12/18/12

Language Arts:
Lesson 16
Spelling test January 4, 2013

Math:
Study link 5.1

Science:

Social Studies:
Ch. 9 test will be after break
Ch.10 activity

Other:
FIELD TRIP to CITY HIGH tomorrow!!

12/17/12

Language Arts:
Spelling pretest
Vocabulary study

Math:
Angle measurement

Science:
Pond water

Social Studies:
Ch. 9 open note test - brain only not until after break!

Other:
Permission slips -if needed

12/16/12 - Wednesday Schedule!

Last day before Winter Break!

8:35 - Attendance then board buses to City High for music performance
10:30ish - Return for homeroom Winter Break Party!
11:25 - Recess and lunch as usual
12:10 - MATH!!!!!!!!
1:15 - Homeroom
1:30 - Assembly
2:00ish - P.E.
2:50 - Prepare for dismissal
3:00 - Begin Winter (actually late autumn) Break!

12/14/12

Language Arts:
Weekly LA test
Weekly Spelling test

Math:
Tests returned
Angles review
Social Studies:
Ch. 9 Main Idea - due Tuesday

Other:
Permission slips! (if needed)
Conference forms (if needed)
Conference signups (if needed)

12/13/12

Language Arts:
169, 171-180
Spelling test tomorrow!

Math:
Test today!

Social Studies:
Ch.9 Main Idea

Other:
Permission slips (if needed)
Conference forms (if needed)
Conference sign ups (if needed)

12/12/12

Language Arts:
171-179

Math:
TEST TOMORROW!!
Pages in Math journal that you can use to study:
125
128 (1,2)
130
132
136
139 (1,2)
142
143
144
149
There are other pages within Ch. 4 that may be helpful as well
Subjects covered:
Simplest form
Adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers
Multiplying fractions and mixed numbers
Fractions, decimals, percents
Percent of a number


Social Studies:
Main Idea, Supporting Words and Phrases, Details
Other:
Permission slips !!

12/11/12

Language Arts:
171, 172, 173, 175, 176

Math:
Review for Thursday Test

Science:
Vinegar eels, Blepharisma, Volvox

Social Studies:

Other:
Permission slips for next Tuesday!!!
Language arts group:  Sent February conference materials home!!

12/10/12

Language Arts:
Lesson 15 - 2 wksts

Math:
Study Link 4.11
Test Thursday

Science:
Discuss microscopes and items viewed

Social Studies:
Ch. 9 discussion - Colonial Williamsburg

Other:
Permission slip for City High field trip

12/7/12

Language Arts:
Wrapped up Lesson 14

Math:
Review for test next week

Science:
View items under a more powerful microscope

Social Studies:
Begin Ch.9 - Colonial Williamsburg

Other:
Last day before winter break is Wednesday, December 19th.

12/6/12

Language Arts:
157-167 due tomorrow!
Spelling test tomorrrow!

Math:
Study link 4.10

Social Studies:
Brain only test today

Other:
Have a great evening!

12/5/12 - Social Studies Test tomorrow notes

Important ideas:

Dilemma: having to make a choice when both choices are unpleasant.

Middle Passage: the second stage of the slave trade. The voyage on the ship from Africa to America that was extremely horrible for the Africans.

Europeans who lived in the colonies wanted slaves to work on their plantations.

Europeans offered guns, rum, cloth, and tobacco in exchange for slaves.

West African leaders sometimes felt they had to trade slaves for guns, even when they didn’t want to, because their enemies had guns.

The conditions on the slave ships were horrible and inhumane; not much room to move and not sanitary.

Africans would react by trying to revolt, jumping off the ship, or by just trying to survive.

As soon as they got to America, they were immediately sold to plantation owners and often split up from their families.

If they resisted during the “breaking in” period, they were whipped, beaten, burned, and sometimes killed.

Africans would react by playing dumb, breaking tools, and pretend to be sick. Also, some would work hard in hopes of making it in to the main house to do indoor duties.

11/26/12

Language Arts:
147, 148, 151 due tomorrow

Math:
Study link 4.3

Science:
Water-drop lenses

Social Studies:
Ch. 8 discussion
Ch. 8 wkst - finish if not done!

