Mrs Orlando

Seminar, Week of March 9 - 13

It's not quite time for Blackboard yet, so am chancing another post on TypePad so those "early birds" among us have an overview of the events coming up next week.

On Monday, Blocks 1 and 2 will exchange cubes for analysis and play review games for a quiz on Section 3, Unit 18 (science) which will be on Tuesday.  Blocks 3, 4 and 5 will finish designing their tests for Section 3 and play review games as well.  All classes will review the "12 Powerful Words" (for CRCT) by learning a song and a cheer which we will revisit with regularity throughout the month and in the week after spring break.  Tuesday means "Trade 'N Grade for Blocks 3, 4 and 5 and review games for their test on Units 7 - 9; Blocks 1 and 2 will begin reviewing reading comprehension skills.  All classes will take a quiz on Section 3.  On Wednesday, Blocks 3, 4 and 5 will take their vocabulary test and Blocks 1 and 2 will continue with reading comprehension activities; all classes will play review games for the Chapter 18 test on Thursday.  "Math Unraavel", usually held on Friday for Seminar, will take place onThursday due to the mock writing test Friday and students will take their Chapter 18 test.  Students will remain in homeroom until 11:30 on Friday for the writing test and will watch educational excerpts from "Planet Earth" for the remainder of the school day.

REMINDERS:  All late work and tests must be turned in/made up by MARCH 10TH!  I must submit grades early due to a retreat I will be on from March 13th through March 16th.  This was scheduled months ago before I knew about the mock writing test and the deadline for grades.  Any child who has been ill this past week and cannot manage to make up important grades will be exempted.  However, please make every effort to make up missing assignments if at all possible; this would be so much appreciated!

The Retreat:  From Thursday evening until Monday morning, I will have no cell phone, e-mail access, television or radio.  Wow, now that's amazing!  However, for any last-minute concerns or questions you have, that will not be convenient at all.  Please know that my last point of contact can be made on Thursday afternoon until 5:00.  I will be sure to check my school e-mail right before departure and get back to you the best I can.

Have a blessed and safe week!  GO, WILDCATS!

Seminar Update, Week of March 2

Hello to all!  Boy, is this ever a testimony to my moving my blog link to Blackboard!  The letters are just turning into whatever colors they please!

Yes, my blog will be moving to the Blackboard format which is not quite ready, but did want all to know of the grade deadline in my class for this nine weeks once again.

I need all late tests/quizzes made up my Tuesday, March 10th.  Considerations will be taken for those who are absent due to illness on March  9th and 10th.  Every effort should be made to complete outstanding tests and quizzes.  Please be aware that all other class or home work will be subjected to a late grade.

I will be in early on Friday for Wildcat Tutoring - a great time to make things happen in the grade department!  Hope to see you there!

 

Seminar, Week of March 2 - 6

Welcome back from a snowy Sunday; wasn't that awesome?  Too bad it couldn't stay around, but it was lovely while it lasted.

On Monday, we will finish up our food webs on Smart Ideas and work on creating review games for our vocabulary units.  Since Tuesday is early-release, we will hold off on our usual "Trade 'n Grade" until Wednesday.  Instead, on Tuesday, we will have a vocabulary review and begin our "Camoflage Activity".  On Wednesday, we will do "Trade 'n Grade", take our quizzes/tests, and complete the "Camoflage Activity".  On Thursday and Friday, Blocks 1 and 2 will work on a cubing activity involving science terms from Chapter 18, Section 3; Blocks 3, 4 and 5 will create a test for Section 3 using the "12 Powerful Words" that are part of our preparation for CRCT testing.

HOMEWORK: Study your vocabulary terms for your quiz/test on Wednesday.  Blocks 3, 4 and 5: complete pages 105 through 111 in your vocabulary books; this will be due a week from this Tuesday.  Cubes will be due next Monday, March 9; original tests will be due at the end of class on Friday, March 6.

Have a wonderful week!  Go, Wildcats!

Update, Week of February 23 - 27

I just wanted to send everyone a reminder that ten-day-out reports will be going home tomorrow.  Parents, your child will only be given one of these if his/her grade is a "D" or lower.  Please note what assignments teachers have allowed to be made up and by which date.  These notices must be returned, signed, to respective teachers the next school day.  Consequences will be silent lunch until the grade report is returned.

With regards to final grades for this nine weeks, I am requesting that all students have any and all make-up work to me no later than March 11th.  Due to attending a spiritual retreat March 12 - 15, I will have no cell phone or computer access during that time and cannot honor late grades after that point.  Students that miss school in that last week due to illness will be exempt from assignments that are designed ONLY for that week.  All other assignments are due by the deadline previously explained.

Paremts. keep a sharp eye on I-Parent this week and next so you don't miss a missing assignment!

Great news!  Our homeroom has memorized the Olympic Pledge!  Congrats, Wildcats!  You are the best!  We also had the most participation in purchasing Olympic T-shirts for our team!  The doughnuts should be coming our way soon.

Seminar, Week of February 23 - 27

Welcome to an early version of the week ahead.  Be sure to stay tuned to updates throughout the week as plans often have to be rewritten.

On Monday, Blocks 1 and 2 will engage in an activity that explores what they have eaten and when in an effort to link them to their involvement in the endless food webs of our particular environment.  Blocks 3, 4 and 5 will define science vocabulary terms in what they are, are not, give examples, and write original definitions.  Diagrams will be provided.

