Newsletter for the week of April 30

Reading: This week in reading, we will continue reading  our Time for Kids magazines. We will focus on using headings to understand information, vocabulary, and inferential questions. We will also be doing a project for Earth Day.  The students will also work on a persuasive piece with their magazine about sugar.  The prompt: Should government ban the sale of sugary drinks to kids?  The students need to pick a side and argue their point of view.  They will also need to use facts from the magazine to back up their opinions.

Book Report: Your book report for April must be on a fantasy or science fiction. The presentation will be Monday, April 30. For this book report you can make a travel brochure, or you can come up with your own idea. For the travel brochure you should include the following items:

• An illustrated cover
• What a guest should bring
• Why someone should come and visit this place
• Directions on how to get there
• Any special features that a person may want to see
• Anything else you would like to include

Math: In math we will start unit 10 which focuses on using data, algebra concepts, and skills.  Our first two lessons will focus on using pan balances to solve problems.  Then we will focus on using algebraic expressions, rules, tables, and graphs.

Writing: This week in writing the students we will create a trash monster and write about their journey.  We will also be researching Lewis and Clark's expedition.

Science: This week in science we will continue with our small life unit.  The first lesson focused on the parts of a microscope. Then students used water drop lenses to see how a bigger lense does not magnify as good as a smaller lense. We also compared hair to thread, and learned about the range of view.  This week they will learn about plant and animal cells.  They will look at an onion cell, their cheek cells and protists.  We will use different stains to highlight the parts of a cell.

Social Studies: This week in social studies we will continue to research the Lewis and Clark expedition and with a partner they are gong to make a brochure to encourage Americans to settle in the West.

Spelling Unit 27:
aren't     couldn't     doesn't     hadn't     he'd     he's     here's     how's     she'll     shouldn't
that's     there's     they'll     we'd     we'll     weren't     what's     where's     wouldn't     you'd
celebrities     congratulations     continue     astronomer     guarantee     restaurant    
victory     delicious     jewelry     amateur     athlete     bargain     bureau     license
interference     microscope     pastels     comparison     encouraged     charcoal

READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes for this month. The incentive will be tickets to see the Joliet Lackhammers Minor League baseball team. They will also get a free one-topping personal pan pizza.  Monday is the last day to log in your minutes for April.

Important Dates:
Book Report due on Monday, April 30
Market Day Pick Up Tuesday, May 1
Spelling Test Wednesday, May 2
Volunteer Luncheon Wednesday, May 2
Paw Print Redemption Thursday, May 3
Spirit Day Friday, May 4

Homework for April 27

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Monday

Spelling- Contract & Test for Wednesday

Homework for April 26

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Monday

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Test tomorrow

Science - Quiz tomorrow

Homework for April 25

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due April 30

5P Math - Study Guide due tomorrow, Tets on Friday

5B Math - Study Link 8.4

Science - Quiz Friday

Homework for April 24

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for tomorrow

5P Math - Study Link 8.10, Study Guide due on Thursday, Test Friday

Science - Quiz on Friday

Extra Credit

I shared this extra credit opportunity with the class today, but I wanted to post it here as well. On Wednesday night at 8:00 on PBS there is an episode of NOVA titled "Secrets of the Sun" which ties in beautifully with what we have been learning about these past few weeks. I will give extra credit to anyone who watches the program and writes a thoughtful one page reflection that shares what was learned. PBS is channel 11 and 191 HD on Comcast. Set it up to tape and have a great conversation with your child about how the information presented in the show compares to what I have tried to teach everyone about stars at school. This extra assignment is going to be due on Monday.

Homework for April 23

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Journal page 283 #s 1, 2, 3, Study Guide due Thursday, Test on Friday

5B Math - Quiz tomorrow

Science - Quiz on Friday

Newsletter for the week of April 23

Reading: This week in reading, we will focus on nonfiction using Time for Kids magazines.  We will focus on using headings to understand information, vocabulary, and inferential questions.  We will also be doing a project for Earth Day.  The students will pick up garbage around the school along with other found items in nature using gloves.  Then they will make a "trash monster" art project in groups.  The groups will then write a memoir adventure story or op ed piece about garbage.

Book Report: Your book report for April must be on a fantasy or science fiction. The presentation will be Monday, April 30. For this book report you can make a travel brochure, or you can come up with your own idea. For the travel brochure you should include the following items:

• An illustrated cover
• What a guest should bring
• Why someone should come and visit this place
• Directions on how to get there
• Any special features that a person may want to see
• Anything else you would like to include

Math: In math we will continue working on unit 8. The first lesson focused on renaming equilvalent fractions and comparing fractions. The second and third lessons focused on adding and subtracting mixed numbers. Then we moved on to multiplying fractions and multiplying mixed numbers.  Last week we continued to work on multiplying mixed numbers and dividing fractions. We also worked on percents of discounts.  This week we will find the fraction or percent of a whole.  Our test for this unit is on Wednesday.