Other:
Great to be back!!

11/15/12

Language Arts
All Lesson 12 assignments due (135-143)
Spelling test tomorrow

Math
Study Link 4.1

Science
Science Drawing
Observing objects

Social Studies

Other
I will have a substitute tomorrow.  Be a Lemme Leopard:  Responsible, Respectful, Caring, Trustworthy!!!
Visiting author tomorrow:  Linda Sue Park 10:15 in the library

11/13/12 - Notes for test tomorrow

Where? When? Why? Permanent?


North Carolina - Roanoke 1587 $$$$$$$ No

Virginia - Jamestown 1607 $$$$$$$ Yes

Massachusetts - Plymouth 1620 Religious freedom yes



Region Colonies Climate

New England RI, MA, CT, NH coldest

Middle DE, NY, PA, NJ moderate

Southern MD, VA, NC, SC, GA warmest



Colony Religion/Belief

MA - Massachusetts Puritans

RI – Rhode Island Various (free to practice whatever)

PA - Pennsylvania Quakers

MD - Maryland Catholic



Georgia was started because:

1. British wanted land in order to prevent Spain from moving north from Florida

2. British wanted to provide opportunity for the poor to get a fresh start

11/13/12

Language Arts
135 136 137  due tomorrow
139 140 due Thursday
Spelling test Friday

Math
Test today

Social Studies
Test tomorrow  Ch.6 and 7

Other
I will have a substitute on Friday, the one and only Mrs. Galbreth!!

11/12/12

Language Arts:
135,136,137 due Wednesday
Spelling Pretest - test Friday!

Math:
Review for test TOMORROW

Science:

Social Studies:
Test will be Wednesday!  Ch. 6 and 7

Other:

11/8/12 - Wear Red, White, and Blue Monday for Veteran's Day!

Have a great weekend,


Mr. Balke

10/31/12 - Halloween!

1:25ish – The putting on of costumes, the treats that can’t be beat, and general mirth and frivolity.
2:00 – The traditional Halloween Parade
2:30ish – PE – work off the treats!
2:50 –Wrap up
3:00 – Dismissal

Be safe tonight!!!

Mr. Balke

10/24/12

Language Arts: 105

Math: SL 3.4 and 3.5 - THERE WILL BE A SUB TOMORROW!!

Science: Measuring time test

Social Studies: Ch. 5 brain only test tomorrow

Other:  I will have a sub tomorrow afternoon - be the best you can be: respectful, responsible, caring

10/23/12 - Science Notes - test Tomorrow!

Test is tomorrow:

What time of day are shadows the longest?

****Early in the morning and late in the afternoon

In what part of the world will the sun be in the northern part of the sky?

****Southern hemisphere (Australia) 
Southern part of the sky?

****Northern hemisphere (Iowa City)

Sundials are not accurate every day of the year. Why?

****Every day has a different amount of sunlight


Factors for pendulum experiments:

**Pull-back, length of string, weight

Factors that affect # of swings in 15 seconds:

****Length of string

Factors that will NOT affect # of swings in 15 secs:

****Weight,  pull back



Factors affecting water clocks:

****End size, funnel size, weight

The heavier the water clock, the faster it will sink TRUE

The bigger the funnel, the slower it will sink TRUE

The smaller the end opening is, the faster it will sink FALSE



What TWO time measurements are based on actual natural phenomena?

****Day (24 hours for the Earth spin on axis)

****Year (365.25 days for Earth to go around the sun)

10/23/12 -Social Studies Ch.5 Notes

Test Thursday - Brain Only

Ch. 5 Explorers

Spain – Columbus De Leon Coronado Cortes
England - Cabot Hudson
France – LaSalle Cartier
Holland - Hudson

Did not know where they actually were - Columbus and Cabot ("West Indies")  De Leon (thought FL was an island)

South: Columbus De Leon Cortes Coronado LaSalle
North: Cabot Cartier Hudson LaSalle

Northwest Passage: Hudson Cartier

1400s – Columbus Cabot
1500s- Deleon Cortes Cartier Coronado
1600s – Hudson La Salle

Spain - Columbus DeLeon Cortes Coronado
England – Cabot Hudson
France – Cartier La Salle
Holland – Hudson

Motives:
Columbus – Gold , exploration
Cartier – NW passage
Cabot – wealth, routes to Asia
Coronado – gold and riches , Christianity
Cortes – adventure, gold and riches, conquer Aztecs
Hudson – NW passage, claim land
LaSalle – French territories, Explore Mississippi River area, wealth
deLeon – Fountain of Youth , gold and riches

10/23/12

Language Arts:  97, 101, 104 due tomorrow!

