Test-Taking Strategies

Next week is the middle of Trimester 1 here at Mark Twain, which means we have a Language Arts test, as Science Test and a Math Test all in one week. Today we covered some good strategies for a taking a reading comprension test. We talked about how reading in a test is different than reading a book for pleasure or even information, so we need to approach it differently. Here are some strategies that can help us attack a test.

1. Read the Questions First
2. Highlight or underline key words or phrases in the questions.
3. Read the passage 2 - 3 times.
4. Highlight key words or phrases in the passage that relate to the questions.
5. Read the questions again and ALL of the answer choices.
6. Eliminate the wrong answers.
7. Choose the correct answer and mark it.

We are practicing these techniques now, and will continue to review them throughout the year.

Happy Birthday Mr. Anderson!

What happens when the principal has a birthday?

Learning Powerpoint

We made our second trip to the computer lab to learn how to use the program Microsoft PowerPoint to make presentations. The first presentation is All About Me. The students will be presenting these to the class next week. The students will continue to use this program to make reports on science social studies throughout the year. Some students may be able to compete to participate in Tulare County's Cyberquest on November 21st.

Properties of Addition

Zero Property - when you add zero to a number, the sum is that same number
Example: 5 + 0 = 5
Commutative Property - when you change the order of the addends, the sum stays the same.
Example: 3 + 4 = 7 and 4 + 3 = 7 so 3 + 4 = 4 + 3
Associative Property - when you change the way the addends are grouped, the sum stays the same.
Example: (2 + 3) + 6 = 11 and 2 + (3 + 6) = 11 so (2 + 3) + 6 = 2 + (3 + 6)

Some Good Books We've Read

Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull - The storyof how Wilma Rudolph overcame immense disadvantages to become a record-winning Olympic athlete. Used this in our discussions on Commitment, our character of the month for August.

Salt in His Shoes by Doloris Jordan - A biography of Michael Jordan, written by his mom, that let's us know, even superstars have to work hard for what they get.

The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack - the story of a girl who tells the truth a little too well. This was used in our discussions on Honesty, our character of the month for September.

Tea With Milk by Allen Say - this is part 2 of the story Grandfather's Journey, which we read in our reading anthology this week. Grandfather's Journey tells the story of Allen Say's grandfather, who moved from Japan to California, then back to Japan. Tea With Milk is the story of Allen Say's mother, a California girl, who has to adjust to life back in Japan.

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco Ellen is bored with reading, so her grandpa takes her on an adventure to find the bee tree, in the process, teaching Ellen a lesson about the adventures that can be found in books.

Our class guardian

Thanks to the Sweatts for adding to my Star Wars collection! I love my new Yoda. He has a place of honor at the front of the class. Watch us he will.

We learned a new song this week in science to help us to remember how resistors, conductors and insulators help us use electricity. It is sung to the tune of "How Much is That Doggy in the Window"

Electricity Helpers

Chorus:
Resistors, conductors, insulators
Help us use electricity
Resistors, conductors, insulators
Help us use electricity

Resistors slow down the electrons
Then change them to heat, light and motion
Resistors slow down the current
Then changes it to other forms
Chorus
Conductors help move the electrons
To places far and near
Conductors are metals like copper
Help charges flow smoothly for us
Chorus
Insulators stop electric charges
From going where they shouldn’t be
Insulators like rubber and plastic
Keep us safe, you and me