Egypt Project Video

This video is a compilation of photos from our Fall Egypt projects. We will be using this format for our Cast of Characters project after the break! Isn't it fun?

SchoolTube - 12-13& 12-14 quite a bit shorter than 60 minutes

SchoolTube - 12-13& 12-14 quite a bit shorter than 60 minutes

Homework Due Thursday, December 16,2010

I am so sorry this is late in being posted! With Literacy Night preparation and Miss Pasque's farewell, I completed spaced out putting homework up on the blog.  Please let me know if there is a major hardship preventing work from being done in a timely fashion. 

Reading: 20 minutes each night, or some combination of 100 minutes. :) Just sign on the log sheet to verify completion, there is no need to submit your reading log.

Math: Puzzle of the Week: Mystery Number

Solve.  What is the mystery number?
It's greater than one million, but less than ten million.
It's an even number.
None of the digits is LESS than 3.
No digit is used more than once.
The sum of the digits in the ones period is twelve.
The digit in the ten thousands place is equal to the sum of the digits in the tens and hundreds place.
The digit in the millions place is 2 more than the digit in the thousands place.
The digit in the hundred thousands place is twice the digit in the tens place.

Write three riddles for mystery numbers of your own.  Mystery numbers must be a minimum of 5 digits.  Each riddle must contain a minimum of 4 clues.  Don't forget to answer your questions regarding the original mystery number.

Writing: Hidden Countries puzzle handout plus 5 of your own country sentences.

Vocabulary: 
hazy
linger
luxurious
mishap
overwhelm
span
aggressive
associate
deceive
emigrate
flexible
glamour


Thanks for your support.

Amy

SchoolTube - QUITE A BIT SHORTER THAN 60 MINUTES

SchoolTube - QUITE A BIT SHORTER THAN 60 MINUTES This is the video from 12-9-2010. I apologize for the mistake! :) Enjoy! BTW-today's news cast will need to be rebroadcast due to technical difficulties. It will be posted tomorrow---

SchoolTube - QUITE A BIT SHORTER THAN 60 MINUTES

SchoolTube - QUITE A BIT SHORTER THAN 60 MINUTES

SchoolTube - News Spot 12-8-2010

SchoolTube - News Spot 12-8-2010

Halloween Guy!

Miscellaneous Pictures from 216

 He.He.He. Lincoln is a girl having a party with Lukas!

SchoolTube - News Spot #1

SchoolTube - News Spot #1

SchoolTube - News Spot 12-7-10

SchoolTube - News Spot 12-7-10

NEWS SPOT 12-6-2010

Video will be posted as soon as Ms. Okimoto can figure out how to load videos.  Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

NEWS SPOT WRITING ASSIGNMENT

For the past several weeks, our class has been working on Expository non-fiction writing. We have primarily been focusing upon summarizing informational articles. In the upcoming weeks, we will be shifting our focus. The class will be creating daily News Spots, and your child will be responsible for being a news reporter. Attached is a schedule of responsibilities. When it is your child’s day to report, he/she will share a written summary and an editorial comment about the story.
Attached are several documents that will help you understand the process we have developed to write the summaries. Besides writing a clear summary introduction and body, a strong lead is important to grab the listeners’ attention. We are practicing writing catchy leads to begin our news show summaries, along with insightful editorial comments to share in closing.
Your child will need your support in finding a readable article. Please read the chosen article together and discuss it before beginning the summary. An important question to ask is “How is the article organized?” The newspapers, Time for Kids and National Geographic Kids have articles available online.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
It would be highly recommended for students to complete his/her News Spot summary two days prior to the presentation date in order for your child to have time to practice delivering it to your family. This practice, along with a loud, clear voice, eye contact, expression and a visual aid makes the weekly News Spot presentation very professional. We will be filming our News Spots, and making them available for parent viewing. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,
Amy Okimoto


Schedule:

12/6/10
National News: Nick
International News: Carlene
Space, Science or Health: Jack
Sports or Travel: Ethan
Plot Summary/Book Review:Maya
12/7/10
National News:Dorian
International News:Jake
Space, Science or Health:Samuel
Sports or Travel: Maxwell G.
Plot Summary/Book Review: Cole G.
12/8/10
National News: Danny
International News:Derek
Space, Science or Health:Tia
Sports or Travel: Leia
Plot Summary/Book Review: Jared
12/9/10
National News:Simon
International News: Melina
Space, Science or Health: Hunter
Sports or Travel: Alex
Plot Summary/Book Review:Lukas
12/10/10
National News:Marina
International News:
J Senia
Space, Science or Health: Gaby
Sports or Travel:Max O.
Plot Summary/Book Review: Paloma

12/13/10
National News: Omar
International News:Lincoln
Space, Science or Health: Nick
Sports or Travel: Carlene
Plot Summary/Book Review: Jack
12/14/10
National News:Ethan
International News:Maya
Space, Science or Health:Dorian
Sports or Travel:Jake
Plot Summary/Book Review: Samuel
12/15/10
National News: Maxwell G.
International News: Cole G.
Space, Science or Health: Danny
Sports or Travel: Derek
Plot Summary/Book Review: Tia
12/16/10
National News:Leia
International News: Jared
Space, Science or Health: Simon
Sports or Travel:Melina
Plot Summary/Book Review: Hunter
12/17/10
National News:Alex
International News: Lukas
Space, Science or Health: Marina
Sports or Travel:J Senia
Plot Summary/Book Review: Gaby

1/5/11
National News: Max O.
International News: Paloma
Space, Science or Health:Omar
Sports or Travel: Lincoln
Plot Summary/Book Review: Nick
1/6/11
National News: Carlene
International News: Jack
Space, Science or Health: Ethan
Sports or Travel: Maya
Plot Summary/Book Review: Dorian
1/7/11
National News: Jake
International News: Samuel
Space, Science or Health:Maxwell G.
Sports or Travel: Cole G.
Plot Summary/Book Review: Danny

1/10/11
National News:Derek
International News: Tia
Space, Science or Health: Leia
Sports or Travel: Jared
Plot Summary/Book Review: Simon
1/11/11
National News:Melina
International News:Hunter
Space, Science or Health: Lukas
Sports or Travel: Marina
Plot Summary/Book Review:J Senia
1/12/11
National News: Gaby
International News: Max O.
Space, Science or Health:Paloma
Sports or Travel: Omar
Plot Summary/Book Review: Lincoln
Finish of News Spot Unit

Homework Due: 9 December 2010

Homework Assignment #1: POW & Guideline Questions. Students must solve the math problem and answer the four questions.

Can You Get Here from There?

Here is a perplexing problem: Your friend is standing just 10 feet away from you. You ask her to move forward, covering half the distance that separates you. Then you ask her to do the same thing again. Has she reached you? How many feet has your friend covered? How many feet will she have covered by the time she has moved 10 times?

Repeat the problem with another friend and another distance. Use a distance greater than the first problem.

Answer to Question #1: (done as a class)
What is the puzzle about? Restate the
situation in your own words.

1. This puzzle is about finding out how a friend will
go from 10 feet to half the distance repeatedly. I
need to find out the distance after ten turns moving
halfway. I will have to use division to solve this puzzle.
I may use a chart to help me organize the information.
After I solve the puzzle of 10 feet, I have to make my
own puzzle with a different distance.


Assignment #2: Study Vocabulary words, definitions, and parts of speech for Friday test. (attached word list) Possible strategies for studying: making word cards, typing words on the computer to practice spelling, quiz with a partner or parent, etc.

Word List: bluff, cautious, consist, despise, haven, miniature, monarch, obstacle, postpone, straggle, treacherous, vivid

Quote of the Week:
"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." Pablo Picasso


Assignment #3: Writing Task: Assignment

Weekly Writing Assignment:
This coming week will be Miss Pasque’s last in our classroom. Your writing assignment due Thursday, December 9th is to write a thank you letter to Miss Pasque. Please include specific examples of how she helped you, and things she did for our classroom. Please ensure you follow proper letter writing format for a friendly letter. If you need help, check out this site: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1083/lettersamples.pdf
Your letter should be 3 paragraphs long and presented neatly. (typed or hand-written)

#4: Read 20 minutes each night, or some combination that totals 100 minutes between Thursday and Thursday.


NEWS SPOT ASSIGNMENT—CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE!

Homework Due: December 2, 2010

Assignment #1: Puzzle of the Week

Who Needs a Ruler?

Did you know that you can measure just about anything with a penny? The diameter of a penny is approximately 3/4 of an inch. You can also measure anything with a quarter or a dollar. Find out the length of a dollar bill and the diameter of a quarter. Now figure out how much it costs to walk a specific distance. Make a chart. Include five distances, and the measurement of that distance in inches, centimeters, pennies, quarters, and dollars.