Math: SL 3.3

Science: Notes for Measuring Time test FRIDAY

Social Studies:  Notes for Brain only test THURSDAY

Other:

10/17/12

Language Arts:
Iowa Assessments

Math:
Ch. 3 introduction

Science:
Graphing data - TAKE IT HOME IF YOU ARE NOT DONE!!

Social Studies:
Explorers matrix - TAKE IT HOME IF YOU ARE NOT DONE!!

Other:
2 more days of Iowa Assessments!!

10/18/12

Language Arts:
Writing Assignment - rough draft

Math:
Study Link 3.1

Science:

Social Studies:
Explorers Matrix - worksheet - take it home if not done!!!  Use Explorers matrix and textbook

Other:
Last day of Iowa Assessments tomorrow!

10/16/12

Language Arts:
Iowa Assessments

Math:
Ch.2 Test

Science:
Graphing water clocks data - in class

Social Studies:
Explorers Matrix - in class

Other:
Iowa Assessments the rest of the week
Any makeups will be done next week
Conference sign up forms and reminders will be coming soon!  First round of conferences are November 1.

10/12/12

Language Arts:
Small Group Book Summary
Iowa Assessments during LA next week

Math:
Review for test Tuesday

Science:
End experiments - water clocks

Social Studies:
Explorer Matrix

Other:
Iowa Assessments Next Week 9:25 every day

10/9/12 - Schedule Update

Mr. Balke’s Schedule

As of 10/10/12 – subject to change

Monday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – Art

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Math

1:15 – Balke Time

1:20 - Social Studies

1:45 - Book checkout

2:00 – Science

2:50 – Balke Time

3:00 – Dismissal

Tuesday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – Music

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 - Math

1:15 – Balke Time

1:20 - Social Studies

2:05 – Science

2:50 – Balke Time

3:00 – Dismissal

Wednesday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:35 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:40 – Balke Time

9:00 - Library

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 –Math

1:15 - Balke Time

1:20 - Social Studies/Science

2:00 – P.E.

2:50 – Balke Time

3:00 – Dismissal

Thursday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:35 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:40 –  Balke Time

9:00 – Guidance

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Math

1:15 - Balke Time

1:20 - Social Studies/Science

1:50 - Balke Time

2:00 – Dismissal

Friday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – P.E.

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Math

1:15 – Balke Time

1:20 - Social Studies

2:05 – Science

2:50 – Balke Time

3:00 – Dismissal

10/9/12

Language Arts:
p. 89, 91, 92 - due tomorrow

Math:
SL 2.10

Science:
Funnel experiment

Social Studies:
Explorers matrix

Other:
Iowa Assessments Next Week
Fundraisers due Friday!

10/4/12

Language Arts:
Spelling test tomorrow!
Spelling packet (don't do 76) - due tomorrow
Grammar packet (don't do 79, 81) - due tomorrow

Math:
SL 2.8

Social Studies:
Brain Only test tomorrow!!

Other:
Bake Sale tomorrow!!
Iowa Assessments - week of 10/15

10/3/12 - Technical Difficulties

The blog has been intermittent as of late.  Reasons:

1. I am tinkering with our classroom procedures on this.

2. I have had some technology issues.

Hopefully soon I can clear this up!!

Thank you for your patience.

10/3/12 - Social Studies NO test tomorrow

Too many disruptions this week to have a test tomorrow.  We will have it on Friday.

9/27/12 - PERMISSION SLIP COMING TOMORROW!!!

AAAGGGHHH!!!!  Forgot to send the permission slip home!  Field Trip to Old Capitol and the Museum of Natural History on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd!!   9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   BRING LUNCHES!!!

