Context Clues Website for Practice

http://www.mcauliffe.brevard.k12.fl.us/TEACHERS/LabbeK/021context_clues.htm

What is the BEST way to revise the sentence?

The echo came from far away. It scared me to death.

a.)         The echo came from far away, and it scared me to death. Grammatically correct!

******b.)         The echo came from far away and scared me to death.  Grammatically correct!

The answer is B because it is better to combine the predicates.

Grammar Test Friday 12/7/12

The test on Friday will cover the following rules. You may reference the Write Sources pages below.

1.)                        Subject/Verb Agreement; Write Source pg. 109-110

2.)                        Capitalization; Write Source pgs. 47-51

3.)                        Pronouns; Write Source pgs. 153,167

You should be able to apply this to your own writing or recognize the mistakes in a sentence.

Sentence Review

Compound Predicate

A.           The reindeer on the roof made such a clatter and almost fell to the ground.

a.)        Subject: Reindeer

b.)       Predicates: made such a clatter/ almost fell to the ground.

Compound Subject

B.            Santa and the reindeer almost fell off the roof.

Compound Sentence

C.            The reindeer on the roof made such a clatter, and Santa almost fell to the ground.

a. ) Thought 1: The reindeer on the roof made such a clatter

c.)        Thought 2: Santa almost fell to the ground.

Expository Examples

JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!

Jobs are what make us money. It is how we pay for our homes, put food on the table, or buy those fun video games we all love. When I think about jobs that are important I think about authors, teachers, garbage men, but when I think about what I want to be when I grow up I think about a librarian.

          Reading is the key to a successful future. I want to be a librarian to have unlimited books at my finger tips or to learn more about authors. But the reason I want to be a librarian the most is to share my love of reading with others. When children come into the library I want to help them find that perfect novel that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I want to show small children how words create pictures in your mind and show them they can love reading too. With adults, it isn’t too late. I can help them find that one non-fiction book to teach them about World War 2.  I love to read and know that as a librarian I can help others to love it too. Mrs. Moore was my childhood librarian. She first introduced me to the Hank the Cowdog Series. It is because of her that I can’t put a book down. Reading is my favorite thing to do and I think that if I become a librarian I can teach others to enjoy it also.

          Jobs are everywhere you turn. At the grocery store you have a manager, a sacker, or the banker.  Even at school you have principal, teacher, or maybe the nurse. When I grow up I want to be a librarian.

Expository

It’s Time for the Park

(LEAD)         A special place can be your backyard where all your dreams come true. It may be Space Center of Houston where you met your first astronaut. A special place to me is somewhere I will never forget and can always enjoy.  Some may choose McDonalds or Grandma’s house, my special place is the park down the road. There is a quiet little track surrounding the grass with beautiful trees scattered about. When I am at the park, I feel anything is possible.

(BODY)          A park is special to me for many reasons. I can take a stroll around the benches or enjoy a peaceful walk with my dog Gino. The thing that makes this park the most important to me is that it is a place I can relax. I can step onto the track and let my feet do all the work. Thinking about my day, I instantly feel better. Birds will be chirping and little squirrels will scurry across my feet. Or I can jump onto the swing set and feel the wind in my hair. The trees that are scattered about are always calling my name. I love to grab a good book, bring a blanket and nestle myself under my favorite oak tree. In minutes I am at peace and harmony.  And lastly, at the park I am relaxed because it is always a good place to enjoy a fun picnic with a friend.  Kitty Hollow Park is my special park. Last week I finished my favorite book, The Hatchet, while enjoying a beautiful Fall day. So whether I am just there to get some fresh air or play a game of basketball, the park is my special place because I can always leave there relaxed.

(END IT)        The kitchen, Grandma’s house or AMC movie theater are all important places. My special place to me is the park. I love to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. When I am there, I am my most serene.

