Testing, Testing, 1...2...3...

This week students are taking the practice Ohio Achievement Tests in Reading (Monday), Math (Thursday) and Writing (Friday). There is are released tests and a practice test accessible online if you visit the Ohio Department of Education website. The tests will be sent home after they have been scored. Students who earn a 4 on the testing rubric every day of testing will earn a reward on Friday. To earn a 4, students must write in complete sentences, use details from the selection in their answers, and use their time wisely among other requirements.

Rocket Club for the second quarter will be celebrated this Friday. Our Rocket Club Members are Amber, Johnny, Jessica, Abbey, Kyra, Katherine, Haley, Lydia and Terra. Congratulations to these students for having super attendance, great behavior and terrific work habits!

Happy New Year!

We're off and running with a new school year, so happy to be here!
Our reading selection this week is Eye of the Storm. For related games and activities, try the following:
Eduplace
Type Writing
Eye of the Storm Powerpoint or Powerpoint
Check out the main character's webpage: Storm Chaser.
Meet the author Stephen Kramer.
Extreme Weather Math Hunt
Severe Weather

Interested in Extreme Weather? Check out this booklist or this one.
Bill Nye likes Storms too.

We are working on measurement in math, adjectives in language, compound words in spelling and extreme weather in science.

Another cool science site: Bob's Place

Thanks for all the birthday greetings and wishes.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday break! It should be much easier since everyone is now caught up with their work except me:) I plan to finish my grading one of these days!
Don't forget that the next literature project is due on January 9. The genre: informational text-any nonfiction book that is NOT a biography or autobiography.
Also, Jan. 9 is the end of the quarter which means that report cards will come home the next week on Jan. 16. Are you ready?

Transformations

Transformations
Brainpop

Math and Science Tests

On Thursday's science test, students will be asked to identify which foods should be on the menu at The Chemical Change Cafe. The Chemical Change Cafe only serves food which has undergone a chemical change. When analyzing whether or not a food can be placed on The Chemical Change Cafe's menu, students must give evidence to support their ideas. For example, trail mix can not be placed on the menu because it is a mixture and has not gone through a chemical change. Trail mix is not a new substance because it can be sorted into its orginal ingredients. Buttermilk biscuits can be served at The Chemical Change Cafe because they go through a chemical change. Evidence of a chemical change in biscuits includes bubbles formed by gas when the biscuits bake, an odor (aroma) produced by baking, and most importantly, a new substance is formed. Once the biscuits are baked, you cannot remove the individual ingredients used in the biscuit batter so the change is NOT reversible. Evidence of a chemical change always includes A new substance being formed and may also include one or more of the following: An odor; Bubbles which indicate a gas has formed; an unexpected Color change; a Different temperature; and Energy in the form of light or heat given off/taken in. Chemical changes cannot usually be reversed. The key difference between a chemical change and a physical change is that in a physical change no new substances are produced.
Other foods to consider:

biscuits
strawberry smoothie
cottage cheese
scrambled eggs
trail mix
orange juice
orangesicle
toasted marshmallows
toast
fruit salad

More Geometry

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/mathsE3.htm

Quadrilaterals

Polygons-click here
Shape Sorter-click here
Quadrilateral Rap-click here
Powerpoint-click here
Quadrilateral Classification-click here
Matching Game-click here
Geometry Games-click here
Jeopardy-click here
Quadrilateral Quest-click here