BLOG KEY
General:
Act – Activity
Ch – Chapter
Ex – Exercise
L – Lesson
p – Page(s)
Math:
HIG – Home Instructor’s Guide
TB – Textbook
WB – Workbook
FP – Facts Practice (A, B, C, or D denotes which sheet to use)
Science:
SG – Student Guide
USE – Usborne Encyclopedia of Science
KSE – Kingfisher Encyclopedia of Science
REMINDER: We have several memory work tests and recitations coming up in February. Don't forget to practice daily!
COMING SOON...
Monday, February 11 - Teacher Training. NO SCHOOL!
Wednesday, February 13 - Spirit/DOGS Day. Students may wear Fortis spirit shirts with jeans.
Wednesday, February 13 - Valentine Exchange. Bring Valentine's for all your classmates.
Friday, February 15 - Priority Reenrollment Deadline
Wednesday, February 20 - 5th Grade Library Field Trip - more information coming soon!
Wednesday, February 13 - Spirit/DOGS Day. Students may wear Fortis spirit shirts with jeans.
Wednesday, February 13 - Valentine Exchange. Bring Valentine's for all your classmates.
Friday, February 15 - Priority Reenrollment Deadline
Wednesday, February 20 - 5th Grade Library Field Trip - more information coming soon!
MATH:
- Understanding and find the average.
- Find the average given the total and the number of items.
- Find the total given the average and the number of items.
- Find the total measurement given the average and the number of items.
- Find an average measurement given the total and the number of items.
Please make copies of the four math facts pages (A-D) that were sent home in binders (inside front pocket). These are master copies. You will use these all year. We'll be using sheet A (addition) for the first few weeks. Here are the instructions for administering facts practice sheets:
1. Set a timer for five minutes.
2. When the five minutes is up, if your child has not finished, please mark the place where he/she left off, and then have the student finish the sheet.
3. Parents, please use the key sent home to check your child's work. Have him/her make any corrections.
3. Turn the sheet in as homework on the next school day. I will take it as a homework completion grade.
READING:
- Engage in meaningful Socratic dialogue and learn about native American culture through the reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins.
- Learn about early America through the reading of Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia.
- Engage in meaningful Socratic dialogue about By the Great Horn Spoon.
- Increase vocabulary.
WRITING/VOCABULARY:
- Know what an essay is and how it should be structured.
- Be able to write a strong thesis statement and accompanying topic sentences for an essay.
- Improve editing skills.
COMPOSITION:
This week, we’ll write a polished final draft of the Freedom of Religion essay and begin an essay on Tuck Everlasting.
VOCABULARY ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cut out the SHEET of vocab cards for this week's lesson. Do not cut out the individual cards. Hole punch it, and place it behind the "Writing & Grammar" tab.
2. Study the definitions and the parts of speech for each word. Color the picture on the front of the card. (This is an especially helpful step for kids who are visual and/or kinesthetic learners.)
3. Use a dictionary to look up the word.
2. Study the definitions and the parts of speech for each word. Color the picture on the front of the card. (This is an especially helpful step for kids who are visual and/or kinesthetic learners.)
3. Use a dictionary to look up the word.
4. On the reverse side of the card, students should fill in the blank with the word and read the sentence. Then, they should write an original sentence with the word that is significantly different from the sentence given. You might have to help your child with this part. Students may use the dictionary to find a sample sentence.
5. If possible, students should write at least one synonym and one antonym for each word, using a dictionary or a thesaurus if necessary.
6. Look up the etymology of the word in the dictionary. Discuss the meaning. See if you can brainstorm some other words that come from the same root or roots.
6. Look up the etymology of the word in the dictionary. Discuss the meaning. See if you can brainstorm some other words that come from the same root or roots.
SPELLING:
- Assess mastery of various way to spell words with the sound of /us/ spelled US.
- Learn how to spell the sound of /us/ spelled OUS.
GRAMMAR:
- Know how to write and properly format friendly letters.
- Know what a predicate adjective is and be able to identify and classify one in a sentence.
LATIN:
- Assess mastery of Ch22 vocabulary words and maxim.
- Review words, charts, and maxims for Ch19-22.
HISTORY:
- Know that Thomas Paine wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense," which won many Americans over to the idea of independence from Britain.
- Know that the Articles of Confederation served as the first Constitution of the United States.
SCIENCE:
- Begin memorizing the types of animal defenses.
- Practice presentation skills.
- Learn about a variety of animals.
GEOGRAPHY:
- Develop a heart of compassion for the peoples of the world who don't yet know Christ.
- Assess mastery of the names and locations of the countries of South America.
- Begin to memorize the names and locations of the countries of Central America.
MEMORY WORK:
Scripture: We'll spend the year working on our scripture memorization of Philippians 2:1-18 (KJV). Our intent with scripture memory is for students to hide God’s word deep in their hearts so that they can call upon it for comfort, reassurance, and strength in times of trouble. With that in mind, we will not be testing over this scripture, but we will be reciting it together as a school every morning during assembly time. Here is a link to an article that explains why we generally prefer to have our students memorize the King James Version.
Geography: We'll continue working on South America this week. We'll test over the map on 2/13/19. A hard copy of the maps can be found behind the "memory" tab in your child's binder. Additional maps, as well as MP3s of the songs, are available at this link: Geography Resources.
History: Here is a link to the history timeline song. We'll test over minutes 6:20-8:20 on 2/20. We will also memorize 12 key dates. We test over all twelve key dates will be on 4/3/19:
- Columbus Sails to the Americas - 1492
- Founding of Jamestown – 1607
- Landing of the Pilgrims – 1620
- Salem Witch Trials – 1692-1693
- Boston Tea Party - 1773
- Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776
- American Revolution – 1776-1783
- Signing of the Constitution – 1787
- Louisiana Purchase - 1803
- Lewis & Clark Expedition - 1804-1806
- Trail of Tears - 1831-1850
- Gold Rush Begins - 1849