Homework! Week of Sept 22-26

Whew! What a week! Homework is now more challenging and increasing in quantity. Please contact me with any comments or concerns about your child's conceptual understanding of and ability to complete the material coming home. You can call me at school at 952-848-4342 or email me at: markiser@mchsi.com .

3rd Grade
Math due Tuesday, Sept 30th : Problem Solving Packet #3 Day 5
Math quiz Tuesday, Sept 30th: - the quiz will include a collection of problems similar to those we've been working on for the last two weeks.
Math due Thursday, Oct 2nd: None :) we will begin long division and lattice multiplication lessons.
Reading: Internet research should be completed by Thursday, October 2nd. We work in class each Tuesday and Thursday to complete most of this.

4th Grade
Math due Tuesday, Sept 30th: Shapes and Designs Book problem 2.2 ACE 4&5 (p 41-42) and 36 (p. 48). Extra Credit: ACE 6-9, 30-35, and 41.
Math due Thursday, Oct 2nd: UPDATE - None!
Reading none :) Little Prince Day 2 was to be completed for this week. We didn't meet this week due to MAP testing. We will go over The Little Prince Day 2 next Wednesday.

5th Grade
Math due Tuesday, Sept 30th: none :) we had a quiz on Thursday.
Math due Thursday, Oct 2nd: Variables and Patterns Problem 2.1 homework.
Reading Due Wednesday, Oct 1st: Current Events Lesson 2 - Local Environmental Issues.

Homework for the week of Sept 15-19

3rd Grade:
Math due Tuesday, Sept 23rd: Complete Pages 14-18 in Problem Solver Packet
Reading due Thursday, Sept 25th: Photos, interview, and parent signature due. If you want to work on your research, please see weblinks in a previous blog entry.

4th Grade:
Math due Tuesday, Sept 23rd: Work on your card trick and be ready to show the class!
Reading due Wednesday, Sept 24th: Little Prince Lesson 2

5th Grade:
Math due Tuesday, Sept 23rd: Problem 1.4 ACE 6-9 and 27. Extra Credit - ACE 21-24 and 28
MATH TEST THURSDAY
Reading due Thursday, Sept 25th: Current Events Lesson 1 - focus on the environment.

Have a wonderful weekend in the wonderful weather!

Third Grade On the Day I Was Born Research Websites

We will conduct research here at school, but if your child wants to work on it at home - hooray! These are the websites we are using here:

• Click here to find out how old you are in seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc...
• Click here to find out what your name means.
• Click here to see what the moon looked like when you were born.
• Click here to find out historical events, popular songs, item prices and more facts. Make sure to use the "quick page" option after entering your birthday.
• Click here to use the History Channel's website to find events from your birthday. Enter your month and day in the orange box on the right-hand side.
• Click here to find famous people who share your birthday, and scroll down to find other events, too.
• Click here for famous birthdays, music history, and other historical events from your day.

Welcome and Homework for the week of Sept 9-11

Welcome back to school! Working with your students is such a treat for me. The first weeks back at school include organization and new learning routines, and it's no different in the gifted resource department. Some work we did may seem confusing, please bear with your students and me until we get proficient with our weekly routines, it will get better.

Homework for this week:

All Grades: bring in supplies if you haven't done so already

3rd Grade:
Language Arts due by Thursday 9/18:
On the Day You Were Born Unit - complete the yellow interview worksheet and email me or bring in 5-10 photos of your first days in this world. E-mail photos to: markiser@edina.k12.mn.us

Math due Tuesday 9/16:
Complete pages 2-6 in Problem Solver Packet #1

4th Grade:
Language Arts due Wednesday, 9/17:
The Little Prince Unit - Complete day 1 worksheet including reading chapters 1-4, t-chart, questions, character map, and short essay

Math due Tuesday 9/16:
Complete pages 3-6 in Problem Solver Packet #2

5th Grade:
Language Arts due Wednesday 9/17:
Find, read, and be ready to discuss two news articles from two separate regions: local/state/national/world. Try to focus on an issue that you would like to know more about like the environment, weather, sports, school district news, presidential election, world news...

Math due Tuesday, 9/16:
ACE #1-3 on pages 15-16
Extra Credit (for everyone) ACE #18-20 on page 24

Welcome Back!

