Thursday, January 7, 2016

Religion Study Guide for Grades 2, 3, 4

Dear Parents,
          On Jan. 6 all classes copied twenty vocabulary words and their definitions in their ELA notebooks listed under the heading: Vocabulary Review for Mid Term Exams.  Please make sure all students review these well.
           Please see below for a study guide in Religion for each class. Please remember that third and fourth grade will be taking the archdiocesan exam on line in January. Below is an outline.  More notes will be sent home next week. ALL GRADES SHOULD ALLSO STUDY THE  TWENTY VOCABULARY DEFINITIONS IN THEIR ELA NOTEBOOK AND WORK ON REVIEWING THE REST OF THE GRAMMAR SKILLS (with one star).

FOURTH GRADE Religion Study Guide

We are created in God's image so we are able to think, love, and make choices.
Creation reflects the beauty, wisdom, and goodness of God.
Respect for life : respect for the unborn, elderly, and the handicapped

 Sanctus prayer: prayer said or sung at every Mass. MEMORIZE PRAYER in notebook.

Know how to pray the rosary (see text p. 328: left side).  Study the Luminous Mysteries (the Five Mysteries of Light (p. 328 at the bottom) and see http://www.catholic.org/prayers/mystery.php?id=4 for explanation of these mysteries. MEMORIZE THESE MYSTERIES.

Conscience formation is a lifelong process.  It means learnig to know and to choose the good that God wants for us.  It is through conscience that we judge whether an act is right or wrong.  Free will is the ability to make choices. The sources of conscience formation are: scripture, church teachings, and examples by good people.

Know the six steps for making a good moral choice. MEMORIZE THESE STEPS in notebook.

Temptation is NOT sinful but can cause us to make selfish choices.

Examination of conscience is the act of determining whether the choices we have made showed love for God, ourselves, and others. (See text pp. 62-63).

Know how we celebrate Advent:
*lasts four weeks; liturgical color is purple
*create an Advent wreath with 3 purple candles and one rose candle
*set up a Jesse tree: bare branches decorated with Bible symbols
*set up a Nativity scene: Mary and Joseph in a stable with Jesus lying in a manger.

Know how we celebrate Christmas:
*lasts two weeks: liturgical color is white
*celebrate the birth of Jesus by attending Mass
*sing Christmas carols
*spend time with family and friends and exchange gifts

Sin is a choice to disobey God's laws either by thought, word, action, or omission
Mortal -serious sin that breaks our relationship with God
Venial - less serious sin that weakens our relationship with God
Omission - failure to do what is right

Covenant - agreement God made with the Israellites (Chosen People) to teach them to love (Study text pp. 96 to 98.)

  True freedom comes from following Jesus' Law of Love.  The more one does what is good , the freer one becomes.  There is no true freedom except of what is good and just.

Ten Commandments- law of God to do good and avoid evil given to Moses on  Mount Sinai. The first three deal with love of God and the last seven deal with love of neighbor. MEMORIZE EACH OF THE TEN COMMAMDMENTS.

Jesus' Two Great Commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  MEMORIZE
Jesus' New Commandment: " Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must you love be for one another."  MEMORIZE

Beatitudes - ideals of Christian behavior.  These are Jesus' teachings  to reveal God's plan for our true happiness.  It is also called Sermon on the Mount.

                              
                        

THIRD GRADE Religion Study Guide

Blessed Trinity is our model of love. We need to use God's name with reverence (respect).
 Jesus was sent by God, the Father  to show us how to love God, ourselves, and others. Jesus reveals the Father and the Holy Spirit to us.

Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God in the parables of  "The Mustard Seed" and "The Sower of Seeds." Study text pp.  296-299 and in notebook.                                                                                                                    
In the Lord's Prayer we pray "thy kingdom come.."

Examples of miracles are "The Wedding of Cana,"  "The Widow's Son, " and "the Multiplication of Loaves." Study each of these miracles in the notebook.

Followers of Jesus belong to his church and are called to love everyone even our enemies.

Respect to life refers to respect for the unborn, elderly, and handicapped. We are called to care for ourselves by caring for our bodies, gifts, and talents. We are expected to care for the property, possessions, and reputation of others.  We are also expected  to practice stewardship by caring for all of God's creation.      