I know it's short notice!

9/27/12

Language Arts:
STUDY YOUR SPELLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Math:
Balke: SL 2.6
Gordon: MJ 36   SL 42 43     MJ 39 (T)
Hall: SL 2.2
Jedlicka: no hw  game day

Science:

Social Studies: Tomorrow Open Book Test, Brain only on Tuesday

Other:  Homecoming Parade Tonight
Tomorrow wear RED and White

9/26/12

Language Arts:

Math:
Balke: SL 2.4 2.5
Gordon: Map scale MJ 35 36 39
Hall: SL 2.1
Jedlicka: MJ 36

Science:

Social Studies: More on exploration Ch. 4

Other: PICTURE DAY TOMORROW!!!!

9/18/12

Language Arts:
New groups have been going GREAT!

Math: Students were responsible for their own notes today because of Read-a-thon!
Balke: Test today
Gordon:
Hall:
Jedlicka:

Science: Read-a-thon

Social Studies: Read-a-thon

Other:
More Read-a-thon tomorrow and Thursday!

9/18/12 - Slight change to Read-a-thon!

The Wednesday Read-a-thon is barely "-a-thon" because the new schedule has us with P.E. at 2:00-2:50.  So Wednesday it will go 1:15-2:00.  So to make it up, we will go Thursday 1:15-2:00 and maybe also 8:35-9:00.

Beautiful day today!  Go outside!

9/17/12

Language Arts:
NEW GROUPS TODAY!!
IT WAS AWESOME!
Read-a-thon!  Check the blOG!
http://mrbalke.blogspot.com

Math:
Balke:   TEST Tomorrow!
Gordon:  MJ 17  18  SL 24  MJ 28
Hall:  MJ 43
Jedlicka: MJ 27   SL 25

Science: Water clocks

Social Studies:  Constitution Day!

 Other:
READ-A-THON!!!  BRING BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9/17/12 - DRA Read-a-thon!

What:  Read-a-thon

When:  Tuesday and Wednesday 1:15-3:00

Why:  I will be administering DRAs, everyone else will be reading!  I have heard of other ICCSD schools doing this, thought it would be a great idea!

How:  Bring MANY appropriate books to read, a pillow  (optional), teddy bear (optional)

Who: My ORIGINAL homeroom group of 5th and 6th graders

Contact Mr. Balke with questions!

9/17/12 - NEW SCHEDULE!

Students received this on Friday!   9:25 - 1:15 is when students are split by grade.

Mr. Balke’s Schedule

As of 9/14/12 – subject to change

Monday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – Art

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Math

1:15 – Social Studies

1:45 - Book checkout

2:00 – Science

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Tuesday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – Music

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 - Math

1:15 – Social Studies

2:00 – Science

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Wednesday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:35 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:40 –  Balke Time

9:00 - Library

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 –Math

1:15 - Social Studies/Science

2:00 – P.E.

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Thursday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:35 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:40 –  Balke Time

9:00 – Guidance

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Math

1:15 - Social Studies/Science

1:50 - Wrap-up

2:00 – Dismissal

Friday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – P.E.

9:25 - Language Arts

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Math

1:15 – Social Studies

2:00 – Science

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Computer lab - TBD

9/13/12

Language Arts:
p. 44-46 - due tomorrow
SPELLING TEST TOMORROW!!!!!!

Math: It is your responsibility to write down your assignment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Balke: Gordon: Hall: Jedlicka:

Social Studies: Brain only test tomorrow!

Science: Phases  of the moon

Other:
Next week new schedule!!
Let me know if confused!!

9/12/12

Language Arts:
GOT SPELLING LISTS!!!!

Math:
Balke: Pizza math, 1.11 tomorrow, review Friday and Monday Ch. 1 test TUESDAY!!!!
Gordon:  MJ 23   4 problems
Hall:  MJ 32
Jedlicka: MJ 22 23

Science:
Timeline: TAKE IT HOME if NOT DONE!!! - due tomorrow!!

