The Week of 6-4-12

The end is near!  Students will begin the week by presenting their Economics Expo projects.  We will end the week with an exciting performance by some visiting Chinese acrobats.  Here's what we'll do in between:


In literature study, we will finish reading Island of the Blue Dolphins.  In word work, we will start our next unit in the Word Wisdom book.  In writing workshop, each student will create their own scrapbook page to reflect one of their favorite moments from the year.


In math, we will continue to study multiply fractions and finish the week with a test.


In science, students will learn how to determine the difference between climate and weather.  We will watch a short video and create skits to help solidify our understanding of these concepts.

The Week of 5-29-12

In Word Work, students will finish our final unit in the GUM Book and take the Unit 5 test.


In literature study this week, we will continue reading Island of the Blue Dolphins. Students will get a better idea of the bow and arrow that Karana uses to hunt and protect herself by building their own version of these materials. They will work with groups to act out part of the book. Students will end the week as they always do, discussing a debatable question related to the book during Socratic Seminar.

In writing workshop, we will further explore perspective taking while employing the Mind-up Curriculum.

In math this week, students will multiply mixed numbers, divide whole numbers by fractions and use diagrams to solve problems.

In science this week we will graph the data we collected during our Heating Earth’s Materials experiment. Then, we will learn more about solar technology and the importance of the sun.

The Week of 5-21-12

Look out for progress reports coming home this week!

In Word Work, we will continue working in the GUM book. We will discuss use of commas, semi-colons, quotations, as well as parts of a friendly letter.


In literature study this week, students will continue reading Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. We will discuss character motivation and pay attention to details while reading. We will do drawing, acting, writing, and discussion activities to support our reading this week.

In writing workshop, we will use the Mind-Up Curriculum to talk about perspective taking. Perspective taking is the ability to see situations from the viewpoint of another person. When we mindfully practice perspective taking, we become more skilled at accurately interpreting the behavior of those around us. Calm perspective taking directs incoming information to the reflective, thinking prefrontal cortex instead of the reflexive, reactive amygdala.

We will begin math this week by reviewing long division and Topic 5. The test will be on Tuesday. Then we will begin Topic 11: Multiplying Fractions and Mixed Numbers. Students will learn how to: multiply fractions by a whole number, give the product of two fractions, and multiply mixed numbers.

In science this week we will review data we collected last week. We will discuss how shadows are made and why they change length and position. Then, we will share and graph the data we collected during our Heating Earth’s Materials experiment last week.

The Week of 5-14-12

In Word Work, students will start on the final unit in the GUM book: Mechanics. We will work on writing sentences correctly, proper nouns and adjectives, initials and abbreviations, titles, and apostrophes this week.

In literature study, we will begin reading Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. Students will be thinking about what it would be like to be stranded on a deserted island. They will draw and build a model of the island after reading about it. In addition, they will try and understand the narrator’s point of view.

In writing workshop, students will read some of their own poems from their poetry booklets. Then, we will work on developing more mindful behavior by examining different ways of being more mindful tasters and eaters.

Students will start the week in math by dividing by multiples of 10. Then, we will work with division problems that have 1-digit quotients. Next, students will solve problems involving division of numbers with 4 or 5 digits by 2 digits divisors with an estimate, or by using a calculator when the exact answer is needed. Students will also determine which information is missing and identify extraneous information in problems. The Topic 5 test will be next week.

Students will start the week in science by tracking shadow to determine which time of day produces the longest and shortest shadows and why. Then, students will investigate how different earth materials are heated by solar energy.

The Week of 5-7-12

Thank you to the parents and relatives that came out last Friday to support our Science Fair.  The students enjoyed sharing their projects with you!  Here's what we are doing this week:
In Word Work, students will continue Word Wisdom Unit 5: Measurement. We will work the final part of Unit 5 (Part 4) to review the 30 words we’ve learned and their meanings. In literature study we will finish reading the poetry novel Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech and work on writing our own poetry. In writing workshop, students will receive the rubric for their poetry booklet. Students will write 6 different poems based on different criteria we have discussed in class.