Jesus' Two Great Commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  MEMORIZE
          
Know how we celebrate Advent:
*lasts four weeks; liturgical color is purple
*create an Advent wreath with 3 purple candles and one rose candle
*set up a Jesse tree: bare branches decorated with Bible symbols
*set up a Nativity scene: Mary and Joseph in a stable with Jesus lying in a manger.

Know how we celebrate Christmas:
*lasts two weeks: liturgical color is white
*celebrate the birth of Jesus by attending Mass
*sing Christmas carols
*spend time with family and friends and exchange gifts

Sin is refusal to love and  obey God
Mortal -serious sin that breaks our relationship with God
Venial - less serious sin that weakens our relationship with God
Omission - failure to do what is right

Know the four steps of the Reconciliation(text pp 212-213)

Study the parable of "The Good Samaritan" in the notebook. The first two men who passed by committed a sin of omission.

The Ten Commandments are the standards for love. MEMORIZE.THEM.
The Church is a community who share the same faith and sacraments.



SECOND GRADE Religion Study Guide

Study the definitions of the flash card vocabulary words for Units 1 and 2 on www.sadlierreligion.com that should have been printed out and glued on index cards by now!
We reviewed these in class today.   More information  about reviewing for the mid term will be available next week after our faculty meeting on Friday because we were told to wait until then before planning any further.


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Homework for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grades for Jan. 4 to 8th SEE UPDATED MESSAGE!

                                   
Dear Parents,
          Many, many thanks for the lovely gifts you sent for Christmas. I waited until Christmas Day to open them!   I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity more than you'll ever know! Below are part of the study guides for ELA  for all three classes.  PLEASE SEE NEXT BLOG FOR RELIGION STUDY GUIDE FOR ALL THREE CLASSES.


FOURTH GRADE 

12/5  In Grammar study at least the first eight areas marked ** for tonight and the rest on Thursday night.  Assessments will be given each day to make sure students are reviewing well!
In Phonics study the first four areas marked ** for tonight and the rest on Thursday.
Religion Study Guide will be posted by Thursday so all have time to study.  Mid- term Exams for ELA and Religion  are scheduled for Jan. 20th and 21st.

 STUDY GUIDE FOR ELA FOR FOURTH GRADE

Grammar:
STUDY THESE PAGES IN GRAMMAR WORKSHOP BOOK AND ON IXL.COM
**recognize and correct fragments and run-ons: writing complete sentences (pp.32-35)
**use relative pronouns: who, whose, whom, which, that (pp. 180-183)
**use  relative adverbs: where, when, why  (pp. 180-183)
**use progressive verb tenses: am walking, was walking, will be walking (pp. 92-95)
**use  modal auxiliaries: can, may, must (p. 84)
**use correct order of adjectives within sentences (pp. 112-115)
**recognize different prepositions (p. 152)
**form and use prepositional phrases (p.154)
* identify the four types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory (p. 8)
*correctly use the homophones: two/to/too;  there/their/they're (pp. 224-226)
*correctly use comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence (p. 24)
*correctly use commas and quotation marks to identify speech (p. 220)
*correctly use capitalization for beginning of sentences, dialog, proper nouns, titles, etc.                 (pp. 196, 204, 206, 220)
*know meaning of prefixes and suffixes (on sheet stapled in ELA notebook)

Phonics:
**identify initial and medial consonant blends
**identify intial, medial, final consonant digraphs
**recognize different sounds for c, g, amd s
**identify sounds of the following vowels pairs: ea, oo, ew, oa, ai, igh, ou, ow, oi, oy, aw, au
*form contractions
*double final consonant before adding  a suffix (sitting)
*change y to i before adding a suffix (cries)
*drop silent before adding a suffix (smiled)

Writing:
* Read one or two texts about an animal using its defense mechanisms and use the information to compose a three paragraph explanatory essay. The essay needs to explain how the animal uses its body and behavior to help it survive.  The essay must include an introduction and a conclusion.  Each paragraph must have 5 or 6 sentences. There must be some use of transitional words or phrases. There must be correct use of capitalization and punctuation.
* Create a research based narrative essay of three paragraphs describing a character and relating an adventure the animal has defending itself against a predator. The essay must show the actions, thoughts, and feelings of the character. Events must be in order and must include some dialog.
Essay must include an introduction and a conclusion.  Each paragraph must have 5 or 6 sentences. There must be some use of transitional words or phrases. There must be correct use of capitalization and punctuation.