Social Studies:
Open note test - TAKE IT HOME if NOT DONE!!!!
Ch 2 and Ch 3 Reading notes - due tomorrow
Brain only test FRIDAY!!!

Other:

9/11/12

Language Arts:
Odds and ends

Math:
Balke: SL 1.10
Gordon: SL 22   MJ 23   MJ 27 (F)
Hall:   MJ 33
Moen: no hw Bingo!

Science: Timeline assignment - due Thursday

Social Studies: Ch. 2 and Ch. 3 Reading Notes - due tomorrow

Other:
Open House Tonight 6:00 - 7:00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take index card home!!!!!

9/10/12

Language Arts:
p.40 - paragraph
Spelling pretest
Lists coming tomorrow!

Math:
Balke: no hw - area and perimeter
Gordon: MJ 21 24 27 square numbers 
Hall: MJ 28
Moen: SL 1.7

Science: Timeline assignment begin tomorrow

Social Studies: Ch 2 and Ch 3 assignments  - due Wednesday

Other:
Open House Tomorrow 6-7!!!

9/7/12

Language Arts:
Spelling Final test

Math:
Balke: SL 1.9
Gordon:  Play Factor Captor 
Hall: SL 1.3
Moen:  p. 21 22

Science:   Timelines 

Social Studies: Continued Ch.3

Other:
PLEASE GET NOTE HOME REGARDING THE NEW TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAND Monday for some of you!!!!

9/6/12

Language Arts: 
27-32 due tomorrow!!
33-35 due tomorrow!!
SPELLING TEST TOMORROW!!!  STUDY!!!

Math: CHECK WITH YOUR TEACHER!!!
Balke: Gordon: Hall: Moen: 

Science:  Timelines and calendars

Social Studies: Continuing Ch. 3

 Other:
Bake Sale Tomorrow!! 
Open House Next Tuesday!!
Tonight 5th grade Super Lesson 
Band lessons will start next week!!!

9/5/12

Language Arts:
p.28-30  DUE TOMORROW!!!!
p.27-32 due Friday
Spelling final test Friday

Math:
Balke: SL 1.8
Gordon: SL 17    MJ 22 (F)  
Hall: SL 1.5
Moen: SL 1.6

Science:
Shadow graph - DUE TOMORROW!!!!

Social Studies:
Continued Ch. 3
We will combine 2 and 3 for tests

Other:

9/4/12

Language Arts: 

• Spelling pretest - new groups
• p. 28-30 due Thursday

 
Math: 

• Balke: SL 1.7
• Gordon: MJ 16   SL 15  MJ 22
• Hall: MJ 24
• Moen: no hw  Factors

Science:  

• Shadow graphs - work on them in class

Social Studies:  

• Began Ch.3

Other:  

• Open House a week from today!!!!

8/31/12

Language Arts: 
Spelling final test

Math: It is your responsibility to write down your assignment today!!  Take your assignment book to math class!
Balke: Gordon: Hall: Moen: 

Science: 

Social Studies: 
 Ch. 2 - discussed environments

 Other:
No school Monday!  Have a grrerreeeaaattt weekend!

8/30/12

Language Arts: 
Spelling Final Test TOMORROW!!!!
p.15, 19-22 due TOMORROW!!!

Math:
Balke:SL 1.6, SL 1.7 due Tuesday
Gordon: MJ 15
Hall: MJ p.17
Moen: see yesterday's notes

Science: 
Gathering and interpreting data

Social Studies: 
Began  Ch. 2

Other:  Forms
NO SCHOOL MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8/29/12

Language Arts:

• p.16-18 - DUE TOMORROW!!
• p.15+19-22 - due Friday!
• Study for your Final Spelling Test FRIDAY!

Math:

• Balke: SL 1.6 (SL 1.7 due F)
• Gordon:  MJ 13 14    MJ 15 (F)   MJ 19 (Sep 4)
• Hall:    P. 17
• Moen:    MJ 12 15      SL 1.5

Science:

• Gathering sundial data

Social Studies:

• Brain only test today

Other:

• Forms!!!!

