Math Practice

Don't forget your math practice over the break.  I recommend focusing on fractions.  Try out a few of these websites:

Math Playground
Internet4Classrooms
IXL
Common Core Practice Tests
Common Core Sheets
Khan Academy Grade 5
Math Chimp

Don't forget about your book project.

Webquest -- Introduction to Fractions

Welcome to the fractions webquest.  This activity is intended as an introduction to fractions.  It reviews concepts that you learned in previous grades.  Please try out the regular webquest unless you get permission to try the more advanced one.

Fractions Introduction Webquest

Advanced Fractions Webquest -- Check with the teacher first.

Great Bear Rainforest Remote Camera Project -- Rainforest Unit

Great Bear Rainforest Remote Camera Project from Twyla Roscovich on Vimeo.

We will now be studying another rainforest in a different section of the world.  One of the most interesting animals that live in the Great Bear Rainforest is the "Spirit Bear," which is a type of black bear known as the Kermode Bear.  Read about them on National Geographic and Wikipedia.  If you are interested, The North American Bear Center also has interesting information and a video about them.

Book Project -- Winter Break

You have four options for book projects over winter break.  Please make sure that you complete this project by the week that you get back.  Your book needs to be approved by me before you do your project.

Read your book project options here.

Happy reading!!!

Rainforest Unit -- Hawaiian Happy Faced Spider

Curious about the Hawaiian Happy Faced Spider.  Read more about them.
British News Article
National Geographic
Evolution Berkeley
Wikipedia
Hawaiian Facts

Decimal Division Review

Dividing a decimal by a whole number: You're doing great. Now we want to mix it up a little: divide a decimal by a whole number. Follow along.
Practice on Cool Math.
Read this review lesson and take a practice quiz at the bottom of the web page.
Try out these review videos and a quiz.
Still stuck?  Try this video from Virtual Nerd.

Rainforest Introduction -- Building Knowledge

Rainforest: Beneath the Canopy part 1

Rainforest: Beneath the Canopy part 2

Rainforest: Beneath the Canopy part 3

Division With Decimals

Dividing completely to get decimal answer example 2: Sometimes the number that you're dividing by is smaller than the number that is being divided and won't go into it even once! What do you do? Watch.

Practice this concept on Khan Academy.
Watch a second video on dividing a decimal by a whole number.
Cool Math gives a good visual example of this concept.

Plants -- Webquest

Watch the short video above for an introduction to this webquest on plants.  Try all the links on the webquest to find the answers to the questions.  Please use complete sentences.

Bonus Work:
If you finish early, read about Meat Eating Plants and The Big Bloom.  Post on kidblog about what you learned from one of these two articles.

Update -- Jury Duty

Hello Class,

I was not selected to be on the jury.  Therefore, I will return to class on Friday, as I still have training at the district office for two more days.  Please work hard for the sub and I will see you when I return.

Some of you are probably still wondering what jury duty is.  Read about it on Wikipedia and the state bar website.

The right to a trial by jury is guaranteed in the 6th amendment to our Constitution.

More Math Practice

I hope your Thanksgiving break is going well.  Feel free to try out a few of these math puzzles for your math practice over the break.  What is the solution to the puzzle above?
Cool Math Puzzles
Math is Fun Puzzles
Math Salamanders
Dr. Mike's Math Games
Math Blaster

Math Practice Websites

I hope you are having a good Thanksgiving break.  Remember that your homework is to practice for 15 minutes on at least 5 different days.  Here are some useful websites that you can use to practice. You can use the math tag at the bottom of this post to find all of my previous math posts for practice.
Bedtime Math
Dad's Worksheets
Internet 4 Classrooms
Khan Academy
Common Core Sheets
IXL

Volcanoes Webquest

We have been learning about volcanoes this week.  Use these links to research volcanoes and complete your webquest.

