Quick update from Ms. Luria

Here is a link to the spelling words for this week:
https://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=20656325&x=2a5c9

Here is a link to the field trip forms: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwgWrDHeqil3WUltNE10WE42YUE/view?usp=sharing

Homework for the week: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwgWrDHeqil3TERfYUg2dzQ0aHM/view?usp=sharing The homework can be turned in on Monday after the week of conferences!

If you have not signed up for a conference, please make sure you email me to set up a time! You should receive a copy of your conference time on Friday after school.

You will also receive a field trip permission slip form. Please make sure that comes back signed on Monday. We have space for four more people to go on the field trip with us on November 5th.

Sacha

Wren

 I designed a 2-cent coin. It looks pretty because it  has a heart on it. It represents peace, hope, nature, and love. I did it because I love nature and peace.

        

         There were a few steps involved to design the coin. First I did a rough draft. Then I drew on a piece of cardboard. Finally I put glue on top of my cardboard and let it dry then I put tin foil on it and rubbed it. 

         I wish that it were areal coin. The most interesting part of this project was just having an opportunity to do it.

Sophia

I designed a 32 cent coin. Even though the C sign has the C facing forward in my coin it’s facing backwards because it’s a coin from Pluto. The smiley face represents peace and equality. The leaf represents nature and love for wild plants and animals. Here is another reason why I chose the design: I like to see happy faces all around me. I also chose Pluto to be where my coin comes from because I want Pluto to be considered a planet. I wish there was life there. 

There were a few steps involved to make my coin. First I made a sketch of what I wanted my coinc to look like. Then I drew the design on cardboard. After that I put flue over the design. (Don’t do writing or very detailed things with glue.) Then cover your coin in tin foil. (You can crumple and smash it in the back.) After the tin foil, take a tissue and rub gently. For the writing on the coin, use an unsharpened pencil and make pretty designs. Finally the coin is ready!

I wish that someday (anytime) there will be life on Pluto and this could be their coin. (Unless we don’t use coins anymore). The most fun and interesting part of this project was seeing all the hard work pay off and writing this.

Update from Ms. Luria

Update from Ms. Luria

Dear Families,


Weekly Volunteer times still available: 

• Wednesday between 10 - 11 to either help with a reading group or do writing/reading conferences with students

This week's focus:

Reading-

*We learned about coding and discussed if students should learn to code at school. 

*We finished all of our small group book clubs! 
*We reflected on what we learned during our IB unit on Dollars and Cents. 

Writing-

*Students either wrote a first person letter from the point of view of a panda bear or wrote four facts they learned about panda bears.

*We brainstormed a realistic fiction piece and started writing that story. 

    

Math-

*We practiced measuring centimeters. 

*We practice counting by fours. 

*We learned about expanded notation and how to model expanded notation with drawings and numbers. 
*If you child cannot do 100 subtraction facts in 5 minutes, please make sure they are practicing every night on a worksheet or online at runmoby.com. The online site is better because it targets math facts your child has yet to memorize. 

Social Studies and Science-

*We designed our own coin, and created it in an art project in class. 

*We created a food chain in the classroom and discussed what happens when one part of the food chain is impacted. 

Important note: Please wear gym clothes on Fridays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Emmy

I went to the Special Olympics on Saturday. I ran on the track. I past my noodle to another runner. I got a ribbon. I felt scared some of the time and then I felt happy when I won!

Yanci

Cleaning Pennies Part 2

Today at science we did two experiments.  Our first experiment was on the force of friction.  Our second experiment was called Part 2.

First we did an experiment on dirty pennies that were in a stack.  We hit the bottom pennies with a butter knife.  The penny went flying off.  Then we made a bigger tower.  The first time we hit it, it fell down because it doesn’t have that much friction.  But when the tower is smaller, it has much more friction.

Next we cleaned the dirty pennies.  We cleaned the pennies with coffee and vinegar.  We put one cup of coffee in one jar with pennies in it.  In a different cup we put pennies in vinegar.  Then we closed the jar.  Now we have to wait 3 days.  I can’t wait see them.