This week, students will continue to divide numbers by a 1-digit divisor. They will see whole number quotients, quotients with remainders, and quotients with a zero in them. Students will transition into relating multiplication with using appropriate operations to perform calculations on whole numbers, fractions, and decimals according to the context and nature of the computation.

In science, students will create an experiment to investigate the difference in air temperature in the sun and in the shade.

Scantron Testing and Science Fair This Week

Here's a photo of our class at the opening of our
Black History and Civil Rights Museum on April 20th.

Our class will be taking reading and math Scantron tests on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons this week.  Please remind your child of the importance of these tests.  We hope to see everyone improve!  In addition, please come to our 4th-5th grade Science Fair this Friday morning.  We look forward to seeing you there!  Here's what else we will be doing the week of 4-30-12:

In Word Work, students will continue Word Wisdom Unit 5: Measurement. We will work on Part 3 this week which focuses on Reference Skills.

In literature study we will continue reading the poetry novel Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech. We will read and write about similes, metaphors, consonance, dissonance, alliteration, and more. We will discuss poems by William Carlos Williams and other well known poets.

In writing workshop, students will be working on writing their own poems using the poetic devices we are learning about in literature study. They will also be writing poems based in the same style as some of the famous poems we’ve been reading.

This week in math, students will continue to divide numbers by a 1-digit divisor. They will see whole number quotients, quotients with remainders, and quotients with a zero in them. We will review how to determine factors and how to find the prime factorization of a number. Students will use pictures and equations to help them represent remainders in a problem.

Students will present their science fair projects in class this week in science. The 4th-5th Grade Science Fair will be on Friday at 9:15 am.

The Week of 4-23-12

Appologies for the late posting, but this website has been giving me some trouble.  Here's what we are learning this week.  If the trouble clears up, I'll be posting some pictures from our amazing Black History and Civil Rights Museum which was a huge success last Friday!

In Word Work, students will continue Word Wisdom Unit 5: Measurement. We will work on Part 2 this week which focuses on Latin Roots.

In literature study we will be reading the poetry novel Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech. We will discuss and use poetic devices as we read. We will determine the theme of the poems and discuss the narrator’s point of view. In this book, “it is a new school year, and Jack learns that his previous year's teacher, Miss Stretchberry, has also moved up a grade along with him. "You understand my brain," he says. Once again, Miss Stretchberry introduces Jack and his classmates to poems that intrigue and entice Jack, allowing him to talk about things that are on his mind: mean cats, sound, silence, worry and joy. You don't really think Miss Stretchberry is going to let Jack hate a cat, do you? Hmm.”

In writing workshop, we will start this week’s lessons by practicing different visualization techniques to go along with our deep breathing. The deep breathing helps calm and focus the mind so it is ready for learning. We will be writing Mandarin characters this week for our classroom quilt project.

In math this week, we will continue Topic 4. Students will learn how to check problems for reasonableness by using various methods, including estimation and checking their final answer. Students will also review and practice long division. Students should continue practicing their multiplication and division facts to assure mastery before the end of the school year.

This week in science, students will conduct an experiment by rolling cars down a ramp and measuring how far they roll. We will discuss what makes this a good experiment and why this would be valid for a science fair project (it has multiple trials, it is seeking an answer to a question through experimentation, and it has measurable results.) We will practice how to write a conclusion.

Museum Opening this Friday!

As you know, students have been working hard on their inquiry projects, investigating their own topics of interest.  On Friday, they will have the grand opening of their Black History and Civil Rights Museum at 9:00 am.  We hope you can make it to see all of the hard work they've put into it.  In addition, I look forward to seeing you at Report Card Pick-up on Wednesday, April 18th.  Here's what else we are doing this week, the week of April 16, 2012:


In Word Work, students will begin Word Wisdom Unit 5: Measurement. We will work on Part 1 this week which focuses on how to use Context Clues. In literature study, we finalize our inquiry projects and prepare for the opening of our museum. We will have opening day at the museum on Friday! In writing workshop, students will work on various Mind-up activities where they will do a couple of activities to practice mindful seeing.