On Tuesday, we will not have our usual "Trade 'n Grade", but will postpone until  Wordy Wednesday, as we will use our class laptops to create a food web on Smart Ideas.  Students need to decide ahead of time what they wish to use in this.  We should have Microsoft Clip Art available to them for this task.  PLEASE BRING A FLASH DRIVE TO CLASS IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NOT COMPLETE YOUR TASK IN THE TIME ASSIGNED!  This assignment will not be due until Friday and students are welcome to work in my room during homeroom if they haven't completed their project.  COME PREPARED TO WORK!

Wordy Wednesday means checking all vocabulary due and taking our quizzes.  New units will also be introduced on this day.

On Thursday, we will take a quiz over Sections 1 and 2 of Chapter 18 and begin working on Section 3 in our science texts.

Friday will see us continuing our study of Section 3 and completing our math unraavel.  No CRCT warm-ups this week.

Reminders:  Bring your science book every day to class.  Get your agendas signed.  Plan your food web before Tuesday. Check for updates from all your teachers!  Have your vocabulary assignments ready for Wednesday, not Tuesday.

 

Seminar, Week of February 16 - 20

Welcome back from your three-day weekend!  Tuesday features our usual "Trade 'n Grade" for vocabulary; Blocks 1 and 2 - Unit 11 and Blocks 3, 4 and 5 - Unit 8B.  Don't forget your ten sentences with vocabulary terms!  On Tuesday, we will also begin exploring how everything in our world is connected (refer to Chapter 18, Section 1, in your science book).  Wordy Wednesday's the time for our vocabulary quizzes and introductions to new units.  On Thursday and Friday, we will continue out study of how all organisms are connected and explore food webs/chains and the flow of energy in the ecosystem.

Homework:  Students will be assigned a "window" project that shows examples of an organism, population, communities, and ecosystems.  This activity will be explained in detail on Tuesday and will be due Friday.

Study for your vocabulary quizzes and complete all exercises and sentences.

Reminder:  Curriculum night is this Thursday at 6:15.  Hope to see you there.

Have a wonderful Wildcat week!

Update, Week of February 9

Since we have gotten farther than I anticipated, all classes will be taking their quiz on Sections 2 and 3 tomorrow instead of Wednesday.  We will still plan to take the Chapter 20 test on Thursday.

Seminar, Week of February 9 - 13

Greetings, everyone, and welcome back to another exciting week of learning!  On Monday, we will complete Section 3, Freshwater Biomes, in Chapter 20 of our science text.  We will then play review games for Section 3.  On "Trade 'n Grade" Tuesday, we will check our exercises and/or sentences and flash cards.  ALL CLASSES ARE EXPECTED TO WRITE 10 SENTENCES USING VOCABULARY TERMS!  On Wordy Wednesday, we will take our vocabulary quizzes and take a quiz on Sections 2 and 3 of Chapter 20.  Thursday will be the day that we take our test on Chapter 20 and introduce our new vocabulary terms.  On Friday, we will begin Chapter 18, Section 1, in our science text; exploring the interdependence of organisms should be fun!

To make it easier to study for the quizzes and the Chapter 20 test, I have attached a study guide to this message.  If you can answer these questions, you are assured of a fantastic grade!Download CHAPTER 20 STUDY GUIDE

This week's "warm-ups" will be CRCT practice questions that go along with our study of biomes.  We will do these Monday through Thursday and engage in Math Unraavel on Friday.  Students will be expected to turn in their warm-ups on Thursday upon completion.

Have a sweet week and a Happy Wildcat Valentine's Day!

Seminar, Week of February 2 - 6

Welcome back to an almost full week of school!  On Monday, we will review land biomes for a section quiz on Tuesday.  Vocabulary "Trade 'N Grade" will also take place on Tuesday and students will write sentences using their vocabulary terms.  On Wednesday, Blocks 1 and 2 will take their test over Units 7 - 9; Blocks 3, 4, and 5 will take their quiz on Unit 7B.  Students will be then introduced to their next vocabulary lesson.  On Thursday and Friday, we will continue our biome studies and review for a test next week.

Reminders:  Wednesday is Early Release.  Friday is Hat Day (bring $1 to wear a hat).  Candy Gram orders must be placed by this Friday.

Attached is a link to the Land Biomes Study Game.  Enjoy!Download Science Ch 20 Sec 1 Review

Seminar, Week of January 26 - 30

Welcome to Conference Week!  Due to shortened class time, we may not accomplish all that I set out in the blog at this moment, but I will keep you updated when and if things change.  Students, you will need to bring your science books to class on Monday, Thursday and Friday as we are beginning our study of land biomes.  On Tuesday, we will have "Trade 'n Grade" and a quick vocabulary review.  On "Wordy Wednesday", students will take their vocabulary tests; Blocks 1 and 2 will begin reviewing Units 7 - 9 while Blocks 3, 4 and 5 will be introduced to Unit 7B. 

Research Study Guides will be handed back to students on Monday and we will take a few moments to go over these together.  At some point in the week, probably Friday, we will take a quiz over the research process.

HOMEWORK:  Study your vocabulary and your research study guide.

ADDITIONALLY:  I am missing two of my flash drives that were loaned to students to save their research papers.  If you have these, I would sure appreciate their prompt return.  Thanks!

Have a super Wildcat week!!!