Johnny

In science we did two experiments.  Our first experiment was on the force of friction.  Our second experiment was called pennies part two.  First we did an experiment on hitting pennies.  The pennies went out of the stack sometimes.  It also fell down sometimes.  It was hard.  I liked it.

Second we did the dirty penny experiment.  We did coffee and vinegar to clean them.  I think the coffee will work.  I wonder what both of them ware like together?  I wonder which will work?

Ian

There were five military men and everyone else was a zombie. It was scary for them, but then they grabbed their weapons and went out the kill the zombies.  One of them slid under a zombie and cut its head off with an axe. It was still alive. He took a bomb out of his pocket and “boom!” five thousand zombies died. He ran back their base to get army tanks. Then they loaded their missiles. Then went out prepared to fight. Then one of them said, “Wait, I have to get the dogs and jets, and military suits and guns and gas masks!” They put them on. 

Sarah

Sapphire was not the average girl. While other girls played games like jump rope and stuff, laughing and playing together, Sapphire would get in a tree and play by herself. She didn’t mind being alone though.

One day at Cambina Academy for Girls Sapphire’s teacher Ms. Cemay made an announcement. “Girls, this school is going to become international.”

There were mixed emotions about MS. Cemay’s statement. Some girls looked excited while others looked nervous.

One girl named Kate Smith shot her little hand into the air.

“Yes Kate?”

“When will the school switch locations?”

Sapphire looked startled. She knew her parents would never let her go to Cambina if it meant living somewhere else. The Gena’s had never let Sapphire go on a plane much more than living without them.

“Kate,” Ms. Cemay said sternly. “I told you not to tell anyone.”

Sapphire rolled her eyes. Kate, in her opinion, was teacher’s pet. Ms. Cemay told her everything from her most deepest inner secrets to what the class would find out the next day.

Curtis

When I am older I want to be a chef. I want to because it will be fun and it will be a good job. I will cook for my family and myself. According to the article it is a good job and it is fun. I can’t wait until I am a chef.

Adah

 “When are we leaving Mom?” little Tom asked impatiently. “I want to go now.”

Meanwhile Mr. Turkey and his family were getting ready for a big day too. “Is everyone here?” asked Mr. Turkey.

“Yes,” said the rest of the family together.

“Well then let’s get a move on!” he yelled. “Everyone come up close to the fence.”

Everyone came up to the fence at once. “Alright, now everyone start digging,” he said.

After 30 minutes of extremely hard work the turkey family had found their way out. “Now what?” the youngest turkey, Turkis said.

“Split up into teams of two and start looking for the truck. When you find it yell ‘clloooo-kydorrr’!” said Mr. Turkey.

Tyonna

Penelope, Chapters 1 & 2

This is a story about Penelope and a wart. This year I had a pig nose and everybody in my class called me ‘Penelope and the wart head’. And I got mad at the people who called me ‘wart head.’ And I had the worst day at school.

Today at school nobody was at school. I was so glad because today was late opening and nobody bullied me. Then I called my teacher Mrs. Wart. She wasn’t here either. I was so excited that I screamed! Then Mrs. Sky the second grade teacher came over and took me to the principal’s office. And she called my mom. But my mom didn’t answer. So lucky me! I told Mrs. Sky, “My mom works at a school too, so she wouldn’t answer the phone.”

Mrs. Sky said, “PENELOPE! I HAVE TOLD YOU ONCE NOT TO SCREAM IN THE HALLWAY. AND YOU DO IT ANYWAY.”

“Sorry,” I said.  “Please don’t call my dad.”

And that’s how it began.

Next week I had math. And when the teacher Mrs. B gave me the phone and it was my mother. I was so scared. Then I finally said, “Hi.”

And then my mom said, “Penelope, you didn’t follow the rules.”

My mom scared me and sent me back to the principal’s office. I was nervous. Then someone knocked on the door and said, “I am here to take Penelope,” said someone.

I said, “Are you my mother?”

When class started my teacher said, “What is four times four?”

I raised my hand and said, “Fourteen!”

My teacher said, “No.”

I sadly put my hand down. Then I had to ask my friend Sally, “What is four times four?”

And she said, “I don’t know.”