1.  National Geographic Volcanoes

2.  When Yellowstone Explodes

I found this webquest at:
http://www.scott.k12.ky.us/UserFiles/Volcano%20WebQuest%20handout.pdf

Use this site if you finish early to complete the bonus work:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/

The First English Colonies at Jamestown & Plymouth

Read about Jamestown on Social Studies for Kids.
Check out the information in this brief history of Jamestown.

Read about Plymouth on Kids Past.
This site has great facts about Plymouth.

More Long Division - Review and Practice

Dividing by two digits example 2: Here's another practice example where you divide by two digits.
Now try out some Khan Academy practice.
I also recommend reviewing what a remainder is.

Try out this easy quiz.
Easy quiz #2.
Review quiz. (previous division concepts)

Volcanoes

We are studying and reading about volcanoes in class this week.  Read about volcanoes on this science website.  You should also check out the Nat Geo Kids site on volcanoes.  National Geographic also has more advanced websites.  Read about them here and watch Volcanoes 101 here.

Long Division Review

We will be tackling long division in math.  Please watch the video above for review.  There is another lesson and some practice on Cool Math.

If you are in my advanced math group please watch a video on negative numbers and one on adding and subtracting integers.

Estimating Quotients

Watch the video above if you need help on estimating division problems.

Dividing by Powers of 10

This video and these links are intended as a compliment to several of the lessons we will be learning as a class.  These are NOT intended to teach you how to do your homework.  The purpose is to build your background knowledge of relevant mathematical concepts related to division.


Check out more videos from Learnzillion that are related to this concept.
Learn basic division terminology.
Try out a lesson on Learning Farm.
Try some lessons from internet4classrooms.

Webquest -- Measurement & Conversions

Work on this webquest to learn more about converting measurements.  Make sure you show your work and stay focused.  Use your reference sheet if you need help.  Don't forget to take your time and read questions carefully.  If you finish early, you can create word problems regarding measurement on your kidblog page.

Taxonomy -- Animal Classification

Read about taxonomy on Biology for Kids and Cliff's Notes.

For your taxonomy project, you will need to look up the taxonomy of the animal you choose using Google.  Please make sure you explain and understand what each classification of your animal means.

Converting Units in the Metric System

Check out these videos from Learnzillion on converting measurements.
Practice this concept.

Multiplication with the standard algorithm and word problems

If you find that you generally need help with multiplication, watch the video above.  If you feel that you can do this, but you need help with area models, then see my previous post.  Here are two more videos on multiplication from Virtual Nerd (great name) and Learnzillion.
Quiz #1
Quiz #2

Practice multiplication and division word problems on Math Playground.  Make sure you click on the right link to do these problems.  Try out some more practice.
Easy word problem quiz
Challenging quiz

When you finish, watch a fun Math Antics video.  Then log in to Kidblog and write your own, 5th grade level, multiplication word problems for other students to try.

Advanced math students:  Try this chapter test.

Eureka Math Tips For Parents

Eureka Math has created a webpage with tips for parents who are interested in helping their children with homework.  To use this page, use the link and scroll down to find grade 5.  Then check which module is on the front of the Eureka Math book.  Click on that module number for parent tips.

Multiplication with Area Models

Try out some Khan Academy practice and watch another video on this topic.
Check out a different style of video on Learnzillion.  Try out the lessons on illuminations.

When you have finished the lessons above, try the lesson and problems on Helping with Math.
When you are finished, here is a lesson on word problems.  Now try out some word problems on this quiz. 

The Digestive System

Nice job studying the digestive system.  Watch the video above for fun and the video below for more detailed information.  Read more about the digestive system on Kids Health.  Check out these facts from Science Kids.  Click these links for more videos or a practice quiz.

Prime Factorization and Order of Operations Review

Watch the video above.  If you still need help try this tutor on prime factors and another one on exponents.  Here is one final review video for these concepts.
Try out Quiz #1
Try out Quiz #2

Check out two review videos on the order of operations, then take the quiz.
Review #1
Review #2                        Order of Operations Quiz

Why Did the Europeans Explore North and South America?

