Sunday, February 26, 2012

Homework: Week of Feb. 27- Mar. 2, 2012

Homework: Week of Feb. 27- Mar. 2, 2012

Math:

EDM Unit 8 Study Links: Unit 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5,

*Play (on-line) Math Games with your family

IXL at your leisure and at your level- it’s FUN!

Literacy:

Reading: 30 minutes each night (10 minutes out loud)

Literacy: BE PREPARED for Guided Reading sessions on Feb. 29th and Mar. 2nd

Raz- Kids at your leisure and at your level.

Writing: In Reading Log each night (Choice-Reading Response Activity 1-60)

BORROW ‘just right’ book for your March Book Review- remember to CHANGE GENRE

Unit of Inquiry: HOW THE WORLD WORKS-INVENTIONS

Keep retesting your RUBE GOLDBERG ‘simple’ machine– ensuring that it is able to fulfill its goal of watering a plant.

Write down all the steps- at least 7 - and all of the drawings as you go through the invention process and modify your invention, so that your machine actually works!

*BE PREPARED & READY FOR INVENTION CONVENTION on Thursday Mar. 1st for KC Buddies & 4A and on Friday Mar. 2nd for Parents and Teachers.

(Will film with Flip video camera this Thursday, and then upload to youtube & edit online.)

*Write Reflection –in Blog- on your group’s RUBE GOLDBERG machines, and on any other group’s Rube Goldberg, especially any you thought were super effective or innovative.

Monday, February 13, 2012

8 Ways To Help With your Child's Homework

Here below are 8 Ways to Clean Up Messy Homework!
Evaluate your child's work. Check his assignments before he turns them in, and have him recopy anything that is illegible. You could even come up with your own neatness grading system — but keep it light-hearted ("I give this one garbage truck — it's nice and clear! This one gets three trucks — it needs a little more work").
Understand the source. Is it only the math homework that's crowded with doodles and scribbles? Maybe your child doesn't grasp the concepts. Bone up on the basics so you can help her, and talk to her teacher about her struggles. She might benefit from a tutor or other homework helper.
Provide the proper tools. Often, messy homework assignments are a result of a lack of organization. Give your child the supplies he needs to stay organized and keep his homework neat. Try a three-ring binder with color-coded folders, one for each subject. If his favorite color is red, assign the red folder to his favorite subject.
Clean up her work environment. The kitchen table usually isn't the optimal place for your child to work. Create an orderly workspace, complete with well-organized files, pens, pencils, and other supplies.
Make lists. A disorganized child may find himself easily overwhelmed. To help him start his homework routine on the right foot, make a simple, clear list of the tasks that he needs to complete: take backpack to homework desk, have snack, feed pets, do math problems . . . and so on.
Establish routines. Poor time management can lead to sloppy assignments too. Reserve a reliable chunk for homework every day. This time should be consistent, yet flexible. The flexibility will teach her to be realistic about time management as she gets older.
Explain why. To your child, being neat may seem pointless. Spell it out for him: there is an association between messiness and grades. His teacher can't read his homework if it's covered in scribbles, eraser marks, and food spills.
Allow for natural consequences. If your clean-it-up pleas and helpful hints are still falling on deaf ears, let your child experience whatever consequence her teacher dishes out: a lower grade, having to redo her work during recess, missing out on a special award. Sometimes this is the only message that sinks in.
Evaluate your child's work. Check his assignments before he turns them in, and have him recopy anything that is illegible. You could even come up with your own neatness grading system — but keep it light-hearted ("I give this one garbage truck — it's nice and clear! This one gets three trucks — it needs a little more work").
Understand the source. Is it only the math homework that's crowded with doodles and scribbles? Maybe your child doesn't grasp the concepts. Bone up on the basics so you can help her, and talk to her teacher about her struggles. She might benefit from a tutor or other homework helper.
Provide the proper tools. Often, messy homework assignments are a result of a lack of organization. Give your child the supplies he needs to stay organized and keep his homework neat. Try a three-ring binder with color-coded folders, one for each subject. If his favorite color is red, assign the red folder to his favorite subject.
Clean up her work environment. The kitchen table usually isn't the optimal place for your child to work. Create an orderly workspace, complete with well-organized files, pens, pencils, and other supplies.
Make lists. A disorganized child may find himself easily overwhelmed. To help him start his homework routine on the right foot, make a simple, clear list of the tasks that he needs to complete: take backpack to homework desk, have snack, feed pets, do math problems . . . and so on.
Establish routines. Poor time management can lead to sloppy assignments too. Reserve a reliable chunk for homework every day. This time should be consistent, yet flexible. The flexibility will teach her to be realistic about time management as she gets older.
Explain why. To your child, being neat may seem pointless. Spell it out for him: there is an association between messiness and grades. His teacher can't read his homework if it's covered in scribbles, eraser marks, and food spills.
Allow for natural consequences. If your clean-it-up pleas and helpful hints are still falling on deaf ears, let your child experience whatever consequence her teacher dishes out: a lower grade, having to redo her work during recess, missing out on a special award. Sometimes this is the only message that sinks in.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Homework: Week of Feb. 20- Feb. 24, 2012

