also see a mini-video of how viruses reproduce themselves by attaching to cells, produced by npr.org.

Homework for the week - 8B only:

Monday night:  Questions on fungi
Tuesday:  Write pgs. 1-2 paragraphs and pictures
Wednesday:  Write pgs. 3-4 paragraphs and pictures
Thursday:  pg. 5, 6, 7 questions on protists (optional homework:  paragraphs and pictures of these pages)

Homework for the week - 8A only:

Monday night:  Questions on Bacteria and fungi
Tuesday:  Write pgs. 1-2 paragraphs and pictures
Wednesday:  Write pgs. 3-4 paragraphs and pictures
Thursday:  pg. 5, 6, 7 questions on protists (optional homework:  paragraphs and pictures of these pages)

Grade 5: Week of April 16th to 20th

Welcome back from spring break! I hope everyone is well rested and ready for a new week. I was waiting until I received the practice EOG testing schedule today to write the blog. Our practice EOG tests will be this Thursday and next Tuesday and Wednesday.

This week we are continuing to learn about ecosystems and will learn about producers, omnivores, herbivores, carnivores, scavengers, and decomposers. On Monday we learned about population, community, habitat, and niche. Students gave an example of an animal or plant population, its community, habitat, and niche and we took turns guessing what population it might be from their clues. In addition to learning about ecosystems, we will do a mini-review for the EOG everyday. Our EOG coach books have still not arrived. Mrs. Barbour will call the EOG coach company again.

I will be offering after school homework help/remediation for students starting this week until the EOGs. It will be from 3:15 to 3:50. You may pick up your child in the carpool line. If your child has remediation on Tuesday mornings, then s/he will also stay after school Thursday. If your child has remediation on Thursday morning, then s/he will also stay after school Tuesday.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: Pick another population of a specific animal or plant. Tell about its community, habitat, and niche.

Tuesday night: Write sentences for the second column of words. See definition sheet.

Wednesday night: fill in the blanks on the worksheet using the words provided.

Thursday night: study for the Column 1 and 2 vocabulary test using the definitions and sentences you wrote; pg. 75 #1-7 in Competitive Edge

Grade 6: Week of April 16th to 20th

Welcome back from spring break! I hope everyone is well rested and ready for a new week. I was waiting until I received the practice EOG testing schedule today to write the blog. Our practice EOG tests will be this Thursday and next Tuesday and Wednesday. Students do not take a Science EOG this year.

We have officially started our unit on space. Today we discussed what students knew about space and what they wondered. We also watched a short video on the Hubble Telescope: Deep Space which illustrated how expansive the universe really is.

To prepare for our Planet Project, we will learn about technology used to explore space on Tuesday and then begin the research project on Wednesday. Students will have time to research in the computer labs and with books I provide, but they will also need to do some research on their planet at home and write notes on it. I will send home a project sheet on Wednesday and post it on the blog.

We are still collecting $5 for the Planetarium visit on April 26th and 27th. Parents also need to sign a consent form for students to participate in this on-site field trip. Please bring in the money and form as soon as possible.

Homework for the week:

Tuesday - Thursday night: Bring in seeds for the garden, $5 and consent form for the field trip

Tuesday night: Pg. 227 questions; have a first, second, and third choice of planet for the project

Wednesday and Thursday night: get the project letter signed, research your planet and write notes