IXL Pilot

Mrs. Cook and I are piloting a computer program called IXL.  The company states "IXL is an immersive K-12 learning experience that provides comprehensive, standards-aligned content for math, language arts, science, and social studies."

The kids really enjoyed working there today and earning badges for their progress!  I like that it will reteach if they continue to miss the skill.  (Of course they have to read the reteaching portion!)  I also like that I can see at a glance which kids have successfully mastered skills and who is struggling.

To access our IXL pilot (through the end of December), go to www.ixl.com/signin/uces1.  The student usernames are their first initial last name @uces1 (so Sally Student would be sstudent@uces1) and their password is their 5-digit number without the UC at the end.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

3.12 Spelling, Vocab, & More

3.12 Spelling re- and un-                                                                             

The prefix re- means “again.”  The prefix un- means “not.”

Please study your words nightly!  You do need to know what each word means.  Practice bonuses are due no later than Thursday.  (Please remember that these are NOT required, but they can help you study plus give your English grade a boost.)  Spellingcity.com is a great place to practice your words!  Your test on Friday will include 5 review words also.

1.     rearrange

2.     redo

3.     remove

4.     renew

5.     replace

6.     reverse

7.     repackage

8.     recount

9.     unbeaten

10. unequal

11. unfair

12. unfinished

13. unfit

14. unplanned

15. untamed

Vocabulary: Charlotte’s Web (Week 4: Chapters 11-19)

This week’s words will look familiar!  We didn’t get as far as anticipated, so we will test on last week’s words + two new ones this week.  Vocabulary bonuses (if completing) are due no later than Thursday.

1.     exertion: a great deal of effort

2.     solemnly: in a deeply serious and sober way

3.     ascend: to go or climb up

4.     sociable: friendly and companionable with others

5.     monotonous: always the same, as in tone or activity

6.     distinguish: to recognize differences

7.     lacerated: tore or cut

8.     veritable: being authentic or real

9.     genuine: authentic, real

10. familiar: commonly or generally known or seen

IRA: Noun Hound (Due no later than Friday)

            Using your independent reading book, find and write down 10 different nouns.  Categorize them as either person, place, thing, or idea.  (Try to find at least 2 for each category.)  Feel free to make a chart to categorize the nouns.  You can do this on your own paper or as a Google Doc.

Math homework is due no later than Friday!

Social Studies: What are the three levels of government?  Who are the leaders of each level?  Why do Americans vote?  How do we vote?

Science: rocks & minerals

Upcoming Events:

11/1 October Book It! reading logs due

11/7   Forms due to order a Carmen Deedy book

11/8   Election Day for class elections

11/10 Bake sale & hot chocolate: make a donation to the food pantry (canned goods or

            nonperishable item or cash); Veterans Day Program

11/15 Author Carmen Deedy program at school and at 6:30 PM at Fine Arts Center (FREE)

11/22 Santa’s Workshop/Craft Day (Parent volunteers needed!)

11/23-27       THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

South Pole Skype

Today we had the most amazing opportunity to Skype with Savannah's aunt who is working for the National Science Foundation at the U.S. South Pole Station.  Unfortunately our Skype video connection didn't work, but we were able to speak with her and two colleagues about living and working at the South Pole.  It was a super cool experience!

If you'd like to learn more about the U.S. South Pole Station, click HERE to go to their website.

Squid Dissection

Yes, you read that correctly!  We were blessed with the generous donation of a squid from the beach Wednesday (thanks to my nephew and his family; it came home in their boat).  Ever the innovative science teacher, Mrs. Cook decided to preserve it until today so that students could see what it looks like, inside and out.

Heat Energy Demonstration

We have had an amazing day of science exploration and discovery!  This morning, Mrs. Cook tried to see if we could make a tube filled with air (not helium, just regular outside air) float!  Impossible, you say?  Give it a try! 

First Mrs. Cook tied a slip knot in one end of the black thin plastic tube.  (The instructions recommending tying string on one end to help anchor the tube.)

 Then we unrolled the 25-foot-long plastic tube.

 Next the two teachers ran around the playground to fill the tube with air, and then Mrs. Cook knotted the other end.

 Waiting and observing to see what will happen...

 The tube had wrinkles before but now doesn't.

 Starting to float!

 The BFG is also 25-feet tall!

 If you didn't think the tube actually started to float, check out these side-by-side photos!

Now ask your child to explain how a tube full of regular air could possibly float!  (Hopefully they will remember our discussion!)

Elephant Toothpaste/Heat Energy Demonstration

Today Mrs. Cook made "elephant toothpaste" as part of our heat energy science unit!  Check out the results of mixing hydrogen peroxide, food coloring, dish soap, and yeast together.