Why did the Europeans explore and conquer North & South America?
Learn about their motives.  How does this information match up with the information in your history book?  Read more about the Age of Exploration.  Read the Wikipedia page on exploration.

Challenge yourself by reading about exploration on History.com and History Alive.
Check out an interactive map of explorers in North America.
Try out your book's tutorial on chapter 4.

Subjects and Predicates

In fifth grade, it is imperative that you use complete sentences when you write.  Your sentences should contain a subject and a predicate.

Learn about subjects and predicates in this slideshow.
Check out this short lesson and quiz.
BrainPop
Longer subject and predicate quiz.
Simple subject and simple predicate quiz.

Multiplication Properties -- The Distributive Property

Check out the distributive property on Cool Math.

Review the commutative property and associative property as well.
AAA math reviews all of the properties.

Esperanza Rising -- Post #1 -- Setting Jigsaw

Use this link to look at the pictures for your jigsaw.  You are examining the geographical and historical setting of Esperanza Rising.

Decimals Webquest

As a review this week, try out this decimal webquest.  The song below is just for fun.

The Respiratory System

Here is a good slideshare presentation on the respiratory system.
You can read about the respiratory system on Kids Health and Kids Biology.

This is a good animation of the respiratory system.

Still interested?  Check out more videos about body systems.
Respiratory system
Circulatory system

Uncage the Lynx -- Final Week!!!

Have you told your parents about my UNCAGE THE LYNX challenge?  You should!  Remind your parents that they can donate online with their PayPal account.

Decimal Word Problems

It is critical to practice word problems in 5th grade.  Take each problem one step at a time and think about what the problem is asking you to do.  Try some Khan Academy practice with word problems.

Math Goodies #1
Math Goodies #2

Test yourself on this page.

Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

Try out some practice from Khan Academy on decimal division.
Check out a lesson from Cool Math.
This page has a ton of practice multiplying and dividing decimals.
Try out this quiz.

Your First Kidblog Post

Hi class,

Log in to your Kidblog account with the password that you created in class today.  Please write a few sentences recommending a book you have read to other students in the class.  Don’t forget to underline or italicize the title of the book.  Please put spaces after your periods and between words.  Have fun!

http://kidblog.org/teacherp/ 

Check out a sample post here.

Circulatory System Webquest

UPDATE:  Joseph figured out how to get through the bad link on the blood section of this webquest.  Try this link to answer those questions.  Thanks Joseph!



We will be studying the circulatory system in class.  Use this link to get to the webquest page on the circulatory system.



Use the webquest link above to complete most of your work.  However, you can also find information on the circulatory system at Kids Health Heart and Kids Health Blood.  If you finish everything early, you can try this website for more activities.  Work hard!

Main Idea and Supporting Details

When you read non-fiction, you should be looking for the main idea of the passage you are reading. The main idea can be the first sentence of a paragraph, but it doesn't have to be.  Often the main idea is stated later in the paragraph.  Sometimes the main idea is implied, which means that you need to figure it out based on what the details are saying.  The details of the paragraph often support or enhance the main idea.

Try out some practice:
1.  Study Zone - Ben Franklin
2.  Quia -- Find the Main Idea
3.  Check out this Slideshare lesson
4.  Slideshare lesson #2
5.  Quick online lesson and practice
6.  Main Idea Quiz

Multiplying Decimals by Whole Numbers

Introduction to multiplying decimals: Multiplying decimals can be confusing because there's always the question as to where the decimal goes in the answer. We're about to show you so you'll never have to question it again!

Learn how to multiply using an area model on Learnzillion.

Check out a variety of decimal activities here.  Focus on the multiplication links.
Try out these links for more information on multiplying decimals.

Adding Decimal Numbers

Try out a few problems on Khan's website.
Check out this lesson from Cool Math.
Have fun with a few games on Math Play.
Take an easy quiz.

