Today we started learning the water cycle. There will be a quiz on the water cycle next week so please make sure you are studying with your child every night! I gave each student a take home lab that is due Wednesday. Their job is to track the amount of water they are using daily. Are we overusing or conserving water? Lets find out; the lab requires students to record their data for 2 days. I am giving you 5 days to complete the assignment. Labs are for a grade.

Everyone have a safe and happy weekend. Reminder that the Wayne County Fair is this weekend and next. I will be working a booth so come see me!

Love,
Mrs. Fail

Students please tell me tomorrow the name of your Native American tribe you have chosen for your project. The tribe can be from anywhere in the US.


Classroom needs:
 Light bulbs
Paper towels

Today we completed a lab on pollutants in groundwater. Homework is for students to finish answering the questions on the lab. This will be for a grade!

Picture Day is tomorrow and I hope everyone dresses their best!

Science Extra Credit

The next science test is unknown (at least another 2 weeks), but I wanted to share the extra credit because it may take a while to do.

I would like students to find a news article, magazine article, internet article, or televised news broadcast that relates to environmental water. This could be a topic such as water pollution, limited water supply, water quality, new water treatment research, etc. as long as it deals with water and the environment. If you are having problems finding an article or news video, I found a great CBS news report. Some may want to search the local newspapers, this is why it may take a few days to find a decent article.

-The article/news report must be current (2007-2012). 
-Summarize the article and tell me how it impacts your life. I expect students to write between 1/2 to 3/4 of a sheet of notebook paper to receive full points. 
- Please print the article and attach it to the extra credit. If it is a news video, please write down the date, time, and channel the report aired. 

Feel free to ask me any questions.
lfailncs@gmail.com

Thanks,

Mrs. Fail

Today we learned about Native American poetry and folktales. I need to know the tribe your child is choosing for his/her project by Friday. Projects are due on Oct. 12.

Homework: Finish map reading worksheet and get progress reports signed.

Thank you to the parents who donated to the lab, we now have all our supplies. :-)

Mr. Johnson, music teacher, has requested that 4th and 5th grade students have an English recorder by October 8. Students will begin playing the recorder in music class that week. They can be purchased for $5 to $7 from RedPhish and other music stores. Students must have an English recorder (with a "B" on the bottom), which is not the same as the cheaper recorders at Walmart and dollar stores. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Johnson at tjohnson@neusecharterschool.org. Thank you.

FYI
We will be having an evacuation drill during carpool tomorrow. You will be picking up students according to the carpool route on the website. 

 

Next in Science we are learning about the Water Cycle.

For a lab we need:
-100 Cotton Balls
-100 Ziploc bags (small snack size)
-duct tape

Not all students need to bring in supplies this is all we need for everyone to complete the lab. Thanks for your help.

Native American Project- Due Oct. 12

Goal of Project: To learn about a Native American Tribe.

Project: Create a display/exhibit that shows what life was like for your chosen Native American tribe.  The Native American tribe must be from one of the four regions across the United States (Eastern Woodland, Plains, Northwest Coastal, or Southwest). Students can choose from the following displays:

• A shoebox diorama (covered to hide ―NIKE, etc.; explanations could be

on signs or neatly displayed on the outside of the box.)

• A 3-D model on a flat surface (with signs for explanations, map, etc.)
• A book or brochure (student’s own words)
• A poster board (student’s own words)

Requirements: For whichever method you choose, your project should include the following:

1. Home- should include the type of home they lived in and what part of the country they are from
2. Food- should include what kinds of food they ate, how they prepared it, and how they got their food
3. Traditions- should include rituals, customs, or beliefs the tribe had.
4. Artifact- can be handmade and relate to the tribe.(No weapons please)

Poster and Brochure:

Must include the following:

1. At least 5 pictures (these can be printed from the computer or drawn yourself)
2. Reference: This can be written on the back of your poster.

3-D Display and Shoebox:

1. Your three-dimensional display can be done on a flat piece of cardboard or in a small box. You can use a variety of different objects such as pipe cleaners, toothpicks, cotton balls, etc to display the different requirements.

2. Reference: This can be written on a small piece of paper or index card and attached to the bottom or back side of your display.

*All displays must include a reference section

**All students must present on the due date.

Extra Credit: Dress like a Native American from your tribe on the presentation day.

Rubric:

Please Print and attach Rubric to the project for easy grading.

