Multiplying Fractions and Whole Numbers --Get a Head Start!

Multiplying fractions and whole numbers:
Check out two more awesome videos on this topic from Learnzillion.
Fractions by whole numbers with addition.
Fractions by whole numbers using visual models.

Print your own worksheets on this topic from one of my favorite at home websites, Dad's Worksheets.

Try out this game/quiz to see how good you are.  Challenge your parents to a competition!  (Tell them your teacher said they had to try ;)

Happy Holidays

Try out some Christmas math.

Check out these Christmas math word problems.

Check out my old page for holiday photos of my kids.

Have a great Christmas.

Multiplication of fractions -- Get a head start on what's next.

Math is Fun has a good lesson on this.
Purple Math is an interesting website that covers this.

What a great day!  I found this quiz, another quiz, and (wait for it...) a third quiz on multiplying fractions.  How cool is that?  It's a Christmas present from me to you.  Test yourself.

Decimal Practice and Word Problems

These two videos are from a new website I found.  Check out http://www.mrmaisonet.com/

Practice mixed operations with decimals online.  Take the quizzes too.
Don't forget to do your math practice over the break.  You can use the math tag at the bottom of this post to filter out any non-math posts.  Happy Holidays!

Dividing Decimals by Decimals

Check out decimal division on Cool Math and Math is Fun.

Check out this quiz on decimal division.  Try this website on decimals.  (cool website)
Try this quiz on multiplication and division.

Extra Credit Opportunities

If you are a fourth or fifth grader, you can do one of the at home science experiments from unit A in your science book.  Please post two paragraphs online at kidblog.org/teacherp.  The first paragraph should explain what you did and what happened.  The second paragraph should explain what you learned from the experiment.  If you want to post pictures, it would make your EC even more awesome.

Fourth graders have an extra credit opportunity in social studies.  Please post one paragraph explaining who the Californios were.  Use specific information from your social studies book.  Explain about their lifestyle, where they came from, how they affected CA history, etc.

Finally, fifth graders MUST post about the Lost Colony book.  The first paragraph should be a summary of the book.  Part two of the same post should be your ideas about what happened to the Lost Colony.  What do you think happened to it?  This is due Friday.

Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

Watch the video above for basic instruction on this concept.  Then try the personal tutor from your math book.  You can also try out this lesson from Cool Math.

Take a quiz when you think you've got the concept.

Limericks -- Hooray!

There once was a teacher, Mr. P
He was kind of cranky, wasn't he?
He got really mad,
when the kids were bad.
And then he gave them a D.

Limericks are fun.  We will work on writing these fun little poems this week.  Although they are short, they take a lot of thought.  Take your time.
Giggle Poetry -- How to write a limerick.
How to write a limerick -- ehow.
Poetry for kids, how to write a limerick.

Would you like some examples?
Limericks for kids.
Illustrated limericks by Edward Lear. 
More limericks by Edward Lear. 
Limericks for Children. 

So Many Poems, So Little Time

His Day is Done -- A tribute to Nelson Mandela -- Maya Angelou
The Swing -- Robert Louis Stevenson
Sea Fever -- John Masefield
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening -- Robert Frost
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod -- Eugene Field
Helen Keller -- Langston Hughes
Where the Sidewalk Ends -- Shel Silverstein.
The Say Hey Kid -- Sue Mason
The Land of Nod -- Robert Louis Stevenson
Jabberwocky -- Lewis Carroll
Since Hannah Moved Away -- Judith Viorst

Do you have a poem that you think should be shared?  Send me a comment and I will post it if I can.

Taylor & Alex recommended:  Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony
Caitlyn & Leah shared: Homework Stew 
Taylor also likes: SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT
Mary enjoys:  The Silver Swan 
Alexandra found: The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt
Marisa liked two poems:  Poets Hitchhiking on the Highway and To Look at Anything. 

Multiplying With Decimals

Get a piece of scratch paper and try out these problems online.
Sample word problems at Math Goodies.  (Practice at the bottom.)
Try out these tutorials and word problems.
Quiz yourself.