Then the bell rang. It was time for lunch. We had mac and cheese. Except I don’t eat mac and cheese. Besides I can’t eat anything with a nose like this. So all I can do is drink a juice box. Then the bell finally rang. Lunch was over.

Eleanor

Hi.  I am a gremlin.  I borrowed a wing monster and jumped in a house.  I am hiding from the police in a boot and I am scared out of my mind.  The gremlin police came and I almost got captured.  I jumped over the comb like bars of the jail and escaped.  I ran and ran but they were on my tail, literally on my tail.  I was almost to my boot but then ….eek!  Help! The wing monster is back!

Bibi

Once there was a water bottle that talked.  He loved to squirt people with water randomly.  Nobody knew he talked, he would always randomly say “yo, yo  yo” every day to strangers.  But they thought it was their imagination. 

Once there was a guy walking down the street.  He accidently stepped on the water bottle.   The water bottle screamed, “Ahhhh!”   The guy stopped.  He picked up the water bottle and he said, “Did you talk, I think just talked.  If you don’t admit that you just talked, I am going to crush you.”  So the water bottle talked and it said “okay, okay I’ll talk.  I am a talking water bottle and nobody knows that.  Don’t tell anyone. “

 The guy said in a soft voice “Okay.” 

The water bottle said, “Do you actually promise me?” 

The guy said yes I do.  But then the guy went to his best friend and said “Hey, I found a water bottle that talks today and I am not kidding.” 

The friend said “ I don’t believe you.”

Weston

Last weekend when I went camping it took me five hours to get there. We were mostly driving through the forest. When we got there we got the last spot. First we checked out the beach. Then we set up camp. Then we started a fire. Then we went to sleep.

The next day we went on a hike. It took almost all day. Then we went to an RV park. I really liked camping!

Wallace

Today in science we did two experiments. Our first experiment was on the force of gravity. Our second experiment was called “cleaning pennies part two.”

First we did an experiment on a force called gravity. We also learned about friction. Ms. Sarah did a fun experiment with friction. It was so awesome to look at. I wonder what it would be like to have no gravity!

Second we did the “cleaning pennies part two”. We put pennies into a jar. We put coffee in one, which was kind of weird. Another had just vinegar. It was so, so fun!

Sadie

One day a light blue lady tripped on a lump in the sidewalk. The lump was a big, hard piece of garbage with a few hissing cockroaches in it. The light blue lady screamed and jumped into a trash can with a family of raccoons living in it. 

The light blue lady screamed again and the trash can fell over into a building, and the light blue lady bumped her head. It really hurt. She had to go to the hospital to get stitches. The hissing cockroaches followed her to the hospital. They hid all around the room.

Sophia

I was living in our grandmother’s house and all summer we have been looking for a house for ourselves. We did find one. It needs a lot of work! When we first went to look at it… Well, it looked terrible! There were weird shelves with weird things on them. There were two scraggly chairs and a dirty fridge with weird magnets. (One of the magnets made sound. It said, “no smoking…fewee!”)

We knew that the people who lived there smoked, so it was weird. There was also a disgusting bathroom, and boy did it smell! But, everybody has a different style.

Oh! There was an upstairs, but it was pretty gross. There were so many more weird things and old pictures. There was a very big, very furry carpet, popcorn ceilings with asbestos! My mom wanted me to see what would be my room. I peeked in but I had seen and smelled enough. I screamed, “EEEK!”

I plugged my nose and ran down the stairs, then outside! Now you should realize this was a long time ago. Thankfully!

Wren

This is a 2 euro from Croatia . This coin has gold and silver. This coin is thick. While U.S. coins are one color this is two. I hope someday I can visit Croatia

Update from Ms. Luria

Dear Families,

On Monday homework should be turned in and new homework will go out. 

If you would like an easy volunteer thing to do from home, please read some writing from our students and write comments on their writing. The comments are moderated by me, so they will not show up immediately.  Kids like to know that adults are reading what they publish on the blog. Over time, every child will get a piece published on the blog! 