Yellow- Reason

Light Blue- Explaination

Pink- Me

Dark Green- Conclusion

Expository Example

Home of the Fighting Texas Aggies

Whoop! A sea of endless Maroon and people shouting  “howdy” is no other than the great Aggie Land. When I close my eyes and think of one place that has changed my life, College Station, home to the Fighting Texas Aggies, comes to mind.

            Down! Set! Hut! The best part about Aggie Land is Kyle Field. When you enter the stadium on game day, instantly you feel at home. People will stand in lines to get their cokes, hot dogs, and prepare for kick off. The stadium is a roar of laughter and hollering fans cheering on their team. You can feel the spirit as soon as you enter the gates. At every Aggie Football game the fans can be found standing on their feel screaming, “Gig em Aggies!” I remember my very first football game. It was my freshman year of college. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. After I found my seat, or should I say bench there is no sitting at Aggie games, my heart dropped.

            Whether to attend a game of the Fighting Texas Aggies, be welcomed by all the friendly residents or hear the core band play, Aggie Land is truly my special place. When I’m lost, sad, or just plain bored, I know I can load up my car and head to College Station for a good time.

Grammar Test Friday

The three grammar rules that will be tested this week all have to do with commas:

Using commas in a list or series- if a list or series three items or more are in a sentence, the items need to be separated by commas. (Ex. Rover got a bath, went for walk, and burried a bone.)

Using commas with dependent clauses- A dependent clause does not express a complete thought. When found at the begining of a sentence, it needs to be separated by a comma. (ex. As the marching band went by, we cheered and yelled.)

Using commas with appositives- An appositive is a word or phrase that is another way to say the noun or pronoun in front of it and needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. (ex. Mrs. Tomlinson, our science teacher, says that animals have adaptations to help them survive.)

Unit Objectives

Reading- As we continue looking at expository text, students will focus on author’s purpose and determining importance. When we infer when need evidence to help us to determine what is important in the text. On Friday the students will take a quiz on author’s purpose and inferring in expository texts.

Writing- We will write an expository piece on Monday to assess student strengths and weaknesses in expository writing. We will then begin brainstorming and prewriting for our first graded expository piece.

Math – This week students will be extending their knowledge of multiplication. They will be learning new methods and strategies for solving problems involving 2-digit times 2-digit numbers as well as how to recognize when to multiply in a Story Problem. We will also review for the District Assessment on Monday and Take the Assessment on Tuesday.  This will help us to know what the students have mastered since the beginning of the school year.

Science –  This week students will continue our unit on forms of energy by exploring sound energy. We will learn about sound waves, parts of the ear, and characteristics of sound like pitch and volume.

Social Studies – This week we continue learning about the colonization of Texas along with the key people who helped make settlement possible.  Colonization vocabulary will be sent home on Wednesday for a quiz next week. There will be an open note quiz  on the colonization of Texas and its key on Friday.

Another example

Library Lounge

A sea of books and shelves of magazines can only be at one place the library. It fills my heart with joy. When I close my eyes I think about my favorite place and the library is my top pick. I am like a banker the library is my bank books are as valuable as money.

          Here, there, and everywhere. Books are all over the place, but that does not mean that it’s hard to find the book I want. If I want a non-fiction book I go to the non-fiction section. The fantasy books are labeled a-z for easy access. If I need to find a long lost book I go to the computers and look it up. I don’t have to go thru random isles searching for a perfect book. Signs guide me through the building. Without them the library would be a maze. Wherever I look I see signs that say graphic novels on the left and mysteries on the right. There are even signs for computers and games. Colorful stickers sit on the end of the books so a 5^th grader won’t take a junie b. Jones book an a 1^st grader won’t take a dictionary. When I was 3 and went to the library for the first time I was shocked at how amazing every thing was organized. All I had to do was blink and the book I wanted was there. Finding a book is a breeze in the library.

          I will never forget all the times I have gone to the library. I can have fun by playing on the computer or by checking out books.

Expository Example

The garbage man, my denstist or the quarter back for the Houston Texans all get my blood boiling. They are important people in my life. The person that changes my life everyday and touches my heart is my mom. She loves me unconditionally and will always be at my side.