Students were required to record the answer to question #1 in class.

Assignment #2: Vocabulary & Quote
List words:
abandon, assault, convert, dispute, impressive, justify, misleading, numerous, productive, shrewd, strategy, villain

Vocabulary website: http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/levels_color.cfm?sp=student

Quote: "If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut." Albert Einstein

Assignment #3: Prompt Writing

In a three paragraph essay, respond to the following prompt:

"What are you the most afraid of? Write a fictional story (or maybe a true one) about you that would explain to a stranger where your fear came from." Create a graphic organizer and a rough draft. Your published copy may be typed or written in your neatest handwriting.

Remember to incorporate vivid verbs, specific nouns, a variety of phrases and clauses to ensure your writing is showing emotion, and not just telling about it.

Assignment #4: Read 20 minutes each night, or some combination that totals 100 minutes. Remember, you don't need to turn your reading log, just have your parents sign your Homework Log sheet.

All homework is due on Thursday, December 2, 2010. Do your best!

"Pi Day 3/14/15 9:26:53..."

Yes, the time is upon us. Everyone knows pi day is March 14th, but any true nerd realizes pi is not 3.14, but rather an irrational constant which continues infinitely in decimal expansion. Starting at 9:26:53 (.589... sec) AM, the longest extended Pi Day of our lives will come into action. The date, at the AM and PM hours, will be " 3/14/15 at 9:26:53.589. Days like this only come once in a lifetime!

It is understood 1592 was a ...better year. This was probably the greatest pi day in history. Every 100 years (1915, 2015, 2115 etc) come the next closest pi days. It is also understood there are other minor pi days (be creative). Yes, 22/7 is pi approximation day -- But it's not that accurate! I wrote this just for all you people who like to find missing details written in nerd events. I'm sure you'll still find more ;)

If you're a nerd, you will invite ANY other nerd you know :D

Invite all your friends and let's make this the number one nerd event on facebook ;)

Pi =
4*Sum[(-1)^i/ (2*i+1) ,{i,0, infinity}]
= 4*( 1 - 1/3 + 1/5 - 1/7 + 1/9-...)

This formula can be derived using the Taylor series for arctan via integration, namely arctan[x] = integral[1/(1+t^2),{t,0,x}]
and writing 1/(1+t^2) as a geometric sum with generator -t^2.

"Pi Day 3/14/15 9:26:53..."

Quote of the Week!

"Some people think only intellect counts....but the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy."

--Dean Koontz

Students wrote about the quote in class today, but will need to practice to memorize the quote by Friday---and yes, spelling does count!

Homework Due on November 18th

Assignment #1: Math
Solve the following puzzle of the week. Answer the four guideline questions also.

Puzzle of the Week:
The following equations, when completed from left to right, all equal 8. Put in the proper operation signs (+, -, *, / ) to complete each equation. You may not use the same sequence of operations in more than one equation. Will the sequences you used work if you substitute another number for 8? Test them to find out.

Answer to Guideline Question #1:

What is the puzzle about? Restate the situation in your own words.
Check your writing:
What are you trying to find out?
Did you give enough information for someone else to be able to solve the puzzle?

This week's puzzle is entitled, "Crazy 8s". Most of us think of crazy 8s, as a card game (thanks Lukas), but this puzzle isn't about the luck of the draw. This puzzle has five number sentences with only eights (6 of them to be exact). My job is to insert the proper operation signs between the digits to make each sentence true. The rules of the puzzle do not allow me to repeat the sequences. Additionally, the puzzle asks me to determine if the same sequences used in my 8s equations would work for other numbers.

Vocabulary:
Please study the parts of speech,spelling, and definitions of the following words:

1.blunder
2. cancel
3. continuous
4. distribute
5. document
6. fragile
7. myth
8. reject
9. scuffle
10. solitary
11. temporary
12. veteran

Writing Assignment: "Backtrack"

Arvind Pandya, a man from India, set a world record in 1984 by running backward from Los Angeles. It took him 107 days. Try out a backward exercise of your own. Write your life story in reverse. That means the beginning of your story is something that happened very recently. The end of the story is the day you were born. (please don't make me have to use a mirror to decipher your writing)

Do your best!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

For the four students who ordered the Ugly Truth books, I got an email back from Scholastic. The books will be shipped immediately and should arrive at Edison by Tuesday, November 16. Sorry about the mix-up and thanks for your patience.

Ms. Okimoto

VOCABULARY LIST FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2010

1. TOLERANCE
2. ARROGANCE
3. VELOCITY
4. HOSPITALITY
5. SENSATIONAL
6. STOICAL
7. REMORSELESS
8. DEFENSELESS
9. CONVERTIBLE
10. IRREVERSIBLE

Test Friday will require students to know spelling, parts of speech, definitions, and how to use a sentence properly in a sentence.

Helpful hints for the Puzzle of the Week

On Thursday when we discussed the Puzzle of the Week, many students noticed the connection between the Sum Table and Sudoku. Here is a link that may assist students in strategies for solving the sum table that is related to Sudoku:

http://www.pedagonet.com/sudoku/instructions.htm

Information Updates

FYI-We did not take today's vocabulary test because there were too many students out
of the room for the 9 News Health Fair. We will test on the prefix words on Monday. We will also test on Friday. Thanks for your support.

Homework 4 November through 12 November 2010

Puzzle of the Week:

Sum Table

Can you complete this table with the numbers 4 through 8 so that
no row or column has two of the same number? Does every completed
row and column have the same sum? After you complete the table,
make up a similar problem and give it to a friend to solve.

Question #1:(covered in class)

1.What is the puzzle about? Restate the situation in your own words.
Check your writing:
What are you trying tofind out?
Did you give enough information for someone else to be able to solve the puzzle?

This puzzle is about a sum table that I need to complete. I need to make sure all the rows and columns have the same sum. The table has five columns and five rows. The first row is filled in with the numbers 8,4,6,5 and 7, from left to right. The far right column is filled in with the numbers 7,5,6,8,and 4 downward. The only numbers I can use to complete the table are the digits 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. I cannot repeat the same number in the same row or the same column.

Writing Task: Students need to complete the U.S. Landmark worksheet pages attached to the homework packet.

Reading: 20 minutes nightly, or some combination that results in 80 minutes through the week. Reading logs DO NOT NEED to be submitted. Please simply sign off on the homework log sheet.

:)

Homework November 1st through November 5th

Regular homework consisting of writing, reading, and math puzzle of the week will go home on Thursday, November 4, 2010, and be due on Friday, November 12, 2010. (Veteran's Day is November 11th, NO SCHOOL) However, students will need to study the following vocabulary list for a test on Friday, November 5th. Please remember to study the spelling, definition, and part of speech for each word. Also, make sure you know how to use the word correctly in a sentence.

Vocabulary List # 10
Prefixes de-, fore-, im-, micro-, anti-

1. devalue
2. desegregate
3. foreshadow
4. foresight
5. improper
6. improvident
7. microcosm
8. microscope
9. antitoxin
10. antisocial

October 25th through October 27th 2010

Hello all! I am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful Egypt projects this week! Don't forget that we have Thursday and Friday off this week! :)

Homework: October 7 through October 14

Homework Log
October 7th
Assignment #1: Due October 11th: Return the attached project proposal sheet with choices indicated.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________
Assignment #2: Read 20 minutes nightly.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________
Assignment #3: Study Vocabulary words for weekly test.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________
Project planning/research as needed. Project is due 25th October.
Vocabulary List #8:
Anachronism, chronicle, synchronize, cacophony, phonics, chronic, chronology, megaphone, euphonious, symphony

Project Proposal: Egypt Project

Writing Component Choices:
___________Pretend you are an archaeologist. Write a journal describing the artifacts and objects you find in an excavation of an Egyptian site. Make sure you include sketches, and describe items in detail. Your journal must consist of a minimum of twelve written entries, and six sketches. Each written entry must be a minimum of one full paragraph. Sketches must be full-color and labeled.
___________Egyptian society was structured much like a pyramid with the pharaoh at the top. (Remember the worksheet)Nobles, priests, scribes, artisans, farmers, and laborers represented descending levels of society. Create personal narratives from a minimum of three different perspectives reflecting events of daily life. Share daily events, thoughts, concerns, and how the specific role impacts societal relationships as well as that individual’s aspirations and hopes, and future goals.
___________Publish a newspaper highlighting the people and time. Write news stories with catchy headlines. Include three straight news articles, two feature stories, an editorial, a gossip column, an advice column, a recipe, one comic strip, a sports story, and three advertisements.

