Clue #3

Ok boys and girls, take the answer to clue #2, and take the first word (oops, did I forget to mention that word order is extra-important? It is!). So if that first word was the human version, what would its four main constituents, or parts, be?
Oh, by the way, you know the first clue? Looking for the Greek name, not the two-word English name Carter uses. That won't help at all.

Clue #2

According to the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2nd edition, what was the answer to clue #1 created from?

Holiday Mystery Extravaganza!!!

I know you've been waiting for it...... Here are the rules: solve each puzzle as it appears, at the end, the mystery will involve answers to each puzzle, plus each answer is crucial to the next puzzle. And you have to have the final answer, plus the methods you used to solve each puzzle, written down on the first day of school.
Ok, Clue #1. Carter Kane sees something he shouldn't on p. 91 of The Throne of Fire...

Question of the Week!

We just finished our unit on Euclidean geometry, so-called because the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid is credited with founding this branch of math. Name four other famous mathematicians, and tell what they are famous for.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What do you think of 3-D movies? Math: no homework, but the extra problem crew, take a look at Khan Academy, and let me know what you did tomorrow (link is over on the right).

Bonus Question!!!

How would you say "Merry Christmas" in ten different languages? You pick the languages!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: If there were no rules, what do you think would happen? Math: Circle worksheet, and Tuesday's homework for those who didn't finish it.

Weather update!

Hey friends, make yourself another cup of cocoa and relax, because there's No School Today. The roads are getting icier, so PPS has canceled school for today. See you tomorrow!

Late opening/Field Trip

As you may know, we have a two hour late opening this morning due to icy roads. That impacts our scheduled Field Trip to OMSI today. I talked with the OMSI staff, and our Field Trip is rescheduled. We will now be going on Thursday, Dec. 19 (that's a week from tomorrow). Parents planning to chaperone, I know many of you rearranged your schedules to accompany us today, and I'm sorry we can't go. Just let me know if you can still go next week.

Homework

Reading: 30 Minutes. Writing: If it were your job to decide what shows could be on TV, how would you choose? Math: pp. 82-3, #22-32, extra problems: 16-21, 33-38. Due Thursday!

Question of the Week!

Elementary! Well, it should be! Here are your clues (ok, they're really questions...): What kind of hat does Sherlock Holmes wear? Who is Holmes' arch-enemy? What is the name of Holmes' landlady? What street does Holmes live on? Good Luck!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: If you were 5 years older, you would be doing....... Math: 5.3, problems A, B, and D (extras: p. 81, #15).

Homework (at last!!!)

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: if you could do whatever you want right now, what would you do? Math: p. 63, #22-28, extra problems, #28-31, 38, 39.

It's Bonus Time!!!!

"The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out..." Oh, hi. Zombie worms, belonging to the genus Osedax, were first discovered in 2002. There are 7 known species. Ok, for all the worms you can eat, or a valuable prize of my choosing, tell me these two things: Where do they live, and what do they eat?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Math: pp. 61-62, #9-17... Extra problems: #18-21, 34, 35.

Question of the week!!!

Happy Thanksgivukkah!!! This year, the beginning of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving occurred on the same day! What does Hanukkah celebrate? When is the next year that these two holidays will coincide?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: If you could give any gift in the world, what would you give and to whom? Math: pp. 60-61, #1-8, extra problems #32-33.

Bonus Question!!!!!! 2 in one Week!!!!!

What is the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year for 2013? It's a noun, and you will have to show me one tomorrow in order to be eligible to win the valuable prize.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 45-46, #7-17. Writing: If you could have been someone in history, who would you have been?

Bonus Question!!!!

Pele, arguably the greatest soccer player ever, scored his 1000th goal on Nov. 19, 1969. What was the name of his team?

Question of the Week!!!!!

Today is Mickey Mouse's birthday! So folks, here are the questions: What was the name of Mickey's debut movie (man, that's an easy one!)? Who was the first voice of both Mickey and Minnie Mouse? What where the Mouseketeers? When Mickey Mouse first came out, who was his main cartoon rival?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 44-45, #1-6. Writing: What would you do if you found a magic wand?