Mom! The word is so simple but means so much! She is my backbone. When I’m scared, she will always help me. If I’m lost, Mom helps me find the way. But the reason my mom is most important to me is because she helps me with my homework.  Math can be one of my most challenging subjects.  Every day I love to come home, wolf down a snack, and dig into my studies.  When I pull out my math book, I know in just seconds I will find my mom snuggling up close to help me find the answers. She doesn’t tell me the answers she walks me through it. We start with number each time and eventually will end up at 50.  She will questions me, “Jaylynn do you think you did your best?” Math is easier with my mom by myside. Two digit multiplication was my biggest fear. The test was coming up and I felt sick to my stomach. WE spent hours studying books, quizzes, homeworks, interest sites just to help me be prepared.  Days later, I got my test back and aced it.  So my mom is important for many reason but the most important reason is she helps me with my Math homework.

So whether I am scared to death, about to pull my hair out with homework or just need a friend, my mom is my most important person.

Short story to practice for graded assignment tomorrow.

Wishing Well Gets His Wish

“Look, Mom!” said Diana. “I won this frog at Irene’s backyard carnival. Isn’t he cute? I’m going to name him Wishing Well because I won him in the Wishing Well contest.”

            While Diana was talking to her mother, she put some water in the container and closed it up again. Wising Well bumped against the container as he hopped.

            “Do you think the frog will like being in that container?” asked Diana’s mother.

            “sure, It has water inside and holes in the top for air. I would like it if I were a frog,” Diana said.

            Really? Would you like it if someone put you in a tiny room with no toys, no friends, and nothing fun to do? You would have to eat whatever someone dropped in, even if it was Brussels sprouts.” Diana didn’t know what to say.

            “Well, you’d have to eat them if that was all you had. Think about it, Diana.”

            With a sign, Diana looked at Wishing Well bumping sadly around the plastic container. He was such a beautiful frog. It would be so nice to have him as a pet.

            Diana knew, however, that the pond was Wishing Well’s true home. She thought quietly for a minute. She could picture the frog lurking below the water with only his eyes showing. She could imagine him swimming under lily pads and catching bugs with his long tongue. Diana picked up the container. “Want to take a walk to the pond with me, Mom?” she asked with a smile.

Write Time

Setting Examples

Written by Mrs. Clark's class (We wrote these fast and did not get a chance to edit. :) )

I stood in my driveway. The crisp cool air of fall was surrounding me. I laid my bike, with only 2 weeks, next to my legs.  My dad should be out of the house momentarily.  The road looked long and skinny. I have never ridden a bike with 2 wheels before.  Luckily all of my neighbors were nestled in their house and not a person was to be seen on the street.   My dad exited the house and walked towards me. I knew I could do it but was scared for my life. “What if I fall and knock my 2 front teeth out? What if I break my arm?” I pondered.  “Let’s go dear!” shouted my dad. Here goes nothing I said under my breath.

Sitting at my desk I could barely keep my legs still. Today was our first Place Value test in Mrs. Tomlinson’s class.  The desks were in rows and each seat had a privacy fence, a folder to keep others’ eyes off your paper. The kid next to me was driving me crazy with the tapping pencil. He must have been nervous too.  The room was decorated with white posters teaching us all about Math and Science. Mrs. Tomlinson stood in the door way greeting each child as they walked in.  With my backpack next to my desk and my pencil ready, I sat waiting for the bell to ring and the test to begin.   “Ding!” went the bell. “Class let’s begin,” she enumerated.  Here goes nothing I thought to myself. It is my first grade of Fourth grade. I hope it is a good one.

         I stood and glared around isle 5. Cereal after cereal, there was Raisen Brand, Cheeries, Captain crunch but no mom.  We had come into the grocery store to grab just a few things. I turned around and she disappeared. My heart was throbbing. I didn’t want to have to live here forever.  People passed me by in a rush with their shopping carts filled to the brim. They must be pros at this grocery thing.  Above me, hung signs pointing to food in every direction. I could smell the fresh Rotisserie chicken from the bakery not far from me. The workers were announcing, “This store will be closing in 10 minutes.” I knew I shouldn’t panic. My mom would never leave me at Kroger. OR WOULD SHE? 