Describe your ideas for your project: (1-2 sentences)


Hands-on Model Choices:
________Design a pyramid or a sphinx. Include specific dimensions, and the supplies needed to create a life size version. This project should reflect careful planning, and meticulous work. (Think Mr. Baltz’s castle project)
________Make a diorama of King Tut’s Tomb. Include details. (Use the guideline sheet included in your packet)
________Research the different types of boats used during the ancient Egyptians time. Choose one type and build a model of the boat. Include information on how the boat was built, materials used, as well as its purpose.
________Create a cultural artifact. Examples include: jewelry, games(Senet or Mehen), cartouche, or animal God mask.
Include an informational paragraph about the artifact.
_________Focus on the geography of Egypt. Create a salt map of the region during Ancient times with the following labeled: the Nile River, Aswan, the Red Sea, Libyan Desert, Mediterranean Sea, Sinai, Alexandria, Nile Delta, Saqqara, Upper Egypt, Memphis, Giza, Valley of the Kings, Nubia, Luxor, and Karnak; OR create a powerpoint using Google earth or other maps with a slide dedicated to each of the above places.
Describe your ideas for your project. (1-2 sentences)

Homework September 30- October 7

Homework Assignments: All homework is due on Thursday, October 7, 2010. Please make sure you have a parent sign your log sheet. You do not need to turn in your reading log or vocabulary cards. You must turn in your puzzle of the week with completed guideline questions, and your writing assignment. Keep in mind your writing assignment should be in final draft form.

Assignment #1: Puzzle of the Week- Banana Currency

An Island has no currency; it instead has the following exchange rate:

50 bananas=20 coconuts
30 coconuts=12 fish
100 fish= 1 hammock

How many bananas equal 1 hammock?

Create your own currency system with at least three items or different values. Write three word problems involving your own currency. Remember to answer your questions too!

Assignment #2: Vocabulary List #7
Words with Greek Parts: aero, belli, pan

Aero means "air".
Belli means "war".
Pan means "all".

1. Aerobics
2. Aerodynamics
3. Aerial
4. Aeronautics
5. Aerate
6. Rebellion
7. Belligerent
8. Panacea
9. Pandemonium
10.Panorama

Students must know the spelling, meaning, and part of speech for each word.

Assignment #3: Writing Task
"Thanks. Now, Where Do We Put This?"
The biggest gift ever is the Statue of Liberty. It was a present from France to the United States in 1886. It stands more than 150 feet tall and weighs 225 tons. What if your town could give a giant gift to another town in the United States or to another country? What would the gift be? For example, if your town is famous for pretzels, maybe you could send a huge iron pretzel to another town. Write about a big gift that your town might give to another town or country and explain why.

Assignment #4: Read 20 minutes each night. Record your reading on your reading log. Have your parents sign your homework sheet verifying at least 80 minutes of reading through the week. Try to find AR reading books too so you can test at school!

Homework: September 23 - September 30

Homework Assignments: All homework is due on Thursday, September 30, 2010. Please make sure you have a parent sign your log sheet. You do not need to turn in your reading log or vocabulary cards. You must turn in your puzzle of the week with completed guideline questions, and your writing assignment. Keep in mind your writing assignment should be in final draft form.

Assignment #1: Puzzle of the Week-Summer Survey

The 24-member Student Council is trying to decide how the school should use the available money to celebrate the beginning of summer:

Six members want to hold a school dance.
Five members want to have an old-fashioned barbecue.
Four members want to buy an all-school pass to the amusement center.
Five members want to hold a carnival.
Four members want to divide the money up equally among the classes and
let each class sponsor decide.

Express this information in three different graphical forms. Think about the discussions we have had in class and the different graphs we have discussed to help guide you.

After you have completed the graphical representations, design your own survey about celebrating summer (or any other idea such as favorite ice cream flavor, sport, video game, etc) Survey at least 10 people. Express your results in a graph also.

Guideline Questions:
Guidelines for Writing about the Puzzle of the Week

1.What is the puzzle about? Restate the situation in your own words.
Check your writing:
What are you trying to find out?
Did you give enough information for someone else to be able to solve the puzzle?

2.What are your first impressions of this puzzle? How do you think you will solve it?
Check your writing:
What strategies do you think you will use?
Might you draw a picture, act it out, make a
table, chart, or list, use objects, or use some
other way?
Does this puzzle remind you of other puzzles?

3. Describe how you solved the puzzle. Explain your method.
Check your writing:
How did you start?
What did you try that didn’t work? Did you learn n anything from those tries? What did you do when you got stuck?
Did someone help you with this puzzle? Were they helpful or not?
What steps did you use to find you your solution? Be specific so others could try your strategy.


4. How do you know your answer is right?
Check your writing:
How would you prove your solution is right if someone disagrees with you?
Could there be more than one correct solution?

Assignment #2: Vocabulary List #6
Words with Latin roots of aud-, grat-, and ject.

Vocabulary: List #6
Words with Latin Roots
1. Audible
2. Audition
3. Auditorium
4. Audience
5. Congratulate
6. Gratitude
7. Gratify
8. Inject
9. Reject
10. Conjecture

Students must know the spelling, meaning, and part of speech for each word.

Assignment #3: Writing Task
"Adventure on the Nile"
The Nile is the world's longest river. It flows for 4,145 miles through African nations such as Egypt, Rwanda, and Uganda. Do some research about the Nile at the library or on the internet. Write a Nile river adventure full of crocodiles and pyramids and whatever else captures your imagination. Be sure to use at least three facts learned during your research.

Assignment #4: Read 20 minutes each night. Record your reading on your reading log. Have your parents sign your homework sheet verifying at least 80 minutes of reading through the week. Try to find AR reading books too so you can test at school!


Have fun!

Homework: September 16, 2010 through September 23, 2010

Assignment #1: POW- The Local (Couch) Bank

Gen's father always lets her keep the change she finds stuck between the cushions in the couch. Last week, she found ten coins worth $1.19. Her father wanted to exchange the coins for a $1.00 bill, but Gen couldn't give him exactly $1.00 in change. One of the coins was a half dollar (which Gen wouldn't trade anyway, since she collects them). What were the other nine coins?

Now, use coins and write two of your own coin puzzlers.

Assignment #2: Vocabulary Words- Eponyms

An eponym is a word that comes from the name of a person or place.
derrick
zinnia
cardigan
maverick
boycott
mesmerize
saturnine
laconic
sequoia
bacitracin

Assignment #3: Writing Task- Small World

Ever notice how things keep getting smaller and smaller? The world's smallest telephone is just two inches long. The smallest camera is only about an inch wide. How do you feel about things getting smaller? Small stuff is easier to carry, right? But it's easier to lose, too. Do you think there's a way to make teeny tiny cars? Smallness is kind of a big topic, isn't it? Use your imagination and write about the good and bad sides of things getting smaller.

Assignment #4: Reading

Read 20 minutes each night, or some combination that totals 100 minutes between Thursday and Thursday. Don't forget to fill in the attached reading log.

Homework, Thursday September 9th through Thursday, September 16th

Sorry I didn't get this information posted earlier. I have been experiencing major computer issues at home.

Assignment #1: Puzzle of the Week
All the Angles: Use one set of tangrams.
Take the square, parallelogram, two small triangles, and one medium triangle.

Task #1: Make 2 different shapes that each have 4 right angles. Use all the pieces in each shape. (trace the shape onto your paper, with each individual tangram piece outlined)

Task #2: Make a shape having 2 right angles, 2 acute angles, and 1 obtuse angle. Use all the pieces. (trace the shape onto your paper, with each individual tangram piece outlined)

Task #3: Choose 4 or more pieces and make up two similar kinds of problems. See if a friend, someone in your family or Ms. Okimoto can solve your problems.

Assignment #2: Vocabulary

No work need be submitted regarding vocabulary, just study your words.

Homophones
A homophone is a word that sounds like another word but has a different meaning, spelling, and origin.
1. Sari, noun. A garment worn by Hindu women; loose clothing worn by Pakistani, Indian, and other women of South Asia
2. Sorry, adjective. Apologetic.
3. Waver, verb. To hesitate.
4. Waiver, noun. A document that gives up a claim.
5. Hostel, noun. An inexpensive hotel or lodging place.
6. Hostile, adjective. Unfriendly, aggressive, ready to fight or argue.
7. Hue, noun. A gradation of color.
8. Hew, verb. To chop or cut.
9. Insight , noun. The ability to understand something.
10. Incite, verb. To stir up, or rile.