Cells -- Weekend Studying

Learn all about cells this weekend.  As you study and read about cells you should focus on certain parts of the cells.  The basic parts we are studying are the nucleus, chromosomes, cytoplasm, vacuoles, mitochondria, cell membranes, chloroplasts (plants), and cell walls (plants).
Try reading some of the information on these links:
Cell Basics -- Kidsbiology
Cells are the Starting Point
Biology for kids -- cells

I thought this cell rap was amusing.

Wordly Wise

Your homework tonight includes studying your Wordly Wise words for lesson 2.  Use their website to help you.

Rounding Decimals

Practice this skill on Khan Academy's website.
Read about rounding on Math is Fun.  Try the questions at the bottom.
Check out how to round with a number line on Learnzillion.
Quiz yourself on this skill.

Comparing Decimals

Try out the Khan Academy page on comparing and ordering decimals.  You should also try this specific activity on this topic.

AAA math also has a decent interactive page on this concept.
If you need another lesson, then try out Basic Math and Learnzillion.

Do you have this concept?  Great!  Test yourself.

The First Americans -- Native American unit

We are just beginning to learn about Native Americans in our history class.  Now that you have watched the video on how Native Americans came to North America, read more about Native Americans.
This fact sheet has tons of information and FAQS.
This website about Native Americans was designed for kids.
 ------------------------
Historians can disagree about history:
Check out this National Geographic article which challenges conventional history about how the first Native Americans got here.
This is an interesting article about the disagreement among historians as to how many Native Americans used to live in North America before Columbus arrived.
 -----------------------
These are good essays to learn more about Native Americans.
Learn about the Native American tribes of California. 
Check out this National Geographic video about Native Americans.

Human Rights Unit -- 2nd post

You can learn more about UNICEF's Convention on the Rights of a Child.

Comparing Place Values in Decimals

Practice this skill on Khan Academy.
Review this skill with a Learnzillion video.
Read about this concept.
Check out a different lesson about comparing decimals.

Human Rights Unit

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -- Thomas Jefferson -- Declaration of Independence

-------------

We will be studying human rights in our upcoming unit.  One of our major focuses will be The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This document was published by the United Nations in 1948 just after the Second World War.  The goal was to make sure the human rights violations of World War Two were never repeated.  Here is the history of this document.

We will also study the plain language version of this document.

-------------
The United States has quite a few rights defined in our Constitution by the Bill of Rights and other amendments.

"And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons." -- Abraham Lincoln -- The Emancipation Proclamation

World Geography Webquest -- Longitude & Latitude

Check out this geography webquest to learn about the  concepts that we studied in chapter one of your social studies book.  Make sure you click on the green links on the left hand side to complete the introduction, all three tasks, evaluation, and quiz.  Please be sure to finish the handouts that go with the various sections.  The link from task one has the most information in it.  The song below is just for fun.

If you finish everything early, you can take a practice quiz on the chapter one concepts.  Make sure you click the link on the right hand side that connects you to chapter one.

Multiplication and Division Review

This week we have been reviewing some of the basic skills that you will need to be successful in 5th grade math.  All students are taught how to multiply and divide with multiple digits in 4th grade.  Please use these links to review these skills for 5th grade.

Multiplication Review

Division Review

Don't forget to practice your multiplication facts.  You need to memorize these!

Buoyancy Preview -- Bill Nye Style

We will work with buoyancy later on this week.  Enjoy this video as a preview.

Online Dictionaries

Feel free to use these online dictionaries to complete your homework.  Have a great weekend.  You can also find many definitions just by using Google.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Practice Your Math Facts

It is imperative that you learn your multiplication facts this year. You need to be able to do them forwards and backwards quickly.  Please use these links to help you practice.  Old fashioned flashcards are another good way to practice.
FactMonster Practice
Fun 4 the Brain
Math Facts Pro
Math Fact Basketball
Math Playground

Andrew Clements -- Author

This week we will be starting a book by Andrew Clements.  He has written quite a few children's books.  The purpose of this post is to learn more about this author in case Frindle catches your interest and you want to read other books by him.

