The New Reading Program Is Now Online

The districts new reading program, Treasures is now online. You can review the reading selections were are reading in class online with your student. Soon lessons, games, and assessments, corresponding to the lessons in class will be available as well. You will need your students user name and password to log on. Email me if you are interested. I will let you know their user name, password, and the title of the book they are on in the leveled readers.

Reviewing at home when you have time will give them an advantage in the classroom.

http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do

Paragraph Due October 1

Star Spangled Banner Day

Francis Scott Key was a Washington attorney who once wanted to be a clergyman. He wrote amateur verse which was mainly religious. Key wrote the national anthem during the War of 1812 while interceding for release from the British on behalf of a friend. He wrote his poem from a prisoner exchange ship in the Baltimore harbor after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The flag that flew over McHenry can be seen in the National Museum in Washington, D.C. The tune of the anthem is that of an old English song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem in September of 1931.
For Language this week you are to write a personal reflective paragraph. This means you will need to SERIOUSLY think about the topic: WHAT THE U.S. FLAG MEANS TO ME. Look at an American flag. Think of all the places you have seen it, how it has been displayed, how it might have been used. Brainstorm your ideas on the back of this paper then write your paper.
REMEMBER:
___ 5-8 sentences, including a topic and concluding sentence
___ five elements of good writing; focus on PURPOSE and IDEAS
___ clearly reworked rough draft
___ final is neat and written in ink
___ signature of adult who helped you proofread your work for content and PRESENTATION
___ all three papers stapled together with final on top

Spelling Sept 27-Oct 1

1.5 More R Controlled Vowels

Regular List

clear
nerve
squirt
verse
surf
lurk
year
stern
spurts
lurch
blurt
thirst
spur
engineer
jeer
sneer
dreary
squirm
swerve
yearns
aboard
barge
scarce
smear
rehearse




As Requested from Several Parents
Beyond List

clearly
earthworm
squirrel
verse
surface
lurk
tearful
western
spurts
lurch
urban
thirsty
courage
engineer
jeer
sneer
dreary
squirm
swerve
yearns

October Book Order

It is our 1st class book order. It is going to be easier than ever. The due date ins OCT 8.

• You can order online using the class activation code: H6HPR at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
• Or order the traditional way. Send catalog order form to school with checks made out to scholastic book clubs.
  

Spelling September 20-24

r-Controlled Vowels
heart
swear
aboard
squares
swore
chart
scorn
starch
source
fare
barge
thorn
marsh
force
harsh
scarce
course
sword
soothe
prove
hoof
uproar
gorge

Paragraph Due: September 24

The Signs of Fall

The first day of Autumn is celebrated September 21st, although the actual autumnal equinox is not until September 22nd or 23rd. On this day, the sun's rays are directly over the earth at the equator.
For Language Arts this week, you are to spend some time sitting outside all alone. Be sure no one is around to disturb you. Listen carefully, smell deeply, touch objects, slowly look around you . . . . look up, down, and to each side. Next, on the back of this paper, make a list of all the signs of Fall you can find . Now, carefully write a paragraph in which you describe the signs you have chosen, so that anyone reading your paragraph will have a vivid mental picture of what autumn is like in our town. Be sure to develop a strong topic sentence with three to five supporting sentences and a good concluding sentence.
REMEMBER:
1. ___ 5-8 sentences
2. ___ topic sentence, detail sentences, concluding sentence
3. ___ five elements of good writing, focusing on IDEAS
4. ___ final is neat and written in ink
5. ___ signature of adult who helped you proofread your work for content and presentation
6. ___ all three papers stapled together with final on top

Bookreport Reminder

You should be about halfway finished with your book. Click Here For Requirements.

Spelling For Sept 13-17

tuna
duty
lose
few
doom
bamboo
soothe
crooks
hoof
hooks
booth
handbook
prove
mute
amuse
plume
hue
view
bruise
union
theme
coach
bride
strewn
accuse

Paragraph a Week DUE Sept 17

Favorite Relative

A paragraph is a group of sentences telling about a single idea or topic. The beginning sentence, or topic sentence, should get the paragraph started. It should tell something important about the subject of the paragraph. It should also make you interested in what will be discussed in the paragraph.
Write one paragraph about a relative. It can be a description of a favorite or not so favorite relative. Be sure to follow each of the steps below. Check off each one as you complete it. Your grade will be based on the successful completion of each step, with special attention to step 1.
____1. The first sentence of the paragraph must be a topic sentence. This sentence must express the paragraph topic or the central thought.
____2. Each sentence in the paragraph must stick to the topic and relate to the topic sentence.
____3. Indent the first word of the paragraph.
____4. Proof-read the paragraph Make sure you have the signature of the person who proofread your work.
____5. Have a final copy that has made all of the necessary corrections. It must be in ink (computer or pen.)
____6. Turn in your paper on time and correctly. Have all 3 papers stapled together, with the final draft on the top.


P.S. In February all students will be taking the Directed Writing Assessment. The will be required to TYPE a 5 paragraph persuasive essay. If you have a computer at home please allow them to type their paragraphs. They will need to be proficient typist to do well on the test.

Scissors

The Washington County School District has recently mandated that all school scissors with a pointed tip must be removed from all schools. As a result our classroom was left with 3 pairs of scissors to share. If you would like to send scissors to school for your child to use, please make sure they have a rounded end. Hopefully I can get our supply replenished, but it may take a while.

Spelling Words for week Sept 7-10

Regular List

paste
bride
shave
spice
greed
plead
greet
heap
paid
coach
theme
type
oak
growth
yolk
folks
aim
prey
tow
grind
tenth
damp
stuff
decay
lifetime

Students on the advanced list will bring it home from school. E-mail me if you need the words.