Assignment #3: Writing
Egypt worksheet packet

Assignment #4: Reading Log

Homework-Thursday, September 2, 2010 -Thursday, September 9, 2010

Students should have new homework log sheets with assignments attached. The assignments are as follows:

Assignment #1: Puzzle of the Week and Guideline Questions: Students must solve the following math problem and answer the four guideline questions. All work should be shown on paper, and explained clearly through question responses. Please consult previous week's homework blog for guideline questions and rubric.

Puzzle of the Week: Ft. Knox
Late one night a burglar somehow got into one of the vaults in Fort Knox and started out with a big sack of gold coins. No one really knows how much he stole. At any rate, on his way out, he was stopped by one of the guards, who caught him "holding the bag" so to speak. Fortunately for him, the burglar was able to talk his way out of trouble by offering the guard half the money he had taken with a bonus of $2,000 thrown in. Just as he was walking away, praising his good luck at having gotten free, he was stopped by a second guard. It took the same bribe, half of all the money he had left, with $2,000 thrown in, to get by the second guard. Just as he was about to leave, you guessed it, he was stopped by yet a third guard who let him go only after receiving half of all the burglar had left, with $2,000 thrown in.

By the time the burglar left the front gate of Fort Knox, he had mixed emotions. After all, he did leave with $9,000 more than he had when he arrived and he escaped a free man. But as he thought of all the money he had left behind with the guards, he wept. Oh, by the way, you now know enough to calculate how much he had taken in the first place.

ideas for solving: http://www.hawaii.edu/suremath/k4_12dir/fortKnox1.html

Assignment #2: Study Vocabulary words, definitions, and parts of speech for Friday test.
List #3: Antonyms
1. malice
2. slovenly
3. mandatory
4. reverence
5. posterity
6. kindness
7. immaculate
8. unnecessary
9. disrespect
10. ancestors

Assignment #3: Writing Task

A Fifth Face on Mt Rushmore
Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota features the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. The faces are 60 feet high, making them the world's largest portrait busts. What if you could add a fifth face to Mt Rushmore? It doesn't have to be a president--it can be a sports hero, a doctor, or even your next door neighbor. Now, write about who you would choose for Mt Rushmore and describe why this person is important to you.

Plan and draft your paragraph on the back of your prompt sheet. Write the final copy on the lines on the front of the sheet. Remember capitalization, punctuation, and grammar rules. This writing should be minimum of one well written paragraph. (5-6 sentences)

Assignment #4: Read 20 minutes each night, or some combination that totals 100 minutes between Thursday and Thursday. Fill in reading log and submit on Thursday.

Vocabulary List for August 30-September 3

factual
congenial
lenient
entice
transparent
fanciful
disagreeable
severe
repel
opaque

Homework: August 30-September 3

It has been decided that beginning this week, homework will be a Thursday to Thursday process. The only exception is that students did receive their weekly vocabulary list today. They will be tested on this list for Friday, but have no assignments other than to study words, meanings, and parts of speech. Students made their vocabulary cards in class today so they have study materials available. Puzzle of the week and writing assignment will be in Thursday folders, as well as student reading logs. Thanks for your feedback.

Homework Ideas---

This is for parents more than students, but I would also welcome their feedback--

I would like to gather an idea of how many parents would prefer homework to extend from Thursday to Thursday, rather than Monday to Friday? I know many students are involved in afterschool activities during the week, and I want the students to have a meaningful experience with the work they do independently. I also want students to learn the importance of time management. I will also have a note in tomorrow's class newsletter. Please email me your ideas, concerns, and opinions at amy_okimoto@dpsk12.org. Thanks.

Puzzle of the Week Rubric

Student Name:

Puzzle Title:

	4 points	3 points	2 points	1 point	0 points
Accuracy of Mathematical Computation and Process	All mathematical answers are correct.	80 % of mathematical answers are correct.	60 % of mathematical answers are correct.	40 % of mathematical answers are correct.	None of mathematical answers are correct.
Completeness of work (math and questions)	All math is complete and all four questions have been answered in complete sentences.	80% of math is complete and at least 3 of the 4 questions are answered in complete sentences.	60% of math is complete and at least 2 of the 4 questions are answered in complete sentences. All math is complete but questions have not been answered.	40% of math is complete and at least 2 of the 4 questions are answered in complete sentences.	No math is complete or questions.
Total Score:

Homework for the Week of August 23rd - August 27th

Homework is assigned on Mondays and due on Friday.  Students will be given time in class to record assignments.  All sections of the Homework Log Sheet must be signed and returned on Friday for full credit. 

Assignment #1: Puzzle of the Week and Guideline Questions
This Week's Puzzle: Chickens and Rabbits

Students were given an introduction to this puzzle in class today.  The expectation is that all work is shown.  Include charts, drawing, diagrams, etc.

Puzzle of the Week:

 

One day, I visited Old MacDonald's farm. The farm had three pens of animals. The chickens were brown, and known for their wonderful eggs. The rabbits were black and white. Each pen had both chickens and rabbits inside. I cannot remember how many of each animal were in each pen. I can only remember how many heads and how many legs were in each. In Pen #1, there were 12 heads and 42 legs. In Pen #2, there were 42 heads and 112 legs. In Pen #3, there were 19 heads and 52 legs. Can I figure out how many chickens and rabbits were on the farm?

Guideline Questions:

Guidelines for Writing about the Puzzle of the Week

1. What is the puzzle about? Restate the question in your own words.
Check your writing:
What are you trying to find out?
Did you give enough information for someone else to be able to solve the puzzle?


2. What are your first impressions of this puzzle? How do you think you will solve it?
Check your writing:
What strategies do you think you will use?( picture, act it out, make a table, chart or list; use
objects)
Does this puzzle remind you of other puzzles?


3. Describe how you solved the puzzle. Explain your method.
Check your writing:
How did you start? What did you try that didn't work? Did you learn anything from
those tries? What did you do when you got stuck? Did someone help you with this puzzle?
Were they helpful or not?
What steps did you use to find your solution? Be specific so someone else could try your strategy.


4. How do you know your answer is right?
Check your writing:
How would you prove your solution is right if someone disagrees with you?
Could there be more than one correct solution?

Assignment #2: Study Vocabulary words, definitions, and parts of speech for Friday test.
Vocabulary List:
1. glum       2. pacify    3. verify   4. suppress   5. gregarious  6. commotion  7. haughty  8. surmise
9. consolidate 10. destiny 11. disciple  12. abundant  13. petition  14. noxious  15. surge  16. impartial
17. valiant  18. labyrinth  19. paramount  20. haggard

Assignment #3: Writing Task: Use vocabulary words in well written sentences that show understanding of the meaning of words.

Assignment #4: Read 20 minutes each night, or some combination that totals 80 minutes between Monday and Thursday.  Fill in reading log.

How was your summer?

Please describe the most exciting day of your Summer 2010.

Welcome to Room 216!

I am so excited to have started the year with a wonderful new class!  To get us started on the right foot, please read over the following guidelines for blog posts:
1. Please use your best writing skills.  Your responses should be in complete sentences, and be free from grammatical or spelling errors.  Check over your work before you post comments.  I will not publish work with misspellings and/ or grammatical errors.
2. If you are not a follower, you will have to include your name at the bottom of your message.  Please only use first names.  Also, do not include any personal information such as your email address, phone number, or address on the blog.
3. Remember our class rules and apply the same thoughtfulness and consideration on this blog page as you would if speaking to a classmate.  Ideas and thoughts should be regarded as valuable even when you do not agree.  You are encouraged to offer your own opinions in a positive way.  Constructive criticism is welcome, as long as it is phrased kindly. 
4. Check the blog often, as sometimes there will be required responses. 
5. Have fun with the technology!