Personification

per·son·i·fi·ca·tion

noun

the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure. 

the act of attributing human qualities to an animal, object, or abstraction; the act of personifying: The author's personification of the farm animals made for an enchanting children's book.

-- dictionary.com

Check out these personification examples.

Here are some humorous examples of personification.

Poems Everyone Should Read

Acquainted with the Night -- Robert Frost
Little Orphant Annie -- James Whitcomb Riley
Barbara Frietchie -- John Greenleaf Whittier
The Duel -- Eugene Field
The Song of Hiawatha -- Longfellow
Paul Revere's Ride -- Longfellow
Mary's Lamb -- Sarah Josepha Hale

Sarah Josepha Hale

Sarah Josepha Hale

Sarah Josepha Hale

The Cremation of Sam McGee -- Robert W. Service
A Dream Deferred -- Langston Hughes (This is my personal favorite.)
Dreams -- Langston Hughes
The Children's Hour -- Longfellow (I like this one because it reminds me of my children.)

Do you have another poem you would like me to add?  Let me know.  I'll check it out and post it here.

Nelson Mandela -- 1918 to 2013

Nelson Mandela was one of the most inspirational leaders of our time.  We will be learning more about his life on Monday.  Read these articles.

Scholastic News

Time For Kids

Ducksters Biography

Quotes by Nelson Mandela

How are each of these informational pieces different?  Why do you think articles about the same man are all different?

We will also read a short book on Nelson Mandela.  Once we have done this, consider how the book was different from the articles above.

CA Academy of Sciences!!!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I had a great time at the California Academy of Sciences today.  I encourage you to check out their website for more information and cool videos/activities: http://www.calacademy.org/

I posted most of the photos that I took today on my old tumblr page.  Check out the photos and send me more if you want them posted.  http://teacherp.tumblr.com/tagged/field-trips

Finally, to those of you in my class, there is an opportunity for science extra credit.  Post a paragraph on http://kidblog.org/teacherp/ explaining what your favorite exhibit was and what you learned from it.

Subject Verb Agreement

Try out these activities and games.
Read the lesson first.
Try out Verb Viper.
Check out Verb Battleship.
Verb Carousel will be fun.
Grammar Bytes has links to many different grammar exercises.

Subtracting Mixed Numbers!!!

Need more help on this concept?  Try out this video.


Here is another lesson on this.
Check out how you can do this with area models.
Another example and activities on AAA math.

Do you understand this concept?  Take a quiz.

Flower Power!!!

I found these awesome resources for studying about flowers.  Check it out!
Speed quiz -- Flower parts.
BBC -- Quiz, games & info.
Virtual dissection.

This site from ProFlowers has tons of information which can take you beyond what we studied in class.  (Don't worry. You don't have to buy any flowers.)

Subtracting Mixed Numbers -- Another Head Start.

Subtracting mixed numbers word problem: Subtracting Mixed Numbers Word Problem

Check out the Khan Academy practice.
Here's another video on this subject.

Try this out on Math.com.
Your math book has a useful website on this subject.

Thanksgiving Reading

Why not read about the Thanksgiving holiday?  It's a fun and interesting way to learn.

Read about the first Thanksgiving on NatGeoKids.
Here is another cool article about Thanksgiving.
Check out how George Washington was involved in Thanksgiving.
Don't forget to read his primary source Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Abe Lincoln also issued a proclamation about Thanksgiving.
(Can you tell me which part of the Abe Lincoln post is a primary source?)

Adding Mixed Numbers

Get a head start on our upcoming math lessons.  We haven't done this yet, but I think you will find it as easy as pumpkin pie.


Check out the lesson on Cool Math 4 Kids.

Here's another lesson on Math.com.

One last lesson on AAA Math.

You can use the above websites to look up many different math concepts.  They are all useful for practice over the break.  Don't forget to use the math tag on this web page.  (Look at the bottom of this post.)

Check Out Your Classmates

Check out what your classmates have published.  Read a good book and join them.

http://kidblog.org/teacherp/

4th and 5th Grade Book Lists

I hope everyone is enjoying their first day of vacation.  I want to encourage everybody to read as much as possible during your time off.  Several parents asked me to post book lists for students.  Check out these lists or branch out on your own.