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow

By: Nathan Bransford



Summary By: Michael Fernandez


Who:

Meet Jacob Wonderbar. He is a sixth-grader , and his teacher is Ms.Banks. When he is at school he always have tricks
to trick the subsitute that Ms .Banks gives his class. Until one day Ms. Banks gives a new subsitute to her class, Ms.Pinkerton.
See by her name she looks mean,right? Now Jacob cannot do his famous tricks when he tries it on this Pinkerton. So later that
evening his friends Sarah Daisy and Dexter Goldstein play with him until ,a man comes to his neighborhood and says he will
give the keys to his spaceship if someone gives him a corndog. Bad trade,right? So that 's just the beginning. Then exploring
the spaceship even gets worse when they get it on and test it. while reading the book you will find lots of things from Mick
Cracken to the Planet Paisley. So get ready readers for amazing blast-offed adventure with Jacob Wonderbar!






Why read it?:


1. If you like science in space you will love reading this book , because it will have lots of things in "space".
his book to your
2. Second , if you are a boy and get in to trouble this might be a book for you because Jacob Wonderbar usually get into trouble a lot.

3. Adventurous? Jacob is so adventurous. That is how he got into this space non-sense. You'll love this book if you like taking hikes
or you in boy or girl scouts. L

4. Want a laugh? Well here is a book for you from " What you are prince of space?" to" Ms Banks you Itake vacation here? "

5. Want 7.0 points for Accelerated Reader ( AR ) well read the book and get points BIG Time!

6. If you love to read fiction books , Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow , is fiction. Maybe it is time to add to your
need-to-read-book-list .
to read book list

How to Help My Child with Grammar?!

http://www.ellwood.goleta.k12.ca.us/GrammarGames/grammargames.html

http://classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/la-grammar.html

http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm

Write Time

More Moments Exploded

Let the Games Begin

Then came the games. The room mom announced to the kids in their seats, “Form 2 lines. It is girls against the boys.” The kids were a herd of elephants running to the floor. The adults all stood back for fear of death. “I wanna be first, no me,” rang out through the crowd. The room mom calmed the children and reviewed the directions. Each child was passed a chocolate shaped cone covered in foil. The first student was handed a pair of minutes. They had to open the candy with their mittens and pass them back. The timer started and the children were off.

Two Wheels

The training wheels were off and it was time to ride my two wheel bike. The kick stand held my bike just enough so the handle bars were off the ground. With dad trailing behind me, I approached my bike. I grasped my right hand around the rubber handle bar. My right leg was planted strongly on the cement for balance. I lifted my left leg and bent my knee into my chest. I reached for the left peg and planted my booty on the seat. “ Dad, I’m ready!” I hollered back.

Batter Up!

Batter Up!

Step by step. I nervously approached the batter’s box. My legs felt like jelly with each step. I spread my feet shoulder length apart. I gripped my hands around the cold metal bat with all my might. I crouch down, bending my knees just enough to have a little spring. Bringing the bat over my right shoulder about 6 inches above it, I bend my elbow and get ready! To my left in the diamond, stands the pitcher on the mound. He lifts his leg, winds up, and throws.  I see a white round circle with stitches coming towards me as fast as lightning bolt.  I thrash my arms forward.  “Strike One!” the umpire bellowed. My heart sank. I prepared myself again. The pitcher winds up. Within seconds, I hear a smack. It sounded like the 4^th of July. The ball went soaring through the air.  Over the first tree, over the fence, and it was gone. The crowd goes wild! HOME RUN!

How can I help my child in writing?

