Update from Mr. Lucy

Word Study Notebooks
  We created Work Study Notebooks this week. The first pages include a personal spelling dictionary. As I look over weekly written work, I will highlight misspelled words and I want the students to enter them in the personal dictionary.  The middle of the notebook is dedicated to vocabulary words. Most days I will introduce the Word of the Day. Together we discuss definition, synonyms, antonyms, other forms and more. I urge you to offer words to your kids as well. They will have their notebooks in their binders. I subscribe to http://www.wordsmith.org/. I want my students become active vocabulary munchers.

The Book Fair - December 1-6 all lunches in the auditorium.

The Big Read - The Big Read is one big book club. This fall's meeting will be held at Whatcom on Wednesday, December 14th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. We are reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. For this Big Read meeting, we'll be dividing into districts (teams) and competing in a trivia battle.

The 40 Book Challenge - I have challenged the students to read 40 books or more this year. I have asked them to read a variety of genre and keep track of their reading. The genres include historical fiction, realistic fiction, informational text, poetry, biography, science fiction, fantasy, folklore and mystery.



Reading Letter #5 - This week our focus was on imagery. Good readers are aware of the power of imagery in making meaning from reading. 

Piece of Choice is due Monday. They have used the writing process to revise and edit one or more writing pieces. Monday I will launch a new project to write a personal narrative about an event that changed their lives.

Social Studies Project due before Winter Break
  Today, I introduced the characteristics of culture in a civilization. We discussed art, architecture, religion and a writing system. We discussed the influence of natural resources on the art form, buildings, beliefs and forms of writing. I want the students to create one or more projects to demonstrate understanding of the culture in their chosen civilization. Options:

•  Create a piece of art work typical for your civilization. Make sure it uses materials available to your civilization. This can be a drawing or actual art object.
• Creating a drawing of a typical home. You can choose an example of a poor, middle class, or wealthy family's typical home. The student must describe the natural resources used that are readily available to the people at that time.
• Create a writing system
• Write a description of the religious beliefs and traditions of your civilization. Include visual examples of the buildings, art work, symbols, statues that reflect your people's religious traditions.
• Draw or build musical instrument common in your civilization and write the lyrics of a song your people sing.

I will be offering optional homework opportunities on a weekly basis. Some parents have asked for more work options for their child.

November 30, 2011

I was excited to discover a website about ancient inventions stored at Smith College. This link http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/  will provide you an opportunity to learn about some significant inventions in ancient history. Go on a tour of the exhibit. Choose one or more inventions and share your learning. Select from the inventions described and draw one. Describe how the invention was used.

Weekly Update from Tim Lucy

Just a short note to thank you for taking to time to attend conferences. It has been a thrill.

I wanted to alert you to a social studies quiz on Tuesday. Your child was given a packet including the targets and notes on agriculture. The maps are due on Tuesday as well.

Thanks,

Tim

Weekly Update from Tim Lucy

Families,

Your child may have shared the sad news that a boy in one of my classes lost his mother on Monday after a long illness. I was contacted by a parent anxious to help. Beth Shille, the school counselor, explained to me that the family currently does not want meals, etc. There is an account set up at Bank of America under the name of Kevin and Katie Renz. People can make donations if they want to do something to help. Please see me or Beth for the account number. Erin McEachern, a close family friend, has agreed to be a central contact person. If you have questions you may contact her at 650-0995 or email at emceachern@gmail.com .

Progress Reports went home today in my reading, writing, and social studies classes. I am asking that you sign it have your child return it so I may know that it was shared with parents.

Thank you,

Tim Lucy

Weekly Update from Tim Lucy

Greetings,
  Conferences are just around the corner. Today I sent home a confirmation letter proposing a time and date for your conferences based on your suggestions. Please detach the bottom and return ASAP.  Beginning Monday, students will begin the preparation for Student Led Conferences.

Writing Workshop - For a week now we have been writing a Piece of Choice. Students have the freedom to choose genre and topic. We will use the writing process and the writing traits of Organization, Ideas, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency and Conventions. Some kids are choosing to write personal narratives, others poetry, short stories,  or descriptive essays. My goal is to give a weekly feedback to the students myself and they are following revision guides in the five traits. 

Reading - Reading homework continues. Reading homework went home tonight. All students understand that they are to read the short pieces aloud and answer the questions thoroughly with quality handwriting. 30 minutes or more of reading five nights a week is also expected. Thanks.

Social Studies - This week we explored agriculture. Why did civilizations evolve from hunter gathers to farmers. We will be discussing domesticating plants and animals, stable food supply and surplus. 

Poetry Workshop to Benefit the 2012 Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest
Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Mindport, 210 Holly, Belligham.
10:30 - 12:30
Intergenerational Poetry
Instructor: Luther Allen
Collaborative poetry writing for pairs of people from different generations - kids and parents, kids and grandparents, adults and parents, maybe just someone you want to get to know better who's younger or older than yourself. The younger partner should be at least 10; a difference of at least 20 years is suggested. The instructor will lead the participants through a step-by-step process to create a collaborative poem. Cost: $44 for two intergeneration partners. To register, e-mail boyntonpoetrycontest.  If you have any questions just ask me. I think I will attend. @hotmail.com

Thanks,
Tim Lucy

Social Studies Quiz Tomorrow

Families,
  Just a note to let  you know my students have a short social studies quiz tomorrow morning.

The targets include:

• I can identify and spell the names of the six continents we explored.
• I can explain what climate means.
• I can explain what physical features are.
• I can explain what natural resources are.
• I can explain the difference between natural resources and physical features.
• I can describe where on the earth a site is located using some of the following terms: Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western Hemisphere, Lines of Latitude, Lines of Longitude, Continent, Equator and more if you wish. For instance: Describe the location of South Dakota.

Early release tomorrow at 12:15.
Thanks,
Mr. Lucy

Weekly Update from Mr. Lucy, Thursday, October 27th.

Hello from room 217,

  I found much improvement with home reading assignments this week. Remember that I want my students to read the passages aloud to you each week. Hopefully, the reading can be followed with a discussion as your child is reading the questions. Another assignment went home today.
  I want to share a quote from my own reading of 40 Reading Intervention Strategies for K-6 Students, by Elaine K. McEwan. "Pervasive reading, in every subject, in every physical space, reading just about everything, just about all the time--is the key to reading success." Peter Temes. I hope you catch your child reading at home at least 30 minutes per night, five nights a week.
  We began writing a piece of choice this week. Ask your child about his/her heart map.
Thanks,
Tim Lucy

Weekly Update from Mr. Lucy, Friday, October 20th.

  The magazine drive assembly today launched the fund raising drive for Whatcom. Your child may approach you with a packet of materials.
  The Weekly Reading Homework is due tomorrow. The expectation is that your child read the short story aloud to an adult. I want you to sign the sheet and have your child return it tomorrow. And a new letter will be coming home tomorrow night. It will be due next Friday. Students are completing Reading Letter #3 this week. The newest  target focuses on questioning as they read.
  Most students have begun to illustrate their civilization on a map.
  I asked students to turn in their first drafts of the New Secret Shortcut so I could provide feedback.