San Jose Public Library -- 4th grade -- 5th grade
Great Schools book lists -- 4th grade -- 5th grade
Barnes and Noble book list ages 9 to 12
Try this list of classics.

Whatever you decide to read, challenge yourself and enjoy!  (Don't forget to turn off the TV.)

Extra Credit -- Language Arts

If you want extra credit in language arts over the break, then you should read this post.  I encourage anyone who wants the extra credit to create an account at kidblog.org.  You will need the code that I gave you in class.  Create an account with a username that is your first name and last initial.  Use a password that you won't forget.

Once you have that account, go to kidblog.org/teacherp and post a paragraph with a book recommendation.  Why should other students read this book?  To make it more interesting, you can include a picture (use Google images).  This should be a book that you just finished or that you are currently reading and enjoying.

Have a great holiday and don't forget to DO YOUR SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT!!!

Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Different Denominators

Practice adding fractions and subtracting fractions.

Try out this game for adding and subtracting fractions.
Are you having trouble with this?  Try out a personal tutor.
Have you mastered this?  Good.  Take the quiz.

This is a cool task.  Try out Cindy's Cats.

Homophones Practice

This week we are learning about homophones in class.

Homophone definition:

each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, e.g., new and knew.

Try out this kid friendly quiz from a teacher named Mr. Anker.
Apples 4 The Teacher has another quiz to try.
Need a challenging quiz?  Try this one out.

This homophones game matches words with pictures.
You can try out several more games on this page.

5th Grade Social Studies Assignment

Your assignment this week is to compare and contrast your explorer with the explorer that your partner picked.  Please write two paragraphs about how they are alike and how they are different.  The first paragraph should have similarities.  The second paragraph should have differences.  You will post this assignment online. 

If you already have an account, use the same username and password.  If you have not yet posted anything online, go to kidblog.org and use the code that I gave you in class.  You will need to create a username and password.  Your username should be your first name and last initial.  Please make your password something that you won't forget.  If you need help, you will need to see me ASAP.  This assignment is due Friday.  If you already have an account, then go straight to the website kidblog.org/teacherp and log in to start your post.

Don't forget to proofread your paragraphs.  I expect your best spelling and grammar on this assignment.

Adding Fractions with Like Denominators

Adding fractions with like denominators: Adding Fractions with Like Denominators

Watch this video to reteach this concept to yourself.  When you have finished, you should try out the practice from Khan Academy.  Are you still not sure about this concept?  Try out this cool lesson from Math Is Fun. 

Quiz yourself on this concept.  Don't forget that YOUR ANSWER SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN SIMPLEST FORM!!!   :)

California State Symbols

Read about the different symbols, songs, and emblems of California.

This website has pictures of California's state symbols.

Check out the California State Library's website for more information.

Finally, read about the Great Seal of the State of California.

4th graders -- Please use this information to complete your California bucket project.  Don't forget to use Google to search for more information.

Grammar Time!!!

What is a linking verb?
Linking verb or action verb.
Try out a linking verb quiz.

What is a helping verb?
Try out a helping verb quiz.

 Try out the Grammar Blast games. (Make sure you do the one on verbs at your grade level.)

Fractions and Decimals

After watching the video, try some Khan Academy practice.

Check out this "personal tutor."
Here is another "personal tutor."

Decimals to fractions quiz.
Fractions to decimals quiz number 2.

Try out this visual fractions page.

Primary Sources -- Explorers

What is a primary source?

A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.  Find out more here.

Check out these primary sources:

Christopher Columbus

Hernan Cortes

Francisco Coronado

Measurement (Converting Units)

Internet 4 Classrooms has a good page of information and activities on this topic.

Try these links for information and practice:

Review lesson on measurement conversions.
Practice with the customary system.
Practice with the metric system.

You can also try out the Khan Academy page on the metric system.

Using Context Clues

You must be able to use context clues to figure out what unfamiliar words mean when you read.  Why should you know this?  It is too time consuming to look up every new word you come across when you are reading a complex text.  This should be saved for the most difficult words only.