NARRATIVE

How can I help my children with narrative writing? I am so glad you asked! J

It is important that students are completing their pre-writing (STARS) and complete story for every prompt. After they have finished here are a few questions you can help conference with your child:

Did they describe where they are at in detail? They should build their setting, not describe it.

Did they pick one small moment and describe it?  One setting and one place.

Can you tell what they are thinking throughout the story?

Do they have a Show, Not tell?

If they answer yes to all these questions they should be ready to go. There are a few examples on my blog.

This week...

Reading- We are studying the elements of fiction  this week. It is important to identify the plot elements in stories, and to be able to use those events to write a summary. Students will take a literary fiction plot quiz on Friday!

Writing: Students will begin writing their second narrative paper of the school year. This piece of writing will focus on a favorite moment with a special person.

Math – This week students will continue using addition and subtraction to solve problems. We will also round and estimate to approximate results in problem solving situations. The Addition & Subtraction Study Guide is due on 9/27 and the test is on 9/28 – Major Grade.

Science – This week students will continue learning about the classification of animals and how to compare adaptive characteristics of various species.

Social Studies – Now that we have learned about the Native Americans, we are ready to discuss the explorers who came to Texas next. These explorers were all in search of land and riches.

**Retests are only offered on major grades. Major grades will be labeled as such in the newsletter.

Write Time

This week...

Reading- Students will delve into the world of characterization this week. We will analyze text to discover clues about character traits and relationships.

Writing: Students will finish the rough draft of a narrative paper centered on a special place. We will also complete the revising and editing process to polish our writing before publishing. There will be a grammar quiz on Friday covering the rules we have learned so far this year.

Math – This week students will begin using addition and subtraction to solve problems. We will also round and estimate to approximate results in problem solving situations.

Science – Students will demonstrate knowledge of safe laboratory practices and scientific process skills. Scientific process skills test on Tuesday.**  Students will begin next unit by learning to compare adaptive characteristics of various species.

Social Studies – We will continue to look at the first Texas, the Native Americans. We will learn about the differences in tribes.

**Retests are only offered on major grades. Major grades will be labeled as such in the newsletter.

Explode the Moment

    I sat with my fingers glued in my mouth. I had bitten all my nails off earlier this morning. My legs trembled with fear. Today, A&M started their SEC season and we really needed a win. The T.V. screen grew quiet. "The moment we have been waiting for," announced the commentators. The stands were bleeding maroon. Young and old stood to support their team. "I wish I could be there," I pondered aloud to myself.  The whistle blew. We won the toss and were going to kick first. I felt sick. Peering at the screen, a line of Texas A&M football players charged towards the middle of the field. "Gig em; Aggies" was all I could hear.  Next thing I knew, the football was soaring.

FANBOYS

FANBOYS Chant

Do you know your conjunctions?

FANBOYS are our conjunctions.

Do you know the rule of thumb?

Comma then a conjunction.

Sound off:  One.  Two.

Sound off:  Three. Four.

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Sound off:  One.  Two.

Sound off:  Three. Four.

Break It On Down

One, two, three, four

Break It on Down

One, two, three, four

Objectives This Week....

Reading- This week in reading our focus is on visualizing, drawing conclusions, and questioning as we read. All of this helps us determine what is important. Being able to acknowledge the important features of what we have read is one of the keystones of being a good reader.

Writing: Students will work on the prewriting and rough draft for our first paper. We will focus on our senses and incorporate our thoughts and feelings into our writing.

Math – This week students will continue to use place value to read, write, compare and Decimals. We will have a Decimal Place Value Test on Tuesday for our first Major Grade.  We will then be working on rounding whole numbers to the nearest 10, 100, or 1,000 to approximate reasonable results.

Science – Students will describe how to demonstrate safety during investigations, discover new information using the scientific process, as well as identify and explain how to use scientific tools. Students will conduct experiments in a laboratory setting and explore the functions of controlled variables.

Social Studies – We will continue to look at the first Texas, the Native Americans. We will learn about the differences in tribes and focus on our vocabulary words. There will be vocabulary test Friday.**

Spelling Test

First test this Friday! :)

Today we are working on Text Features for Literary Fiction/Non-Fiction Text.

