Homework Assignment

Hi Parents and Students.

Here are our homework assignments for the week.

Science:
Study for our Science Test on Thursday.  (If you scored an 80 or above on your practice test, you do not have to take the test on Thursday!)

Social Studies:
Our Passport Packets which we have been working on the past two weeks are due this Thursday.  Based on how far you get in class each day, you may need to complete a few tasks for homework this week.  Check your agenda nightly for your assignment.

Homework Assignment

Dear Parents and Students,

Happy Monday! 

Here are our homework assignments for the week.

Science: 
- Complete worksheet using "Section 1" from your Minerals and Rock packet. (Due: Friday, December 7)

Social Studies:
- Explain latitude and longitude vocabulary in your own words.  You may use pages 4-5 in your "Map Skills" book as a resource.  (Due: Friday, December 7)

Homework Assignment

Dear Parents and Students,

The Blue Class hopes everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!


Here are our homework assignments for the week.

Science-
1. Create a pet rock (optional)-- Due: Friday, November 30
2. Complete Rock Worksheet-- Due: Friday, November 30

Social Studies-
1. Complete Latitude and Longitude Worksheet-- Due: Friday, November 30

We hope you have a great day!

Thanks,
Mrs. Donovan's Blue Class

ROCKstars! (Science Update)

Hi Parents and Students,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and food! 

In Science, we started a  new unit on "Rocks and Minerals" before Thanksgiving.  We began our Rocks and Minerals unit by embarking on a rock hunt here on campus.  It was amazing to see all of the interesting rocks our geologists found!  Once we collected our rock samples, students utilized rulers, balances, and their observing skills in order to list as many properties of the rocks as they could.

Below are the learning targets we will be covering over the next few weeks.

- I can explain the difference between a mineral and a rock.

- I can name the three different types of rocks.

- I can identify how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are formed.

- I can explain the rock cycle.

 

Some of Room 13's "ROCKstars"

 

 

 

 

Presidents of Room 13

Hello Parents and Students,

After the exciting buildup to Election Day, students were not ready for the fun to end!  They decided we should have our very own class presidents, so each of my Social Studies classes created guidelines and responsibilities for the role.  After having a whirlwind, two-day campaign period with nominations, debates, and speeches, each class elected a president. 

Congratulations to the following Presidents!!
3rd period President- Woody
5th period President- Ryan
6th period President- Lane

A few photos from our debates...

President Crona (3rd from the left):





What will you do for the class during your presidency?

I will help with anyone that wants help. I   will get some gum if anybody needs.

Why did you want to run for president? 

 So I could help everyone.

What are you most excited about being president?

I can help people when they need help.  That is the most fun thing of all.

What else would you like to share with our students and parents?

That it is great being the president of the class for two weeks.



President McCool (3rd from the left): 

What will you do for the class during your presidency?

I will let the class do what they want but they have to ask me or Mrs.. Donovan if they can do it.

 Why did you want to run for president?

I wanted to run for president because I could make new rules for the class.

What are you most excited about being president?

I am excited about being president because I get to help the class when they need help and I get to make some new class rules.

 What else would you like to share with our students and parents?

That I am happy to be their class President because I will be fair and try to get some rules that everybody will like.



 President Quoyeser (3rd from the left):

What will you do for the class during your presidency?

Let them sit on the bouncy balls and black chair and pillows.

Why did you want to run for president?

It's a lot of responsibility and I want to be more responsible.

What are you most excited about being president?

Sitting in the soft chairs

What else would you like to share with our students and parents?

The students are behaving a lot better. 

Lincoln Elected as "Best President" by TJS voters!

Hi All!

Our 5th and 6th grade students wrapped up our Election unit with our very own TJS election between George Washington and Abraham Lincoln!  Lincoln won both the popular vote and electoral vote.

Over the course of the unit, students had a blast campaigning, planning, and running the election! The 5th and 6th graders had the huge task of planning the election for the entire student body and staff.  They did a fabulous job and put a lot of work and creativity into making it a memorable experience for everyone. 

Here are a few of the highlights from the past few weeks.

Campaign Posters

On the campaign trail





TJS voters signing in at the polls



 

Door leading into the voting room



 

 

Official voting area

 

 

 



 

 

Homework Assignment

Hi Parents and Students,

Here is our homework assignment for the week.