Weekly Volunteer times still available: 

• Tuesday between 10:45 - 11 to do writing conferences with students (I'll show you how to do that). 
• Tuesdays between 1:45 and 3 to do science experiments with students - help set up the experiment, help clean up and general help with the experiments
• Wednesday between 10 - 11 to either help with a reading group or do writing/reading conferences with students
• Fridays between 10 - 11 to either help with a reading group or do writing/reading conferences with students

This week's focus:

Reading-

*We are reading our first Oregon Battle of the Book selection. Ask your child about the story? Who is telling the story? How do they think JJ is going to escape?  

*We read non-fiction pieces about school uniforms and practiced asking questions as we read text.
*We also did our first Spanish reading selection to practice our close reading skills and to learn more about English grammar. 

Writing-

*Many students published their first three paragraph science essay. Everyone finished and edited at least a one paragraph essay. You will see copies of the essays next week with the take home folder. Some of them have been posted on the blog. 

    

Math-

*Students did individualized lessons depending on their own personal skill level - this ranged from learning to add lists to using the commutative property of multiplication. 

*We learned to count by 4's. 
*If you child cannot do 100 subtraction facts in 5 minutes, please make sure they are practicing every night on a worksheet or online at runmoby.com. The online site is better because it targets math facts your child has yet to memorize. 

Social Studies and Science-

*We did two difference science experiments this week - one about cleaning pennies and the second one about gravity and friction. We also learned about succession planting in the garden. 
*Students planted lettuce and observed the germinating radishes. 

Important note: Please wear gym clothes on Fridays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Patrick

Worms

The best animal is a worm because:  they make soil for plants, they feel their way through the ground and they’re fun to play with. 

But why do they need slime to survive?  Because it moisturizes them.  If worms stay in the sunlight too long their slime dries up and they have no more moisture and they die.  It’s really sad.  L

That’s why worms are the best animal in the world!

Preston

Coffee

Today in science we did two experiments.  Our second experiment was about cleaning pennies.  We cleaned them with coffee.  We also cleaned them with vinegar too.  We will let them sit over the weekend.  I wonder if they will be cleaned.  

Kaimen

Cleaning Pennies

Today in science we did two experiments.  Our second experiment was cleaning pennies with coffee and vinegar.  The teacher used a butter knife to hit the bottom of a penny stack.  The penny that was at the bottom flew and the penny stack was still standing.  I hope we get to do more science.

Patrick, Jesus and Will

Dear Diary,

I'm one of the 1,000 pandas that still live on Earth. Lots of pandas like me have died of starvation. Our diet is 99% bamboo. It's scary being an endangered animal. Please help out habitat and do not destroy it.

From,

Ms. Panda

Mateo

Blankets for Bunnies and the Sly Fox

Once upon a time there were bunnies who were very careful about foxes. They lived in a little bunny village by the meadow. In the meadow sheep liked to graze.

Also in the meadow were many foxes. The foxes liked to eat bunnies and sheep. So the bunnies made wooden doors on their burrows to keep the foxes out.

In their burrows they had little bunny beds made of goose feathers. They didn't sleep under anything because bunnies have fur.

Then on one freezing winter day the bunnies were cold. They were so cold they had goosebumps under their fur. They stayed in their houses, but the bunny children wanted to go outside.

One bunny family had an idea. "Let's go to our sheep friends to get wool."

That bunny family hopped over to the sheep and all of the other bunny families followed suit.

"Of course we can give you wool!" said the sheep. The sheep gave them wool and then they were off to the East Meadow.

"We are going to graze in the East Meadow!" said the sheep.

The children and grown up bunnies played and played. Soon they got tired and fell asleep, forgetting all about foxes.

Out in the forest a hungry fox smelled sheep."Yum, Yum. Some sheepies are near by. Smells like dinner!"

The fox pranced to the meadow. He had been tricked by his nose. There were no sheep, just pieces of wool spread around the meadow.

"Awwww. No dinner for me." Then he looked closer at the wool and realized they were blankets with bunnies cuddles in them.

"Ooooo. I got some dinner. This is my lucky day!"

The fox picked up some bunnies still in their blankets. He ran back to his den. Then he went back to get more. He captured 20 sweet, juice and soft bunnies.

One bunny yawned and slowly started to open his eyes. He smelled the smoke of fire. He froze.

"Where am I?" he thought. The bunny slowly crept over to tickle his wife with one ear. She twitched her nose and woke up.