I hope that everyone had a fantastic summer and was able to relax and have some fun. I can't believe it is already "Back to School" time and we are counting down the hours until September 2nd. I am looking forward to working with everyone again this fall. As you know, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first baby (a surprise) so you may not see me right away in September. My sub will be Mrs. Kiser and you will all love her! She taught Gifted Education prior to me taking the job in 2007.

Each Thursday I will post an update for the weekly homework. Be sure to check back often so you can be up to date with your assignments!

See you soon- Mrs. Plasch

New Books for July

Again, the time has slipped away from me. Sorry it has been so long between my posts. I hope you enjoyed the June books and are ready for a few more! This month I am going to only choose 2 books (since July is already 1/2 over!). Here they are:

The Mysterious Benedict Society by: Trenton Lee Stewart
Four children, Reynard "Reynie" Muldoon, George "Sticky" Washington, Kate "The Great Kate Weather Machine" Wetherall, and Constance Contraire, pass a series of tests advertised in the newspaper. After passing the mind-bending tests, the four children meet Mr. Nicholas Benedict, a man trying to stop something known as "The Thing to Come". Mr. Benedict sends them to The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (LIVE), where they meet Ledroptha Curtain, a man trying to take over the world using sumbliminal messages.

I thought this book was interesting. It is similar to Harry Potter because it deals with 3 friends who are orphans going to a new school. There is no magic or wizardry, but there is mystery- which is always exciting.

Which character do you identify with the most, and why?

Marley: a dog like no other by: John Grogan
The author wrote this adaptation of his #1 New York Times bestselling Marley & Me just for kids. In his own words, here is the heartwarming and unforgettable story of how this big, rambunctious dog becomes the heart of the Grogan family.
Meet Marley, a yellow furball of a puppy who quickly grows into a large, rowdy Labrador retriever. With an appetite for nearly anything he can get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry, Marley is always getting into trouble. Some may say he's the world's worst dog. But those who know and love Marley accept him as a dog like no other. His heart is pure and his larger-than-life personality irresistible. With unconditional love and loyalty, he brings joy to his family, the Grogans, and teaches them what really matters in life.

I absolutely LOVED this book when I read it originally a few years ago. I think this adaptation is wonderful and you will love it too, especially if you have a family pet.

Pets are frequently referred to as “part of the family.” In what ways does
Marley reflect this statement? If you own a pet, does your pet reflect your
family?

Happy Reading!!


P.S. I FINALLY received H.I.V.E from the Library. Long story, but I am excited to read it this weekend. I will let you know what I thought in my next post.

June 27 Reading Discussion

I apologize for missing last Friday's post. I noticed that not many students responded to week 1's post, so maybe I should aim for posting everyother week. I am STILL waiting for H.I.V.E. to arrive from the library, I am beginning to think my request was lost in the summer shuffle. Has anyone else read this yet? I am looking forward to reading it. I finished Lemonade War last week and have been reading ahead to pick some July books. I have found 1 for sure, but it is long, so I may stick with only 2 books for July. We'll see!

So, to the important stuff...Thank you to those of you who responded to my post on 6/13. I had fun reading your comments. I hope more people can join the fun this time around!

The Lightening Thief-
Still the best book I have read this summer. It really reminds me of Gregor the Overlander...have you read that yet? If you like Lightening Thief, then you would LOVE Gregor!

How does the last line of the prophecy – you shall fail to save what matters most in the end – come true? What do you think of this ending? Did Percy make the right choice? What would you have done in his place?

The Lemonade War-
This book was a really quick read. If I hadn't been distracted by the nice weather, I may have finished it in one day! I thought it was a good story about siblings and family relationships. I liked how the little sister researched "good business techniques" in order to make more money at the lemonade stand.

What are some lessons you can learn from this book? Why do you think they are important?

H.I.V.E (Higher Institute for Villianous Education)
As I mentioned above, I am still waiting for this book to arrive at my library. I don't have any new questions this week, if you have read the book, please post a question for the group.

How is Otto like and unlike Harry Potter? Do you see any similarities between the 2 books?

To post your comments, just hit the "comments" button below. Type in your first name only (so we know who is talking) and then write about your thoughts. I will check in periodically during the week to see what everyone is saying!