(a slightly late) Bonus Question!

Tomorrow is National Pickle Day! Woo hoo!!!!!!! Tell me what the ancient Egyptians thought pickles were good for...

Homework (a little late...)

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: free write. Math: # 7-15 in the homework section for part 2.

Question of the Week

Since my family and I spent part of the weekend at Skamania Lodge, this week's question is about the Bridge of the Gods. How much is the toll for the Bridge of the Gods? Which side do you pay on? And when was the bridge first opened?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What if you found a wallet with $50 in it? Math: p. 28, #7, p. 31, #16-18, p. 32, #19.

Holiday Weekend Bonus Question

November 9 was Neighborhood Toy Store Day. I found that out at a toy store in Hood River, where my girls got some cool free stuff. What is the name of the organization that sponsors the day? First one to email me the answer wins the super valuable prize!!!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 12-13, #16-23. Writing: What would you do if you woke up in another country and no one could understand you?

Bonus Question!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 4 is the date on which the pharaoh Tutankhamen's burial site was discovered. Who discovered him? How old was Tutankhamen when he died?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: p. 12, #9-15. Writing: What would happen if you found gold in your backyard?

Question of the Week

Next Monday is a holiday, and there will be no school. The holiday, of course, is Veterans Day. Veterans Day was originally established to honor soldiers who fought in which war? What was the name of the treaty signed to end that war? Why is the holiday on November 11?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What if everyone lived under water? Where would people live? What games would children play? What would school be like? Math: pp. 10-11, #1-5.

Bonus question!

Slate magazine says that the coolest song ever recorded is "Summertime" sung by Sarah Vaughan. According to The New York Times, how many times has "Summertime" been recorded?

Homework

No homework tonight! Have fun!!!

Question of the Week

It's Halloween time, boys and girls. Boo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! What is "Halloween" short for? Halloween occurs at the same time as what ancient Celtic holiday? And what is the origin of jack-o-lanterns? Happy haunting, I mean hunting.

Homework

Writing: Create a horror or torture chamber with all the nastiest devices you can think of. Be sure to include the torture that would be the worst for you! Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Fraction packet.

Super-duper Extra Bonus Question!

Yesterday was National iPod Day (yes, there really is such a thing!). So your question is, how many different iPods have there been since the first one was introduced in 2001?

Homework

Reading: 30 Minutes. Writing: What if we could walk on walls and ceilings? Math: Finish 4.4, pp. 58-9, #15-29.

Question of the Week

The world's largest cave was discovered in 2009. What country is it in? What is its name? And what is the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What would happen if animals could talk? What are some of the questions you would like to ask animals? Math: pp. 55-56, #1-4.

Homework

Oh dear, we were having so much fun with my daughter on her birthday, that I forgot to post the homework.... A shout-out to Michelle for sending me an email reminder (now that might be worth a valuable prize!). Math: finish problem 3.4, and then those other problems I had you write in your planner (hey, I'm not at school now...). Writing: Imagine that our school was floating in the air... Reading: 30 minutes.

Mission Impossible!!!!!!!

Is it possible to multiply two positive numbers together and get an answer that is less than both numbers? Correct answers with written proof earn a valuable prize! (tomorrow)

Homework

Writing: What if we had flying cars? Math: Finish 3.3, and p. 42, #12-15. Read for 30 minutes!

Extra PE

We earned an extra PE session from the teacher who is filling in for Mr. Lipscomb this week. He said we were easily his best class so far! Woot Woot!

Homework (you know you love it!!!!!)

Math: Finish problem 3.2. Writing: If you could have a super power, what would it be? Reading: 30 Minutes

Question of the Week

Today is Spider Man Day! Here is your sticky quest, heroes, solve it if you can! Who are the creators of Spider Man? What was the name of the first comic book that Spider Man appeared in? What is Spider Man's secret identity? What is the name of the company that publishes Spider Man?

