Ms. Tovey's Blog

English
I hope to finish up the chapter on verbs this week. The test will be sometime next week.
Writing
I was unable to begin The Sprouse Brothers biography last week so we will begin it on Monday. The final paper will be a five paragraph typed paper with a cover page. The children will begin typing their papers on Friday and use the following Wednesday's computer class to finish them. Again they will be allotted almost two hours of typing time; any child who does not finish in this time will have to finish before or after school, or at recess time.

Science
We will continue our study of the human body this week. This unit is divided into two separate parts. One is titled Herman and comes only from the anatomically correct model in the room. There are seventeen parts of the body the children will be responsible for identifying as well as knowing a simple job for each. Each child should have a page in their notebook entitled "Herman." The second part of the unit is entitled "Cells to Systems" and comes from the booklet that will be passed out to each child. At the end of the unit there will be two separate science tests, spaced out at reasonable intervals, of course.

English
We will finish up the chapter on Tuesday and the text will be on Thursday. The hardest part of the test will be the 20 irregular verbs found on pages 162 and 164. Please know that all 20 are on the test and that the past tense will have to be spelled correctly.
A review sheet should come home on Wednesday to help study for the test.
Writing
The children will have to have their Sprouse Brother rough draft done for Monday. They will begin typing them Wednesday in computer class and finish typing Friday. Any papers that are finished Friday will have to be completed before school, at recess, or after school. The final paper will be due Tuesday, November 24th.
Science
To date your child should have notes in his/her notebook on cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems on the page entitled Cells to Systems. On the page entitled Herman, he/she should have notes on 8 of the body's organs. The notes to tend to pile up for this chapter, so any additional review you can give your child will help tremendously come test time.

English
I am going to set the English book aside for a couple of weeks and focus on the research paper the children are writing. We will review the first three chapters in the English book as part of the DOL each morning.
Writing
Last week the children began step one of the research paper: the reading. I have five printed articles on Sportsmanship that the children will read. As we read each article I am having the kids high light the important information. When we are done with the article they will take the highlighted information, put it into their own words, and write it down on an index card to refer back to when it is time to begin the paper. After all five articles are read, the children will begin their research paper. This will be a much guided activity. So far they seem to be excited about the topic and the idea of writing a research paper. Let's hope this continues for the next couple of weeks.
Science
This week the Digestive System will be introduce.