Latin in song!

Ask your child about this picture.

The fourth and fifth graders are enjoying Latin! We have learned/reviewed vocabulary for lessons 1-15 in the text Prima Latina. We've also been reviewing the Pater Noster (the Lord's Prayer in Latin), which most of them now know very well.

Here's a sense of the structure of our week:
On Tuesdays, we review and add more vocabulary words, most recently taking them from the Latin hymns we're memorizing. So far, they know "Veni, Veni, Immanuel" (O Come Immanuel) and "Adeste Fidelis" (O Come All Ye Joyful). We're currently working on the second verse for each of those songs. Songs are a wonderful and enjoyable way to pick up common vocabulary words and grammar in context. On Thursdays, we review using games and read a Roman myth.  We will be adding more grammar study this quarter.

We hope to show off our Latin at the Christmas program. If you want to quiz your children on their Latin, here are a few words from our list:
natus, regis, angelus, adeste, venio, video, triumpho, laetus, fidelis, laudo, clamo, ambulo, navigo, porto, oro, laboro, specto, amo, adoro, habito, judico, paro, libero, regina, stella, silva, terra, unda, aqua, cena, corona, mensa, veni, captivum, solve, qui, gemit, exsilio, privatus, Dei, gaude, nascetur

If you'd like to quiz your child on the Pater Noster, here it is:

Pater noster, qui es in caelis:

sanctificetur Nomen Tuum;

adveniat Regnum Tuum;

fiat voluntas Tua,

sicut in caelo, et in terra.

Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;

et dimitte nobis debita nostra,

sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;

et ne nos inducas in tentationem;

sed libera nos a Malo

Music: Pieces with a Purpose

The 4th and 5th graders have been working on a composer book this semester. So far we have discussed Dvorak and J.S. Bach. I especially loved seeing their surprise at hearing a piece they have heard on TV or in movies, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Listen again, this will be on the end of the year listening exam. The students will get to reinforce this tune when they perform a portion of it next semester on KAZOO's!

This composition would have been composed for a specific purpose. We have already discussed J.S. Bach's prolific church music and how many musicians were employed simply to write music for a patron's enjoyment. Toccata and Fugue in D minor would fall under the "Money Purse" category and leads us into their next assignment.

A portion of their composer book has been sent home with them to complete for homework. They simply need to finish coloring, cutting out and pasting the portions for "Pieces with a Purpose" together to be installed in a part of their booklet they have been creating. If there is any confusion, here is a example below from their instruction sheet.

Reading/History Week of October 29-November 2

Happy New Nine Weeks, Students!

This nine weeks is really only 7 weeks, and is followed by Christmas vacation.  We also have a week off before Thanksgiving!  So, it's really going to be fast and furious at school--buckle your seat belts!

This week and next, we will be concentrating on our rights, privileges, and responsibilities as citizens of the United States of America.  One of those is VOTING.  Our national election takes place on Tuesday, November 6, and we will spend the next 7 school days finding out more about voting, about the two major candidates for President and their political parties, about our Constitution and the organization of our government, and about how these ideas began with the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

Our reading and work will be done in class, so you have no "formal" homework this week.  You may read 30 minutes each evening in a book of your choice, and reading logs will be due this Friday.

You will have a SPELLING TEST on Monday, November 5 over the words below.  You will be defining these words in class, and will need to be able to match them with their definitions on the test.

SPELLING WORDS for TEST on Monday, November 5

Preamble
Constitution
establish
justice
ensure
domestic
tranquility
provide
common
defense
promote
general
welfare
secure
blessings
liberty
posterity
ordain

You will also be MEMORIZING the Preamble to the Constitution.  You will get to recite this from memory on ELECTION DAY, Tuesday, November 6!  What a great way to celebrate your citizenship in the US!

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

We, the People of the United States,

in order to form a more perfect union,

establish justice,

ensure domestic tranquility,                                                             

provide for the common defense,

promote the general welfare,

and secure the blessings of liberty

to ourselves and our posterity,

do ordain and establish this Constitution

for the United States of America.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, October 31--All Hallow's Eve (no parties or costumes today.)  Report Cards go out!

Thursday, November 1--All Saint's Day, and 50th day of school.  Dress up like the Renaissance 1550s!

Friday, November 2--Work Day at Walker Park.  You will be able to wear jeans and school   t-shirts for our trip to the park.  There will be work, play, a picnic lunch (bring yours from home, or if you eat at school, Mrs. Lin will have a sack lunch for you), and lots of fun!  We will need permission slips filled out and returned, and parent drivers who can stay.

