Monday, January 10, 2011

Happy Monday!!

Today, we spent the morning time working on math preparations for tomorrow.  We also had an opportunity to make progress on our 5 paragraph essays.  Finally students were also working on their grammar packets that are due on Tuesday.  

After the morning tutoring and work, the students worked on their American Revolution projects.  Many of the projects are really starting to take shape.  We have about four more hours of in class time to complete them.  

After reviewing some of the PowerPoint's and prezi being created, and looking back at talks/grades from previous presentations, I gave my Rules of Powerpoint presentation.  
The main ones that we discussed:
1.  Tell a story with your presentation.  Similar to a 5 paragraph essay, you should have an introduction that gives an overview of your research, the heart of the research and then finally a conclusion that recaps the story and lessons learned.  
2.  Choose photos and/or music that will make your audience respond emotionally.  Once you know what information you want to convey and tell, and then try to create a slide that will wake up the audience to prep them to listen to your research or point.
3.  Limit the amount of words on each Powerpoint.  There should not be bullet points and there should not be paragraphs/sentences.   It is better to post a key word(s) or phrase w/ a photo and offer an explanation to that slide.
4.  Shy away from the gimmicks on Powerpoint, no noises and interactive movements.  
Here are the websites that we used to discuss these points:
http://www.diigo.com/user/iamron/powerpointrules

Grammar packet  and theme 3
We quickly discussed how to study using our grammar packet and pleading about how to review the theme 3 study guide tonight and tomorrow night.

Math:
The test is tomorrow.
Many students completed or just about completed the Chapter 11 Practice Test that can be found on www.pearsonsuccessnet.com   Once your son/daughter completes this 27 question test the website’s software willl offer them lessons  based on what they need to review prior to tomorrow.
I have also included copies of the test version A w/ answers so you can practice with that as well.   You can also look at our series of notes on how to best answer the Chapter 11 questions from reviewing prior day’s notes:
http://www.box.net/shared/8hcenbm024

After lunch, we discussed the homework for the week, how to study for the upcoming tests this week, and how plan out our time for the other responsibilities.

Field trip is next Tuesday, if you said you would drive, please get that paperwork, copy of your insurance and proof of lack of points into Nancy Bastida ASAP.  We are cutting it razor thin so we need everyone to please get all that paperwork in.

Homework for the week:
Kind regards,
Mr. Hubbard
Homework for the week:

Math:
Chapter 11 Practice Test due Tuesday
http://www.box.net/shared/static/t5eyh8yc7n.pdf  -- use this link if you can’t get onto www.pearsonsuccessnet.com
Chapter 11 Test is Tuesday
Math Practice Test due on Tuesday 1/11th
All our math notes and handouts for chapter 11 and this year:
http://www.box.net/shared/8hcenbm024
Page 270  1-30 all due on Wednesday
Page 273-274 (7-42 all) due on Thursday
Page 276-277 (1-25 all) due on Friday

Grammar Packet -- due on Tuesday, 1-11-11

Spelling Test due on Tuesday
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/lists/sl_g5sr03.html

Theme 3 Exam is on Wednesday:
Here is the on-line link for the theme 3 study guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hocseGYpjFpIY51K4cFfZwF81xyOus_v3Xs7cu3TVM8/edit?hl=en

Free Write due on Friday --
Find a photo from a magazine, on-line or newspaper and cut it out or print it up.  Attach to your free-write.  Tell me a story about this person.  Must be a real human being.  If using actual friend or brother/sister -- please be kind.  

5 paragraph essay
Final draft will be due on Friday, 1/14
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/TCR/0743932080_075.pdf
http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/userfiles/file/Outline%20graphic%20organizer.pdf

Theme 3 Projects will finalized and shown to the class on January 19th.

There will be a Wednesday night and Thursday night handout, that will entail reading a 1 or 2 page passage and responding or answering questions.  I’m still choosing, students should get both either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

**Paperwork will be coming shortly.   We are going to a field trip at www.zeum.org on Tuesday, February 1st.  It will entail getting to school earlier that usual, taking a bus, and arriving back to school closer to the 2:50 time.   We also need some chaperons.