Welcome to Our World!

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Happy Friday! We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our world! Mrs. Mac took some pictures and film clips of our discussions in McD's Cafe yesterday. The Westing Game is getting interesting!

Homework:
Reading - Read pages 111-144 in The Westing Game and complete your role for next Friday.
Social Studies - Test on Chapter 1 next Friday.
Wellness - Posters are due next Friday
SHARE YOUR TEST PACKETS WITH YOUR PARENTS!

Thinking Before We Bite!

We are learning to think before we bite! Sometimes it's easy to eat without thinking, especially when watching the television. Today we learned about tips that will help us to outsmart junk food. The tips are pretty logical, when we think about it, and one does involve turning off the t.v. when eating, which can lead to mindless overeating.

Today, we participated in our third McD's Cafe! The plot of The Westing Game certainly keeps us guessing. Some of us have been surprised and others are putting together some interesting clues. For instance, we noticed something interesting about the following characters' names: Sandy McSOUTHers, Mr. WESTing, and Barney NORTHrop. Do you see it? Are these men connected in some way? We're wondering! The groups did a great job with discussions today! We were also excited about the delicious drinks that Cambria and Sarah (&parents) shared with us! We enjoyed fresh apple cider...yum! Thank you!

Today was Library day! We were able to check out new books! Since our AR contest has begun, we're really excited about sinking our teeth into a great book! Don't worry, we think that's a pretty healthy choice!

Homework:
Reading - Quiz tomorrow.
Spelling - Quiz tomorrow.
Science - Outer planets study guide due tomorrow.
Long-term - Read pages 111-144 in The Westing Game and complete your new role for next Friday.
Wellness - 10 Positive Traits due tomorrow.

Public Speaking!

We had a few butterflies in our bellies during Language Arts today. It was journal sharing day, and we each shared an entry of our choice with our classmates. The first journal entries we chose to share happened one-on-one with the teacher, so this was different. We had to speak loud and clear for our friends to hear. Many entries were humorous, particularly the one about what goes on in the teachers' room. Most students think that there is a disco ball and pool table, among other things, in that room. We even made Mrs. Mac wonder if she knows where this room is, since there were so many common ideas about what goes on.

Below is a slideshow of odds and ends! Some of the pictures were taken in Math class today, while students practiced identifying the various properties using a game. Others are of a display of work based on our reading of The Westing Game. Students were assigned one of the many characters in our story to analyze. Using descriptions from the author, what the character does and says, and what other characters are saying about him/her, the student was asked to create a picture of the character, as well as a Wordle filled with words relating to him/her. We chose to make the Wordles in the shape of a tall mug because we are reading and discussing this novel in our Reader's Cafe. Enjoy!


There is a link to the right that has games and practice relating to The Westing Game, called The Westing Heirs! Take a peek! Have fun!

In Social Studies, we explored the availability and use of natural resources in Africa. We are wrapping up the chapter on Africa's geography and will be reviewing for our chapter test.

Homework:
Reading - Tomorrow is McD's Reader's Cafe! Please be prepared by having your role and Mr. Hoo's Fortune Cookie project ready. Remember...it's not all about the drinks! (heehee) Story quiz for April's Mud will be on Friday. Review!
Math - Property practice 1-9 and Distributive Property practice 1-10 only
Spelling - Quiz Friday
Science - Outer Planets study guide due on Friday.

Mystery Theater

Homework:
Reading - Review your story and vocabulary. Quiz Friday. Read through page 111 in The Westing Game and complete your role. Also, your special Mr. Hoo's Fortune Cookie assignment is due on Thursday.
Spelling - Study your words. Quiz on Friday.
Math - A Starry Night and Distribute the Wealth worksheets
Science - Outer planets and study guide due Friday.
Wellness - 10 Positive Traits due Friday

It's October!

October is here, and with it has come some cooler weather and beautiful, colorful trees. It is a beautiful time of the year!

Language Arts groups continued reading and searching for clues about our characters in The Westing Game. Things are heating up, bombs are going off, and we are surprised by some of the characters we thought we knew so well. Each student has been assigned a character to draw and to describe using a wordle. A few wordles have been completed in the shape of mugs (for our cafe), and they are awesome!

In another Language Arts activity, we worked on determining which of the many details in a story can be described as important. Tips for finding important details were applied during our PSSA prep time today.

In Social Studies, we continued our exploration of Africa by studying climate patterns across the continent, and discussing the factors that affect climate. Hand in hand with climate, we explored the types of vegetation one would find in Africa.


Homework:
Reading - Review your story, April's Mud. Quiz on Friday. Also, read through p. 111 in The Westing Game and prepare your role for Thursday. Your Mr. Hoo's fortune cookie assignment is also due at cafe time.
Math - P1-9 Math worksheet
Spelling - Study! Quiz on Friday.
Social Studies - Review climate and vegetation lesson. Short quiz tomorrow.
Wellness - 10 positive traits