To begin the week in Math, students will review topic information on graphs and data and take the Topic 18 assessment on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will begin Topic 4 and launch into a multiple-topic study of division. Students should continue practicing their multiplication and division facts to assure mastery before the end of the school year.


This week in science, students will conduct an experiment about measuring learning. We will discuss what makes this a good experiment and why this would be valid for a science fair project (it has multiple trials, it is seeking an answer to a question through experimentation, and it has measurable results.) We will also discuss how to set up a science fair board.

Welcome Back!

What's wrong with this picture? 
Tell me the mistake and get one extra
credit point on your grammar test.

I hope you had a relaxing spring break!  We have one more week in third quarter and then we will be into the final leg of the school year.  Please make sure you have turned in your report card pick-up request time.  Report card pick-up is next week.  I look forward to seeing you all there!

Here's what we are doing this week, the week of 4-9-12:
In Word Work, students will finish GUM Book Unit 4: Grammar.  They will take a test on Thursday. 


In literature study, we will continue our inquiry projects. Students will receive the rubric that will guide them in creating their final projects. We will continue to practice using research to answer our focus questions without plagiarizing.

In writing workshop, students will work on various Mind-up activities where they will learn more about how their brain works and why practicing creates stronger neural pathways in their brains. We will do a couple of activities to practice mindful seeing.

In math, students will finish Topic 18 and prepare to take a test. The test will cover various types of graphs and data tables. It will also cover different types of averages (mean, median, mode) and range. The test will be given next week.

This week in science, students will receive their guidelines for their science fair projects. We will look at several different experiments in order to determine the independent and dependent variables. Students will determine their topic, focus question, and hypothesis.

Freedom Center...Here We Come!

This week is our annual trip to The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.  We are truly looking forward to it!  Information was sent home with students last Friday with all of the details.  If you need more information, please let me know.  Students who are not attending the field trip should report to school as usual.

Here's what we are doing the week of 3-26-12:
In Word Work, students will continue working on GUM Book Unit 4: Grammar. This week we will work on forms of “be,” verb tense, negatives, and superlative & comparatives adjectives. In literature study, we will continue our inquiry projects. Students have created focus questions related to Civil Rights and Black History. They will have a couple of opportunities to use the media center to conduct research this week. Students will also learn how to read to get the gist of something to avoid plagiarism. In writing workshop, students will share their persuasive essays with a partner and with the rest of the class. We will also prepare for a school-wide essay by reviewing our last school-wide essays and discuss mistakes we made and how to avoid them on Thursday morning’s essay.


In math students will continue studying Topic 18: Graphs and Data. Students will use place value to organize data in a stem-and-leaf plot. Then, they will make and interpret histograms. Students will learn about circle graphs this week. Finally, students will create their own survey questions and display the data in at least three different ways.

This week in science, students will continue design their own pulley experiments. We will begin the week by determining some independent and dependent variables from our fixed pulley experiments. Students will use these ideas to come up with a focus question that will lead their investigation. They will conduct the experiment in class and report their findings.

Enjoy the Weather!

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather!  Here's what we are up to this week, the week of 3-19-12: 

In Word Work, students will start GUM Book Unit 4: Grammar. We will work with pronouns, subjects, and objects this week. In literature study, we will start an inquiry project. Students will be exploring topics that they are curious about related to Civil Rights and Black History to culminate our unit on these topics. Students will learn how to ask different kinds of questions, how to leave tracks of their thinking, how to read a text with a question in mind, and how to read to get the gist of something to avoid plagiarism. In writing workshop, we will continue crafting our persuasive essays.

This week in math, students will begin by reviewing Topic 17 and taking a test. Then, we will start Topic 18: Graphing Data. Students will practice how to gather data for surveys, how to create and read bar graphs, picture graphs, and line graphs.

This week in science, students will revisit the experiment from last week “Fixed Pulleys vs. Movable Pulleys.” All of the groups’ data was not consistent and we will analyze why. Then, students will investigate how two pulleys can be used together.

