Viewing: Homework Assignments
September 10, 2013
Thinking of our class rules
For homework tonight, please brainstorm possible class rules for Room 209. If you complete this assignment online, you do NOT need to write your answers on the worksheet I gave you. PLEASE try to complete the assignment online. (It will help make the next step of our activity MUCH easier.)
Posted in Class Updates, Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
June 19, 2013
June 18, 2013
What should Caroline know about her dad?
Caroline is only a week and a half old, but she is already getting to know her family! Tonight, please think of one thing that Caroline should know about her dad. It can be serious or funny, but it MUST be true.
When you post your comment, be sure to include the following:
- EXPLAIN what you think Caroline should know about me?
- SUPPORT your answer with proof.
- EXPLAIN why you think it is important that she know this.
- Use proper grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Take a look at this sample answer:
Caroline should know that her dad is really, really mean. I know that he is mean because he likes giving extra homework to the Yankees fans and he giggles when kids give wrong answers in class. I think Caroline should know this about her dad because if she ends up being a Yankees fan, she should be prepared for him to be mean to her.
Ok, hopefully this sample paragraph WASN’T true! But notice that I started by telling what Caroline should know about me (that I’m mean) and that I then supported my idea by giving proof (to show HOW I am mean). Lastly, I explained WHY it was important that Caroline know that I am mean. My grammar, spelling, and mechanics were all accurate.
Posted in Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
June 18, 2013
Poetry recommendations?
Have any recommendations for good poems for your peers to consider for their poetry project? If so, leave a comment to this post with the name of the poem, the author, where you found it, and why you recommend it. This is optional! (Just a way to help your classmates out!)
Posted in Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
June 3, 2013
Statistics Review
This video will help with tonight’s homework. This evening’s worksheet is more challenging than what this video covers because it asks kids to APPLY their skills in different ways. (In finding the median, for example, kids aren’t working with purely NUMERICAL data values. It’s possible, however. But to find the MEAN, kids will definitely need to get creative to choose a strategy! PARENTS: Don’t be alarmed if your son or daughter is STUMPED with the last question. It’s meant to be an ultra-challenge. The math isn’t so hard, but it’s intended to cause kids to develop some “outside the box” strategies!) Please let me know if these sort of videos are helpful to you!
Posted in Class Updates, Homework Assignments, Learning Resources|By Jon Moss
May 8, 2013
NTS – Day 3 Discussion Topics
We had a very thoughtful conversation about the Holocaust this morning. It was a serious conversation about some very mature topics, and I compliment you for how respectfully and maturely you ALL participated in our discussion. I know some of you still have questions, and I want you to know that we will definitely continue talking in class, in addition to these online discussion groups.
Today, we are trying something new! I have posted three different discussion topics for you. But you have choices about what to do. All three of these relate to the sleepover that Annemarie and Ellen are going to have.
FIRST, log on to your class website account. (Step two won’t work unless you log on. That’s a safety feature.)
SECOND, click HERE to see the different Number the Stars discussion topics. Today, there are three: They are called Ellen’s Fears, Conversations, and Ellen’s Parents.
THIRD, choose which two topics interest you the most. Post your ideas in response to the questions asked in two different topics. As always, be sure to watch your grammar, and be sure to support your responses well.
If you have any questions, please email me. I hope you enjoy the new choices you have for tonight’s homework!
Posted in Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
May 7, 2013
NTS – Living during a time of war?
While Emely was in our class today, you all discussed what it would sound like to grow up during a time of war. Listening to your cacophony of wartime noises was bone-chilling! Can you imagine what it would be like to grow up during a time of war?
This evening, you will discuss how your childhood would be different if you lived in a warzone. What would you not be able to do? What challenges would you face? How would life be different for you? Be specific in your ideas, and be sure to proofread before posting.
When you comment on other people’s messages, be sure to add your own ideas. (Don’t just say something like “Yeah, I agree.” or “Right!” or “Good job, 24!”
Your assignment is to post ONE original idea and to respond to AT LEAST one other person’s comment.
Posted in Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
April 22, 2013
How will YOU help the earth?
In class last week, we brainstormed a list of 11 things that fourth graders can do to help the earth. The ideas are:
- Pick up litter when you notice it.