8/28/12

Language Arts:
p.16-18 - due TH
Spelling test F

Math:
Balke:  SL 1.5
Gordon:  MJ 19 (Sep 4th)     SL 12, 13      MJ 15 (F)
Hall: MJ 16
Moen: no HW - factors

Science:
Finished shadow data collection
Discussed various units of time

Social Studies:
BRAIN ONLY TEST TOMORROW!!!
Use Open Note Test and textbook to study!!

 Other:  FORMS

8/22/12

Language Arts: DIBELs

• Wkst p. 9,11
• Spelling wkst.
• Word Sort
• Proofreading
• Types of Humor

Math:
Balke: Gathered data
Gordon: SL 8 (3-5), MJ 5
Hall: Gathered data
Moen: SL 1.2

Science: Shadows, Earth and Time

Social Studies:

• Latitude and Longitude
• Landforms
• World Map

Other:  Forms

Don't worry about all those assignments yet, we ware working on them while completing DIBELs.

8/21/12

Sorry to be behind already with the blog, but we have been patiently awaiting the arrival of our assignment books!  Still not here!  So we carry on:

Language Arts:
Spelling wkst - due tomorrow
p. 9,11 - due tomorrow

Math:
Balke: Calculating scores, review SRB
Gordon: MJ 6,7
Hall:  MJ 8 (3-5)
Moen: no HW, received packet

Science: Did not get to today, we have begun the unit Measuring Time

Social Studies: Latitude and Longitude, geographic terms

Other: FORMS!

8/16/12 - First Day Rousing Success!

Great day!  The rain, rain, went away, so that was cool!  A few small items:

1. Assignment books:  They were ordered, but nowhere to be found!  Until then, we will simply write assignment book notes on a sheet of paper.

2. Free reading book: We have not had our checkout time assigned, so please have your student bring a book or two from home!!  Or the public library!

3. If there is an additional email address you want me to put on the mass email list let me know!

Have a good evening,
Mr. Balke

8/15/12 - 2:00 Dismissal Thursday AND Friday

This week only!

Don't shoot the messenger!

Mr. Balke

8/15/12 - First Day of School Tomorrow!!

I am looking forward to beginning a new school year with your students tomorrow!

We will be lining up by the front entrance.  There is an area labeled "Balke" on the sidewalk so that student know where to line up.  I will let students in at the appropriate time.  THIS IS NOT THE SAME PLACE AS LAST YEAR!

I'm also in a new room!  I'm in Mrs. Hall old room, as she is now exiled to the temporary/portable/trailer/fortress of solitude.  just kidding around a little but there; I have had class in a similar facility and I enjoyed the adventure immensely.

I will be posting on this blog daily!

Have a restful evening,
Mr. Balke

5/30/12 - Last Day Items

1.  Have a book or two available
2.  Have a backpack or similar to bring home items
3.  End of year assembly is 9:00
4.  If, for some reason, you forget something, I will be here Friday all day
5.  Have a great summer and/or future academic career and keep in touch!!

5/30/12 - Last Day of School Read-a-thon!

Okay maybe that’s an overstatement.  However, we will have some down time the last day, so if you can make sure that your student has reading materials (plural), that would be great!

5/29/12 - Picnic Thursday Confusion

“Picnic” not in that special food will be here, but in that students may eat under the blue skies, instead of the dark, dank gym.  Students will either bring their lunch or get the school lunch, which is the ICCSD Sack Lunch.

That is DIFFERENT than the Wednesday “picnic” where there will be special food!

Whew.

5/29/12 - Students do not bring lunches tomorrow!

5th and 6th grade picnic tomorrow!

5/29/12

Language Arts: 


Math: 
Balke:  finish EOY assessment
Gordon: no hw bring math games
Hall: EOY test  -   wkst - no hw
Moen: bring a pencil


 Science: Graph, table


 Social Studies: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34


 Other:  Kickball changed to Tomorrow 2:00!

5/24/12

Language Arts: 


Math: 
Balke: Finishing fractions test and EOY test
Gordon: MJ 279 F, MJ 283 T
Hall: wkst
Moen: Finishing EOY test

Science: data


Social Studies: 30, 31 32


Other:  6th gr. SOX!!!!!!