Science: 
- Rock observation sheet: (Due: Thursday, November 15)
   1. Find a rock.
   2. Observe the rock and write as many properties about it as you can.

Social Studies:
- Map worksheet: (Due: Thursday, November 15)
   1. Use map pencils or crayons to follow the directions on the map worksheet.


Thanks,
Mrs. Donovan

Homework Assignment

Hi Parents and Students,

Happy November!  I hope everyone enjoyed that extra hour of sleep this past weekend and are feeling ready for a great week!

Below are the homework assignments for the week:

Science:
- Get test signed and correct test questions- Due: Tuesday, 11/6

Social Studies:
- Read "Founding Fathers" passage and answer the questions- Due: Friday, 11/9

Homework Assignment

Hi Parents and Students,

Happy Halloween Week!!  Here are the homework assignments for the week.

Science:
- Study Quizlet vocabulary on Matter each night for at least 15 minutes (Do "Learn," "Test," and a game of your choice)
- Discussion Questions- Choose 4 of the 8 questions to answer.  This is due Thursday, Nov. 1.  We will be completing the rest of the questions in class.
- Study for "Matter Test" which will be on Friday, Nov. 2. 
  The following are good study materials: Quizlet, Matter Chapter, Matter Study Guide.


Social Studies:
- Complete the online scavenger hunt.  Due: Friday, Nov. 2

Thanks and have a great week!

Election Talk at Home

Hi Parents,

With the big election coming up (in our country and here at TJS), the excitement is building!!
Here are some tips from scholastic.com about educating your children about the meaning of the presidential election.

1. Involvement is key
2. Stay positive (or at least neutral)
3. Share your own opinions.
4. Encourage questions.
5. Meet and greet (take the opportunity to meet with local candidates if possible)
6. Involve your children in each step of your own voting process.
7. Talk about more than the election.

For more information, visit the link below...

http://magazines.scholastic.com/resource/uploads_sno/election2012/homepage/parent-guide.pdf

Students have been working hard on their campaign speeches and will be giving them to other classes next week.  Ask your students to try and convince everyone at home to vote for their candidate! 

Shoutout to Mr. Christou!

Hi All,

My students and I wanted to give a huge THANKS to Mr. Christou for being a guest star in our classroom!  He conducted some fun experiments that demonstrated chemical changes with matter.
Thanks again, Mr. Christou!!

Homework Assignment

Hi Students and Parents,

How was your weekend?  We hope you had an amazing time with friends and family!

Here is our homework assignment for the week.

Science:
- Matter passage and questions- Read the passage and answer the questions.
    (Due: Friday, 10/26)

Social Studies:
- President packet- Read the passage about your candidate (Washington or Lincoln).  Answer the questions.  (Due: Thursday, 10/25)

Sincerely,
Mrs. Donovan's Blue Class
(Makell, Carter, Julia, Woody, Grace, Sam I.)

Homework Assignment

Hello Parents and Students,

It was great seeing your faces at Family Fun Night!  What an awesome night of food, music, and fun. 

Here are the homework assignments for the week:

Science:
- Physical Changes and Chemical Changes worksheet- Due: Friday, Oct. 19
   1. Cut out the pictures of different changes.
   2. Sort the changes by physical or chemical. 
   3. List the different changes on the chart.
   4. Answer the "Analysis" questions on the back of the paper.
  **This homework may take more time than usual, so make sure to start it before Thursday. 

Social Studies:
As part of our George Washington vs. Abraham Lincoln elections, students will be making campaign posters.

- Campaign Poster Plan sheet- Due: Thursday, Oct. 18
- Campaign Poster- Due: Monday, October 22 (Campaign Poster Plan Sheet must be checked by Mrs.
   Donovan in order to start the poster)

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Mrs. Donovan

Homework Assignment and Update

Hi All!

Here's the homework assignment for this week.

Science: (Due Friday)
Study Quizlet vocabulary words on matter each night for 15 minutes.
Write the definitions of the matter vocabulary words in your own words.

Social Studies: (Due Friday)
Read the Scholastic News article, "Meet the Candidates," and complete the Venn Diagram about the two candidates.