 THIRD GRADE                                          



12/5  In Grammar study at least the first eleven areas marked ** for tonight and the rest on Thursday night.  Assessments will be given each day to make sure students are reviewing well!
In Phonics study the first three areas marked ** for tonight and the rest on Thursday.
Religion Study Guide will be posted by Thursday so all have time to study.  Mid- term Exams for ELA and Religion  are scheduled for Jan. 20th and 21st.

                                    STUDY GUIDE FOR ELA FOR THIRD GRADE

STUDY THESE PAGES IN GRAMMAR WORKSHOP BOOK AND ON IXL.COM
**recognize and correct fragments and run-ons: writing complete sentences (pp. 8, 36)      
**recognize the different parts of speech: noun, pronoun, adjctive, verb, adverb
**form and use regular and irregular verbs: (dance/danced)  (eat/ate) pp. 84, 104, 108
**identify and use present, past, and future verb tenses (walk/walks, walked, will walk) pp. 76, 84, 88
**use abstract nouns (eg. childhood, honesty, love) pp. 44-47
**form and use regular and irregular plural nouns (dog/dogs)  (man/men) pp. 56, 60
**make subjects and verbs agree in writing (A boy runs.) (Boys run.) p. 76-78
**make pronouns and antecedents agree in writing (The girl said she would come.) pp.176-179
**form and use comparative and superlative adjectives (cold/colder/coldest) pp. 128, 132
**form and use comparative and superlative adverbs  (soon/sooner/soonest) pp. 144-145
**use coordinating and subordinating conjunction (pp. 28, 32)
*distinguish and write simple, compound, and complex sentences (pp. 28, 32)
*use possessives correctly in writing (a boy's coat /  all the boys' coats) p. 64
*double final consonant before adding a suffix (raced, sitting) p. 84
*change y to i before adding a suffix (cries) p. 80, 84
*drop silent before adding a suffix (smiled) p. 84
*capitalize appropriate words in titles (The Cat in the Hat) p. 200
*use commas in addresses (Tampa, Florida) pp. 192-194
*use commas and quotation marks correctly in dialogue p. 212
*determine meaning of the new word formed when an affix is added (agree/disagree) (care/careless)
*use a known root word as a clue to meaning of an unknown word (company/companion)
*identify the different types of sentences and punctuation (pp.12,16)
Phonics:
** identify initial, medial, final consonants
** recognize different sounds for c, g, s
** identify short vowel sounds
*identify long /a/ sounds:  ai, ay, a-e,
*identify long /e/ sounds: ee, ea. -y,
 *identify long /i / sounds: ie,  i-e, igh, -y
*identify long /o / sounds:  oa, o-e,  ow,
*recognize two long vowel sounds for /u/ as in glue and mule

Writing:
* Read one or two text selections and locate information about two different aspects of a country's culture. Then compose a two paragraph explanatory essay giving details that describe the customs and traditions of the country. The essay must have an introduction and a conclusion and each paragraph must have 5 or 6 sentences.There must be some use of transitional words or phrases. There must be correct use of capitalization and punctuation.
*Using information gathered from text selections, compose a letter with a body of two paragraphs urging an author to write a new book about the country you researched.  The letter must include information about the culture of the country she can use in her book.  The letter must include all five letter parts: date, greeting, body, closing, and signature. The letter must have an introduction and a conclusion and each paragraph must have 5 or 6 sentences.There must be some use of transitional words or phrases. There must be correct use of capitalization and punctuation.

                               

                                           
SECOND GRADE
12/5  In Grammar study at least the first six areas marked ** for tonight and the rest on Thursday night.  Assessments will be given each day to make sure students are reviewing well!
In Phonics study the first four areas marked ** for tonight and the rest on Thursday.
Religion Study Guide will be posted by Thursday so all have time to study.  Mid- term Exams for ELA and Religion  are scheduled for Jan. 20th and 21st.