Homework: Week of Feb. 20- Feb. 24, 2012

Math:

EDM Unit 7 Study Links: Unit 7.10, 7.11, STUDY for EDM Unit 7Math Test

*Play (on-line) Math Games with your family

IXL at your leisure and at your level- it’s FUN!

Literacy:

Reading: 30 minutes each night (10 minutes out loud)

PREPARE Literature Circle Groups Presentation for Friday Feb. 24th.

Raz- Kids at your leisure and at your level.

Writing: In Reading Log each night (Choice-Reading Response Activity 1-60)

GOOD COPY of your contribution for 4B Idiom book Due by Friday February 24rh

(10 Idioms with inferential/true meaning and literal meaning illustrations)

Finish reading book- new genre- for February Book Review - First Draft due Monday, Feb. 20th

PRESENTATIONS on Monday February 27th

Unit of Inquiry: HOW THE WORLD WORKS-INVENTIONS

Keep Researching about RUBE GOLDBERG inventions–-using suggested 4B suggested websites in readiness for creating your OWN RUBE GOLDBERG ‘simple‘ watering a plant machine.

*Write Reflection –in Blog- on Guest Speakers: Gr. 9 Students on Design Cycle & Gr. 10 Students from Robotics Club.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Homework: Week of Feb. 6- Feb. 10, 2012

Homework: Week of Feb. 6- Feb. 10, 2012

Math:

READ EDM Unit 7 Family Letter

EDM Unit 7 Study Links: Unit 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9

*Play (on-line) Math Games with your family

IXL at your leisure and at your level- it’s FUN!

Literacy:

Reading: 30 minutes each night (10 minutes out loud)

BE PREPARED for Literature Circle Discussion Groups Wednesday Feb. 8th and Friday Feb. 10th.

Raz- Kids at your leisure and at your level.

Writing: In Reading Log each night (Choice-Reading Response Activity 1-60)

GOOD COPY of your contribution for 4B Idiom book Due by Friday February 10rh

(10 Idioms with inferential/true meaning and literal meaning illustrations)

Continue reading book- new genre- for February Book Review PRESENTATIONS on Friday February 24th

Unit of Inquiry: HOW THE WORLD WORKS-INVENTIONS

Keep Researching about inventions– especially Rube Goldberg inventions -using suggested 4B suggested websites and/or our Browsing-Box of Inventions books.

Guest Speakers: Gr. 9 Students on Design Cycle & Gr. 10 from Robotics Club.

***Write Reflection –in Blog- on our Guest Speakers, Egg drop Experiment.

*** Share See-Think-Wonder with class.

FEBRUARY BREAK 11th - 19th, LAST DAY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10th

Crazy Dress Up Day