Update:

Science- We are continuing our unit on Matter and are starting to discuss chemical changes.  We will be wrapping up our unit on Matter at the end of this month.

  Ways to reinforce Science at home:
    - "Guess the object"- Your child can describe the physical properties of an object and have you      
          guess what it is (i.e. texture, size, color, shape)
    -  Practice measuring different items at home with a ruler or tape measure (compare sizes of these
          items)
    - Sort objects based on physical properties

Online resource:

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html

Social Studies- This week we are starting an election unit that goes until Election Day!  Students will learn about the process involved in selecting a president.  We will be learning about the presidential candidates along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  Students will be a part of the process by "campaigning" for Washington or Lincoln.  The unit will end with a schoolwide election between Washington and Lincoln!

     Ways to reinforce SS at home:
      - Discuss the qualities of a good leader and how your child can be a leader (i.e. at home with
         siblings, on a sports team, with friends, etc.)
      - Important vocabulary words to discuss: vote, election, ballot, campaign, candidate, politician,
         register, poll, party, platform

Online resources:
http://magazines.scholastic.com/election-2012 
http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/election-2012


Hope to see you all this Friday at Family Fun Night!!


    

Countries and Constitutions

Hi All,

    Our Social Studies classes had a blast finishing up our in-class projects about the Constitution!  It all kicked off on September 17 with Constitution Day which then led into Freedom Week.
 What better way than for students to create their OWN countries complete with a constitution, map, and flag?


Interesting laws:
- You can only walk or ride on a horse to get around our country because we do not like pollution.  (Hawaiilonda)
- Cars are not allowed. (Julls)
- People get to have private jets and planes-- even poor people. (Gracecarribean)
- Kids can play video games at school.  (Merszei Pond)
- Everyone must have at least one Apple product. (King Wilson's Crib)
- Have fun (but do things appropriately)! (Carifornia)
- You can drive if you are over 10 years old.  (Nofinnia)


Fun Facts:
- The oceans are red around my country.  (Carterland)
- On one of my islands (Monkey Island), people live in treehouses.  (Makell Island)
- Our national anthem is made up of different langauges.  (Grace Tropical Island)
- I have a great military in my country. (Crona Country)
- Kids can drive golf carts. (Katie's Beach)
- My country is to the west of Crona Country. (Austinia)
- People have little computers in their brains. (Andrewtopia)
- There is a holiday everyday.  (Bradford's Comb)
- Everybody gets free candy! (Candyland)
- No cats are allowed in my country. (Buddyopia)

President Carter presenting about Carter Land

 

 

 

 

The Founder of Carifornia

 

 

 

 

President and founder of Crona Country

 

Homework Assignment

Happy Fall!  Hope you are all enjoying the cooler weather. 

Here is the homework assignment for the week.

Science:
- Study "Matter Vocabulary" on Quizlet 15 minutes each night.  (www.quizlet.com)
     username- First initial + last name + tjs  (Ex. for John Smith- jsmithtjs)
     password- T3mp7777

Social Studies:
- Study for Constitution Quiz which will be on 10/2
- Royal Castle Floor Plan (follow the directions to fill in the floor plan)- Due Friday, 10/5

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL week!!

P.S.
Please remember that there is NO school on Monday, October 8.  Students will return to school on Tuesday, October 9. 

Homework Assignment

Hello Parents and Students,

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!

Here is the homework assignment for the week.

Science:
- Pick two things at home to describe (one liquid and one solid) and write 5 sentences about it.  
 (I am assigning the same homework as last week so that students can have more practice describing physical properties of matter.)


Social Studies:
"Understanding and Using Maps" worksheet: Use the compass rose and map key to answer the questions.

All homework will be due on Friday, September 28.

Have a great week!

Happy Freedom Week!

This week in Social Studies we are celebrating Constitution Day (9/17) along with Freedom Week.

Some great things to discuss at home:
- Why is the Constitution important?
- What does freedom mean to you?
- What would our lives be like without freedom?

P.S.
Last week, it was interesting to see all the different maps kids brought in from home! Students had a fun time hunting for the map parts we have been learning about (i.e. map key/legend, scale, compass rose).  We discussed the purposes of different maps and why it wouldn't be reasonable to take a wall map on a road trip!  :)

Below is a photo of the "Red" SS class "striking a pose" with their maps.