Rubric	4 Excellent	3 Proficient	2 Needs Improvement	1 Unacceptable
Content	Provides excellent details and display of tribe. Includes a reference section.	Provides detailed information about the tribe. Includes a reference section.	Provides some detailed information about the tribe and/or does not include a reference section.	Little to no information provided. Does not include a reference section.
Artifact	Artifact presented accurately reflects the tribe of choice by giving supporting evidence during oral presentation.	Artifact presented accurately reflects the tribe of choice by giving some supporting evidence during oral presentation.	Artifact presented somewhat reflects the tribe of choice by giving some supporting evidence during oral presentation.	Artifact not Represented.
Visual	Visual presented from the choices accurately displays content information in an organized and neat way.	Visual presented from the choices displays content information in a mostly organized and neat way.	Visual presented from the choices displays content information in a somewhat organized and neat way.	Visual presented from the choices displays content information in a somewhat disorganized way.
Presentation	Uses appropriate visual and artifact during presentation and presents information in a clear, organized manner, highlighting important details.	Uses appropriate visual and artifact during presentation and presents information in a mostly clear, organized manner, highlighting most important details	Uses appropriate visual and artifact during presentation and presents information in a somewhat clear, organized manner, highlighting some important details	Uses appropriate visual and artifact during presentation and presents information in a somewhat disorganized manner, highlighting few important details

Student:___________________________________

Project Title:______________________________

Total Points: _________/16

Final Grade:

Comments: 

Examples:
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/museum/native_american_museum.htm

Here are some websites to help students with clouds and severe weather.

http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud3.html

http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/thunderhome.html

Please study with your child tonight and complete the extra credit. We are having a Science test tomorrow.

Picture day will be on Sept. 27.

:-)

Extra Credit Research: Weather Folklore 

“When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.”

"Cold is the night when the stars shine bright"

"A ring around the sun or moon, means rain or snow coming soon"

Analyze ONE weather folklore. Is it true or false? State your opinion and give evidence to back up your answer. 

To know on test:

Thunderstorms- how they move, how they are created.

Tornadoes- how they are formed.

Hurricanes- where they travel, how do they get stronger, why do we track them? 

What is a flood?

Clouds: Know the difference between Stratus, Cirrus, and Cumulus. 

How are clouds formed?

What weather do the clouds predict?

-Which cloud is made up of ice crystals? 

-What is a stratus cloud near the ground called?

How to read a weather station model. 

What is climate? 

We determine climate by location, latitude, average temperature, average rainfall and average weather over 30 years. (there are many more ways, this is just a few)

Where are polar climates, tropical climates, and temperate climates on a map?

Thank you so much for such great projects!!!!! They were awesome.

Tomorrow I will not be at school do to an injury. Please inform your child; I have left detailed instructions for the substitute.

Homework for tonight and tomorrow is to Study for the science test on Friday. I will post the extra credit later tonight.

Love,

Mrs. Fail

I have been asked by the yearbook committee to see if anyone does not want their child's picture taken? If you have any problems please send a note to school and I will make sure you child's picture is not taken.

Also, the bridge will be closing on 9/26/12. Please beware of increased traffic.

Thanks.

  Science Projects are due Monday!!!!! 

Please attach the rubric to your child's project so I can grade it. 

Thank You,

Mrs. Fail

 

 

Weather Project

Listed below you will see different projects to complete and how they will be graded.  Choose the project you would most like to do.  Follow the rubric so that you can get the best possible grade.  Hand in the rubric along with your project.  You will lose 2 points for each day your project is late.  Your project is due: September 17

Choice 1

          Write a research report on a famous weather disaster. The report should be at least 2 pages double-spaced or handwritten.  You should not copy someone else’s work word-for-word. That is called plagiarism. For extra credit, you may present your report to the class.

        There is a title and reference section (10 points) _________

          Grammar/Spelling.                          (5 points) _________

          Informative report                        (35 points) _________

                                                              50 Total

These reports should also include data gathered from the Internet such as where the severe weather pattern normally occurs (geographic location), under what conditions it forms, how it moves (how fast, in what directions, etc.), what type of damage it can cause, how it can be predicted, what steps can be taken to prepare for it, and how basic weather measurements are used to predict occurrences of this pattern (e.g., changes in temperature, wind, pressure, etc.).

You may choose to write about severe weather event not discussed in class like famous dust storms, blizzards, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. 

Weather Project

Listed below you will see different projects to complete and how they will be graded.  Choose the project you would most like to do.  Follow the rubric so that you can get the best possible grade.  Hand in the rubric along with your project.  You will lose 2 points for each day your project is late.  Your project is due: September 17

Choice 2

        Part 1: Write a song or poem conveying your knowledge of weather.  You must write and hand in your lyrics. For extra credit, you may present your lyrics to the class.

Part 2: Create a storm safety poster to educate people about lightning, thunderstorms, floods, blizzards, tornadoes, or hurricanes.

Display your information on poster board or online Glog.

Storm Safety poster                                    (20 points) ________

There is a title and reference section            (5 points)________

The song/poem contains at least 10 facts.    (20 points) ________

The lyrics relate to weather                         (5 points) ________

                                                                50 Total

The song must relate to a weather topic discussed in class. Research more information about the weather topic and cite your sources. You may choose to add music to the background. The safely poster may be handmade or online using http://www.glogster.com/.