Try out some of these activities and lessons:
Context Clues online
Context clues activities: beginning, intermediate & difficult 
Difficult context clues quiz. 
Kid's Lab -- context clues 
Context Clues Cows (just for fun)

4th Grade Science -- Extra Credit -- Blog With Me!

Try out one of the experiments from your science book.  (pages A31, A60, A61 or A97)

Sign up at kidblog with the code that I provided in class.  Make sure you use your first name and last initial only.

Write a two paragraph summary of your project on kidblog.org/teacherp.  The first paragraph should summarize what you did in the experiment and what happened.  The second paragraph should include what you learned from the experiment.  How does this experiment apply to what we have been learning in class?  Feel free to upload a picture of your experiment to make your post more interesting and informative.

5th Grade Math - LCM- Least Common Multiple

Math.com has a good step by step lesson on LCM.
Math is fun also had a good lesson on LCM.

Got it?  Good.  Quiz yourself.

Venus Fly Trap (& Other Carnivorous Plants)

Read about carnivorous plants on Factmonster.  (Can you summarize the main ideas?)

Use context clues and other strategies to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words in these articles:
Chomp! Meat Eating Plants
How Venus Flytraps Work

Science Extra Credit -- Blog Your Project

Choose an experiment from the pages I told you about in class.  Do the experiment.
(5th grade: A31, A57 or A95)

Sign up at kidblog with the code that I provided in class.  Make sure you use your first name and last initial only.

Write a two paragraph summary of your project on kidblog.org/teacherp.  The first paragraph should summarize what you did in the experiment and what happened.  The second paragraph should include what you learned from the experiment.  How does this experiment apply to what we have been learning in class?  Feel free to upload a picture of your experiment to make your post more interesting and informative.

If you are reading this post before Friday 10-25, you won't be able to sign up on kidblog until after you see me on Friday.  I will give you the code then.

Changing Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions

Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions: Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
Practice this concept at math playground.
Read about this concept a AAA math.

Math Is Fun has great lessons on improper fractions and mixed numbers.

Fractions in Simplest Form

Fractions in lowest terms: Fractions in lowest terms

If you want more on this topic, check out Khan Academy's fraction page.
Math Is Fun has more on simplifying fractions.
Try this fun quiz from Math Playground.

Equivalent fractions:
Check out this fraction number line.  (This is cool.)
There is also a lesson on equivalent fractions.
This page has a good lesson with a fun way to practice.

Have you mastered this concept?  Good.  Quiz yourself.

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

You book has some great online help for GCF.  You can also take a quiz.

Check out the GCF lesson on math.com.
You can also try GCF on mathisfun.com.

Wild Cat Education and Conservation Fund

Our assembly today was awesome.  Please visit their website to learn more about these amazing cats.  www.wildcatfund.org  You can learn about all of their individual cats (including those we saw today) on their web page.

If you are interested, there is quite a bit of information about our school mascot on the web as well.  Learn about the Lynx. 

When Did the First Americans Arrive? -- Learn about this and Native American history.

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.
Nat Geo Kids has a video about Native Americans.
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.

Grammar Practice -- Sentences

Practice your grammar this weekend.
Start with a review of subjects and predicates.
Check out another teacher's review page.
Quiz yourself on subjects and predicates.
Take this find the predicate quiz.

Review the 4 types of sentences.
Try this activity.
Try this quiz on sentence types.

Grammar Blast sentence quiz (easy).
Grammar Blast sentence quiz (harder).
Leave me a comment to let me know you did this homework.  I will give you a prize on Monday.

Different ways to look at DIVISION :) :) :)

Yes indeed.  Division does deserve three smiley faces.

Try out some new ways to look at division:

Divide numbers using rectangular arrays.

Divide with an area model.

Try the distributive property for division.

Check out decomposing the division problem.
This is so cool it deserves a second link.

Of course there is always good old fashioned loooonnnggg division.

Try some word problems (read carefully to see if you multiply or divide).
Someone stop me before I divide again!

