Direct Objects
Possessive Nouns
Helping and Main Verbs
Action Verbs
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Mentor Texts
Who is your favorite author? What does this author do that makes his/her books so good? What would you like to do in your own writing that is similar to this author?
OR
What is your favorite book? Why is this book your favorite? What sticks out in your mind as you read this book? How could you make your own writing similar to this book?
OR
What is your favorite book? Why is this book your favorite? What sticks out in your mind as you read this book? How could you make your own writing similar to this book?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Improve the Lead
Read the following story and write a new lead that draws the reader in. A good lead should have some of the following: action, dialogue, sound effects, description, feelings/thoughts, etc.
The Monster in the Barn
Bobby was preparing to go to bed late one evening when he heard a shrill screech coming from the barn outside. Bobby was unsure what was making such an eerie noise so late in the night. He had trouble falling asleep and tossed and turned all night dreaming about the haunting sounds emanating from the barn. When Bobby awakened the following morning, he hurried out to the barn to discover what was causing such a peculiar noise the night prior. He gathered his courage and entered the barn but left befuddled when he could not find what was making such noise. That evening after dinner as the sun was setting, Bobby grabbed a flashlight and set out for the barn.
"Where are you heading?" Bobby’s father asked.
"I am going to go find the monster that was making such a commotion last night," Bobby replied.
"If you are going to look for a monster, you might need some assistance," Bobby’s dad responded as he walked with Bobby out to the barn.
Bobby shined his flashlight into the barn, but he did not see anything. Bobby called out but only his echo returned. He walked into the barn but there was no monster.
"What did this monster sound like?" Bobby’s dad asked.
"It was a screeching noise," Bobby said, "and it was coming from the barn. I know it!"
Bobby’s dad began to chuckle and he took the flashlight from Bobby. Shining the flashlight up at the roof of the barn, Bobby and his dad saw a small brown owl in the rafters of the roof.
"It was only a barn owl that you heard last night," Bobby’s dad said. "They are nocturnal predators so that is why you only heard him at night. He must have been hunting for his dinner."
Bobby was elated that it wasn’t a monster and thanked his dad as they walked back to the house. Just then they heard a loud screech and looked up to see the barn owl flying away into the night sky.
The Monster in the Barn
Bobby was preparing to go to bed late one evening when he heard a shrill screech coming from the barn outside. Bobby was unsure what was making such an eerie noise so late in the night. He had trouble falling asleep and tossed and turned all night dreaming about the haunting sounds emanating from the barn. When Bobby awakened the following morning, he hurried out to the barn to discover what was causing such a peculiar noise the night prior. He gathered his courage and entered the barn but left befuddled when he could not find what was making such noise. That evening after dinner as the sun was setting, Bobby grabbed a flashlight and set out for the barn.
"Where are you heading?" Bobby’s father asked.
"I am going to go find the monster that was making such a commotion last night," Bobby replied.
"If you are going to look for a monster, you might need some assistance," Bobby’s dad responded as he walked with Bobby out to the barn.
Bobby shined his flashlight into the barn, but he did not see anything. Bobby called out but only his echo returned. He walked into the barn but there was no monster.
"What did this monster sound like?" Bobby’s dad asked.
"It was a screeching noise," Bobby said, "and it was coming from the barn. I know it!"
Bobby’s dad began to chuckle and he took the flashlight from Bobby. Shining the flashlight up at the roof of the barn, Bobby and his dad saw a small brown owl in the rafters of the roof.
"It was only a barn owl that you heard last night," Bobby’s dad said. "They are nocturnal predators so that is why you only heard him at night. He must have been hunting for his dinner."
Bobby was elated that it wasn’t a monster and thanked his dad as they walked back to the house. Just then they heard a loud screech and looked up to see the barn owl flying away into the night sky.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Fire Safety
What was your reaction to Ms. Moore's information about arson? What is arson? What did you learn about accidents and their results? Do you feel that the consequences for committing arson are reasonable? Explain.