                                            STUDY GUIDE FOR ELA FOR SECOND GRADE

PLEASE REFER TO THE  PAGES IN VOYAGES BOOK (IF MARKED V) , THE SUPERKIDS WORKBOOK (IF MARKED SK)   OR THE NEW YORK PROGRESS BOOK  (IF MARKED  PR)

Grammar:
**identify collective nouns (eg. group, tribe, flock)  PR p. 50
**forming  regular plural nouns  ( -s, -es)  SK p. 33
**forming irregular plural nouns  PR  pp. 48-49
**forming past tense of irregular verbs  (sat, told)  PR pp. 94-95 and V pp 89-91
**recognizing different types of sentences with  correct punctuation  V p. 28
**capitalizing proper nouns V pp. 44-48
*writing compound sentences  PR p. 234
*using commas in greeting and closing of letters V p. 57
*identifying base words (SK p. 37),  prefixes (SK p. 79), and suffixes (SK p. 91)
*using adjectives to describe nouns  V pp. 124, 126
*using adverbs to describe verbs  V p. 97
*using apostrophes in  singular and plural posessives  V pp. 56-57
*using apostrophes in contractions V p. 164

Phonics:
** identify initial, medial, final consonants
** identify short vowel sounds
**identify long /a/ sounds:  ai, ay, a-e,
**identify long /e/ sounds: ee, ea. -y,
*identify long /i / sounds: ie,  i-e, igh, -y
*identify long /o / sounds:  oa, o-e,  ow,
*recognize two long vowel sounds for /u/ as in glue and mule

Writing:
*Review how to write a letter with all lettter parts: date, greeting, body, closing, signature (name) in the correct and with correct use of capital lettters and punctuation. The body must include some statements and questions and consist of six complete serntences.
*Be able to write an explanatory essay ( title and paragraph  of six sentences) about the topic you researched for your project.  Make sure you write complete sentences and use correct punctuation and capitalization. It must include an introduction and a conclusion.

Vocabulary:
Review the defiitions of the following terms:
fertile, sacred, invention, silk, remarkable, represent, praise, permanent, route, caligraphy
Indus, Yangtze, Hinduism, Diwali, Buddhism, Nomad, Confucius, Great Wall, Chinese inventions


.


         

Monday, December 14, 2015

Notices and Homework for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th for Dec. 14 to 18th

Dear Parents,
        Tomorrow  on Tuesday there will an assemby at 9:00 in which each class will have a turn singing a Christmas carol.  Each student should be dressed in any combination of red, green or white clothes (but not jeans).  This week ALL classes will be finishing their book report projects!  Each section will be graded and listed on the SIS over the Christmas vacation.  ANY STUDENT  FROM 2ND, 3RD, OR 4TH WHO HAS NOT BROUGHT IN THEIR $.50 FOR THEIR REPORT COVER  NEEDS TO BRING IT IN BY THIS WED.  Third grade students need to bring in strong medium size plastic or fabric bags to pack up their books which will be stored away on Thursday for vacation. Let students know which books you want them to take home by then.  On Friday all classes will have Lessons and Carols and Benediction in Church in the morning and will be having a party in the afternoon since we have  a full day of school.  I will be ordering pizza for third grade.  Please have you child bring in $3.00 and bring in their own small juice containers.  Students may also bring in any snacks, cookies, or Christmas candy they wish to share but not more than one bag.  There will not be any quizzes this week.  There will however be Vacation Homework because unfortunately January Mid-term exams await us upon our return. Also please rermember that THIRD and FOURTH GRADERS will be taking the Religion Archdiocesan Exam this year in January as well as in June.

Please see below your grade  for this week's homework:

FOURTH:
12/15 In your Religion notebook NEATLY write the word and definition of the following terms from the glossary in the back of your Religion book. Begin with Aim: To review vocabulary for Religion Archdiocesan Mid-term Exam
absolution, conscience, commandment, communion of saints, temptation, Beatitudes, covenant,  Corporal Works of Mercy, Spiritual Works of Mercy
Also study on p. 328 how to pray the rosary for an assessment on Wednesday.

12/17 Study the five Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary and what each means on http://www.catholic.org/prayers/mystery.php?id=4.  Review ALL vocabulary definitions you copied for homework as well as those  8 given in class.

THIRD:
12/15 In your Religion notebook NEATLY write the word and definition of the following terms from the glossary in the back of your Religion book. Begin with Aim: To review vocabulary for Religion Archdiocesan Mid-term Exam
Assumption, deacon, pastor, bishop, pope, disciple,  lay people  STUDY!