ISAT Continues

This week, 5th graders will finish their ISATs.  We will take our last reading test on Tuesday and our final math test on Wednesday.  Here's what we'll be working on the rest of the time this week of 3-12-12:

In word work, we will continue to review all of the words in Unit 4. The test will be this Friday. In literature study, we will be testing on Tuesday and Wednesday. For the rest of the week, we will finish reading Mississippi Trial 1955 and look for text evidence to support inferences we are making. Students’ final project will ask them to take a look at how the main character changed throughout the book. In writing workshop, we will start the week looking at a persuasive map that Mrs. Vera completed based on ideas that students had about their candies last week. Then, we will complete one together. Then, students will look at a list of debatable topics, to see which ones they agree with and which ones they can relate to personally. Then, they will start filling out their own persuasive map in order to get organized for writing their persuasive essay.

This week in math, students will identify points on a coordinate plane. Next, students will graph integers on a number line for temperatures and find the distance between them to calculate change in temperature. They will create tables of values to graph linear equations.

This week in science, students will practice using vocabulary that will be helpful in our unit on pulleys. The terms include force, fixed pulley, movable pulley, mechanical advantage, and redirect force. Students will have the chance to set up a movable pulley and a fixed pulley this week. They will do an experiment to determine which pulley requires more effort to list an object.

Rock the ISAT!

ISAT testing begins this Tuesday, March 6th, 2012!  5th grade students will be tested in both reading and math.  Please make sure that students are here on time, that they are well rested, and ready to concentrate!  Our grade will test on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.  Our school needs to achieve 92% of the students meeting or exceeding the standards in order to achieve AYP (adequate yearly progress.)  Please do your best to encourage your child towards meeting this goal.

In word work, we will begin to review all of the words in Unit 4. The test will be next week.  In literature study, we will be testing on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, we will continue reading Mississippi Trial 1955 and look for text evidence to support inferences we are making. In addition, we will act out the closing arguments in the trial and we will discuss how students feel about the outcome of the trial.  The picture to the right is a photograph from the court room during the actual Emmett Till murder trial.  In writing workshop, students will read an article with two different opinions. They will have to find the supporting reasons for each person’s argument. Then, they will do an activity where they will try to convince a classmate of something by coming up with their own supporting arguments.

This week in math, students will review the concepts of Topic 16. On Wednesday, students take the Topic 16 test on ratios, percents, fractions, decimals, and patterns. Next, we will move on to Topic 17: Equations and Graphs. Students will use a number line to locate an integer and its opposite. Then, students will identify points on a coordinate plane.

This week in science, students will read about pulley systems and take notes. They will draw a scientific diagram of a movable pulley and a fixed pulley. Finally, students will discover two ways to set up a one-pulley system to lift a load through free exploration with the components of a pulley.

Another Busy Week

This week will be a busy week for us, the week of 2-27-12.  In addition to the learning listed below, we will be attending Pershing West's first Black History Bowl on Monday morning at 9:00 am.  Please feel free to join us.  On Thursday, the boys will listen to a special guest speaker and the girls watch a movie called Finding Kind and discuss bullying.  Don't forget that there is a day off next Monday and the following Tuesday we begin ISATs!

In word work, students will work with the words lecture, assert, declare, elaborate, expression, insist, acoustics, converse, accentuate, and petition.


In literature study, students will practice using details from Mississippi Trial 1955 to make inferences. When we infer we use background knowledge with clues in the text to come up with our own ideas about what the author is trying to present.

In writing workshop, we will practice mindful thinking this week and concentrate on mindful seeing with two different Mind-Up activities. Then, we will start a unit on persuasive writing by discussing some topics that students will be asked to talk a side on. In the final activity of the week, students will have to convince a classmate that their type of food is better than the other’s by making claims and evidence about their food.

This week in math students will learn how to write the same number as a fraction, decimal, and percent. Students will learn that finding a percent of a whole number is like finding part of a whole. They will learn how to display data in a table and extend a pattern to find percents. Students will answer questions about a recipe to review ratios, percents, fractions, and decimals.

This week in science, students will create their own experiment with a lever, changing out the independent variable and keeping the dependent and the controlled variables the same as our past lever experiments. They will write up the experiment and present the results to their classmates. Students will also be taking a levers test.