"Wake up, wake up," he whispered. "We're in a fox den. We have to get out of here."

"We should wake up the others so we can come up with a plan."

They woke everyone up and formed a plan.

Padding footsteps trotted over to the bunnies.

"Quick everybody. Hide in your blankets."

The fox opened its jaw and picked up a bunny with its mouth. "Ptwa," he said. "I hate bunny fur. Well, it'll burn off in the fire."

He trotted over to the burning fire. As he prepared to drop the bunny in, the other bunnies yelled in unison, "Mr. Fox, Mr. Fix, we know where the sheep are!"

The fox gaped and opened his jaw in surprise. Out dropped the bunny on the ground.

"The sheep are in the West Meadow," lied the bunnies. (They were really in the East Meadow.)

The fox ran over to the West Meadow. The bunnies wasted no time in escaping.

When the fox got there, he found nothing but farmers and dogs.

The bunnies escaped and learned to be even more careful about foxes and to never fall asleep in a meadow again!

Davis

The Nature Queen

There was once a little girl named Sophia.  She LOVES animals.  She loves everything about them.  How soft they are, how playful they are, and how cute they are.  She loves to go to the forest and play with the baby animals. 

One day after school was out Sophia went to the forest to play with the baby animals.  Like every day she would go to the forest.  Today the birds were chirping loudly and for a minute Sophia could hear the animals talking to her.  Later on she could barely hear the other animals talking together when she was a fawn.

The next day when she went back she could hear the wind talking to the trees.  For a moment she thought she was crazy.  After she visited all the animals she went straight home to tell her mom. 

“Mom, mom!  The last few days it’s been so weird.  I can hear all the animals and the trees and the wind.  What should I do?” said Sophia.  

“Why do you think I care?” said Sophia’s stepmom. 

  “Never mind,” said Sophia. 

  “Go do your homework!  Bye!”  said Sophia’s stepmom. 

Sophia’s parents died in a bad car crash.  Since then Sophia has a mean stepmother as a mom.  Sophia went to her room to do her homework. 

Her room had only one window.  It was a very gloomy room.  Her mom only gave her a dresser, a bed and a bookshelf.  Sophia loves to read. 

Just then a squirrel appeared in the window and asked her if she had any nuts.  But the funny thing is that Sophia understood him. 

That was so weird thought Sophia.  How can I understand that squirrel?  Can I talk to animals?  No thought Sophia.  I can’t . 

The next day when Sophia went to school there was a surprise.  The class was going to get a new class pet.  When everyone sat in their seats, “Class, our new class pet is a snake.  If you would like to hold him, raise your hand,” said the teacher.  

Sophia’s hand shot up like a rocket.  “Sophia would you like to go first?” asked the teacher.  

“Yes please,” said Sophia. 

When the snake hissed Sophia heard it say, “Hissss would you be a Nature Queen?”  

 Sophia was so shocked.  She asked the class if they heard the snake talk.  They all shook their heads no. 

When she said “sure,” she thought she said it in English.  But she said so the class didn’t understand it.  So they all started to scream.

  

Sophia’s teacher called home and said, “Don’t send Sophia back!” 

Sophia’s stepmom came right over.  When they got home Sophia got punished.  She was not to see the animals for a month.  Sophia went to her room.  Sophia said to herself, “I wish the animals were here.” 

Suddenly the animals appeared and Sophia realized she can talk to animals.  Then Sophia went to tell her mom.

When the animals followed Sophia downstairs, Sophia’s stepmom said, “Sophia, I told you no seeing the animals for a month!”  

“But mom, they just appeared in my room.  It’s not my fault!  And I wanted to tell you I can talk to animals!”  

“Like I’ll ever believe that,” said Sophia’s stepmom.  

“Listen,” said Sophia. 

Sophia spoke to the animals and said something they understood.  “See” said Sophia.  

Sophia’s stepmom said, “Sophia you can’t.  It’s not possible.” 

  “Oh yes it is” said Sophia.  

Now every day she goes to the forest and reads to the animals.  Every day they have a party because of her talent. 