Science Update

Last week, we conducted experiments to see which paper airplane would fly the farthest.  Students used different types of paper and hypothesized which one would work the best (cardstock, manila, copy paper). Afterwards, there was a lot of discussion as to how the style of paper airplane or size would affect the distance.  Feel free to do an extension experiment at home!

Below are a few pictures of us working on our lab reports and posing with our paper airplanes!

 

 

 

 

We are beginning a unit on "Matter and its Changes." Over the next 5-6 weeks, we will be covering the following learning targets.

- Identify physical properties of matter

- describe states of matter

- determine how temperature changes affect substances

-classify matter using physical properties

- recognize chemical properties

- identify chemical changes

- classify matter according to chemical properties

 

We will keep you updated on how things are going! 

 

 

 

 

 







Homework Assignment

Hi Everybody,

Here is the homework assignment for the week of 9/17-9/21.  All homework is due Friday, 9/21/12.

Science:
- Pick two things at home to describe (one liquid and one solid) and write 5 sentences about it.  

Social Studies:
- "Reading a Map" Worksheet

Pennies, Planes, and more!

Here are some of the learning targets we have been focusing on in Room 13...

Science:
- I can explain the Scientific Method.
- I can use the Scientific Method when conducting experiments such as "Penny Boats," "Paper Airplanes," and "Which Ball will Bounce the Highest?"
- I can use my senses to make observations.
- I can talk about important safety rules in science.

Social Studies:
- I can explain the 5 themes of geography (location, region, place, environment, movement)
- I can name different parts of a map.
- I can explain what a map key is.
- I can label and color a map appropriately.

Classroom Targets:
- I can stay on topic during classroom discussion.
- I can try to problem solve on my own.

See below for some pictures from our penny boat experiment.  We were able to hold over 200 pennies after making smart observations from our first trial!  Wow!!

 

 

 

We learned that MAP KEYS explain what symbols on a map mean.  We used symbols to create bioglyphs that tell about us.  Just like a map, you have to use a key to figure out what the symbols represent.  Feel free to request a "bioglyph" packet to make your own!

 

Homework Assignment

Hi Everyone!

Here are the homework assignments for the week...

Science:
- Scientific Method worksheet- Think of your own hypothesis and experiment to go with the different scenarios.

Social Studies:
- Continents and Oceans worksheet
- Bring a map to school on Friday- There are so many different kinds of maps in the world.  Pick one to bring on Friday to share with the class.  I can't wait to see what you all bring!

You have until Friday to turn in homework.

Hello, September!

Hi Parents, Students, and Friends!

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend with friends and family. Thanks to everyone who brought pictures for our "Family Wall of Photos."

Here are the homework assignments for the week which are due Friday, September 7.

Science:
Send an email describing the steps in the Scientific Method. 


Social Studies:
Send an email defining the 5 themes of geography.
   1. Location
   2. Region
   3. Place
   4. Movement
   5. Environment

email address:  jdonovan@thejoyschool.org

Welcome Back to School!

What a great first week back at school!!  I am excited to be joining The Joy School and am enjoying it so much already. 

We had a lot of fun getting to know each other and hearing about everyone's summers.  Between all of the students and me, some of the places visited this summer were Colorado, California, Virginia, San Antonio, Russia, and Africa! 

Students took a quiz to see how much they know about me (not much at this point!).  It will be neat to see how much more they know when they retake it in May!  There were definitely some creative answers that made me laugh.

Here are a few responses to "If my teacher could be a famous person, she would be...?"
- Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift

We took some time to discuss important classroom norms and student brainstormed expectations for both themselves and others.  Then we sorted them into our norms which are:
- We respect each other.
- We are a team.
- We create.
- We celebrate our successes.
- We try our best.
- We learn from our mistakes.

At this point in the year, I am assessing to see where students are at with Social Studies and Science.  That way, I can plan according to their specific needs.

Some things to take note of:
- Please check agendas for homework assignments.
- Parent Orientation is tomorrow (8/28 from 6:00-7:30)

Hope to see you all tomorrow!