This week...

Reading- Students will look at text features across different genres. We will discuss why they are important and how they help us understand. We will create a notes flip chart that students can use for an open notes quiz on Friday!

Writing: This week students will focus on how to generate good ideas for narrative writing. We will also learn how to make an everyday moment exciting and new.

Math – This week students will continue to use place value to read, write, compare and order whole numbers. We will also begin Decimal Place Value.  Comparing the decimals to money will be important in student understanding of decimals at this point.  Later in the year we will compare decimals in more detail to fractions, which will also aid in student understanding.

Science – Students will describe how to demonstrate safety during investigations, discover new information using the scientific process, as well as identify and explain how to use scientific tools.

Social Studies – Students will learn about the Native American tribes that were the firstTexans. We will begin work on a flip chart to record important information about each tribe. Students will also get their vocabulary for this unit to begin studying for a quiz to come.

Classroom Donations :)

I have had a few of you ask if there is anything we need for the classroom to start off the school year. :) 

I have included a list of a few items we would greatly appreciate and benefit from having here.
-Electric Pencil Sharpener ******
-Amazon gift cards (There are a few novels I would like to add to our library and computer ink for my classroom printer so students can publish their work in a fun, colorful, and creative way.)
-Colored Cardstock


Thank you so much for everything you do at home!!!
Mrs. Clark

This week...

Reading- Fourth graders will get a broad look of what we will cover this year in reading. We will think about why we read, the variety of texts that we read, our inner conversation, and vocabulary development.

Writing: Students will generate ideas and plans for writing. We will talk a lot about recording our thinking and having a safe place to express ourselves. The students will learn how everyday experiences can be fun and exciting if we write in an animated way.  

Math – We will introduce our Math Journals and Menus. Students will use place value to read, write, compare and order whole numbers. Students will also begin the year’s Every Day Counts program.

Science – Students will describe how to demonstrate safety during investigations, discovering new information using the scientific process, as well as identify and explain how to use scientific tools.

Social Studies – Students will learn about the regions and landscape of Texas. They will begin to work on their own map of Texas for their first social studies grade!

WELCOME!

Welcome to Fourth Grade! I am looking forward to a GREAT school year! I know we will have a blast, and it will be a year to remember!

See you Monday morning.  :) Doors open at 7:30am.  Don't forget your supplies, a snack, and a lunch or lunch money!

-Mrs. Clark-

Name

Address

Experience

• Trashman- I take out the trash daily to keep my house clean.
• Clean dishes- I was the dishes after we eat dinner everynight. 

Education

• Jan Schiff Elementary: Fourth grade student.
• 
  

Awards

• 
  
• 
  

Interests

• 
  

References

• 
  
• 
  

We have started our first small inquiry project.

Mini Research Project…. What question do we need answered?

How did Steve Jobs come up with the idea for Apple?_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Source

Notes

WEBSITES URL: http://www.marku/ sehrenfried.de/ mac/applehistory.htm l__________________ __________________ Author: Markus Ehrenfried __________________ URL: http://allaboutsteve/ jobs.com/bio/shortbio.php Author: __________________ __________________

*Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak worked together to create a phone that allowed free of charge phone calls. (illegally). * Wozniak wanted to create his own computer so him and jobs joined group called “Amateur Computer Users Group” *Learned a lot from the other computer nerds. *Woz created a computer different than the one already released. *Jobs realized the potential of the Woz Computer Wozniak said that Jobs did not help make any part of the computer but he invested and gave Wozniak the idea to begin selling them. *From there Apple began. *Woz interested in electronics. *Group also called Homebrew Computer Company *At the group the electronic hobbyist showed off their latest ideas and inventions. *Wozniak make the computer only b/c he wanted his own personal computer *Jobs realized the invention allowed software hobbyist to make software with out the hassle of assembling a computer kit. *Apple was born on April 1, 1976