What is an Ecosystem? What is a Food Chain? -- 4th grade

Read about ecosystems and food chains to complete your research project.
Geography for kids -- Ecosystems
E School Today -- What is an ecosystem?
Geography for kids -- Biosphere/Ecosystems
Geography for kids -- Food Chains
E School Today -- Food Chains
Create a food chain game.
Check out more videos and activities about ecosystems.

Circulatory & Respiratory Systems -- 5th grade

Read about these important systems online:
Kids Health -- Heart & Circulatory System.
Kids Health -- The Blood

Discovery Kids -- Cardiovascular System (Circulatory)
Kids Health -- Lungs and Respiratory System
Kids Biology -- Respiratory System
Check out more videos and activities related to these systems.

Volcanoes 101

Read more about volcanoes here.

The USGS has an excellent website on volcanoes.

Area Models -- Multiplication and Division

Understanding multiplication through area models:
Check out division with area models on learnzillion.com.

Multiplication with area models activity.

Division with an area model practice worksheet.

Titanic Facts For Kids - Amazing and Interesting Facts About The Titanic

Check out what History.com has about the Titanic.

Cool engineering facts about the Titanic.

Why did the Titanic sink?

Introduction to Long Division

Introduction to long division: Dividing into larger numbers. Introduction to long division without remainders
Try out this page for more. https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/multiplication-division/long_division/v/division-2

Practice your multiplication facts online.  Knowing these facts well is essential to division.
http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/mathfact/mathFact.htm
http://www.mathplayground.com/multiplication01.html

The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

The 1906 Earthquake -- USGS.

A first person account of the 1906 Earthquake. -- SF museum (primary source)

More primary sources from the SF Museum.

1906 Earthquake for kids.

What is an earthquake?

Animal Adaptations -- 4th grade

Check out this guide to animal adaptations that was published by the Milwaukee Zoo.
Make sure you read section 2 (pages 3 to 6) thoroughly to help you answer your questions.  After that, you can look up various animals in the later sections.

Read more about adaptations here.
Try this activity:  How Animals Meet Their Needs.

Google your favorite animal or animals.  What adaptations help this animal survive?

If you finish your work early, try this activity.

The Digestive System -- 5th Grade

Watch this video and then learn more about the digestive system by reading about it.

The digestive system on kidshealth.org.

Discovery Kids -- Digestive system.

More information and videos on the digestive system.

Take a quiz.

Science Rocks!!!

Do you love science?  Check out these science projects: http://www.education.com/science-fair/life-science/
I thought this was one of the coolest websites I have ever found.  Please do not attempt any science experiments or projects without parent supervision.

Japan -- 4th grade

Since the fourth graders in my class have been reading about a person from Japan, I thought they might like to know more about it.

Check out Kids Web Japan & Japan Facts and Pictures (Nat Geo).

I also found a cool timeline of Japanese history.

Tornadoes for Grade 5

Are you interested in tornadoes?  Read more about these storms on Weather Wiz Kids.  You can also read about them on Science Kids.

Comparing with Multiplication

Comparing with multiplication exercise:
Check out this multiplication activity from Khan Academy.

Subjects & Predicates Review

Check out this review page on subjects and predicates.

Read this lesson and take this quiz on subjects and predicates.

Try this longer quiz on subjects and predicates.

Wow! Wonderful Word Work for the Week.

Homographs game.
Homonyms quizzes and exercises.
Multiple meaning words.
Homographs game.
--------------------------------
Synonym practice online.
Find the synonym.
Adjective synonyms.
Synonym or antonym.

Bonus question:  What is alliteration?  Why am I asking?  Leave your answer as a comment.

Two Fun Videos About Cells

 Bill Nye the Science Guy -- Cells

 

Check out this cells rap.


Kids Biology -- Cells

Biology for Kids -- The Cell

Comparing Decimals

Comparing decimals example 1:
Practice this concept at home:  Comparing Decimals
Try the "Fruit Shoot" comparing decimals game.

Practice Rounding Decimals and watch a video here.

Introduction to Life Science -- Cells

Watch more videos and take quizzes on cells at this website.
Read about cells at biology4kids.com.
Explore cells in depth here.

Decimals, Powers of 10, and Number Lines

Practice decimals on a number line here.
Try some harder decimals on a number line here.