Summer Opportunities for Gifted Learners

COLORADO SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIFTED CHILDREN The following is a list of summer programs that might be of interest for gifted children (or more to the point, parents of gifted children who are trying to plan positive experiences for them in the upcoming summer). We aren’t endorsing any of the programs. The list comes from personal experiences, chats with other parents, gifted sites and other gifted resources, and general web searches. (If you know of or find a program that is not listed and might be beneficial to other parents and children, please forward the information to me at Rae_Harris@dpsk12.org for inclusion. The following are for a variety of ages, locations, day and overnight camps, of tech, science, arts and diverse persuasions, since gifted kids come in all flavors. We hope that by sifting through you might find something that suits your kid and leads to an enriching summer experience. Before you start your search, you might want to read "Time to Start Thinking About Summer!" http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/think_summer.htm by Sue Lein, who is owner/director of a coed, residential camp geared toward gifted and talented kids. She has some great suggestions regarding things to consider and questions to ask. Some are geared toward residential camps but others are not. The article will get your thoughts moving and empower you to ask the questions you might feel you need to. And now for the list. Good luck in your quest! Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) www.unco.edu/cebs/sep These university programs are designed primarily for students entering grades 5-10. Students enroll in four classes for 10 days to explore their interests. Students select activities ranging from research to arts and crafts. Saturday sessions led by experts from the university provide additional opportunities for learning. The cost includes two weeks housing, food, tuition and staff fees. Two two-week sessions are offered each summer. University of Northern Colorado (UNC), Campus Box 141 501 20th St. Greeley, CO 80639, 970-351-2683 Companion program for younger students: Young Child Program The Young Child Program serves children who are age 4 through those entering 4th grade. Addressing the early educational and social needs of children who are gifted, talented and/or creative, children and parents select high-interest courses that meet during four 40-minute periods each day. Camp Invention https://register.campinvention.org/eforumnihf/webpages/MainPage.aspx Camp Invention is a nationally recognized summer day camp that integrates science, math, history, and the arts. This one-week program fosters creativity, teamwork, inventive thinking skills, and science literacy. Camp Invention enables children to learn through fun, hands-on experiences, subject immersion, and discovery. The enrichment program consists of five activity-oriented thematic modules designed to enhance the students' overall learning and understanding. The program is designed to be age appropriate for rising second through sixth grade children. Several camps are offered around the metro area on different dates. National phone: (800) 968-4332 Bits, Bytes, and Bots Summer Camps www.bitsbytesbots.com Offers morning and afternoon weeklong half-day programs June through August in robotics and programming, movie making, game creation, and 3D game creation. Kids can learn skills that help them in school and beyond. Each child is provided with his or her own computer to work on during class. Students receive both individual and group instruction. Register online. Phone: 303-494-2687 Ages: 6 to 14 Email: info@bitsbytesbots.com Hands-On History http://www.clearcreekhistorypark.org/summercamp.php Young pioneers can spend an engaging and educational week learning hands-on about life in the 1800s. Kids can make butter, play 1800s-style baseball and games, make pioneer food using a wood stove, make cornhusk dolls and other crafts, mine for gold, and feed the chickens. The outdoor program meets Monday through Friday. Scholarships may be available. Sessions are Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–3 pm, June-August. Pre-registration is required and session enrollment is limited, so please register early. 1020 11th Street, Golden, CO 80401 Phone: 303-278-3557 Fax: 303-278-8916 Ages: 6 to 10 Cost: $135-$165 Email: info@clearcreekhistorypark.org Children’s Technology Workshop, "iCamp" www.ctworkshop.com CTWorkshop icamp™ provides children in grades 2–8 with the chance to author their own day camp experience. Children complete applied-technology adventures that are customized to their skill level. Activities occur both on and off the computer with a focus on engineering and robotics, video game creation, animation, and graphic design. During the first activity at camp children select 3-6 projects that they will complete during their session from 10 theme-based adventures. Our highly trained adventure guides help children to select programs that suit their age, area of interest and skill level to maximize the fun and the thrill of success. Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center http://www.centerforbrightkids.org/programs/summer-programs/index.html Since 1982, the Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center has offered summer programs for high-interest, high-ability students. Rooted in the talent development model, CBK summer programs offer students the opportunity to study with bright, motivated peers, enhance their preparation for advanced coursework, and establish long-lasting friendships with students from across the country and around the world. Students with exceptional ability entering grades 4-11 are offered a varied selection of enrichment and/or acceleration courses on campus. Together with outstanding instructors, we create courses in which students discover the optimal match between academic ability and pace of instruction. Residential staff are college students who offer energetic support and insight on the many issues our bright students face. Overall, challenging academics and supervised extracurricular activities enable students to gain academic and social confidence during these intense summer programs. Join us this summer at the CBK for the next step on a journey of lifelong learning! DU Engineering Junior Camp Program www.du.edu/secs/moe/program.html Gain insight about fundamentals of computers and electrical and mechanical engineering through design and building of extreme sports. University of Denver: School of Engineering and Computer Science 2050 E. Iliff Ave. Boettcher Center East, Rm 227 Denver, CO 80208 Phone 303.871.3787 Fax 303.871.2716 Foothills Arts Center http://www.foothillsartcenter.org/classes/youthprograms.php Foothills Art Center is a nonprofit arts center offering opportunities for both local and national artists. The center is housed in two National Historic Register buildings and offers a schedule of exhibitions, programs, and art classes for artists of all ages. Each 3-day session offers a different set of classes focused on a specific theme or technique with new projects each day (and often a different suggested age range). Class size limit is 15 students. Advance registration is required. Class fees vary by program 809 15th Street, Golden, CO 80401 303-279-3922 Denver Museum of Nature and Science http://www.dmns.org/learn/families-and-children/summer-camps The Denver Museum of Nature and Science offers fun, exciting and educational weeklong summer camps on dinosaurs, space science, rocks and much, much more. Camps are offered the week of June 9th - through August 15th, 2008. Camps are available for ages 4-5 through 6th grade. Partial scholarships are available for families with a documented annual income of $30,000 or less. 2001 Colorado Boulevard Denver, Colorado 80205 303-322-7009 1-800-925-2250 Art Students League of Denver Summer KidArt Camps http://www.asld.org/youth-programs/summer-camps.php The Art Students League of Denver is a non-accredited fine arts school, gallery, and site of frequent neighborhood art fairs and events. Regionally and nationally recognized working artists offer classes and workshops in a wide selection of media. Summer KidArt Camps are one- and two-week morning or afternoon camps for kids in grades one through eleven. Classes are offered in an assortment of media and themes and are divided by age and ability. Supervised care is offered before, in-between, and after all workshops. 200 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203 Phone: 303-778-6990 Fax: 303-778-6956 Ages: 5 and up Cost: Varies by class Email: asld@asld.org Camp Shakespeare http://www.coloradoshakes.org/education-outreach/shakespeare-in-the-summer/camp-shakespeare-2010 Now in its twelfth year, this day camp, held on-site at CSF’s facilities on the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado, is a lively and challenging 3-week summer program focusing on the skills needed for acting Shakespeare. University of Colorado. 277 UCB Boulder, Colorado 80309 303-492-1537 Rocky Mountain Chess Camps http://www.coloradomasterchess.com/camp.htm Coed, All ability levels, Open to ages 6-18 Participants will be divided into similar ability groups (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and age groups for sessions focusing on all aspects of the game including scorekeeping and chess etiquette. Students will compete in mini tournaments for trophies as well as play in a simultaneous exhibition against an instructor. Phone: 303.770.3696 Ages: 6 and up Denver Art Museum http://www.denverartmuseum.org/learn_and_play/families_and_kids/classes_and_camps Many of these sell out early. Call to check on waitlists. 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy Denver, CO 80204 720-865-5000 720-913-0048 - education www.denverartmuseum.org Space Voyage Summer Camp http://www.spacevoyage.com/ Space Voyage programs bring to life the importance of math and science, reinforces concepts identified in academic content standards, build confidence through genuine achievement and offer a fun place for kids to imagine the possibilities, learn and grow. http://www.spacevoyage.com/ 1504 South Johnson Court, Lakewood, Colorado 80232 email: Dr. Palmere, dr-palmere@spacevoyage.com Phone: (303) 985-3143 University of Colorado Science Discovery: Colorado Kids http://www.colorado.edu/sciencediscovery/classesSummer/index.html Science Discovery offers a wide variety of classes for ages 4-16. Math, science and technology are taught with hands-on activities that are fun and informative. Our enthusiastic, knowledgeable and experienced teachers utilize university and community resources to produce a stimulating environment, both indoors and out, and a variety of field experiences. New classes are offered each summer. Our classes support the Colorado Science Standards. Colorado Kids Wilderness Camps: http://www.coloradokids.com/linkframe/sciencediscovery-frameset.html Five- to 14-day, overnight wilderness camps guide students in adventure activities, the exploration of Colorado’s ecosystems and natural history during exciting wilderness experiences. The camps foster awareness and sensitivity to the earth and its rich resources in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Personal and group challenges enhance self-confidence and create connections among students. Wilderness living skills and time for reflection enhance a sense of place and purpose within the natural world. Grades: 3 – 11 Science Discovery office 3400 Marine Street, 446 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0446 Phone: 303-492-7188 www.colorado.edu/ScienceDiscovery Butterfly Pavilion http://www.butterflies.org/education/camp-listings.php The Butterfly Pavilion offers fun and educational camps with a focus on invertebrate animals such as insects and spiders. Come experience the joys of nature with us this summer! All camps include live animal encounters, outdoor explorations, games, and crafts. We offer 1 ½ hour camps, half day camps, and full day camp experiences for ages 4-9. 6252 104th Ave. Westminster, CO 80020 iD Tech Camps http://www.internaldrive.com/colorado/index.htm iD Tech Camps offers weeklong, day and overnight hands-on technology summer camps for students ages 8-17 at universities nationwide, including DU. They provide a safe and fun environment, where campers learn the latest technology from carefully-selected, passionate instructors. Campers select from the following week long beginning to advanced programs: Digital Video and Movie Production, Multimedia and Game Creation, Web Design and Graphics Arts, Programming and Robotics, and Stop Motion Animation. Our academic camps have an average of six students per instructor and customized curriculum for beginner to advanced learners. iD’s unique summer camps offer courses that vary from creating video games and producing digital movies to designing web pages and learning programming and robotics. 1885 Winchester Blvd., Suite 201 Campbell, California 95008 Email: info@internalDrive.com Phone: 888-709-TECH Young Americans Center for Financial Education http://www.yacenter.org/pfe/summer-camps.html The mission of Young Americans Center for Financial Education is to further the economic education of young people so they will be competent and knowledgeable in managing their financial affairs and may prosper in the free enterprise system. 3550 East First Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206 ph 303-321-2265 fax 303-320-6507 Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities http://arvadacenter.org/education/classes Offers kid’s classes and summer camps. The summer camps are for children to 19 years of age. These inspiring and creative camps offer experiences in a variety of subjects including drama, visual arts, music and dance. The programs are designed to educate and entertain. The Arvada Center's Reaching for the Arts Scholarship Program offers scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition to students who demonstrate artistic talent, dedication and financial need. 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, Colorado 80003-9985 (720) 898-7200 Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery http://wildbear.org/ The Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery offers year-round hands-on educational programs to people of all ages to foster a life-long appreciation of the environment and to promote an environmentally aware, responsible and ecologically sound community. Summer programs, school year programs, and outreach programs are available. Wild Bear’s Mountain Summer Program provides a full day of fun in the mountains for 5-12 year olds! Operating from 8 am-3:30 pm, this program is based at the Nederland Elementary School in Nederland. P.O. Box 3017 Nederland, CO 80466 303-258-7092 jill@wildbear.org Denver Botanic Gardens http://catalog.botanicgardens.org/Default.aspx?hview=bycategory&tagid=7 Weeklong, 9 am-4 pm classes. Pre-resgistation is required. To register, please call 720-865-3580, or register online 1005 York Street Denver, CO 80206 720-865-3500 registrar@botanicgardens.org Denver Zoo http://www.denverzoo.org/education/summerSafari.asp Come spend a week with Denver's wildest residents! Summer Safari is a fun-filled educational experience for animal lovers from preschool to those going into fifth grade. Campers participate in hands-on activities, animal visits and observations, crafts, games, stories, projects, and zoo tours. Activities are designed specifically for each age group. 2900 E 23rd Ave Denver, CO 80205 (303) 376-4800 Denver Center Theatre Academy http://www.denvercenter.org/education/ProgramsforChildrenandTeens.aspx The Denver Center Theatre Academy provides aspiring theatre artists with the opportunity to develop their talents and skills. The Children's Program offers a variety of classes designed to introduce students to theatre and expand their imaginations through drama games and activities. Classes are offered for children ages 2 1/2 through 12. During summer break, the Academy offers week-long drama programs that meet daily from 9 am-4pm 1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204 Phone: 303-446-4892 Cost: $75-$350 Email: academy@dcpa.org Lakewood Cultural Center Camps June-July: City of Lakewood programs for ages 7-14. Camps include weaving, comic-strip cartooning, clay sculpture, acting. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood 303-987-5436 Lighthouse Writers Workshop http://www.lighthousewriters.org Lighthouse Writers Workshop supports creative discovery and renewal by providing the writing workshops and writer services to young authors of all abilities. Talks, events, summer camps, and youth workshops strive to develop the writer in everyone. Fully enrolled for Summer 2010. 2123 Downing Street, Denver, CO 80205 Phone: 303.297.1185 Ages: 9 and up Cost: Varies by program Email: info@lighthousewriters.org Colorado Academy Summer Programs http://www.coloradoacademy.org/podium/default.aspx?t=125875 Programs for ages 5-18. Day Camp, Academics, Arts, Sports Camps, Extended Care, Bus Service. 100+ acre campus, two gymnasiums, theater, art and photography studios. 3800 South Pierce St 303-914-2531 Science Adventures http://www.discoverchampions.com/main/do/Students_and_Parents_Science_Adventures Science Adventures presents four exciting weeklong hands-on science camps! Campers going into grades 1-6 can explore science in a fun, interactive way. Children are introduced to thematic science concepts in natural surroundings as they build projects, conduct experiments, and play science-oriented games. Home Office Address 10106 West San Juan Way Suite 100 Littleton, CO 80127 888-458-1812 Downtown Aquarium http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/flash_content/index.html Weeklong camp including lunch, snacks, activities, for students in grades 1-6. 700 Water St., Denver 303-561-4444 Four Mile House http://www.fourmilepark.org/index.php?/education/seasonal/ Children experience a simpler way of life at a slower pace as they learn and play as Colorado children did in the late 1800s. Campers will experience direct and meaningful contact with our 12-acre historic park and Denver’s oldest standing house. 715 South Forest StreetDenver, Colorado 80246720-865-0814 Mizel Museum http://www.mizelmuseum.org/creative_journeys.html Art programs with a theme. 400 S. KearneyDenver, Colorado 80224303.394.9993 Jewish Community Center http://www.jccdenver.org/?page_id=149 The JCC offers a variety of themed and regular day camps. 350 S. Dahlia St Denver, CO 80246 (303) 399-2660 info@jccdenver.org FURTHER RESOURCES FOR MORE OPTIONS: Kids Pages http://www.kidspages.org P.O. Box 745219 Arvada, CO 80006 303-277-0053 Provides an excellent list of summer activities, classes, and camps Colorado Parent http://colorado.parenthood.com/CO_VCF_home.php 5460 South Quebec Street, Suite 130 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303-320-1000 Denver Day Camps http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/browse/subcat.jsp?area=191&category=157 HoagiesGifted http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/summer.htm American Camp Association http://find.acacamps.org/finding_a_camp.php Kids Camps http://www.kidscamps.com/kc_dba/owa/kids1_newdesign?typename=Art&state=CO Denver Post Summer Day Camp Issue http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_14360255