5/23/12

Language Arts: 
Spelling test F


Math: 
Balke: Rev wkst 
Gordon: p 29-30 Th, MJ 279 F, MJ 283 T
Hall: wkst 
Moen: test EOY assessment


Science: -----


Social Studies: 30, 31 due Th,    32 due F


 Other:  

5/22/12

Language Arts: 
see earlier posts


Math: 
Balke: Mult and Div Mixed #s wkst 
Gordon: MJ 279 F,  MJ 283 T
Hall: 2 wksts
Moen: no hw - end of year assessment


Science: Compiling data


Social Studies: Main idea 30, 31 (Th)


Other: Skating party F 

5/21/12

Language Arts: 
see Tuesday's notes


Math: 
Balke: mult. and div. of fractions  no hw
Gordon:  p.86 wkst T, MJ 276 T, MJ 279 F
Hall: fractions wkst
Moen: SL 9.8  MJ 323??


Science: Collecting data


Social Studies: Main Idea Ch. 30, 31 due date TBD


Other: 

5/16/17 - I will be gone Th 5/17 and Friday 5/18

I will be at the state track meet.  I hate having subs.

If you could urge your student to be just as well-behaved with the substitute teacher as they are with me (or better) that would be great!

5/15/12

Language Arts: 
New group books
Skeleton - Ch. 1-2
Wenny - Ch. 1-4
Star - Ch. 1-5
GAir - Ch. 1-2
Signal - Ch. 1-3

Math: 
Balke: Fractions Rev 1 - due Th
Gordon: MJ 339 Th, MJ 267 Th, MJ 271 Th, MJ 258 F, MJ 276 T
Hall: Finish wkst - Mult fractions
Moen: MJ 300-301


Science: Compiling milestone data


Social Studies: Brain only test


Other: get ready for some track and field!!

5/15/12 - Directions to West High

From: 3100 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52245-3928 US
To: Iowa City West High School, 2901 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246 US

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
--------------------------------------------------
A) 3100 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52245-3928 US
--------------------------------------------------
    1. Start out going west on E Washington St toward Dartmouth St.  (go 0.75 miles)
    2. Turn left onto S 1st Ave.  (go 0.26 miles)
    3. Take the 1st right onto E Court St.
      - E Court St is just past Mayfield Rd
      - If you reach A St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
  (go 0.66 miles)
    4. Turn slight right onto Muscatine Ave.
      - Muscatine Ave is just past Fairview Ave
      - If you reach Grant St you've gone a little too far
  (go 0.11 miles)
    5. Turn slight left onto E Burlington St.
      - If you reach E College St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
  (go 1.32 miles)
    6. Stay straight to go onto S Grand Ave. Pass through 1 roundabout.  (go 0.33 miles)
    7. Turn right onto Melrose Ave.  (go 1.95 miles)
    8. Make a U-turn at Hawkeye Park Rd onto Melrose Ave/Iwv Rd SW.
      - If you reach Dublin Dr you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
  (go 0.15 miles)
    9. 2901 MELROSE AVE is on the right.
      - If you reach Westwinds Dr you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
  (go 0 miles)
--------------------------------------------------
B) Iowa City West High School, 2901 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246 US
--------------------------------------------------
>> TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME: 16 minutes | DISTANCE: 5.54 miles


To view your map, click on the link below or copy and paste it to your browser:
http://mapq.st/K0O5b9

MapQuest - Helping People Find Places
http://www.mapquest.com

5/15/12 - Bring your lunch tomorrow!!

Make your best effort to have your student bring their lunches tomorrow.  It make it a whole lot easier to eat early and get in the bus and get to West High on time!!

5/14/12 - 58th Annual ICCSD Elementary Track Meet

WEDNESDAY
Students should have brought home a blue schedule last Friday.(some forgot-check tonight.)
We will eat lunch at 10:30.
We will be bussed to West High at 11:00.
Events start promptly at 11:45.
PLEASE send sunscreen, sunglasses and/or hat and tennies. It gets VERY hot in the stands.
The UICCU is providing water bottles.
Students should sit with Lemme in the bleachers. You may come sit with us.
IF YOUR STUDENT ISN’T RIDING THE BUS BACK TO LEMME, I NEED TO KNOW. STUDENTS MAY ONLY GO WITH A PARENT.
Thanks. If you have any questions, be sure to let me know. The meet usually ends around 2:00-2:15.

