Mrs. Hampton\’s Blog

This week we will be focusing on learning how to use a variety of graphic organizers in order to organize information and then turn those graphic organizers into summary paragraphs.  We will begin with power outlining and move to word webs, mind maps, two-column note taking, etc.  This skill may be worked on for both this week and next week depending on how quickly students grasp the concept of trying to determine which graphic organizer works best for which type of information.

Parents:  Students will be completing a Egyptian Newspaper project as part of their assessment over our Ancient Egypt unit.  These newspapers will not be due until December 2, however, we will work in class on them at least two days.  Students can begin collecting resources (their textbook, handouts provided in class, internet information, library books, etc.) to use on those two days.  Students have been given a scoring guide, so please go over the requirements and point values with them.

Tuesday:  Read pages 165-171 and complete the Pyramid Cross Section.

Thursday:  Read the Pyramid book in class.  Students need only listen and take notes when needed.

TEST over chapters 1,2 ,3 next Monday, November 17.

Monday: Worked in class to read pages 96-102 and use a reading strategy called Window Panes to draw images that reflected and connected to the text read.  Students who did not finish these in class will need to compelete them by Wednesday.

Wednesday:  Watch video on Volcanoes in class.

Friday:  Review chapters 1,2, and 3 for test on Monday.  Students have taken two column notes and have reading study guides for each section read in class.  They should use these two types of study tools to study with.

This week we will be finishing looking at comprehension strategies using the booklets entitled, “Plate Tectonics”.  Students will then use their science books to learn how to identify the main idea and be able to identify supporting details from the text.  We will be using their science textbooks to begin learning paraphrasing and summarization skills this week.

• Parents:  Students should be studying the information presented to them both from the textbook and from handouts given in class.  Currently we are studying Ancient Egypt.  Students need to know various aspects that reflect the 5 elements/traits of a civilization:  Centralized Government; Organized Religion; Art, Architecture and Public Works; Job Specialization and Social Class; and Writing.  Please help your child review each element as we study it.

Tuesday:  Read pages 155-161 on Job Specialization and Religion.  Students need to read “Eye of Horus”, “ancient Religion” and “Burial Customs”.  They need to complete the questions on the handout entitled, “Eye of Horus”.

Thursday:  Introduce Hieroglyphics (writing) of Ancient Egyptians.  Students read the handout entitled, “Break The Code” and make a cartouch in class.

TEST over chapters 1,2,and 3 will be on Monday, November 17th.  Students have study guides that we work on as we read sections from each chapter.  They should also have two column notes taken in class to help them study.  I will have a review session for the test on Tuesday, November 11th, from 3:30-4:30. 

Monday:  Read pages 51-55 and complete Reading Study Guide 2.2 A.  Take two column notes to review chapter 1.

Wednesday: Read pages 77-84 and complete Reading Study Guide 3.1 A.  Take two column notes to review chapter 2. 

Friday:  Read pages 86-92 and complete Reading Study Guide 3.2 A.  Take two column notes to review section 3.1, which was read on Wednesday.

This week our focus will be on building comprehension and we will use two different texts to work on that.  One text is is about Plate Tectonics and the other texts deals with the election.

REMINDER:  This week is parent teacher conferences, so there will be no after school homework help on Tuesday or Thursday evening.

Tuesday:  Students will complete a map of Ancient Egypt.  This map is due on Thursday.

Thursday:  Read pages 147-151 in social studies textbook and handouts entitled  “People of the Nile”.  Students will be taking two column notes for this reading and turning in those notes for a grade.  The notes will be due on Tuesday of next week.

REMINDER:  This week is parent teacher conferences after school on Tuesday and Thursday, so there will be no homework help on those nights!!!!

Monday:  Watch video and discuss aspects of earthquakes.  Grade Plate Models that were worked on in class on Wednesday and Friday.

Wednesday: Read pages 45-49 in textbook  and complete Reading Study Guide 2.1.  We read this in class together, but if students do not complete the RSG 2.1 in class then it is homework and due at the next class time.

Friday:  NO SCHOOL!  Have a nice break!

Monday:  Read pages 30-34.  Students complete Study Guide 1.4 A.

Wednesday-Students work on Plate Model in class.  Chapter Check-up in class (to see what concepts students do not understand)

Friday-Students finish working on Plate Model in class and if they do not complete it, it will be homework.