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.