Bible Oct. 29 - Nov. 2

Memory Verse:

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’

Matthew 2:5-6

Monday:

The Visit of the Magi

Reading cards and corresponding worksheet, read Matthew 2:1-12 from our bibles and complete the crossword.

Wednesday:

Eucharist Chapel, come join us in worship!

Thursday:

50's Day!

Friday:

Park Visit 9:00 AM(Jeans and Sneakers)

Introduction to the Flight to Egypt

Read Matthew 2:13-23

Bible Oct. 22-26

Memory Verse: 

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation

that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

(Luke 2:29-32 ESV)

Last week we had our introduction to Simeon meets the Christ. This led us to a conversation about the temple in which this took place. We will carry on with our lesson on Simeon, but we will also be doing a little more on the temple since it will become very important when we reach our lesson on the Crucifixion of Christ. 

Monday: Read Luke 2:25-35 from our bibles then complete the Proj. 1 Bible Reading worksheet. I will then teach you a version of the Song of Simeon or Nunc Dimittis to sing. 

Friday: We will analyze the hymn tune "Angels from the realms of glory" and answer questions. Within the hymn text is a description of Simeon's encounter with the Christ.

Here is a short video clip of Jesus Presentation. Enjoy!

LIT & HISTORY Week of October 22-27

Hello, Parents and Students!

You've had the afternoon off, and I hope you're having fun!  This morning, Canterbury Faire was GREAT!  Thanks to you, students, for your help making this such a fun activity for our younger students.  I hope you had fun doing it!  Thank you, too, to Mrs. Ratcliff and ALL our parents who made such a fun day possible.

This coming week will be the last week of the first quarter of school.  You've learned so much--just think back to that first day of school, and all the things you know NOW that you didn't know then!  You will have read two great novels, The Secret Garden and King of the Wind.  You have learned and been able to apply the 5 Themes of Geography and the 9 Activities of Culture to real world history and to contemporary life.  You have visited an Arabian Horse farm, the Maya exhibit at the Mayborn Museum, and learned how the Czech culture has influenced our area of Texas.  You have learned to spell and locate all 50 of the United States!  You can differentiate between action, helping, and linking verbs!  You prepared beautiful book report projects, and have written poetry with illustrations.  WOW!!!  That's pretty impressive, and doesn't even include all you've learned in Science, Math, Music, Latin, Spanish, Art, and PE!  The rest of this year will be exciting as you build on the amazing foundation you have laid during this first nine weeks.  Congratulations!

This week,  you will finish reading The Secret Garden.  Your last assignments are below.  We will end our study of this novel with our English Tea Party this Wednesday morning, October 24.  Please drop off your food at the Parish Hall kitchen on your way to Chapel on Wednesday morning.  I'll take it from there!  We'll begin the festivities just after Chapel is over.

Your spelling list was given to you last week for our test this Monday, October 22.  I've reprinted the words and maps below.

READING ASSIGNMENTS for Week of October 22-26:

For Monday:  Read Chapters 24-26.

For Tuesday:  Read Chapter 27, and pages 3-7 in the back of your book, Meet Francis Hodgson Burnett.

The remainder of the week, you can read a book of your choice for your 30 minutes of reading each night.  Remember!  You can always use your class novel reading time on your reading log so long as you have read at home.  Reading Logs will be due on Friday, October 26.

SPELLING/MAP TEST for Monday, October 22

1.  Pacific Coast States Region                               
2.  California
3.  Oregon
4.  Washington
5.  CANADA
6.  PACIFIC OCEAN
7.  MEXICO





8.  Noncontiguous States--noncontiguous means "not touching."  These two states do not touch the contiguous United States.  Alaska touches CANADA, and Hawaii touches just the PACIFIC OCEAN.
9.  Hawaii
10.  Alaska

October 22-26 Math

Another short week this week due to Faculty Meeting and Early Release.
Homework: 
Complete 2 lessons on www.scootpad.com.  You should know your login.  These 2 lessons will be a grade.
Explore www.t4l.wixie.com.  Write in your journal 5 things you learned.

Monday - 5th - Lessons 24, 25  Adding and Subtracting Fractions, Division with Fractions
                4th - Lessons 24, 25  Associative Property, Listing Factors
Tuesday - 5th - Cumulative Test 4
                4th - Cumulative Test 4
Wednesday - 4th, 5th - No Math Class (Faculty Meeting)

Thursday - 5th - Lessons 26, 27  Reduce Fractions, Measures of a circle
                  4th - Lessons 26, 27 Division Algorithm, Reading Scales
Friday - 4th, 5th - No Math Class (Early Dismissal)

Bible Oct. 15-19

No Memory Verse this week!