To review the meaning of the Jesse tree symbols, you may look at a quick summary on: http://www.saintmargaretmary.org/advent/JesseTree.pdf

12/17 Review ALL vocabulary definitions you copied for homework as well as those  8 given in class. STUDY!

SECOND
12/15 Review all Unit 1 and Unit 2 flash card words printed out from www.sadlierreligion.com for an assessment on Thursday.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Homework for 2nd,3rd, & 4th for Dec. 7 to 11

Dear Parents,
         As I'm sure you have heard already this Friday dismissal has been changed to 3:00 and  the principal has asked that all students be in school uniform!  There will be 12:00 dismissal on Mon., Dec. 14th instead.  Please check below for this week' s homework for each grade:

 FOURTH
12/8  ELA - Complete the character graphic organizer based on your assigned animal with five bullets for the top four boxes and three each for the bottom two boxes. It MUST be research-based.    It must also be neat and with correct spelling.  Complete the drawing begun in art class of your animal facing its predator. Write your name on the back.

12/10 ELA -  On ONE looseleaf answer the following:  Grammar Workshop p. 153 #1-6 (yes-redo!) and p. 93 #1 to 10. PLEASE BRING IN $.50 for report  cover for your  self-made book by tomorrow.

THIRD
12/8 ELA - Complete the Topic Decision Recording form front and back listing details on TWO different topics on your  assigned  country.   Be sure to check for correct spelling.
12/8 REL - On looseleaf write as a title:  Year of Mercy.  Write an essay of two  paragraphs In the first paragraph explain why it is impotant to forgive others.  Then describe a time when you have forgiven someone and a time when someone forgave you for something.  In the second paragraph write about two parables of forgiveness: "The Lost Sheep" and "The Forgiving Father." Explain what happens in each and how they teach us about God's forgiveness of our sins.
Your name goes under the essay on the right side.

12/10 ELA - On looseleaf write a heading. Answer Grammar Workshop p. 133 B #1-10. PLEASE BRING IN $.50 for report  cover for your  self-made book  by tomorrow.


SECOND
12/8 ELA - On looseleaf write a heading. Answer Voyages pp.81-82..Read directions carefully.
12/8 REL-  On looseleaf write a heading. Write the title: Charity. Ship a line and indent. In paragraph form  explain how you show charity to others.  You may read http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/donate-to-charity/9-ways-to-teach-your-child-about-charity-/ for ideas. You may also research
http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/sites/default/files/Generosity-PC-2015-best.pdf.

12/10 ELA-  On looseleaf write a heading. Answer Voyages pp. 83 and 89. Read directions carefully.   PLEASE BRING IN $.50 for report  cover for your  self-made book  by tomorrow.                                              

Monday, November 30, 2015

UPDATED Homework for Nov. 30 to Dec.4 for 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Dear Parents,  
         Please be sure to read the previous blog giving details on our ELA project for all classes.

 FOURTH GRADE
12/1 On looseleaf write Vocabulary as a title.  Then write five vocabulary words related to your assigned animal and next to each an easy- to- understand definition. On another looseleaf  write Animal Adventure as a title. Write the made up name of your character animal and the name of the  one predator he will be defending himself from.   Then list 3 to 4   bullets  describing your animal's characteristics, personality, behavior, etc. Then list  another  5 to 6 bullets describing how your assigned animal uses its defense mechanisms against its predator  (These must be based on actual research- based  FACTS.   This organizer will be used in class tomorrow to help you  write your  three- paragraph narrative.  A helpful website is https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/animal-articles.html.
 Religion Quiz Wed. on Chapter 8.
You may wish to  check out the following two sites:   http://www.elitereaders.com/weird-animal-defense-mechanism/  and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls2Q55OOVHA.

12/3 On looseleaf answer Grammar Workshop p. 113 B #1-6 (Write adjective and noun) and p. 153 B  #1-6.  Complete the picture of your animal on blank white paper.
FOR ELA QUIZ STUDY Grammar Workshop pp. 180-181 and pp. 84-85 and Phonics pp. 28-29 and  last vocabulary words in notebook.
ALL assigned parts of the project done so far are to be completed and turned in tomorow without fail





THIRD GRADE
12/1 On looseleaf write Vocabulary as a title.  Then write five vocabulary words related to your country's culture and next to each an easy- to- understand definition.  Be sure to have your informational page done or bring in any print outs you made so that tomorrow we can start on the letter to an author in which you will be describing various aspects of your  assigned country's culture.
Religion Quiz Wed. on Chapter 8.