ISAT is Almost Here!

ISAT is right around this corner.  You'll notice that this week we will be incorporating some test preparation into our usual learning.  We'll be diving deeper into writing extended responses in reading and in math.  Read more details for the week of 2-20-12 below:

In Word Work, students will work with the words claim, analogy, intonation, dialogue, monotone, exclaim, disclaim, prologue, baritone, and proclaim. We will work on using the context for meaning, as well as using prefixes and root words.


In literature study, we will learn about character motivation: what makes a character do something? We will distinguish between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. We will continue to read Mississippi Trial 1955 and discuss why certain characters make the choices they make.

In writing workshop, we will do some Mind-up Activities to practice mindful listening and mindful smelling. We will also practice timed essay writing to get students ready for writing their extended response essays for ISAT under a time limit. Students will learn how to quickly plan a hook, thesis, and reasons.

This week, students will work on various math skills while practicing how to write an extended response. We will start the week by reviewing a response students wrote last week. They will review their grades as well as some sample answers. On Tuesday, we will look at a different problem and review sample answer that have been graded by ISAT and see the official scores that were given. Some of the skills we will review this week will include measurement, fractions, algebra, perimeter, and area.

This week in science, students will learn about dependent, independent, and controlled variables. They will analyze several different experiments and determine the types of variables in each experiment.

Mississippi Trial 1955

       This week we will start reading Mississippi Trial 1955 by Chris Crowe.  It is important to understand that this is a novel based on the murder of Emmett Till. There are some strong scenes in the book based on what happened in the past. There is also some strong language in parts. It is a well written book that teaches about important historical events. This novel addresses themes such as prejudice, family reconciliation, and seeing things through new eyes. Please feel free to read the book along with your child and discuss these valuable themes with them.   Below is a summary of the book:

       "Sixteen-year-old Hiram hasn't been to his beloved town of Greenwood, Mississippi since he was a small child. He used to live there with his grandfather before his father uprooted him from his home to live in Arizona. But when he comes back, things aren't exactly the way Hiram remembers them to be. He crosses paths with Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old African-American boy from Chicago.

      A few nights later, R.C., an old "friend" of Hiram's pays him a visit to tell him about Emmett Till whistling at a white woman in public and how he needs to be "taught a lesson." Hiram is worried for Emmett, but then, the boy goes missing and a few days later, his body is found in the river. Two of the four murderers are caught and put on trial (three men and one woman picked Emmett up the night of his murder) and Hiram has a strong suspicion that R.C. was the third male killer.

      During the trial, the two murderers aren't seen as guilty, but Hiram still struggles with whether to turn R.C. into the authorities or not because of his suspicion. He is determined to find out who the others are who murdered Emmett, but when he finds out exactly who it was who killed the boy, it makes him think twice about how 'beloved' Greenwood really is. "

Here's a summary of our weekly learning for the week of 2-13-12:
In Word Work, students will start working on words that deal with the theme of communication. The words this week are acclaim, monologue, quip, humorist, impersonator, conversational, drawl, ridicule, spontaneous, and pronouncement.


In literature study, students will start the week with some background knowledge of the book we will be reading, Mississippi Trial 1955 by Chris Crowe. We will review some historical events between1955-1968. We will map out some of the place that make up the setting of the book. As we begin to read the book we will work on understanding the text by answering and discussing questions about the characters and events.

In writing workshop, students will share their realistic fictions stories with their classmates. As they are listening, students will have to identify the main problem in each story and write it down for a listening grade. Finally, we will do some Mind-up Activities to practice mindful listening and mindful smelling.

This week in math, students will add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators, and add mixed numbers. Students will write percents and read, write and generate equal ratios.

This week in science, students will identify levers that we use in everyday life such as brooms, nutcrackers, scissors, bottle openers, pliers, tweezers, hammers, and even the human arm. They will decide if they are class-1, class-2, or class-3 levers.