Homework

Math: p. 40, #1-4a, p. 45, #37. Writing: What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs? Reading: 30 Minutes.

Just a few more pictures.... and there are still more. Keep using the link below.

What time are we getting back???

Looks like we will be arriving back at school earlier than anticipated... plan on us being back around 1:40. More pictures from this morning are up, just follow the link in the post below.

Day 2

Well, yesterday it started raining right in the the middle of our Plants field study, and we all got a little wet. It's really wet out today, too. I'm having some trouble updating this page, so click here to access the pictures I've taken so far. More to come!

Pictures? What Pictures?

Sorry, technical difficulties with the wifi up here.... I will try to get pictures posted sometime tomorrow!!!

Outdoor School Monday!!!

Everyone arrives at school at the regular time, 8:40, with all your gear. I will come to the front door and get you into class so that you don't have to line up with your gear. If you are one of those on-the-fence kids, and you decide you really want to go to ODS, bring your filled-out forms with you Monday. We should return to school Wednesday around 2:00-2:15, and everyone is excused to leave then. The extended forecast calls for cool weather and rain... come prepared! Photos: there isn't a very good wifi arrangement at Camp Howard, but I will try to post some pictures each day. Check for the new link Monday night over to the right!

Samurai!

The Portland Art Museum has a really cool samurai armor exhibit which opens this weekend. Check out this link to learn more... Also coming up at the museum: At the Museum with Dark Horse Comics, Sat. Nov. 2.

Homework

Writing: What if all the streets were rivers? What would be different? Math: Either Adding Fractions F, or Subtracting Mixed Fractions (A).

Planners

Starting this week, I'd like parents to start signing your child's planner before they come to school on Friday (ideally, Thursday night or Friday morning). This is an opportunity to check in with your child on whether they have completed their work for the week or not. Also, there is space for you to write a note to me, and space for me to reply. I'll check the planners for your signatures each Friday morning.

:(

I can't believe it! Twice in one week I left off the homework post! Never again! (I hope)

Homework

Writing: What would happen if everyone lived in space? What type of houses would they live in? What type of clothing would they wear? What type of food would they eat? How would they travel? Math: Fraction Practice sheet. Check your child's planner for Outdoor School info!

Huh?

Ay Caramba! I totally left out last night's homework assignment. Bad Mr. Swan! Look for tonight's assignment (for sure!).

Question of the Week

October 1 marks the end of an era: The Oregonian stops daily home delivery of it's newspaper, changing to only four per week. When was the first issue of The Oregonian (then called The Weekly Oregonian) published? How will people get The Oregonian on the three days it isn't delivered?

Outdoor School

Outdoor School is just one week away! Make sure you check the packing list link to the right. The extended forecast calls for cool, dry weather Monday and Tuesday, with rain possible on Wednesday. But this is Oregon, and you know the forecast can change!

Over to the right, there's a new link, Homework Help. This site is run by Michelle, Jaclyn, Laura, and Helena from our class! Check it out if you need any advice!

Extra Extra Super-Duper Bonus Question! Mr. Swan loves watching Fetch! with his daughters. So here is your question (well, 3 questions, to be exact): Who is the host of Fetch!? What is the name of the cat on Fetch!? What does the host say right before awarding bonus points? All three need to be answered correctly in order to be entered in the fabulous drawing!!!!!

Homework: Come to Open House, 6:00-7:30!

Homework: Writing: What would happen if you could fly whenever you wanted? When would you use this ability? Math: Fraction worksheet.

Homework: Math: Problem 2.2. Writing: What is your favorite day of the week?

Homework: Writing: What is the best advice you ever received? Math: Finish Bits and Pieces 2.1

Research Question of the Week

When Donald Johanson discovered the fossils that her would later name Lucy, he was listening to a song popular at that time, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." Your quest is: What year did Johanson discover Lucy? What is Lucy's scientific name (genus and species)? What was the name of the band that originally sang the song? And where were the band members all from (be specific!!!!!). Ok, ok, and what were the first names of all the band members? Due, as usual, on Friday.