Weather Project

Listed below you will see different projects to complete and how they will be graded.  Choose the project you would most like to do.  Follow the rubric so that you can get the best possible grade.  Hand in the rubric along with your project.  You will lose 2 points for each day your project is late.  Your project is due: September 17

Choice 3

        Graph the temperature of 2 cities in different parts of the world for 7 days. Then, make a prediction for the 8th day. Write your prediction on the same paper and explain (1-2 paragraphs) how you made your prediction based on what we learned in class. Finally, explain why the two cities had drastic differences in weather. Use your graph as a reference and scientific terms such as air pressure, air masses, fronts, climate, weather, and winds.

Display on a poster board.

Use www.weather.com , www.wral.com or another website of choice.

For extra credit, you may present to the class.

There is a title and reference section           (10 points) ________

7 day forecast shown                                (10 points) ________

Prediction shown for each city                     (5 points) ________

 Graph displayed                                        (5 points) ________

Scientific explanation                                  (20 points) _________

                                                                50 Total 

Weather Project

Listed below you will see different projects to complete and how they will be graded.  Choose the project you would most like to do.  Follow the rubric so that you can get the best possible grade.  Hand in the rubric along with your project.  You will lose 2 points for each day your project is late.  Your project is due: September 17

Choice 4

        Build 1 of the following weather tools and explain how it works in written form (2 Paragraphs). Display the process and pictures on a poster board. For extra credit, you may present your tool to the class.

Barometer                          Anemometer

Hygrometer                         Weather vane  

Thermometer                      Rain Gauge                 

(Not all tools were discussed in class; maybe show us how one works!)

Poster with title and building process              (10 points) _________

At least 2 pictures of you constructing the tool (10 points) ________

You can explain how it was made.                         (10 points) ________

You can explain how it works.                        (20 points) ________

                                                                   50 Total

This website gives all instructions:

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/for_fun/BuildyourownWeatherStation.pdf

Study and complete extra credit!!!!!!

Good Luck, I know everyone can make a 100% if they study hard.

Love,
Mrs. Fail

I still need students to finish the American Ad and Hurricane Letter. Please have them turned in by tomorrow.

Tonight STUDY Social Studies!!!!

Classwork/Homework:

You are the Mayor of a coastal city in North Carolina and hurricane Opal is only days away from hitting our coast. Meteorologists predict this hurricane to be a category 5 and cause great destruction and major flooding. Will you choose to evacuate the city?

Write a letter to the city stating your decision and precautions they need to take. Also include at least 3 facts about hurricanes in your letter.

Social Studies test is Thursday!!!! Please Study and do the extra credit. 

Have a good afternoon, 

Mrs. Fail

Our first Social Studies test is Thursday!

Students need to know:
How to read a map (Key, Scale, Compass)
Absolute and Relative location
Natural Resources
Countries that surround US
Bodies of water that surround US
Mountain ranges in US
The Great Lakes
Ways rivers flow according to the Continental Divide
Urban and Rural
Longitude and Latitude
Inlets and Lakes
Population Density
Immigration and Migration



Extra Credit:
Research immigration in the mid-1800s and answer the questions.
1. Where were most immigrants from?
2. Why did they leave their homeland?
3. What culture did they bring with them?
Questions need to be thoroughly answered (1 paragraph each) to receive the full 10 points.

People have immigrated to our countries for centuries. We learned the difference between immigration and migration. Each student created an ad to persuade people to come to America. Students need to tell me what natural resources we have, bodies of water and landforms. Make it colorful and attractive. Some students did not finish the ad in class so it will be for homework.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

Love,
Mrs. Fail

After two weeks of collecting weather data, we graphed the temperatures and made a pie chart for cloud coverage. If students did not finish the graph then they need to for homework.

Pajama day is tomorrow IF your child donated $1.00 to the fundraiser. (They may bring $1 tomorrow)
The dress code still needs to be followed.

A Social Studies test will be on Thursday, Sept. 13

Science Projects are due on Monday, Sept. 17.

Why do people live where they do? We learned about population distribution across the world and analyzed maps. Homework is to finish the Population Density activity. Some students may need a calculator to complete the assignment.

Our first Social Studies test will be Thursday, September 13. More information will be posted on the details later.

Many students are asking about pajama day on Friday. Administration says your child must follow the dress code:

• No suggestive or provocative clothing
• No graphic language or suggestive, provocative messages or art
• No exposed under garments or underwear - no sagging jeans or pants or exposing tops
• No pants, shorts, or skirts worn below the waistline
• All shorts, skirts, and dresses must come to at least mid thigh
• No cut off shirts or half shirts are allowed.  Shirts come to and cover the full torso.
• No tank tops, spaghetti straps, tube or halter tops
• See through shirts are not permitted

Have a great evening.

Love,
Mrs. Fail 

Today was an exciting day, we learned about different clouds. For homework I would like students to observe the clouds and notice what kind they are. Get your child to tell you as much information as they can about Cirrus, Cumulus and Stratus clouds.


I graded the tests and let students know their individual score. As soon as everyone has completed the test I will send them home. If your child made below an 80% I do ask you sign and return the tests and have your child come early to school for tutoring. We will go over their mistakes and clear any questions he/she has.

Thanks!