A Full Week of Learning

Finally, a full five day week!  Here's what we will be working on the week of 2-6-12:

In Word Work, students will continue to review all of the words in Unit 3. We will classify the words by prefixes. We will turn some of the words into adverbs and act them out. We will find opposites of the words. Then, we will take the Unit 3 post-test. In literature study, students will learn about poetic devices such as simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, rhyme, and onomatopoeia. Students will learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen and they will write a new poem using rhyming couplets and the aforementioned poetic devices. In writing workshop, students will work on crafting the final drafts of their fiction stories, while putting them into a book with illustrations.

This week in math, students will add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators, and add mixed numbers. We will spend a day doing problem solving to help students apply what they have learned about fractions.

This week in science, students will learn the difference between class 1, 2, and 3 levers. They will learn the acronym "FLE 123" (pronounced flee) to remember that class 1 levers have the fulcrum in the middle, class 2 levers have the load in the middle, and class 3 levers have the effort in the middle. Try asking your kids to explain this acronym to you at the end of the week. We will also be doing an experiment to see if it is easier to move the load in a class 1 lever if the load is closer to or farther from the fulcrum.

Come to the Black History Assembly!

Our class will be performing in the Black History Assembly this Thursday at 1:00 pm.  We hope you can make it.  In addition to this exciting event, we will be going to see the movie Red Tails on Wednesday.  Don't forget that Friday is a professional development day for teachers, thus there is no school for students.  Here's what else we will be doing, the week of 1-30-12:  In Word Work, students will continue Unit 3, moving on to part 3. Their words this week will still be focused around the same theme: thinking.


In literature study, students will read a couple of informational pieces in class. We will learn about rap and poetry, while studying rhyme and other poetic devices. In addition, students will write their own rap or poem about the Tuskegee Airmen. Finally, we will be practicing our presentation for the Black History Assembly on Thursday afternoon.

In writing workshop, we will spend some time reviewing how to “show not tell” so students’ writing is more interesting and alive. In addition, students will get the rubric for their fiction stories.

This week, students will continue to work with fractions as we move on to Topic 10. Students will add and subtract fractions with like denominators, determine common multiples and least common multiples of numbers, and add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators. We will review a power point presentation on least common multiples and we will play “Fraction Jeopardy” to practice the concepts learned this week.

End of Second Quarter

Second quarter officially ends this week and report card grades will be finalized.  Please remember to turn in any missing work (for reduced credit) or corrections near the beginning of the week.  Don't forget that you can always see your child's current grades on Parent Portal (see link below.)  Our class will be doing Scantron testing this week:  Reading on Wednesday and Math on Thursday.  Please remind your child of the importance of these tests and make sure they have a calculator on Thursday (as they should everyday.)

Here's what we will be learning this week, the week of 1-23-12:  In Word Work, we will be working in our Word Wisdom book on Unit 3, “Thinking,” Part 2. Our words for the week are still scientific, concept, perception, suppose, conscience, positive, probable, purpose, probe, and preconceive. We will begin the week by classifying the groups into different categories. Students will take the test on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, students will do some activities to help the understand the difference between mindful and unmindful behavior.

In literature study, we will continue reading Why They Marched: The Struggle for the Right to Vote. Students will review the importance of identifying headings and subheadings as a means of helping comprehend the text. They will continue to write in their reflection journals. In addition, we will review how to write an extended response. We will read a passage together and students will see some sample responses that other students have written. We will grade them and see what grade they earned from the state. Students will practice writing their own extended response related to Why They Marched. On Thursday, we will watch the movie Selma, Lord, Selma: “Disney presents a truly inspiring motion picture that accurately captures one of the most historically significant events in the struggle for civil rights.” This, of course, is the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

In writing workshop, students will learn how to take an event from their plot diagram and turn it into a scene in their realistic fiction story. We will also spend some time reviewing how to “show not tell” so students’ writing is more interesting and alive. In addition, students will get the rubric for their fiction stories.

This week in math, students will locate fractions and decimals on a number line. Students will also explain and record mathematical observations using words, pictures, and symbols. Finally, students will end the week taking the Topic 9 Test: Fractions and Decimals.