Writing: This week in writing the students will share their 6 word memoirs about the characters in their book.  They will also write a 6 word memoir about their life.  After we finish our memoirs we will be doing a piece on flipping lunch and recess.  The prompt is: Would kids behavior in the lunchroom be better if recess was before lunch?  The students will develop interview questions and research the benefits of recess.  Then they will go and interview students to get their opinion.  After interviewing them, the information will be compiled and a class paper will be written.

Science: This week in science we will finish our star unit with constellations.  Then we will start our last unit which is small life.  The first lesson will focus on the parts of a microscope.  The students will also use water drop lenses to see how a bigger lense does not magnify as good as a smaller lense.  We will also compare the size of specimens.

Social Studies: This week in social studies we are going to research the Lewis and Clark expedition and with a partner they are gong to make a brochure to encourage Americans to settle in the West.

Spelling Unit 26:
quiet     trial     fuel     poem     diet     nucleus     cruel     Indian     fluid     violin
museum     dial     ruin     influence     triumph     violent     theater     liar     leotard
koala     journey     obstacle     accomplishment     desperate     calm     beneath     leisure
protein     receiver     pleasant     measures     appointment     weather     sweatshirt     journalist
Reconstruction     Gettysburg     Civil War     Appomattox     Amendment

READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes for this month. The incentive will be tickets to see the Joliet Lackhammers Minor League baseball team. They will also get a free one-topping personal pan pizza.

Important Dates:
Planetarium Field Trip Monday, April 23
Spelling Test Wednesday, April 23
Math Test on Wednesday. April 25
Earth Day Assembly Thursday, April 26
Book Report due on Monday, April 30

Homework for April 20

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Guide due Tuesday, Test on Wednesday

5B Math - Quiz on Tuesday

P.E. - Fitness Card due next week

Homework for April 19

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Language Arts - Song and Poetry Book due tomorrow

Spelling - Contract & Test for next Wednesday

5P Math - Find out the make, model, and year of your car, Study Link 8.9, Study Guide due on Tuesday, April 24, Test Wednesday, April 25

5B Math - Study Link 8.7

Social Studies - Test on Friday

P.E. - Fitness Card

Walk-In Registration 2012-2013 School Year

Walk-in registration for the 2012-2013 school year will be held on:

Thursday, May 10

3:00 - 7:30 pm

Monday, May 14

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

If you have had a change of address during the school year, you will be required to provide proof of residency at the time of registration. This would be a copy of your lease agreement or mortgage paperwork.

All 6, 7, & 8 grade students are required to register. Although the registration process only takes approximately 15 minutes, we thought the following information would be useful to know ahead of time:

-Remember to bring your work phone number & emergency phone numbers to include on the health card/registration form. These are invaluable to us and important to the safety of your children.

-School fees will be determined in the spring. Checks should be made payable to School District 204. Please contact Diane Sabathne (428-6212) regarding financial concerns.

-Yearbook is an optional fee but most parents do place their order at registration. A check should be made payable to Hill Middle School. Yearbook cost will be $20.00.

Other items that will be available but optional to you include PTSA Membership, Hill Apparel, School Supply Kits

We look forward to seeing you on May 10 or 14!!! If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Sabathne at 428-6212.

Are you going to be moving at the end of this school year? Will your child be

attending a school other than Hill Middle School for the

2012-2013 school year?

If so, you need to contact the Guidance Office at 428-6207

Homework for April 18

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

5P Math - Mathboxes page 276 #s 3,4, 5, Study Guide due on Tuesday, April 24, Test Wednesday,   April 25

Social Studies - Test on Friday

Science - Test on Thursday

P.E. - Fitness Card

Homework for April 17

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for tomorrow

5P Math - Study Link 8.8, Study Guide due on Tuesday, April 24, Test Wednesday, April 25

Social Studies - Worksheet, Test on Friday

Science - Worksheet, Test on Thursday

Newsletter for the week of April 16

Reading: This week in reading, we will read the story Seeing Earth from Space.  In this photo essay, Patricia Lauber discusses and illustrates the way land masses are formed and changed, the fragility of Earth, and the need to protect it.  The focus skills will be vocabulary, inferential questions, and open response questions.  We will also focus on understanding the important information.  The following vocabulary words will be focused on: sensors, atoll, reef, lagoon, meander, and barren.

Book Report: Your book report for April must be on a fantasy or science fiction. The presentation will be Monday, April 30. For this book report you can make a travel brochure, or you can come up with your own idea. For the travel brochure you should include the following items:

• An illustrated cover
• What a guest should bring
• Why someone should come and visit this place
• Directions on how to get there
• Any special features that a person may want to see
• Anything else you would like to include

Math: In math we will continue working on unit 8. The first lesson focused on renaming equilvalent fractions and comparing fractions. The second and third lessons focused on adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  Last week we worked on multiplying fractions and multiplying mixed numbers.  This week we will continue to work on multiplying mixed numbers and dividing fractions.  We will also work on percents of discounts and finding the fraction or percent of a whole.