Class Picnic

We are going to the park today! We will have lots of fun, even if I am lame! :) Love you Camilla! :)

Fairy Tale Trials

What did you learn from the Fairy Tale trial? Would you want to do it again?

Homework for the week of May 10-May 14

Homework this week consists of a packet entitled "My Room". Students will answer specific questions about his/her room, as well as solve some area and perimeter problems. Packets are due on Friday. Additionally, realistic fiction essays are due on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. We will have computer time in class to finish projects. Field trip to the capitol was a great time! Thanks for all the support from chaperones. Barbara, Lynn, and Guerin--you guys are terrific! Amy

Updates on Assignment Due Dates

After conversations with students and parents, and careful consideration, timelines for the realistic fiction writing assignment have been changed. New due dates: Rough Draft: Due Monday, May 3, 2010 Final Copy: Due Wednesday, May 12, 2010 State Report Project is still due on Thursday, May 6, 2010 Young Authors projects are also due on Thursday, May 6, 2010. Thanks!

Homework: April 26 - April 30

Vocabulary List #27 Categorize words by parts of speech. All nouns must be used in a complete sentence that highlights the meaning of the word. All verbs must be defined. For each adjective, list a synonym and an antonym. accumulate apprehensive boisterous collaborate composure conspicuous deluge discretion exaggerate futile Idiom Jovial monotonous Negotiate optimist predicament retaliate treacherous Puzzle of the Week: Use the state you are studying for your state report. Imagine that a wonderful aunt comes to visit for a week. She loves to see everything and has never been to your state before. Use the map scale to figure out how many different places you can visit in one week if you travel a maximum of 500 miles a day, beginning from the capital city. Use a linear measure from location to location; don't worry about curves in the road. Be sure to allow time to explore some the places you visit. I would like to see you create a table that includes miles traveled, and time allotted in each location. There is an example table on your homework handout.