Place Value with Decimals

Check out this link about using powers of 10 and how it can affect the decimal point.

Current Events

This week you have a current events assignment to work on.  Don't forget that it is due on Friday.  If you are having trouble finding stories, try a few of these resources:

KQED
Time for Kids
Scholastic News
Nat Geo Kids
BBC kids (England)

Don't forget that you can check the local newspaper as well.  (San Jose Mercury News)
Did you find one of these websites useful?  Let me know which one with a comment.

Common Themes in Literature

In the next couple of weeks we will be examining themes in literature.  Check out this list of common themes that you can often find in literature.  Try out some of these practice lessons.

Watch a youtube video on finding the theme (11 min).

Learn several different reading skills on this link:
Ereadingworksheets

Dictionary and Thesaurus websites

Try out these websites for help with your homework:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/

http://dictionary.reference.com/

http://thesaurus.com/

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

Math Facts Practice

How fast are you at your basic math facts?  Try these links for some practice:
Soft Schools -- games
Sheppard Software games
Kids Games
Math.com practice
Fact Monster
Fact Dash

If you find a good game, leave a comment so others will know.

School Supply List 2013-14

I hope you found me online and follow me this school year.  See if you can find me in two more places.

The following is a recommended school supply list for the 2013-2014 school year:
1.  Binder with dividers
2.  Binder paper
3.  Pencils (#2) and erasers
4.  Colored pencils (set of 12)
5.  2 spiral notebooks
6.  Ruler (metric and standard)
7.  A red pen for correcting
8.  Book Covers

Having easy access to these supplies will make the school year go smoothly.  This is a recommended list (not required).

If you are looking to donate supplies to the classroom, the following items would be appreciated:

1.  Copy paper.
2.  Graph paper.
3.  Binder paper.
4.  #2 pencils.
5.  Hand sanitizer.
6.  **Kleenex** (We always need more boxes.)
7.  3x5 index cards.

Welcome back to school!

The school year starts tomorrow.  Prepare yourself for language arts and the new Common Core standards this year.  Try the following links for practice:

4th grade Language Arts -- Common Core

5th grade Language Arts -- Common Core

Challenge yourself with the 6th grade standards.

Summer Reading Challenge Finale

This is your last chance to update yourself in the Summer Reading Challenge.  Send an update to me before the school year starts. Thank you to those who participated.

Hilarious Math Video

I thought this was amusing. See if you can figure out why these wrong answers could make sense if you didn't understand math.

The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington is coming up in August.  Do you know about this historic event?  It played an important role in bringing about the end of segregation in this country.  Learn about it on PBS.  PBS also has an interesting broadcast about the roots of the March on Washington.  You may know more about the March on Washington in relation to Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.  Learn about it here.  The History Channel also has a detailed account of the march.

People will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the march on August 28, 2013.

Get Ready for Math This Year!

School starts soon.  Get a head start on math practice before the year begins.

Master your basic facts!

Try a word problem each day with Bedtime Math.

Get ready for 4th grade Common Core mathematics!
Get ready for 5th grade Common Core mathematics!
Get ready for 6th grade Common Core mathematics!



Bonus Question!!! --- What is the meaning of this picture?  How do you know?

School Supplies

I do not have an exact list from the sixth grade teachers, but I did contact one of them and get the basics.  These are the same basic items students will need for my class.  Here are some suggested items to start the school year with:

1.  Binder with dividers
2.  Binder paper
3.  Pencils and erasers
4.  Colored pencils (set of 12)
5.  2 spiral notebooks
6.  Ruler (metric and standard)
7.  A red pen
8.  Blue or black pens (sixth grade only)

Your teacher will likely pass out a school supply list on the first day of school.

New math practice website I found

I'm back.  Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  Check out this new math website I just discovered. http://www.dadsworksheets.com/

Repeat after me:  I love math!  I love math!  I love math!  I love math! ...

Take a practice quiz on US history.

I need volunteers to take a practice quiz for me.  I found an online quiz tool that I am testing.  Please help me out if you have time.  U.S.A. history practice quiz.

Solar Energy Science Experiments

This post was inspired by a link I found on tumblr.  Try out some of these solar energy home experiments.