Angels announce the birth of Christ to the Shepherds

Last week, we began our lesson on the Birth of Christ.We read the account of Jesus birth in the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew and compared each to see what the main focus of each writer was.

Wednesday we will read different scripture passages and compare the birth of Christ with the birth of Moses. We will also start a "Life of Jesus" cross where you will keep track of Jesus ministry throughout the year.

Friday we will start our introduction to Simeon meets the Christ.

Don't forget Canterbury Faire this Friday!

Math October 15-19

This week in Math:

Monday - Intro to Centers and Projects for the week.
                Multiplication Practice 4's, 5's, 6's
                Show and explain "Split the Bill" Projects

Tuesday - Lesson 21
                4th - Word Problems About Equal Groups
                5th - Divisibility

Wednesday - Lessons 22, 23
                     4th - Equal Groups with Fractions
                             Ratio, Rat
                     5th - Division with and without Remainders
                             Recognizing Halves

Thursday - Field Trip to CAC  "Hands On" Czech Pioneers to Texas
Friday -      Canterbury Faire

LIT and HISTORY for Week of October 15-19

Happy Saturday, Students!

This week, we will be nearing the end of The Secret Garden and looking forward to our English Tea Party on Wednesday, October 24!  Your reading assignments are below.  This weekend, you should be finishing your book report projects.  Be sure you look at the rubric I gave you last week to make sure that you have all the components for that project that are required.  Practice giving your oral presentation to your parents or siblings so that you know what you are going to say in class on Monday.

In history, you will be working with books, encyclopedias, and Internet sources to complete your Activity of Culture for the Ancient Mayans.  You will be reporting to the class on what you learned this Wednesday.
For more Mayan fun, visit this website:  http://www.scholastic.com/MayanMysteries/?eml=SMP/e/20121012////DigIt//Visit/SL1_V1///&ym_MID=1440616&ym_rid=12802904

Wednesday is also our spelling and map test over the states from the Mountain Region and the Southwest Region.  You must also know how to spell and locate Austin, Texas, the Red River, the Rio Grande, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Salt Lake.  If you need to see these words again, look at last week's blog post, or use one of the handouts you were given in class last week.

Our last spelling test over the states of the USA will be on Monday, October 22.  Those words are below. You will have to be able to place them on the map, and spell and define what noncontiguous means.

There are fun times approaching:

*  Remember that this week, Chapel will be on Monday, October 15, so wear Chapel uniforms to school.

* This Thursday, October 18, you will be going to the CAC for an 11:30 Hands On experience with the Czech Settlers in Texas.  Lunch will be early that day.

*  This Friday, October 19, is a half-day of school, with Canterbury Faire in the morning.  Your parents will be picking you up at 11:45.  A hot dog lunch will be available for sale for you and your family.  You may wear costumes on Friday.  You will be  helping other teachers with their classes, or helping to run the booths and games.

*  Friday, October 26 is also a half-day of school, and the end of the first nine weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend!  I'm really looking forward to your book report project presentations!

Love and Peace, Mrs. Horner

The Secret Garden READING ASSIGNMENTS for October 15-October 23.

For this Monday, read Chapter 19.
For this Tuesday, read Chapter 20.
For this Wednesday, read Chapters 21 & 22.  Study Mountain & Southwest Regions for spelling/map test.
For this Thursday, read Chapter 23.
For Monday, October 22, read Chapters 24-26 (no class on Friday--Canterbury Faire.)
For Tuesday, October 23, read Chapter 27 and About the Author, pp. 3-7 at the back of the book.
Wednesday, October 24--English Tea Party!

SPELLING/MAP TEST over Mountain and Southwest Regions on Wednesday, October 17.  See last week's blog post.

SPELLING/MAP LOCATION TEST for Monday, October 22

1.  Pacific Coast States Region                              
2.  California
3.  Oregon
4.  Washington
5.  CANADA
6.  PACIFIC OCEAN
7.  MEXICO





8.  Noncontiguous States--noncontiguous means "not touching."  These two states do not touch the contiguous United States.  Alaska touches CANADA, and Hawaii touches just the PACIFIC OCEAN.
9.  Hawaii
10.  Alaska

Math October 8-12

This week in Math:
4th - Lessons 18-20  -  Multiplying three factors and missing factors
                                     Factors, Prime Numbers, Greatest Common Factor
             Friday - Cummulative Assessment over Lessons 1-20

5th - Lessons 18-20  -  Average, Line Graphs
                                    Relationship Between Multiplication and Division
             Friday - Cummulative Assessment over Lessons 1-20

I have signed all students up to scootpad.com  This is a free site where they can practice math and reading.  As they work they earn points and badges.  I can also run reports to see how they are progressing.  This will be a center in our classroom but they can also work on it at home.  It is a free app on the iPad and a free site on the internet.