Writing: This week in writing the students will finish their poetry books, and on Wednesday, they will present one of their poems.  This week we will also work on 6 word memoirs.  The first step will be to have the students write six word memoirs for characters from a shared reading experience.  Next they will write 6 word memoirs for the main characters in the book they are currently reading.  Then the kids will write one of their own about their own lives.

Science: We will continue our star unit.  The students will learn about the different parts of the sun, which is a star, and the two gases that make up a star.  They will also learn about the sizes of stars and their distances.  Then we will look at the relationship between star color and temperature.  The students will also learn about the ideas of star formation and star destruction.  Our last lesson will focus on the 4 four types of galaxies that we see in the universe.

Social Studies: This week in social studies we will look at George Washington's presidency, the Lousiana Purchase, and the War of 1812.

Spelling Unit 25:
slogan     radar     minutes     honest     second     virus     shadow     humor     salad     eleven
closet     model     volcano     private     balance     radio     basis     decent     fanatic     novel
diary     textbooks     calculated     superior     centuries     laser     module     miser     lotion
bouquet     resign     scenic     awesome     finance     promise     blockade     impeach
segregation     sharecropping     generalization

READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes for this month. The incentive will be tickets to see the Joliet Lackhammers Minor League baseball team.  They will also get a free one-topping personal pan pizza.

Important Dates:
Spelling Test Wednesday, April 18
Science Test Thursday, April 19
Paw Print Redemption Thursday, April 19
Social Studies Quiz Friday, April 20
Book Report due on Monday, April 30

Homework for April 13

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5B Math - Extra Credit Study Link 8.4

Homework for April 11

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

5P Math - Study Link 8.6

Science - Quiz over the diagram of the sun on Friday

Book Order due on Friday

Homework for April10

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 8.5

Science - Quiz over the diagram of the sun on Friday

Homework for April 9

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Mathboxes page 263 #s 1, 3, 5, 6

5B Math - Study link 8.3

Science - Quiz over the diagram of the sun on Friday, Worksheet

Field Trip Note due

Book Order due on Friday

Newsletter for the week of April 9

Reading: This week in reading, we will continue to work on analyzing songs.  The teams will interpet the deeper meaning of the song.  They are paraphrasing the stanzas and the chorus of their song.  Next they are looking for poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, rhyme, etc.  In the third part, the students have to look at the speaker, setting, and tone and decide if there shifts or changes in each of these.  The last thing they need to do is explain the overall theme of their song.  We will also be reading the story The World of William Joyce Scrapbook.  In this autobiography, William Joyce tells how television, toys, and pictures in books influenced his drawings when he was a kid.  He also talks about how he plans and creates his books, using two of his books as examples.  The focus skills will be vocabulary, inferential questions, and open response questions.  The following vocabulary words will be focused on: encouraged, illustrating, series, charcoal, and pastels.

Book Report: Your book report for April must be on a fantasy or science fiction. The presentation will be Monday, April 30. For this book report you can make a travel brochure, or you can come up with your own idea. For the travel brochure you should include the following items:

• An illustrated cover
• What a guest should bring
• Why someone should come and visit this place
• Directions on how to get there
• Any special features that a person may want to see
• Anything else you would like to include

Math: In math we have started unit 8. The first lesson focused on renaming equilvalent fractions and comparing fractions. The second and third lessons focused on adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  This week we will be working on multiplying fractions and multiplying mixed numbers. 

Writing: This week in writing the students will continue working on poetry. They will write free verse poetry.  On Friday, they will present one of their poems.

Science: We will be starting our star unit.  The students will learn about the different parts of the sun, which is a star, and the two gases that make up a star.  They will also learn about the sizes of stars and their distances.  Then we will look at the relationship between star color and temperature.  The students will also learn about the ideas of star formation and star destruction.  Our last lesson will focus on the 4 four types of galaxies that we see in the universe.

Social Studies: We finished the Constitution so this week we will not do social studies.

Spelling Unit 24:
subtract     distract     contract     complex     distrust     extra     improve     instead     Congress
English     conflict     exchange     pumpkin     sandwich     Christmas     construction
luncheon     complaint     transform     although     cassette     devised     persuaded     deceive
dictionary     punctuation     unstressed     abbreviation     approve     substance     parsley    
puncture     hatchet     laughter     purchase     nutrients     proteins     vitamins     calorie
carbohydrates

READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes for this month. The incentive will be tickets to see the Joliet Lackhammers Minor League baseball team.  They will also get a free one-topping personal pan pizza.

Important Dates:
No School Friday, April 6
Field Trip Form due Monday, April 9
Spelling Test Wednesday, April 11
4th & 5th Grade Special Chorus Concert Thursday, April 12 9:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Book Report due on Monday, April 30

Homework for Aoril 5

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on April 30

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5B Math - Study for quiz over 8.1-8.3 for Tuesday

Field Trip Note due on Monday, April 9