Scholastic Biography -- Andrew Clements

http://www.andrewclements.com/

Andrew Clements Book List

Andrew Clements Biography

Andrew Clements:  Publisher Page

Tessellations

Check out the introductory video on tessellations.  Once you have done that, try to learn about what they are.  Read about tessellations at Math is Fun and Cool Math.

Check out these three links to create your own online tessellations:
Design a tessellation using squares.
Design a tessellation using triangles.
Tessellation creator.

Finally, you can learn about tessellations using these slideshare presentations:
Tessellations slideshare
MC Escher

Frederick Douglass

For homework you are writing about a quote from Frederick Douglass.  Who was he?  Learn more about this famous abolitionist by watching the short video and reading from his biographies.  You will not learn enough from the video, as it only covers his early childhood.  Read about him in the links that follow.


Frederick Douglass: Great Foe of Slavery
Frederick Douglass -- Ducksters biography for kids.
Frederick Douglass -- Factmonster
Frederick Douglass -- Biography.com (advanced)

Welcome Back to School :)

Welcome back to school this year.  I'm very excited to have all of you in my class.  Check out a few of these links that I think you will find useful during the 2014-2015 school year.

Internet4classrooms common core math
Internet4classrooms common core language arts

Khan Academy
Soft Schools
Cool Math
5th grade reading practice

San Jose Library's 5th grade book list.

Don't Forget the Summer Reading Challenge!

This post is just a quick reminder to update your book count on the Summer Reading Challenge.  There is still time to squeeze in a few books before the end of summer.  Read.  Read more.  KEEP READING!!!  Here are a few more suggestions if you need books to read.

More Summer Science -- Mars

The planet Mars has been in the news lately.  Check out this article about the Mars rover Opportunity from Sfgate.

Take a look at these NASA websites from more information about Mars:
Images of Mars from a rover.

NASA's Mars page.

Mars for kids (NASA).


Check out this NOVA video about Mars.

Osprey Expand Nesting Areas to San Francisco Bay Shoreline

It is always a good time to learn more about science.  The San Jose Mercury News ran this article about Osprey nesting in the Bay Area.  These beautiful raptors are very exciting and interesting birds of prey.  I have often seen them fishing near Clearlake, CA.  I encourage you to learn more about these local birds.
National Geographic Osprey
BioKids Osprey
All About Birds Osprey

Summer Math Practice

Prepare yourself for next year in math.  Try out some of these practice websites or Google your own.

Math Playground -- Common Core grade 5
Math Playground -- Common Core grade 6
5th grade math practice
Internet4classrooms -- 5th grade math
Internet4classrooms -- 6th grade math
Math Antics -- Fun & free video lessons 

Keep Reading This Summer

Keep reading good books this summer.  A recommendation that I forgot to mention in an earlier post is The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien.  I am aware that many of you are thinking "But I've already seen the movie."  To which I would answer, REALLY?  Do you really think you can appreciate a good story by seeing the movie and not reading the book?  I hope not.

Here are more book lists for you to find ideas for summer reading:
50 books every child should read
100 books every child should read
Must read books for ages 8-11

Don't forget to track your status on the Summer Reading Challenge list.  Send me a comment when you finish a good book.  It's never too late.

Educational Activities for the Summer :)

I was browsing for good activities to try over the summer.  I found quite a few interesting websites.  Exercise your brain this summer and give some of these a try.

Education.com has a fun website that is customizable.
10 ideas from greatschools.org.
Another list from greatschools.
Check out Education World's 25 ideas.
Finally, Family Education has some interesting links.

Don't neglect the Summer Reading Challenge.  It's not too late!

Take a Summer Field Trip

Put down the video games and turn off the television! Do something educational this summer.  Not sure what to do?  Try out these two ideas:

The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

Both of these are in San Jose.  Get your family to go and learn over the summer.

