3rd Grade Homework

KenKen Puzzles - Due September 4

A. In class today, we learned about how to complete KenKen puzzles and discussed a variety of strategies. We completed several puzzles together, and the students have been assigned 3 additional puzzles to complete for homework. The website KenKen.com is an excellent resource to review how to play and solve additional puzzles of varying difficulty. Note: The students must click on the link "Select Puzzle Type and Difficulty" to be able to choose the dimensions and operations.

B. We are now collecting donations for the WordMasters Challenge. Letters explaining the competition and envelopes for the donations were given to the students today. Please send in all donations by September 11.

C. Several students picked up Scholastic book orders as they left today. You are encouraged to order online using our class code: GYLND. All orders are due by September 11.

4th Grade Homework - Vanderkooi's Group

The Twenty-One Balloons Questions - Due September 2

A. Students are to respond to the four questions on the bottom of the discussion guide for the introduction and Chapter I of The Twenty-One Balloons. Thoughtful and detailed answers are expected. The questions are also pasted below if needed:

1. What ideas in this Introduction do you think will play a big part in the story?

2. Based on your thoughts and reading, tell what is “absurd and fantastic” in this chapter. How do the author’s illustrations contribute to your understanding of the “absurd and fantastic”? 

3. What did Captain Simon do with the entry? Is this a common practice today? How did the reporters react to Professor Sherman’s response to their request? Would you have done likewise? Why?

4. Explain how William Waterman Sherman’s former profession connects to his great desire to go for a yearlong balloon ride. What other professions would connect to balloons rides or other adventures in this way? 

B. We are now collecting donations for the WordMasters Challenge. Letters explaining the competition and envelopes for the donations were given to the students today. Please send in all donations by September 11.

C. Several students picked up Scholastic book orders as they left today. You are encouraged to order online using our class code: GYLND. All orders are due by September 11.

4th and 5th Grade Goal Setting Explosion Boxes

The students did a great job reflecting on the goals they have already accomplished as well as the academic and personal goals they have set for themselves for this school year. The goals, for the most part, are challenging, but attainable. 

2nd Grade "Not-a-Box" Projects

  

3rd Grade Homework

Animal Analogies - Due August 28

In class today, we discussed the WordMasters Competition and learned more about the various types of analogies. The students were given an Animal Analogies activity to complete as homework for next week. In addition to completing the analogies on the front, the students have been challenged to write 5 of their own analogies on the back - leaving one blank in each for a classmate to complete next week in class.

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Target Students - Competition

WordMasters Challenge

This week we are introducing a new competition for our King Springs Target students. All of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Target students will be participating in the WordMasters Challenge. You can visit the website to learn more about the competition. In the near future, we will be asking for parent donations to help with the cost, and that information will be coming home soon. In the mean time, we are already praciting analogies in class and getting the students excited and prepared for our first meet in December.

WordMasters Challenge Website: www.wordmasterschallenge.com

Analogies Practice Websites:

* Quia - Awesome Analogies: www.quia.com/cb/7146.html

* Quia – Hangman Analogies: www.quia.com/hm/22953.html

* Fact Monster – Analogy of the Day: www.factmonster.com/analogies

4th Grade Homework - Mrs. Vanderkooi's Group

Analogies Activity - Due August 26

In class today, we discussed the WordMasters Competition and learned more about the various types of analogies. The students were given an analogies activity to complete as homework for next week. In addition to completing the analogies on the front, the students have been challenged to write 5 of their own analogies on the back - leaving one blank in each for a classmate to complete next week in class.

5th Grade Homework

As part of our pre-reading exercise for the book, The Twenty-One Balloons, we began some research about the 1880s. Since students were unable to complete this within the time allotted in class, I am asking that they complete the research at home. 

Each student has a copy of the research topics/questions, but I have included them here. 

The U.S. in the 1880’s

Information to be Found	Answer/Information
President of the U.S.
Vice president of the U.S.
Total U.S. population
Number of states
Population of California
Percent of California’s population made up of immigrants
Percent of U.S. having a college education
Name a popular leisure time activity
Name a popular sport
The average annual income of various professions
Cost of an average home
Teacher’s annual income
Mayor of San Francisco in 1880
World in the 1880’s
Location of Krakatoa
Name an invention of the 1800’s
Diamond prices

2nd Grade Project

"Not-a-Box"

Today we read a simple children’s book titled, Not a Box, in which a rabbit sitting inside of a box is asked, "Why are you sitting in a box?" On the next page, the rabbit responds that it isn't a box; it is a race car. The book continues with other imagined box-like objects (spaceship, mountain top, etc...) being imagined by the little rabbit. The idea behind the story is that with imagination, we can dream up all sorts of things.When we “think outside the box,” the possibilities are endless.

Your task is to find a box (of reasonable size to carry to school…) and come up with a creative, imaginative use for the box.  Your only limitation is that your imaginative idea CANNOT SIMPLY BE A BOX OF/FOR ANYTHING. It must be made into something else. Your idea needs to be original and cannot replicate the ideas in the book (race car, mountain, skyscraper, robot, boat).  You need to include a paper documenting your brainstorming of ideas.