Homework for April 5-April 9

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a fantastic Spring Break! Homework for this week is vocabulary and puzzle of the week. Please remember to not only complete the vocabulary assignment, but also study for your test on Friday. This week's test will on spelling, meaning, and using words correctly in sentences. Homework requires students to alphabetize the word list first, then find synonyms for all odd numbered words, and antonyms for all even numbered words. Additionally, students need to identify the part of speech for all words. Vocabulary list: 1. tamper 2. impatience 3. annual 4. combat 5.occasional 6. dignity 7. magical 8. severe 9. illegal 10.counterfeit 11. nuisance 12. reliable 13. vacate 14. deceive 15. yearn 16. anniversary 17. opponent 18. humid 19. vicinity 20. rampage 21. estimate 22.amateur Puzzle of the Week: Please remember to not only complete the math, but also answer the guideline questions for the puzzle of the week. This week's puzzle requires you to work backward to find the answer to the following mystery. Please include each step, and not just the final answer. Late one night a burglar somehow got into one of the vaults in Fort Knox and started out with a big sack of gold coins. No one really knows how much he stole. At any rate, on his way out, he was stopped by one of the guards, who caught him "holding the bag" so to speak. Fortunately for him, the burglar was able to talk his way out of trouble by offering the guard half of the money he had taken with a bonus of $2,000 thrown in. Just as he was walking away, praising his good luck at having gotten free, he was stopped by a second guard. It took the same bribe, half of all the money he had left, with $2,000 thrown in, to get by the second guard. Just as he was about to leave, you guessed it, he was stopped by yet a third guard who let him go only after receiving half of all the burglar had left, with $2,000 thrown in. By the time the burglar left the front gate of Fort Knox, he had mixed emotions. After all, he did leave with $9,000 more than he had when he arrived and he escaped a free man. (he had nothing when he arrived) But as he thought of all the money he had left behind with the guards, he wept. Oh, by the way, you now know enough to calculate how much he had taken in the first place.

Homework March 22-March 26

Vocabulary for the Week of 22-26 March Understand the meaning of each word. Pretend you work for an environmental action group. Use all words in a persuasive essay describing how and why we should protect the environment. Your test on Friday will be spelling only. acid rain aerosol animal welfare carbon monoxide climate conservation energy nuclear energy solar energy exhaust fumes global warming greenhouse effect (non)-renewable resources nuclear nuclear fallout nuclear reactor ozone layer pesticide pollution rain forest waste nuclear waste Puzzle of the Week In addition to solving the puzzle, students must also answer the four guideline questions regarding the metacognitive processes involved with problem solving. Puzzle: A Growing Proposition You may live for decades, but your hair won't. In fact, a strand of hair has a life-span of about four years for a man, and six years for a woman. If the average person has 90,000 hairs on his or her head, at any one time, what percentage of them must be replaced annually? Man: Woman: How many hairs are replaced annually? Let's say that you first started replacing your hair when you were four years old. Since then, how many hairs have been replaced on your head? Approximately how many hairs have you grown in your lifetime so far? If you live to be eighty years old, and you don't go bald-how many hairs will you have replaced on your head over that period of time? You may use a calculator for your computations and estimations. Don't forget to be reading nightly for at least 20-30 minutes!

Which study appeals to you?

Respond with your top three choices of desired study area including: global warming, wind power, hydro power, solar power, or fuel cell vehicles. Please include 1-2 sentences explaining why you are interested in this topic. Please respond by Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Thanks!

Go Green or Go Home! Unit Projects!

Go Green or Go Home Group Project Guidelines Due Date 4/16/2010 Individually respond to the class blog with your top three choices of desired study area including: global warming, wind power, hydro power, solar power, or fuel cell vehicles. After I have received all requests I will place you into groups. As a group participate in selected experiment investigations. I expect you to behave appropriately as if you are a scientist in a laboratory. Complete and submit OHEC worksheet. Write up brief description of your findings and how you and your group worked together. (4 points) Perform additional research on your study area. Use all avenues that are open to you to find out as much as you can. Try to use as many primary sources as possible. Read all you can about your topic. Do not forget to document sources in correct form. Do not plagiarize! Use the internet to gather information. You Tube videos, speeches, etc. Visit libraries or museums (if exhibits available) When your research is complete, create a visual (Poster, Science board, Magazine etc.) to support the marketing or selling of your topic. Present your group research to the class. (20 points) Introduce your topic Provide a minimum of three facts about your topic Explain why your topic is important Be creative and have fun! Prospectus for the Future: Research current developments in the scientific community using periodicals such as American Scientist, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Invention & Technology, National Geographic, etc. Find a concept that you find particularly intriguing. Formulate a concept for a future scientific invention that impact life as we know it. Synthesize information based on the research to support the hypothesis developed. Write a 3 paragraph essay about your findings and your product. You will be scored on your use of research materials and the quality of your writing.

411 of 216

Signals got crossed today, and I failed yet again to include the 411 of 216 in Thursday folders! Sorry--here is the information included: UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES: MARCH 18TH CONCERT @ SKINNER MS 6:30 START TIME, STUDENTS SHOULD BE THERE BY 6:00 PM MARCH 26, HALF DAY MARCH 29-APRIL 2, SPRING BREAK ALPS Advanced Learning Plans were supposed to be enclosed in this week’s folder. I apologize for the delay, but I have been experiencing significant technical difficulties with Infinite Campus. I hope to have all issues resolved by next week, so they can be sent home. These documents are district mandated for all gifted learners and will remain in student files for next year and throughout a student’s academic careers at DPS. This was the first year of implementation, and there was a bit of a learning curve. Please anticipate earlier notification and more parent involvement regarding these documents for the next school year. Student Work: For the last few weeks, we have completed an author study on Chris Van Allsburg. In addition to reading a number of his wonderful books, students also worked in groups to create board games related to a book of their choosing. The games were required to include evidence of vocabulary, cause and effect relationships, and sequencing related to the story. The games turned out incredibly! The students were so creative, and worked very hard. We had a sharing time, where games were showcased and played. Fun was had by ALL! A common element among all Chris Van Allsburg’s books was a sense of open endedness that allowed the reader to form concepts and conclusions on his own. An additional element of our author study required students to fill in the blanks of a story by writing a prequel or sequel. Here are some of the student’s stories: A BAD DAY AT RIVERBEND (CONTINUED) By Sadie Buchanan After everything went dark, the sheriff could move again! The slime felt wet on his face and he was determined to escape the evil light. He rode on and on until finally light appeared. But, everything yet again froze. The sheriff was very afraid. Huge hands grasped the world and carried it away. The world dropped into a dark place. Then everything moved again. All of the sudden, the world was dumped into a huge mouth. The sheriff felt himself being grinded into sticky goo, and flattened. Suddenly, he had new memories. His name was Jasmine, and he was in love with a street boy. He yelled, “What am I doing here! I am the sheriff!” “Really?” said the boy, “I’m from Riverbend too!” Zathura Epilogue By Connor Ellertson As soon Danny and Walter got home, they started to play catch. After awhile, they got tired of playing catch. They went inside, but still couldn’t find anything to do. Meanwhile, Danny and Walter’s parents were just arriving home. They were worried about their sons. They got so worried; they were about to call 911, when the two boys returned home. The boys were sent to bed. The parents decided to take a walk in the park. They found a big box in the trash. They decided to take the box home. When they got home, they opened the box. The box contained board games. When they looked through the box, they found the following games: Jumanji, Zathura, and the Wild West. They both agreed to play the Wild West. Danny and Walter rushed downstairs. Walter shouted, “Mom! Dad! No!”, but it was too late, their parents had already started the game. Also included in the Thursday folders were guideline sheets for two of our upcoming projects. Please look over with your child. Almost all work will be finished in class on both of these projects.