If you found out a friend was making a decision that could result in arson, how would you handle it? What could happen if you stay with your friend and don't say or do anything?
If you found out a friend was making a decision that could result in arson, how would you handle it? What could happen if you stay with your friend and don't say or do anything?
Recommend a Book
Think of a good book that you've read lately; make sure it is appropriate for a 5th grader. Write down the title and author of this book and why you liked it. Include a summary of the book.
America's First Astronauts
Follow the link below and watch the video on Mrs. Claus' bog. Then post a comment on our blog to answer the following questions. How did the space race affect humans' exploration of space? What do you think would have happened if the Soviet Union had not put a man in space? How do you think the end of the space race affected our exploration of space?
Watch this video
Watch this video
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What do you think is most important?
There are many things writers do to keep thier readers interested in what they are doing. For example, writers include a strong lead, a strong ending, include true, exact details, add feeling and emotions, etc. What do you think is the most important thing a writer should do when writing their story? Why is this the most important? How do you feel you are doing on this one thing?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The First Steps on the Moon
Watch the above video and leave a comment to describe your thoughts as you were watching it. Make sure to include the following in your responses: What would have it been like to be there? How do you think the astronauts felt? What do you think the scariest part of the mission would have been and why? If you were a part of the NASA mission, would you like to be an astronaut or someone left down on Earth? Why? Why was this mission so important to the United States?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Try out these games
Practice your root word recognition.
Take this quiz about root words --- start at level a.
Root Word Concentration.
Practice your reading comprehension.
Put the events in the correct sequence.
Leave a comment to tell which game you enjoyed the most and why.
Take this quiz about root words --- start at level a.
Root Word Concentration.
Practice your reading comprehension.
Put the events in the correct sequence.
Leave a comment to tell which game you enjoyed the most and why.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Writing a Lead
Describe why it is good to have a strong lead to your story. What are some different lead possibilities you might use in your story?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Scientific Method Day 1
Monday, September 15, 2008
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Interactive Blog
From this point on I will be using this blog for an interactive site for the students. If you need information about the classroom I will still be posting it on my website on the Hopkins' page. Students will be coming onto this blog to post comments, respond to polls, and add ideas throughout the year. Thanks!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Infinite Campus
I have started entering homework on Infinite Campus. Whenever your child has homework due, I will enter it online as either a 2 (completed on time), 1 (completed during recess), or 0 (not completed). If you need your password please talk to me or the office.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Welcome Back!
Welcome to 5th Grade!
August 19, 2008
Dear Parents,
I would like to welcome you and your child to the start of a new school year. We are going to have a busy and productive year, filled with creative activities, exciting field trips, social events, and so much more!
I will send home a monthly newsletter on the first Tuesday of every month. The newsletters will have announcements, reminders, ideas of ways you can help your child be successful, and the standards we will be teaching throughout the month. I will also post this on our classroom blog at: www.urbanek5thgraders.blogspot.com and on our Hopkins’ website.
It is my belief that positive interaction between teacher and parents strengthens the feeling of support all children need for success in school. My goals this year are to create an atmosphere of open communication regarding your child’s progress and behavior at school and to provide your child with the best educational opportunities to allow your child to excel in the future.
The following information will give detailed explanations of our homework policy, classroom management, and various classroom activities that we will engage in throughout the year. I hope that by reviewing this you will become more familiar with a few of our classroom routines.
Homework: I expect each student in my class to have about 60 minutes of study time a night. Most nights this will include work that I assign from class. On nights when there is no “homework” I expect your child to read for 20-30 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and practice math facts or other math work for 10-15 minutes. Homework is expected to be completed and returned to me the next school day, unless otherwise stated. Homework that is not turned in will result in a missed recess to catch up on missing assignments.
Classroom Management: It is my belief that all children have the right to an education in a safe and positive environment. I can obtain this environment through communication and cooperation among parents, teachers, and students.
I promote positive behavior and will recognize and reward individual students who exhibit appropriate behavior. Such rewards will include praise, classroom parties, and extra privileges.