Homework: Math: Finish up 5 page practice on prime factorizations, exponents, etc. Writing: What is something that really bugs you?

Sorry for not posting yesterday :(. Today's Homework: Math: Prime factorization worksheet. Answer in both long form and exponent form. Find the GCF's of two pairs of numbers of your choosing. EC! Bulldog Bucks for each 5 pairs of GCF's you do extra. Writing: What is your favorite book and why?

Question of the week: Why is 1 not a prime number?

Homework: Language Arts: Read both articles on CCD, find and write down 3 important ideas from each. Writing: What is the best birthday present you ever received? Math: p. 56, #1-3.

Extra Special Extra Bonus Research Question: What was discovered in France on this day, Sept. 12, in 1940? And what were the kids doing when they made the discovery? Win valuable prizes!

Homework: Writing: What is your favorite song and why? Math: Extra Credit only! p. 44, #34-35. Science: Answer question 1 from page A-6 in your science lab journal.

Homework: Math: p. 43, #16-20, extra credit, 21-23. Writing: What is your favorite time of day?

Homework: Math: pp. 42-43, #10-15. Writing: What is your favorite room in your home and why?

Homework: Math: p. 42, #1 to 8. Writing: write 12-15 minutes on the following topic, What is something you do well?

Question of the Week: We found out today that Mr. Lipscomb has climbed Mt. Hood 139 times! That's amazing! But Mr. Lipscomb was also a famous athlete, in fact, he was an NCAA champion! So, find out these things about him: What university did he go to? What year or years was he the NCAA champion? What sport was he champion in? What was hi winning total when he was NCAA champion?

Homework: What does RCTID stand for? When is it used at Timbers games?

Hello everyone, and welcome back to school! Parents, my letter home is coming, really! We've had major printer issues here at school, and it's just one of the things I can't get printed. I will attach it in a link on the right side after school.

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: decimal multiplication sheet. Writing: I wish I had one more chance to..... Then I would.....

Reading: 30 Minutes. Math: Equivalent fractions sheet. Writing: I wish I never...... Also, Greek Portfolios are due NEXT FRIDAY!

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: finish problem 1.3. Writing: I wish I could forget the time I ..... because....

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: decimal multiplication. Writing: I wish I could be like.... This person is special because....

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: decimal division sheet. Writing: I wish I had one... because....

Bonus Question!

May is National Tennis Month (hey, I don't make this stuff up!). Last summer, American star Serena Williams won the Wimbledon women's championship (Wimbledon is the most prestigious tennis tournament, played on grass courts in London) for the fifth time. Her sister, Venus, has also won the title 5 times. Together the Williams sisters have also won the women's doubles championship 5 times. OMG, they are so awesome! When was the last time an American man won Wimbledon, and who was it?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 31-35, #10-12, 32. Writing: Work on Superhero assignment 3.

Reading: 30 Minutes. Math: pp. 30-37, #7-9, 25-31. Writing: I wish I had a million... Then I would...

Bonus Question!!!!!!!!!!

Someone, someone, PLEASE answer this!!!!!!!! Here goes: "White Rabbit", "It's Raining Men", "Baby Got Back", "ABC", "Let's Hear It For The Boy". What are these 5 things, according to the Washington Post (that's a newspaper in our nation's capital)? And what's more, why these five "things" this week? VALUABLE PRIZES for those who have the answer tomorrow. If nobody answers, I'm giving the prizes to Deacon's class!

Reading: 30 Minutes. Math: finish Problem 2.2. Writing: See assignment 1 and 2 links to the right.

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 28-32, #1, 2, 13-16. Writing: See Assignment 1 link to the right.

Reading: 30 minutes, por favor. Math: pp. 13-19, #6-8, 21-23, 32. Writing: How do you feel when you do something that is very good?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 13-16, #1-5, 19, 20. Writing: What is the funniest dinner you've ever had with your family?

Bonus Question!!!!!!!!