Homework for the week of 15 - 19 March

Homework: Puzzle of the Week: Use tangrams. (provided) If the small triangle has an area of 1 unit, make a figure with the pieces that has an area of 9 units. If the medium triangle has an area of 1 unit, make a figure that has an area of 3 1/2 units. Make up a problem using the square, if it equals 1 unit. Make up a problem using the parallelogram, if it equals 1 unit. Answer the questions regarding how you solved the puzzle. Guidelines for Writing about the Puzzle of the Week 1.What is the puzzle about? Restate the situation in your own words. Check your writing: What are you trying to find out? Did you give enough information for someone else to be able to solve the puzzle? 2.What are your first impressions of this puzzle? How do you think you will solve it? Check your writing: What strategies do you think you will use? Might you draw a picture, act it out, make a table, chart, or list, use objects, or use some other way? Does this puzzle remind you of other puzzles? 3. Describe how you solved the puzzle. Explain your method. Check your writing: How did you start? What did you try that didn’t work? Did you learn n anything from those tries? What did you do when you got stuck? Did someone help you with this puzzle? Were they helpful or not? What steps did you use to find you your solution? Be specific so others could try your strategy. 4. How do you know your answer is right? Check your writing: How would you prove your solution is right if someone disagrees with you? Could there be more than one correct solution? Vocabulary: Homework: Please put the list in alphabetical order. Use odd numbered words in a sentence and find the definition of even numbered words. (Hint: Use your Social Studies Alive! book to help find definitions) geography scale map key coastal plain inland plateau basin diverse immigrant peak revolution canal lock (use meaning associated with chapter 4 of Social Studies book) mass production Constitution skyscrapers

February 22-26 Homework

Homework for this week is as follows: Vocabulary-Last CSAP list! Yippee! Choose 15 words from your list to use in complete, well-written sentences. Study all list words for Friday's test. You should know all words and definitions. 1. square 2. square number 3. square unit 4. standard form 5. standard units of measure 6. strategy 7. subtraction 8. sum 9. summary 10. survey 11. symmetry 12. table 13. temperature 14. translation 15. triangle 16. turn 17. style 18. suffix 19. summary 20. supporting details 21. symbolism 22. synonyms 23. theme 24. title 25. tone 26. topic sentence 27. transition 28. valid 29. verb 30. voice 31. word web Writing: Students will respond to "The Cheetah and the Sloth" prompt. Writing must include a minimum of three paragraphs. Please make sure you have well defined main idea sentences, with supporting details. Prompt: The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. It can reach speeds of 65 miles per hour. The world's slowest land mammal is the sloth, which moves along at just 0.07 miles per hour. That means it would take a sloth 15 minutes just to cross the street. Write a story about a race between a cheetah and a sloth, a kind of wacky version of the old fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare". Here's the twist: Use your imagination to dream up a way for the sloth to win. Math: Practice sheets on weight, volume, and decimal fractions. Also look over green study sheet for Unit7 test on Friday. Read nightly for a minimum of 20 minutes. Project Due Dates: Poetry Books due-2/24/2010 Night of the Notables written project due-2/24/2010 Ms. Okimoto's Reading Groups: independent & novel study book projects due 2/25/2010 Night of the Notables Event-Thursday, February 25, 2010, 5 -7 pm, Edison Auditorium

Homework February 17-19

Due to the fact that students have multiple projects due next week and the brevity of the week, there will be limited homework this week. Students received a math packet today, that is due on Monday, February 22, 2010. I have the following expectations for the packet: all work is shown, no calculators or parent assistance on computation, and no reprints or late work. Problem areas for the students seem to be multiplying double and triple digit factors, locating ordered pairs on a coordinate grid, and finding common denominators. All included work is review work, and students should ask questions if necessary. Early submission is encouraged. Thanks. REMINDER: POETRY BOOKS & NIGHT OF THE NOTABLES PROJECTS DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH BOOK PROJECTS FOR MRS. RIGSBY'S READERS DUE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND BOOK PROJECTS FOR MS. OKIMOTO'S READERS DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH

Homework: February 8-February 12

Homework for this week includes the following: Math: Decimal worksheet, and probability activity(will be sent home on Wednesday) Writing: Respond to the following prompt: Strength or Speed? In 1996, a Belgian man named Walter Arfeuille moved an eight car train weighing nearly 500,000 pounds. He was able to pull it more than ten feet.....using his teeth! Now that's strong! The world record for high speed tap dancing belongs to James Devine from Australia. He can tap his feet 38 times per second. Now that's fast! Which would you rather be, strong or fast? Think about it and then write about which one you chose and why. Make sure your writing is at least 3 paragraphs long, includes descriptive details, and is conventionally perfect! Vocabulary: Choose 15 words from the following list. You may use the words in sentences, or create part two of your picture dictionary, that includes the vocabulary term with a descriptive picture. 1.ordered pair 2. parallelogram 3. parallel lines 4. pattern 5. pentagon 6. perimeter 7. perpendicular lines 8. pictograph 9. place value 10. P.M. 11. point 12. polygon 13. possible event 14. predict 15. prediction 16. probability 17. product 18. pyramid 19. quadrilateral 20. questionaire 21. quotient 22. range 23. rectangle 24. reflection 25. represent 26. remainder 27. rhombus 28. right angle 29. right triangle 30. rounding 31. rule 32. ruler 33. scale 34. sequence 35. set 36. side 37. similar 38. slide 39. solids 40. solve 41. sphere

Homework: February 1-February 5

Writing Prompt: A Bicycle Built for 200 Million The Netherlands is the nation with the most bicycles per capita. It has 16 million of them! That's an average of one bicycle for every citizen, big and small, young and old. Do you think it would be good if people in the United States used bikes and scooters and skateboards more often? What would be the advantages? Would it cut down on pollution? Write about how the US would be different if people depended on transportation other than cars. Write 3 organized paragraphs explaining your position and persuading your audience that your position is best. Make sure to use your best spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Math: Activity 1: Create a pie graph that shows how the campers at Hillindale Summer Community Activities Camp spent their time. Here is their daily schedule: 7:30 breakfast 12:30 community clean-up 8:00 math 1:30 visit museums 9:00 science 2:30 bus travel 10:00 snack 3:00 swimming 10:15 sports 4:15 snack 11:30 lunch 4:30 reading 12:00 bus travel 5:30 end of day Group the activities into the following categories and convert the total time spent in each activity as a percentage of the day. (What is the whole day?) Here are the categories: eating, sports, bus travel, math/reading/science, community clean up, and museums. You may create a pie chart by hand or using the computer. Make sure you label your graph with the categories and percentage amount. Integer Practice: page 18/19 (hand-out) Vocabulary: Choose 15 words from your vocabulary list. You may either use these words in sentences or create a picture dictionary showing and describing the meaning of the word, using pictures and your own words. Vocabulary list: 1. expression 2. face 3. factor 4. fact family 5. figure 6.flip 7. fraction 8. function machine 9. graph 10. grid 11. hexagon 12. impossible event 13. integer 14. intersecting lines 15.justify 16. isosceles triangle 17. key 18. kilometer 19. line 20. line graph 21. line of symmetry 22. liter 23. mass 24. mean 25. median 26. meter 27. method 28. mixed number 29. mode 30. multiple 31. multiplication 32. number line 33. number sentence 34. numerator 35. octagon 36. odd number 37. operation 38. order

Night of the Notables

Here is an excellent overview of how to write a bibliography ! https://abapub.abaoman.edu.om/vbopardikar/bibliography.htm

Night of the Notables:Guideline Sheet

Night of the Notables Biography Project Guidelines Due Date 2/17/2010 TBD: Date of Culminating Event 1. Select an eminent person for an in-depth biographical study who is in a field that is interesting to you. Think about how this person stands out as a positive change agent, tradition maker, or creative producer. Make sure you want to know this person better! You will be spending considerable time in the next few weeks researching this person! Research this person thoroughly. Use all avenues that are open to you to find out as much as you can. Be inventive in your research. Try to use as many primary sources as possible. Read all you can about your person, books written by him/her, books written about him/her, collective biographies, reference books, magazine articles, newspapers, periodicals, etc. At the same time, take notes. Do not forget to document sources in correct form. Do not plagiarize! Use the internet to gather information. Make sure to take notes and write down sources in correct form. E-mail or write letters to museums and/or peoples’ hometown libraries to obtain information. Do this early in your research. Save copies of all correspondence. View films, TV biography videos, and DVDs to gather facts and view pictures of your subject. Listen to tapes and recordings of your person to hear his/her voice and speech mannerisms. Interview people who know or may have known you person. Use note cards to record information and sources. Visit all the libraries in your area: school, and public libraries. Consider seeking permission to visit a college library also. When your research is complete, choose one of the following written products to do: biographical sketch in either the first or third person voice, or create a biography magazine. (specific guidelines attached) Make a lifeline of your person’s life. Include a few world or national events to help give perspective, along with major points of the person’s life. This lifeline may be done vertically or horizontally. Compose a bio-riddle about your person synthesizing your research on the life of your chosen change agent, tradition breaker, or creative producer. Use this information to provide identity clues. Utilize literary techniques such as alliteration, simile, metaphor, oxymoron, rhyme, rhythm, etc to add effectiveness of your riddle. Find provocative quotations made by your person. Choose one to be included in your presentation for the culminating activity. (Night of the Notables) Answer the questions listed in the role playing sheet (atached) Be able to present this information during the culminating activity. Design or plan a costume for portrayal of your person at the culminating program. Evaluation/Assessment Complete Self-Assessment Complete “Let’s Compare” activity Rubric assessment of bio-riddle; biographical magazine or biographical sketch Do not wait until the last minute to begin this project. Use this guideline sheet to help you plan your strategy for completing this project. If you need assistance in planning, see your teacher!