This week in science, we will continue working with class-one levers. Our investigation should reinforce the idea that a load is easier to lift when the effort is applied further from the fulcrum in a class-one lever. In the investigation, students will practice collecting data, recording it in a data table, and plotting that data on a line graph.  Don't forget to check out the Levers and Pulleys link below!

Remember Dr. King

Standing Tall

In honor of Martin Luther King


Some kings rule their kingdoms sitting down
Surrounded by luxury, soft cushions and fans
But this King stood strong
stood proud
stood tall

When the driver told Rosa

"Move to the back of the bus!"

When the waiter told students

"We don't serve your kind!"

When the Mayor told voters
"Your vote don't count!"
And when the sheriff told marchers
"Get off our streets!"
using fire hoses, police dogs and cattle prods
to move them along


This King stood strong
stood proud
stood tall
Speaking of peace
of love
and children
hand in hand
free at last
free at last


When some yelled for violence
For angry revenge
An eye for an eye

And a tooth for a tooth

He stood his ground
Preaching peace
And when some spit out hate
He stood there smiling
Spreading love
Until it rolled like the sea across the land
Sweeping away Jim Crow
Breaking down the walls
Ringing the bell
Joyfully
For Freedom


Until
Standing on the mountain top
They shot him
Coldly
Hoping to see him fall

Hoping to put him away

To bring him low

But this King

even in death

even today

stands strong

stands proud

stands tall

And we remember

by Jamie McKenzie

© 1982, Jamie McKenzie, all rights reserved.

This poem may be printed and shared by schools

without special permission and may be sent electronically

from individuals to other individuals. All other forms of

duplication, publishing and distribution require explicit

permission from the author.

What we are learning this week, the week of 1-17-12:

In Word Work, we will be working in our Word Wisdom book on Unit 3, “Thinking,” Part 2. Our words for the week are scientific, concept, perception, suppose, conscience, positive, probable, purpose, probe, and preconceive.

In literature study, we will begin reading Why They Marched: The Struggle for the Right to Vote. This book recounts the events that took place in Selma, Alabama that led up to Voting Rights Act of 1965. We will discuss how to read non-fiction by applying survey strategies such as acknowledging the use of bold print, key words, and graphics. In addition, we will critically evaluate the information in the book by asking questions and discussing the events that took place during this time.

In writing workshop, students will be creating a plot diagram for their fiction stories and continue to write and share what they’ve written aloud.

This week in math, students will identify fractions that are in simplest form and find the simplest form of a fraction. Students will model fractions on tenths strips and use the models to write decimals. They will also use a model to help them express fractions as decimals.

This week in science, we will be working with class-1 levers. Students should understand that class-1 levers have the fulcrum located somewhere between the load and the effort.

Happy New Year!

I always look at a new year as a way to start fresh and move forward in a positive manner.  Whatever your goals are for the new year, I wish you much success in fulfilling them!

As we return to school in 2012, we will be learning about how to identify the theme of a story, using Ninth Ward as our backdrop.  You can see what else we will be learning this week as you read below.  Don't forget that there will be no school next Monday to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Please feel free to join us this Friday at 1:00 pm for the Dr. King assembly.

For the week of 1-9-12:  In Word Work, we will be working in our Word Wisdom book on Unit 3, “Thinking,” Part 1. Our words for the week are infer, principle, methodical, conscious, instinct, investigate, ingenious, outcome, insight, and propose.
In literature study, we will discuss Ninth Ward and learn how to find the theme of a selection. Theme is the perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. Try reading one of your child’s favorite picture books at home and ask them if they can determine the theme or lesson of the story.

In writing workshop, students will be starting a unit in fiction writing. This week we will develop our seed ideas for our stories. In addition, students will begin developing their main character by identifying his or her internal and external features as well as other habits and characteristics.

This week in math, students will use patterns to find a rule for creating equivalent fractions. They will also use fraction strips to compare fractions with different denominators. In addition, students will use factor trees to find common factors and the greatest common factors.

In science this week, we will be starting a unit called “Levers and Pulleys.” This unit will be accompanied by our study of parts of Chapter 13 in the textbook called “Forces in Motion.” Students will do two experiments with levers. They will understand the terms lever, load, effort, and fulcrum.