12/3 On looseleaf answer Grammar Workshop p. 129 B #1-8. Complete the picture of your assigned  country's flag on blank white paper.
FOR ELA QUIZ STUDY Grammar Workshop pp.104 to 106 and 108 to 110 and Phonics pp. 39-40
 and  last vocabulary words in notebook.
ALL assigned parts of the project done so far are to be completed and turned in tomorow without fail


SECOND GRADE
12/1 On looseleaf write Vocabulary as a title.  Then write five vocabulary words related to your assigned topic and next to each an easy to understand definition. Complete the picture related to your topic on white drawing paper.
Religion Quiz Wed. on Chapter 8.


12/3  On looseleaf answer Superkids Workbook pp. 84 and 87 (answers only)
FOR ELA QUIZ STUDY in ELA notebook study which irregular past tense verbs follow a helping verb (has, have, had) like  gone, done, given, eaten. Also study which irregular past tense verbs do not need a helping verb like went, did, gave, ate.  Also know the different meanings for train.  Also review all vocabulary words from  Diwali  to venture. In Phonics review p. 61.
All assigned parts of the project done so far are due tomorrow without fail!  These include five pages: cover sheet (with project's title, child's name, and  pictures), Vocabulary page (5 words with definitions), Organizer page (with bulleted list of 8 facts on their topic), Paragraph (based on the information on the organizer with title of the topic on top), child's drawing (based on the topic).  SIX STUDENTS IN SECOND GRADE HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS WORK!!!



Thursday, November 26, 2015

Homework for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th grades for Nov. 30 to Dec. 4

Dear Parents,
          I hope you are all enjoying your holiday. Last week all classes had an opportunity to check over their corrected ELA essays and do them over and both ELA and Religion Tests were sent home to be signed.  These tests need to be returned on Monday, Nov. 30th to be kept on file so they can be reviewed for January's Mid-term Exams.  It is also very important that ALL students complete the first part of their project (cover sheet on construction paper and written work on looseleaf) and bring them in no later than Monday. 
         We will continue with the second part of this project this coming week. All students will learn to list their primary and secondary sources of information (book or website).  All students must find five vocabulary words related directly to their topic.  These may be nouns, verbs, or adjectives.  They should be somewhat unfamiliar words but definitely words used in this country. For example, a fourth might use prickly and quills  in relation to a porcupine . A third grader might use sushi or chopsticks in relation to Japan's culture.  It would be helpful to have all students come in with a list of five words  so I can approve before they look up definitions and complete the Vocabulary Page of their book. We will also be working on completing a Drawing Page for their book.  Third graders will be attempting  a full page drawing of the flag of their country.  Fourth graders will try to make a sketch of their animal.  Second graders will draw a picture of a symbol, character, or figure related to their topic, such as Buddha. The drawing must be attempted by the student!
          In the following week students will be doing the final  part of their book which will then be compiled and be ready for our SHARED RESEARCH. Students will be able to share what they learned with each other with an opportunity to ask and answer questions.  These student-created books will also serve as a way to review before January's Mid-Term Exams since it covers much of the information for Module 2 (for 3rd & 4th) and Domain 2 (for 2nd).  I will be correcting each week's work on the weekends so it is very important that each student give in their work ON TIME!
           Next week we will once again begin Weekly Quizzes (Religion on Wed. and ELA on Thurs.) Thank you for your cooperation in helping your children do their best!              

PLEASE SEE MY NEXT BLOG ENTRY FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK .
                                                                                                                                   Ms. Saville
       

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Homework for Week of Nov. 22 to 27

Dear Parents,
         A reminder that students from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th should do the work assigned on IXL this weekend using their own username and password. I will be checking  their work on line on Monday.
The Religion quiz on Chapter  8 will be given next week but there will be no ELA quiz until after Thanksgiving.  The last  ELA and Religion TESTS students took will be sent home next week after students have an opportunity to rewrite their essay in class based on the corrections and suggestions I made on their papers.  This will be give them an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.  BOTH ELA AND RELIGION TESTS NEED TO BE RETURNED SIGNED ON NOV. 30th TO BE KEPT ON FILE FOR LATER STUDY.
        In this quarter all students will be required to do an ELA project based on research. I have brought several library books as samples of good sources of information.   Each project which will be done in parts to be totally completed before Christmas.  Students are expected to do their best but some errors are fine. We learn from them!  Instructions to each class  for completing the FIRST part  of the project are listed below.