You will also write a short (paragraph or two) explaining your “Not-a-Box” and how you came up with your idea. Remember, this should be YOUR original idea, so your explanation cannot include, “My mom and dad said I should make it into a….”

4th & 5th Grade Novel Study

The Twenty-One Balloons - Needed by August 26/28

This semester we will be reading the book The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois with our 4th and 5th grade Target students. Within this novel study, we will be completing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities to drive the instruction in our standards-based classroom.  It would be ideal if each student could have his/her own copy of the book. Please purchase the book for your child to bring to his/her Target class on August 26/28. If you are unable to locate or purchase the book, please let us know so that we can consider other options for getting enough books. Thanks!

3rd Grade Project

All About Me Brochure - Due August 21^st

Our first assignment is going to be a brochure about you! As your new teacher, I want to know who you are and what interests you. This is going to be a fun assignment about your favorite subject… YOU! Directions:

1. Read through all of these steps and make a plan/rough draft before you start your project.

2. Fold a piece of 8½” x 11” paper into 3 sections like a brochure.

3. Design a cover that includes your name, a title, and a picture of you.

4. Create 5 sections that will tell our class more about you:  

· One required section is 5 goals for this school year. They can be personal and/or academic.

· The other 4 sections are your choice. Some examples include family, hobbies, interests, accomplishments, favorite books, future career plans, places you have traveled, pets, etc.

· Each section should have a heading at the top.

       5. Make sure this project reflects your personality and shows your best effort. It should be neat, colorful, and creative. You are welcome to use technology (such as a brochure template from Microsoft Word) if desired.

4th & 5th Grade Project

Exploding Box Project - Due August 19/21

This week you will create an “exploding box” in which you will reflect on four different goals you have accomplished in the past, four personal goals for this school year, and four academic goals for this school year.  The goals you have already accomplished will go on the inner-most part of the box. The personal goals will go on the next layer, and the academic goals on the last layer (the biggest part of the box).  Each goal, in its respective layer of the box, needs to be written on a separate square.

Supply List:

For the Box you will need:

3 sheets of 12x12 of cardstock (Poster board properly measured and cut would work, too.)

For the Lid you will need:

 1 sheet of cardstock (this piece of cardstock can be smaller, you will need a

 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 square for the lid)

                                Miscellaneous papers to embellish the box

Tools:

 Ruler

 Scissors

 Scoring tool such as a straight edge/ruler

 Glue or double sided tape

 Paperclips or binder clips to hold the corners of the lid while the glue dries

 Embellishments, photos, etc. to decorate the box

 Coordinating decorative paper if you want to cover the pages/flaps

Directions:

1. First you will make the lid so that the glue has time to dry while you make the box. Take the cardstock that you selected for your lid and cut it to 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 inches.

2. Now score at 1 ½ inches in from each of the four edges.

3. Fold on each of the four score lines, and make a cut on only 2 of the sides. Cut on only two of the sides from the edge to the fold.

4. Glue the corners in place.  Double-sided tape can be used, but may not be strong enough for this (it holds for a little while and then it may let go) so a wet glue, like a tacky glue or a paper glue is recommended. Use some paperclips to hold the corners in place while drying.

5. Now you will make the box itself. Take the 3 sheets of cardstock and cut them as follows:

Bottom piece: 12” x 12”

Middle piece: 11 ¾” x 11 ¾”

Top piece: 11.5” x 11.5” 

6. Score all 3 pieces of cardstock at 4” on each side. Each piece of cardstock will now have 9 squares like a tic-tac-toe grid.

7. Cut out the 4 outside corners from each piece of cardstock. 

8. Stack your 3 layers one on top of the other. Now you need to glue together your 3 layers. It’s easiest if you start by putting the smallest piece onto the middle piece, and then the middle piece (with attached small piece) onto the largest one. Glue only the center - not the sides. You can also use double stick tape for this assembly. Take care to center each layer.

9. Now, you can decorate the inside and outside of your explosion box using decorative paper such as scrapbooking paper (or wrapping paper).  The coordinating papers will be cut slightly smaller than the dimensions of the “flap” you are decorating. This allows all the colors and papers to show “borders” which makes the box look nice.

10. If you have chosen to use patterned paper on the inside, you will also need to cut some smaller squares on which to write your goals and glue on top of the patterned paper.

 

Box Design Samples & Tutorials:

http://glitteradventure.blogspot.com/2006/11/exploding-box-class.html

http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/projects/ss/ExplodBoxHowTo.htm

Fall Target Open House

On Tuesday, September 9^th from 6:30-7:30 PM, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Vanderkooi will hold a Target Open House in the media center. This meeting is specifically for parents of students in grades 2-5 that are already in Target. 

There will be a separate meeting in the future for parents who are interested in eligibility information if their students are not already in Target. When that meeting is scheduled, more information will be sent via email.