- Recycle whenever possible.
- Plant plants (and eat them if they are edible).
- Turn off lights and water when you don’t need them.
- Turn off unused electronics. Unplug electronics when you’re not using them in order to stop vampire power! Don’t let rechargeable devices charge overnight.
- Reuse water bottles (safely) and plasticware when possible.
- Carpool or walk more.
- Layer up instead of turning the heat up.
- Keep using what you already have instead of rushing to replace it.
- Conserve water. (Take shorter showers, turn off the faucet while you brush your “fangs” in the bathroom, etc.)
- Give away unwanted toys, electronics, or clothes to someone else who might want them. This saves them money, gives you more space, saves on manufacturing, might save you or your family money, and you might get something in return!
Some of these ideas are year-round options, while some (like layering up) are specific to a time of year.
Monday’s Assignment: Post a comment for this post. Pick ONE of these 11 strategies that you will COMMIT to trying this week. In your comment, tell us which of these strategies you are going to try out this week and WHY you picked it. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Fair warning: As the week goes on, you’ll need to keep the class up to date on how your efforts are going, so don’t pick something that you won’t be able to stick with!
Wednesday’s Assignment: Find the comment that you posted on Monday. Reply to your original comment and tell us how your efforts have been going. You can tell us:
-Have you been successful so far?
-What has been the hardest part about changing your habits? What might help you?
-Has your family “followed suit?” That means, has your family also tried to develop the earth-friendly habits that you are working on?
Remember, use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation!
Posted in Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
April 18, 2013
Homework for 4/18/13
Happy Former Vacation Week! Here are your assignments for tonight:
1. Hop over to Miss Torres’s website. Spend 20 minutes practicing chorus music, please.
A beautiful STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHED shot of nature in the PGS field!
2. Today, we took many impressive photos of the natural beauty around our school. You all are amazing photographers! Tomorrow, we will use the photos to inspire some poetry writing. We also will talk about things we all, as individuals, can do to help the earth. To prepare for that, I want you to think of things YOU, as a FOURTH GRADER can do to help the earth. Remember, things like “Drive electric cars.” aren’t appropriate suggestions because you, as a kid, will not drive a car in the near future. When you post your idea, be sure to explain WHY you think it is a good idea. USE CORRECT GRAMMAR, SPELLING, and PUNCTUATION.
3. Visit the website again a bit later on, if you can, and post a comment in response to someone else’s idea. If there is something you don’t understand about someone’s idea, ask them a question. If you agree or disagree, politely share your opinion, but be sure to back it up. Again, use CORRECT grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and be sure to AVOID USING ALL NAMES.
Posted in Class Updates, Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss
March 20, 2013
What did you learn? (See-Through Science)
In class, we have started to learn about expository writing. Our first step was to compare expository (non-fiction) writing to the more familiar narrative (story) kind of writing. We looked at the many common traits that both styles share, but (perhaps more importantly), we looked at how the two styles of writing are different.
Today, your assignment is to read the passage “See through science.” (If your “Reads with Fluency” report card grade wasn’t what you wanted, consider reading the article aloud to someone at home.) Afterwards, please login to the website and post a comment in which you tell us what you learned. Each sentence should begin with “I learned…” Focus on the KIND of information you learned, not on what specific facts you learned. This is one of those funny situations where I do NOT want you to be specific. Being general is better, as long as you aren’t TOO general. For example:
TOO SPECIFIC: I learned that the app Hugh Turvey made shows you objects for each letter of the alphabet and will show you x-ray views that you can rotate by swiping the screen.
TOO GENERAL: I learned about the app.
JUST RIGHT: I learned how Hugh Turvey’s x-ray app works.
Don’t just put down one thing you learned. Instead, list (DON’T EXPLAIN – yes, I DON’T want you to explain) all the different kinds of information that you learned. (Hint: Consider going paragraph-by-paragraph.) Yes, you may reuse my sample “I learned…” sentence!
We’ll work on this tomorrow or Friday! Need a copy of the article? Click HERE to download it!
Posted in Class Updates, Homework Assignments|By Jon Moss