Multiplication Facts we continue to work on are 3's, 4's, and 5's.

Menu Projects are due October 17.

LIT & HISTORY: October 8-12

Hello, Students!

I hope you are enjoying your long weekend!  I'm looking forward to meeting with your parents this week.  Your work so far this year has been exceptional, and I'm very proud of all you have learned, and the logical thinking that you are doing in class and at home.

Be sure and work on your book reports, which are DUE on Monday, October 15!  You will have an oral presentation as well as your writing, drawing, designing, or reporting.  I will give you a rubric in class on Tuesday so that you will know what to expect and can make sure you "have all of your ducks in a row." (What DOES that mean, any way?)  In class, we will be discussing The Secret Garden, analyzing the relationships among the main characters, and asking Mrs. Sullivant for "a bit of earth!"  If she says, "YES!", you will work with a partner to plan our bulb garden!

In history, we will dive into the History of US:  The First Americans.  You will be choosing a region of North American and Meso-America (Central America) and will begin a two week research project on the Geography and Culture of the Native Americans in that region.  Most of this work will be done in class.

Your next spelling test is not until Wednesday, October 17 over the next two regions of states.  You can see the map and words below our reading assignments.

There are so many fun things coming up in October and early November:
      *Field trip to the CAC on October 18th,
      *Canterbury Faire on Friday, October 19th in the morning (this is an early out day at 11:45)--costumes
      *Secret Garden Tea Party on Wednesday, October 24th
      *Trip to the Pumpkin Patch on Friday, October 26.  Early Out and end of 1st 9 Weeks
      *50th Day of school on November 1st--wear Renaissance costumes and we'll party likes it's 1550!
      *Trip to Park for cleanup and picnic, Friday, November 2
 
READING ASSIGNMENTS in The Secret Garden
BE WORKING ON YOUR BOOK REPORT PROJECTS!!!

For Tuesday, October 9:  Read Chapter 14 and fill out paper, The Young Rajah

For Wednesday, October 10:  Read Chapter 15; finish Venn diagram from class if needed.

For Thursday, October 11:  Read Chapters 16 & 17; work on handout, Mary's Problems DUE Friday.

For Friday, October 12:  Read Chapter 18;  finish Mary's Problems.

For Monday, October 15:  Read Chapter 19.  Be ready to present your book report project on Monday.

SPELLING WORDS/MAP LOCATIONS   TEST on Wednesday, October 17 
You must be able to correctly spell and locate the following on a map of the United States

1.  Southwest Region                                                              
2.  Arizona
3.  New Mexico
4.  Texas
5.  Austin, Texas
6.  Oklahoma
7.  Rio Grande River (be able to trace and label)
8.  Red River (be able to trace and label)



9.  Mountain States Region
10.  Colorado
11.  Idaho
12.  Montana
13.  Nevada
14.  Utah
15.  Wyoming
16.  Rocky Mountains (be able to draw in and label)
17.  Great Salt Lake

Multiplication Speed Sites

Grand Prix
I will add more later.

October 1-5 Math

I have finally made it to the blog. 
We will be completing lessons 15-17 this week.
A Cumulative Test will be given over lessons 1-15 on Wednesday.

We are working hard to learn our multiplications facts very quickly.  You need to be able to do your 3's, 4's, and 5's as fast as you can.  Every Monday we take a speed test.  We are working on earning an ice cream sundae.

Our long term project will be due Monday, October 15.  Students are making menus to a made-up restaurant.  We will use these menus to solve problems in the future. 

Music Appreciation

Today in Music class the students were introduced to Antonin Dvorak! Since the student will be attending a field trip at the CAC discussing Czech heritage I thought it only appropriate to have a composer study on a Czech composer. 

In class the students watched a short narrated story of Rusalka. At the end of the story, the students were allowed to listen to the aria from this opera, "Song to the Moon." Dvorak based his most beautiful operatic composition on this story by Jarslav Kvapil.  Rusalka is one of the most successful Czech operas, and represents a cornerstone of the repertoire of Czech opera houses.

Ask your students which Disney movie greatly imitates this story of Rusalka and her prince.