Calub

Gardening

On Monday we went gardening.  We grew radishes.  First we gathered three radish seeds.  Then we planted the seeds in a little hill.  After we planted the seeds we watered the seeds and went back to class.  I hope they’re grown by next week.  

Ayla

I Wish I had a Diamond

I wish I had a diamond

So beautiful so fine

I wish I had a diamond

Just for me all mine

Everyone would know my name

Instead of being poor instead of being weak

Everything would be about me

Posters and flags everywhere

My name here and there

I’d go around the world with my pride

I would bring my diamond that’s just mine

I would show the world my diamond

And then they would think that’s so fine

They’d say to themselves

I wish that was that was mine

I wish I had a diamond

Eliza

I Want to be a Chef

When I grow up I want to be a chef.  When I grow up I want to be a chef because it seems fun.  If I was a chef I would make pasta and pizza.  According to the article everything tastes better when you use olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs.  I hope I become a chef.  

Valynn

Being a Chef

When I am older I want to be a chef.  For dinner I would serve fries, chicken, rice, roast beef, pizza and macaroni.  For dinner drinks I would serve Sprite, milk, water, root beer, Coke and Dr. Pepper.  For breakfast I would serve pancakes, sausage, bacon, sunnyside up eggs, scrambled eggs, blueberry pancakes and hash browns.  For breakfast drinks I would serve milk, water, root beer and Sprite.  I want to be a chef really badly!

Heaven

Clean Pennies

Today in science we did two experiments.  Our second experiment was about cleaning pennies with coffee, vinegar or water.  So we put the pennies in a jar with coffee and vinegar.  I wonder if it will be shiny?  We are going to take the pennies out on Tuesday.

New Books for our classroom

Thank you so much for your orders with Scholastic books. We will do another order later this month. Here are all of the books that w were able to get with the classroom thanks to your orders!

Update from Ms. Luria

This week's homework link: October 3rd

Spelling list for this week: Spelling

Dear Families,

On Thursday of this coming week your child should wear light colored clothes that are easy to wash. They will be working with clay in art class! 

Weekly Volunteer times still available: 

• Tuesday between 10:45 - 11 to do writing conferences with students (I'll show you how to do that). 
• Tuesdays between 1:45 and 3 to do science experiments with students - help set up the experiment, help clean up and general help with the experiments
• Wednesday between 10 - 11 to either help with a reading group or do writing/reading conferences with students
• Fridays between 10 - 11 to either help with a reading group or do writing/reading conferences with students

This week's focus:

Reading-

*Three different book clubs finished their first book that we read together. Ask your child what book they are reading during book club time! 

*We practiced slowing down when we don't understand what we are reading.
*We read non-fiction pieces about businesses and practiced asking questions as we read text.

Writing-

*Students published their first paragraph. They learned to use a topic sentence, three details and a feel or focus sentence. You can see a few examples from students on the blog. 

    

Math-

*We learned all about graphing this week! 

*Students created bar graphs, pictographs and line graphs.

*We are going to start learning to count by 4's. Please help your child practice this skill at home. By now, your child should be able to count by 3's without pausing. 
*If you child cannot do 100 subtraction facts in 5 minutes, please make sure they are practicing every night on a worksheet or online at runmoby.com. The online site is better because it targets math facts your child has yet to memorize. 

Social Studies and Science-

*We observed money from all over the world.

*We practiced writing 5 sentence paragraphs with a clear topic sentence and a clear conclusion about money. 

*We will be creating our own coins in the next two weeks. 

Important note: Please wear gym clothes on Fridays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

IB Project research sites

Money and the US Mint: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinsMedals/

US Mint History: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/mintHistory/

Bartering System: http://merchantwarehouse.com/merchants-and-barter-system-kids

How Money began: http://www.funsocialstudies.learninghaven.com/articles/bartering.htm

Kid Businesses: http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/money/making/article9.html

Banks: http://themint.org/kids/how-banks-work.html

Ways to save money: http://themint.org/kids/how-banks-work.html

Truth about Millionaire Quiz: http://themint.org/kids/the-truth-about-millionaires.html

What is the stock market?: http://themint.org/kids/what-is-the-stock-market.html

Types of Investments: http://library.thinkquest.org/3096/

How to Save Money: http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-as-a-Kid