As always, any experiment you do should be supervised by a responsible adult.
 
The first experiment I found was making a solar oven from the US department of energy.  This looks like a lot of fun.  I kept looking and found that the San Francisco Chronicle has a list of 4 different solar home experiments for kids.  I then found two experiments published by a solar energy company.  Finally, I found a site called Energy Quest that has a ton of different projects and lessons about many types of energy, including solar.

Interested in solar power?  Read more about it.

Current Events -- Keep up with what is happening this summer.

Do you know what's going on in the world?  You should.  Use some of these resources to learn just a bit more about the world around you.  I can't think of a better way to practice reading this summer.

Current events for kids:
Nat Geo Kids
Time for Kids
Here There Everywhere
WP Kids Post

Local Newspaper online:
San Jose Mercury News

This Day in History

I've posted this website before, but I really like it.  You can literally learn something new everyday on This Day in History.

Factmonster created their own version of this idea.

Mandela Day -- Nelson Mandela turns 95 today

Who is Nelson Mandela?  Those of you who were in my class this year will remember reading a story about him.  He was a leader in South Africa against apartheid.  He spent a very long time in jail for standing up to an unjust government and a system that did not give equal rights to all people.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.  When he was released from jail, he became the president of South Africa.
Learn more about him on these websites:
Nelson Mandela -- Kid's Biography
Nelson Mandela --History Channnel
Nelson Mandela -- CNN

Get Your Artistic Side Going This Summer!

Do you want to try something other than the Summer Reading Challenge?

Try out some art projects this summer.  Check out these websites for ideas.  Let me know if you try one out and think it is cool.

1.  http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/
2.  http://www.kiwicrate.com/themes/Art-Projects-for-Kids/2
3.  http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/seasons/summer/
4.  http://spoonful.com/art-projects-for-kids

Have fun and explore your inner artist.  (I'm really just trying to get you to turn off the television and video games this summer.)

Get Active This Summer!!!

Are you spending too much time watching TV and playing video games this summer?  I would like to encourage you to get outside and do something active.  Take a hike or a bike ride.  It is important to get enough exercise.

Take advantage of our local parks.
1.  Check out the bike trails in Santa Clara County parks.
2. Try some of the hiking that is available in our county parks.
3.  Here is a list of parks in the county.
4.  Don't forget about our city parks.

If you are wondering, my favorite county park is Hellyer, which is not far from our school.  I enjoy taking my kids there for picnics, nature walks, and bike rides.  (Of course, my 4 year old never lets us leave without visiting the play structure.)  If you have a favorite outdoor area nearby, please mention it in the comments.

Where the Weird Things Are

This is a great summer reading article from National Geographic.  It is about an island call Socotra off the coast of Africa.  This island contains unique plants and animals that live no where else in the world.

Check out:
Where the Weird Things Are
Where the Weird Things Are -- Pictures

Map of Socotra near Africa.

How is your Summer Reading Challenge going?

How many books have you read this summer?  If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late.  Just leave me a comment on this post and then update me when you finish books this summer.

Do you need some good ideas?  Here are some of my favorite books that I think every kid should read at least once:

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
The BFG by Roald Dahl
White Fang by Jack London
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

If you have any other suggestions, please leave them as a comment on this post. 

(Check out your Summer Reading Challenge status here.  See what others have shared on previous Summer Reading Challenge posts.)

Giant Sequoias -- Sequoiadendron Giganteum

 I recently went camping in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.  This park contains the largest living things on Earth, the Giant Sequoias.  These trees are the most massive living things on our planet (although not the tallest).  They can also live to be over 3000 years old.  Those of you who know me will not be surprised by the fact that I decided this would make a great science lesson.






I recommend the following websites to learn more information:
1.  Giant Sequoias -- kids.net
2.  Giant Sequoias Grow Faster with Age
3.  Wikipedia
4.  Giant Sequoias -- National Geographic
5.  Differences between Giant Sequoias and Giant Redwoods.


I also encourage to research these magnificent trees on your own.  Better yet, encourage your family to go visit these trees.

Check out more photos of my camping trip on my old website.