Well, sitting here working on grades, I began to wonder who the extremely brilliant folks were who invented letter grades. So, here's your question, or rather, questions. Answer both to receive a valuable prize (email responses might earn an extra bonus prize, assuming you get it right). 1. Where and when did letter grades start? 2. What happened to the E? Good Luck!

Bonus Question!!!!

April is National Poetry Month. Who is the Poet Laureate of the United States? And what on earth is a poet laureate?

Reading: 30 minutes! Math: Decimal division sheet. Writing: What behavior in one of your friends disturbs you the most?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Graphing sheet. Writing: What makes your best friend your best friend?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: no math :( Writing: What is most important to you in a friend--loyalty, generosity, honesty--why?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 55-56, #1, 2. Writing: What is more important to you, appearance or personality?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: p. 39-40, #8, 9, 10. Writing: What nickname would you like to have, and why?

Bonus Question!!!

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. But where was he born?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: p. 38, #5, 6. Writing: What are some rules you have to follow at home?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 35-45, #1-4. Writing: What TV or movie star would you like to invite to your birthday party?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 21-28, #10-12, 25, 29, 30. Writing: What kind of animal would you like to be and why?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 19-27, #6-9, 21-24, 27, 28. Writing: What do you like to do in your free time?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: pp. 15-24, #1-3, 18-20. Writing: What do you like most about yourself?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: p. 23, #13-17. Writing: What do you think about students having to wear school uniforms?

Reading: 29.999993 minutes. Math: Finish problem 4.3. Writing: What things do you think are beautiful?

Reading: 29.6703 minutes. Math: Finish your order for Uncle Wing's. Figure total cost including 7.5% sales tax and a tip from 15% to 20%. Writing: What do you think makes a happy family?

Reading: 30.000000000004 minutes. Math: pp. 55-59, #1-3, 13, 14, 27, 28. Writing: What do you think makes a good friend?

Reading: 29.999999999 minutes. Math: finish up Decimal division C, E and F, and Decimal Multliplication D. Writing: What do you think about when you can't fall asleep?

Reading: 30.21 minutes. Math: Finish Decimal Division A and Division A. Writing: What do you think about ghosts?

Reading: 30.14 minutes. Math: p. 28, #7-16. Writing: What do you think the world will be like when you are a grown-up?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Decimal multiplication sheet. Writing: What do you think your friends say to each other when you're not around?

Bonus Question!!! The next two weeks mark Chinese and Vietnamese New Year. What year is it on the traditional Chinese calendar? Chúc mừng năm mới!

Reading: 30.03 minutes. Math: Multiplying Decimals worksheet. Writing: What do you think of 3D movies?

Reading: 29.85 minutes. Math: Check-Up 1 (must be turned in tomorrow!). Writing: If you had to describe yourself as a color, which would you choose?

Reading: 29 minutes. Math: pp. 14-17, #19-22, 40-44. Writing: If there were no rules, what do you think would happen?

Reading: 31 minutes. Math: pp. 13-18, #8-18, 48. Writing: If it were your job to decide what shows can be on t.v., how would you choose?

Reading: 30 Minutes. Math: pp. 13-17, #1-7, 37, 38. Writing: If I were five years older, I would...

A Day In The Life....

A day in the life of an ancient Egyptian. Choose one of the five social classes (government official, priest, scribe, artisan, or peasant), and imagine yourself as a member of that class. Describe your day, from sun up to sun down. Include information about your social class, and also include interactions with people from the other social classes, demonstrating a knowledge of their lives, too. Due Friday, Jan. 25!

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Crouching Dog, Hidden Pattern. Writing: If you were a mouse in your house in the evening, what would you see your family doing?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: fill in the "What it looks like with pictures" and "Algebraic Expression" columns from at least one of your number tricks from class today, and the fractions worksheet. Writing: If you were principal of this school, what would you do?

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Number Trick. Writing: If you could do whatever you wanted to right now, what would you do? Bonus Question (have your answer written down tomorrow and win valuable prizes!): The earth is at it's perihelion today. What is that, and why is it today???