FOURTH GRADE
 Each student has already been assigned an animal to research.
*Find a picture on images  (preferably in color) of the animal. You may find two pictures if you wish to show two different types of that animal.  Find an additional picture that shows an action shot (this animal using its defense mechanism).  Glue these pictures on a sheet of standard size construction paper along with the name of the animal as a title and your own name at the bottom. This will be called their cover sheet.
*On one sheet of loose leaf write an informational page based on your research on the animal. Begin with  a title: name of animal  (not your name).  Then  write  two paragraphs of 6 sentences each describing its physical characteristics, its habitat,  its defense mechanism, and  the name of one or more of its predators. Your name goes at the end of the essay.  Students may bring in a printed page to show where they found their research if they wish.
These two assignments cover the first part of the project due no later than Nov. 30th.
*After Thanksgiving students will continue their project in class listing resources, writing a narrative of a predator/prey encounter, sharing research, comparing/contrasting facts, etc.

THIRD GRADE
 Next week each student will be assigned a country to  research.  Some good sources would be the National Geographic Countries of the World series,  the True Books series from Scholastic available in libraries and Time for kids online. You may also google the country's facts for kids for more options.
* Find  three pictures (preferably in color) on images showing different aspects of the culture of that country. These may include special customs on holidays, traditional food,  clothing, dances, sports, tourist attractions, religious practices, etc. How to do this will be explained in class.  Glue these pictures on a sheet of standard size construction paper  along with the name of the country as a title and your own name at the bottom. This will be called their cover sheet.
*On one sheet on looseleaf write an informational page based on your research on that country.  Begin with a title: name of country (not your name). Then write two paragraphs of  5 sentences each
describing some of the traditions and customs typically associated with that country. Your name goes at the end of the essay.  Students may bring in a printed page to show where they found their research if they wish.
These two assignments cover the first part of the project due no later than Nov. 30th.
*After Thanksgiving students will continue their project in class listing resources, writing a letter to an author describing their country, sharing research, comparing/contrasting facts, etc.

SECOND GRADE
Parents, I realize that many of you may be incredulous at the topics your students are required to learn about now as second graders but this is the case! Several of the topics have been covered already and the rest will be within the next three weeks. Each student will be assigned ONE topic like those listed below to research on a "kid-friendly" website or book. Examples will be shown and discussed  in class.  Some sample topics are listed below:
*Describe practices of  Hinduism.
*Describe practices of Buddhism.
*Describe the characters and setting  and explain the plot and moral of the folktale  "The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal."
*Describe the characters and setting and explain the plot, moral, and rhyme scheme of "The Blind Men and the Elephant"
*Explain the steps for making silk.
*Explain the teachings of Confucius.
*Describe the Great Wall of China.
*Explain the invention of paper.
*Describe the  Chinese New Year.
*Compare and contrast following religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and their holidays
*Explain Chinese writing calligraphy
*Explain reincarnation and compare to the Resurrection
* Provide information on early American civilizations (eg. Maya, Aztec, Inca)
*Explain the importance of the Indus River in India or the Yellow River in China.
*Explain Diwali

Assignment:
* Google your topic and click on images to find two or three appropriate and meaningful pictures related to your topic.  Glue these on one standard size construction paper . Be sure to include a title which can be clearly seen and your name at the bottom.  This will be called your cover sheet.
*After the topics have been discussed and assigned in class, each student will be asked to research information in a children's book or web site  intended for children (eg. google Diwali  for kids) and make a bulleted list of eight  interesting FACTS they wish to use in  their speech and  to include in  their paragraph  to be written in class. Students should be ready to explain words they use. This  assignment is due no later than Nov. 30th.
Students should not copy countless paragraphs they don't understand, but rather make a bulleted list of  interesting facts they do understand.