Summer Reading Challenge Update

Wow!  I am totally impressed by the number of readers participating in this year's Summer Reading Challenge.  I now have 12 of my students from last year plus a seventh grader and a third grader.  Keep up the good work.  Check your status here:  Summer Reading Challenge 2014

Start posting comments on this post, as the other one is beginning to get cumbersome.  Remember to give me a few days to publish your comments and update the list, as I may be out of town from time to time this summer.

Wondering what you should read next?  Check out Penny's online post with her suggestions.  If you create a similar list, I will feature it on a future post.  Great job Penny!

Here is a summer reading list from Scholastic that might also help you out.  Head to the library this summer and HAVE FUN READING!

Summer Science Projects

Do you ever get bored during the summer?  Try out a few science projects to alleviate that boredom. 
Check out these links for ideas.  Let me know if any of these are fun.



50 Summer Science Ideas
Kids World Science
Summer Science PBS
Education.com Summer Science 

Don't forget about the Summer Reading Challenge.

Summer Updates and Reading Challenge

Hello again, students.  I am glad to see so many of you trying out my Summer Reading Challenge.  Don't forget to post comments with the titles and authors of the books you have read so that I can update the Challenge page.  If you are wondering what you should read this summer, here is a list of books that I recommend:

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
White Fang by Jack London
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

You should also look over the comments that students have made about the books they are reading.

If you are interesting in keeping up with me this summer, I will post updates on my family at my old teacherp website.

Summer Fun! --> Math Style.

This is one of my favorite summer time websites for students.  Check out Bedtime Math for a daily math activity.  Please practice over the summer.  Encourage your parents to work with you.  Get your brothers and sisters involved!  Find your cousins, aunts, and uncles and make them do math with you!!  Seek out your friends for a math party!!!  (Someone should probably stop me.  I've gone math crazy.)



Don't forget about the Summer Reading Challenge.  Check your status here.

Summer Reading Challenge 2014 -- Library Style

The San Jose Public Library has its own Summer Reading Challenge.  Why not enter their challenge and mine? 

Remember, to enter my Summer Reading Challenge you just need to post a comment telling me that you are in.  I will enter your name on this Summer Reading Challenge page.  Then, each time you finish a chapter book, leave me another comment stating the title of the book and the author.  I will update your entry on the Summer Reading Challenge page.  At the beginning of the next school year, I will try to get the principal to recognize your achievement over the summer, if you read at least 5 good chapter books.

As of the date of this post, six students have entered.  You should be the seventh.

Happy reading!!!

World Cup 2014

The World Cup starts today in Brazil.  Soccer, or football as the rest of the world calls it, is one of the most popular sports in the world.  The World Cup gathers the best players of the world together to represent their nations.  This event occurs only once every four years.  Spain won the Cup in 2010.  I am incredibly excited about this year's event, as I grew up playing soccer.

  As a part of your summer education, I encourage you to learn about the World Cup and watch a few games.  Hopefully this inspires you to get outside and play soccer.

FIFA is the international organization that runs the World Cup.
Learn the history of the World Cup.
Check out a photo history of the World Cup from Time.
Use this activity page for fun.



Finally, learn about the history of Brazil, the host country of the 2014 World Cup.
History
Timeline
National Geographic for Kids

Announcement -- Summer Reading Challenge 2014!!!

Welcome to all of my current and former students.  I invite all of you take take on the Summer Reading Challenge of 2014.  The challenge is to read at least 5 good chapter books before school starts again in the fall.  If you want to be an elite reader, then you should read at least 10 good chapter books.  Champion readers would probably read at least 15 good chapter books over the summer.  Not sure what to read?

Check out these websites for ideas:

5th grade summer book list.

San Jose Public Library 5th grade book list

6th grade summer book list

San Jose Public Library 6th grade book list

Leave me a comment so that I know what you are reading.  I might even recommend your book on this website.