Hopkins Elementary believes in the 3 B’s – Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Those students unable to follow the 3 B’s may have to be re-taught these traits and assigned consequences by the classroom teacher or administration. Such consequences may include the following:
1. Warning
2. Students fill out a “Stop, Think, Plan” sheet that will be signed by students and sometimes parents. Copies of these will be sent home and kept in classroom file.
3. Teacher’s choice – this may include making amends or recess detention.
4. Phone Call Home
Birthdays: If you would like to send a treat to school on your child’s birthday, you are welcome to do so. Cookies and cupcakes are the easiest to serve. Because of allergies I ask that all treats are store bought. We will sing “Happy Birthday” and enjoy this treat sometime during the day.
Book Orders: Every month or so a book order will be sent home to you. School book orders are a convenient and inexpensive way to build your child’s personal library. I encourage you to take advantage of these monthly opportunities. Please send checks or use on-line ordering (Details to follow).
Money: I ask that whenever you send money to school you please put the money in an envelope or baggie marked with your child’s name and the purpose of the money. It is much easier to keep track of the money and who has paid if this is done.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m looking forward to working with you and your child and having another wonderful year at Hopkins.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Urbanek
August 19, 2008
Dear Parents,
I would like to welcome you and your child to the start of a new school year. We are going to have a busy and productive year, filled with creative activities, exciting field trips, social events, and so much more!
I will send home a monthly newsletter on the first Tuesday of every month. The newsletters will have announcements, reminders, ideas of ways you can help your child be successful, and the standards we will be teaching throughout the month. I will also post this on our classroom blog at: www.urbanek5thgraders.blogspot.com and on our Hopkins’ website.
It is my belief that positive interaction between teacher and parents strengthens the feeling of support all children need for success in school. My goals this year are to create an atmosphere of open communication regarding your child’s progress and behavior at school and to provide your child with the best educational opportunities to allow your child to excel in the future.
The following information will give detailed explanations of our homework policy, classroom management, and various classroom activities that we will engage in throughout the year. I hope that by reviewing this you will become more familiar with a few of our classroom routines.
Homework: I expect each student in my class to have about 60 minutes of study time a night. Most nights this will include work that I assign from class. On nights when there is no “homework” I expect your child to read for 20-30 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and practice math facts or other math work for 10-15 minutes. Homework is expected to be completed and returned to me the next school day, unless otherwise stated. Homework that is not turned in will result in a missed recess to catch up on missing assignments.
Classroom Management: It is my belief that all children have the right to an education in a safe and positive environment. I can obtain this environment through communication and cooperation among parents, teachers, and students.
I promote positive behavior and will recognize and reward individual students who exhibit appropriate behavior. Such rewards will include praise, classroom parties, and extra privileges.
Hopkins Elementary believes in the 3 B’s – Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Those students unable to follow the 3 B’s may have to be re-taught these traits and assigned consequences by the classroom teacher or administration. Such consequences may include the following:
1. Warning
2. Students fill out a “Stop, Think, Plan” sheet that will be signed by students and sometimes parents. Copies of these will be sent home and kept in classroom file.
3. Teacher’s choice – this may include making amends or recess detention.
4. Phone Call Home
Birthdays: If you would like to send a treat to school on your child’s birthday, you are welcome to do so. Cookies and cupcakes are the easiest to serve. Because of allergies I ask that all treats are store bought. We will sing “Happy Birthday” and enjoy this treat sometime during the day.
Book Orders: Every month or so a book order will be sent home to you. School book orders are a convenient and inexpensive way to build your child’s personal library. I encourage you to take advantage of these monthly opportunities. Please send checks or use on-line ordering (Details to follow).
Money: I ask that whenever you send money to school you please put the money in an envelope or baggie marked with your child’s name and the purpose of the money. It is much easier to keep track of the money and who has paid if this is done.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m looking forward to working with you and your child and having another wonderful year at Hopkins.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Urbanek
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