5/14/12

Language Arts: 


Math: 
Balke: no hw - fraction review
Gordon: MJ 298 T, MJ 256 T, MJ 258 F
Hall: Some have a wkst (fraction review)
Moen: SL 9.1 9.2   MJ 297-299


Science: Observations


Social Studies: Brain only test tomorrow


Other:  Track meet Wednesday!

5/11/12

Language Arts: 
DIBELS


Math: 
Balke: TEST today!
Gordon: Coordinate grid    MJ 256  T,  MJ 258 F
Hall: Finished dividing decimals
Moen: Coordinate grid M


Science: ------


Social Studies: CHANGE!  Check open book test MONDAY!  Brain only TUESDAY!


Other: Elementary Track Meet Wednesday @ WEST

5/10/12

Language Arts: 
GRI and GRII books - finish!!
Sequel writing - due tomorrow
Prequel writing - due tomorrow
Spelling test tomorrow


Math: 
Balke: Review for division test tomorrow
Gordon: SL 254 F, Sheet 1-5 F, MJ 253 F, MJ 256 T
Hall: Decimal division wkst
Moen: no hw 


Science: More on pollination, seed pods, and observations


Social Studies: Ch.29 wkst - due tomorrow
Ch.29 Open book test - take it home if you are not done!! Check tomorrow, brain only test Monday


Other: Elementary track meet WEDNESDAY at West High!

5/9/12

6th Grade to SEJH today!


Language Arts: 
GRI GRII - finish
Prequel and Sequel writing - due F


Math: 
Balke: Division review wkst 
Gordon: MJ 253 F, MJ 256 T
Hall: MJ 374
Moen: Wkst


Science: Pollination and observations


Social Studies: Ch. 29 assignment - due F


Other: Beautiful day - go outside!!!!

5/8/12

Language Arts: 
Finish GRI  GRII books
Before and After writing


Math: 
Balke: Division wkst
Gordon: MJ 247 250 tomorrow, MJ 253 F, MJ 256 T
Hall: no hw 
Moen: no hw


Science: Observations - Photosynthesis


Social Studies: Ch. 29


Other: 
Tomorrow - SE visit - a.m.
5/16 - Elem. Track Meet - West High

5/7/12

Language Arts: 
GRI and GRII books - finish!!!
Before and After assignment


Math: 
Balke: Division review - no hw
Gordon: Packet due T,  MJ 246 T, MJ 243 T, MJ 253 F
Hall: MJ 382
Moen: no hw, review, Test WEDNESDAY!!!


Science: Staked up plants, caught up on milestones and recording


Social Studies: ----------------


Other: 

5/4/12 - School of the Wild - Osprey

The final day of 2012 School of the Wild.  Huge storm the night before, but no rain during the day.  Extra squishy parts of the trail and extra water on the spillway, but otherwise an excellent day.

A little help with the identification of this cooperative butterfly?

Big Ol' Fish.  Caught by hand.

Some other Lemme Leopards floating by.

Fishin'. No hooks or bait needed.

The Geome-TREE.  It has a right angle.

Quenton and friend

The falls

Leading the Osprey to the Secret Place.  Students must be blindfolded so that they do not know the location.

Silly Osprey

Multi-talented Meredith - she also captures snakes as well as birds!

Frolicking amongst the rocks.

Osprey at the summit 

5/3/12 - School of the Wild - Skeeters

Pretty nice day for the Skeeters - got pretty hot by the end of the day!

Meredith found a male and female goldfinch - Iowa's state bird!  If you grow some sunflowers in your backyard, you will have a riot of goldfinch to view in the fall! 

The trails have been pretty damp this week, so we have seen a lot of snails and this juicy slug!

Someone help me with the name of this guy!

A peaeeful visitor to the spillway!

Not so peaceful visitors to the spillway.  We got out of there just as they were arriving.

Balancing nicely on a log.

Lunch time!

On the Road

Splashing through the Spillway

Skeeters on the Hill