As you are completing this challenge, let me know by leaving comments with what book you read and how many you have read so far.  I will keep track of the number of books you have read on this link.  I would also encourage you to write a list of books you have read on kidblog over the summer.  If you complete (or surpass) this challenge, I will try to get you recognized by the principal in the fall.  Have a great summer and enjoy reading!

Math Webquest -- Plan a surprise party

Your mission is to buy everything, from invitations to a cake to a gift, for your best friend's party.  The only catch....you only have $85 to spend and you want to give your friend an awesome present for his birthday.  Not only will you learn about budgeting in this WebQuest, but you will also be comparing prices and using decimal operations.  Good luck!  --->  Surprise party WebQuest.

This webquest is for my homeroom.  However, if you are from my math class and visiting this web page, feel free to attempt this WebQuest at home.  If you find you need help with decimals, you can review them on the Khan Academy website.  Do not spend too much time on this page.

Three Branches of Government -- Webquest

Use these resources to figure out how the branches of government are different and how they each limit the powers of the others.  Remember to stay on task and work as a group.

Webquest 3 branches of government.

(Use this link the most.)

Slideshow #1 -- 3 branches

Slideshow #2 -- American government

Slideshow #3 -- Checks and Balances

Coordinate Grids

Graphing on the coordinate grid is fun and interesting.
Coordinate grid practice.
Independent practice.
Online practice.
Real world problems
Online problems
Coordinate Grid Links internet4classrooms

The United States Government

Our government is based on the US Constitution.  Check out this teacher's page on it.
Our constitution also includes amendments (changes).  The Bill of Rights is what the first 10 amendments are called.

Read about all three branches of government, the constitution and more on Congress for Kids.
Check out this short Brain Pop video about the government.
Kids.gov has an easy to read graphic about the three branches of government.
Fact Monster has a great page describing the government.
Finally, read more on Ben's Guide to the US government.

School House Rock is old, but fun.

Discussion Questions -- Round 4

These questions can be used for any of the books.

1.  Write about a problem that the characters in your book face.  How did they solve or attempt to solve that problem?  What do you think they should have done?  Be specific.

2.  Write about a mistake that one of the main characters in your book made.  Why was it a mistake?  What were the consequences of the mistake?  Give evidence from the text showing that this was a mistake.

Weight vs. Mass -- What is the difference?

What is the difference between weight and mass?  Can you explain it to me in your own words?  Try to be detailed and specific.  Please watch the video and read about the difference.

Physics for kids:  Mass & Weight
Math Is Fun (Wait a minute I thought this was a science lesson...)
Mass vs. Weight
NASA video -- Mass vs. Weight

Discussion Questions -- Round 3

Sign of the Beaver

1.  What favor does Saknis ask of Matt? Discuss Attean’s attitude. Predict why this

may be a challenging assignment for Matt.  Do you think he will be able to honor

Saknis’s request? Explain your predictions.

2.  Toward the end of Chapter 6, you learn why Saknis wants Attean to learn how to

read. Discuss some situations in which knowing how to read and write could help

someone understand or establish his or her rights. 

3.  Matt must use Robinson Crusoe, the only book he owns, to teach Attean 
to read.  Which book or books would you use to teach someone your own 
age to read?  Explain the reasons for your choice.

Woods Runner
1. Can war ever be justified (proven to be a good thing)? 

2. Name some famous wars throughout history? From your point of view, 
were these wars necessary. Why or why not? 

3. From your point of view which individuals did the Revolutionary War help? 
Which individuals did the war hurt? Explain your answers.

 

The Witches

1.  Does the boy have a name?  Why do you think Roald Dahl did not give the boy 
a name?

2.   Why did the boy go to the ballroom?  What happened when he was in there?

What would you have done in his situation?

3.   What did you think of the Grand High Witch?  Do you think the Grand High Witch 
looks like a traditional witch when she is not disguised?  When you write this, use 
evidence from the text.