Question of the Week

It's Heisman Trophy time! Who is this year's Heisman Trophy winner? What is the trophy awarded for? Who is the trophy named for? Who was the last player from the state of Oregon to win it?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: If you were principal of this school, what would you do? Math: p. 60-61, #1-8. IXL: T8

Question of the week

Dec. 7 marked the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Which war did this cause the US to enter? How many Japanese planes attacked? When did the US declare war on Japan? When did the war end? How many Americans were killed in the attack? Where is Pearl Harbor?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: If you could give any gift in the world, what would you give, and to whom? Math: p. 33, #25. IXL: T5.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: if you could take only three people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why? Math: pp. 11-12, #7-15. IXL T3.

Question of the Week

The Lord of the Rings is widely considered to be one of the greatest fantasy novels of all time. Name four characters. When was it published? Who is the author? How many languages has it been translated into? How many copies have been sold?

Question of the Week

Gobble gobble! It's Thanksgiving this week. What year did Thanksgiving become a national holiday? Which president changed the date of Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday in November? When is Canada's Thanksgiving?

Homework

Trying to keep a light load this week, so no math. Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What would you do if you found a magic wand?

Homework

Yes, really, no math homework again tonight! Writing: What would you do if you woke up in another country and no one could understand you? Reading: 30 minutes or more! And, we still need old, unusable cell phones!

Question of the Week

Mickey Mouse's first feature film was Steamboat Willie. When and where was its premiere? What year did Mickey first appear in color? Who was the first voice of Mickey? Answers due Thursday!

Homework

No math tonight! Boo hoo! Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: free write.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What if you were out in a lake and your boat started to leak? Math: p. 56-7, #5-10, p. 59, #30-34. IXL: T3

Homework

In the rush of the end of the day, no homework got assigned. Check the news in the morning for weather-related information!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What if you found gold in your backyard? Math no math tonight!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What if everyone lived underwater? What games would you play? What would school be like? Math: adding fractions sheet.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What would happen if there were no cars, buses, trains, boats, or planes? How would this change your life? Math: reducing fractions sheet.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What would happen if kids ruled the world? Math: Simplify Fractions A. IXL: N8 and N9

Question of the Week!

Next Tuesday, we are off for Veterans' Day, which is a national holiday. Veterans' Day originally started off as a different holiday, which was called what? What is it about that original holiday and the number 11? Answer this week will be due Thursday!

Bonus Question!!!!!

Win valuable prizes!!!!! Hey, that most awesome of holidays, Halloween, is almost here. One of the cool traditions of Halloween is carving pumpkins to make Jack-O-Lanterns. But people didn't always use pumpkins. What vegetable was used before pumpkins? Have your answer written down on a piece of paper when you arrive in class tomorrow.

Homework

Reading: 30 Minutes. Writing: What would happen if everyone wore the same clothes? Math: p. 41, #6-10, and multiplying fractions sheet. IXL: N7

Eclipse!

There will be a full lunar eclipse viewable in Portland this week. The eclipse will begin around 2:15 am Wednesday morning, reaching it's peak around 3:55 am, and will be all over at 5:30. The sky should be clear! No special equipment is needed, except maybe a camera!

Homework

Reading: 1/2 hour. Writing: What would it be like if everyone lived in space? Math: Adding Fractions C & D. IXL: N5

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What would happen if there was no TV or internet? Good? Bad? Math: Converting fractions sheet B.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What is your favorite day of the week? Math: Fractions sheet, both addition pages.

Homework

Reading: 30 Minutes! Writing: What is your favorite holiday? What makes this holiday special? Math: finish problem 2.1. Don't forget, Picture Day is tomorrow!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What is the best birthday present you ever received? Math: p. 43, #16-23

Homework

Reading: 30 Minutes. Math: 3.2, problem B. Writing: What is your favorite song, and why?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What are you optimistic about? Math: Finish 2.3, A-D.

Homework

Math: Play the Product Game with someone at home. Play four times! Writing: What is your favorite time of day? Reading: 30 minutes.

Homework

Math: Prime Time p.14, #1-7, p. 17, #29. Writing: What is something that you do well? Reading: 30 minutes.

Almost September!

Well, the first day of school is almost here. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, and I hope you've had some adventures this summer. I know I have! I'm not sure what the supply list looks like, but you will definitely need spirals this year. Have a great Labor Day weekend!

IXL

Section Z

Homework

I'm not going to assign anything Monday or Tuesday, since the ancient Greece portfolios are due Wednesday. But I will update the IXL assignment tomorrow.

Question of the Week

Golf! This week, my nephew Alec competes in the NCAA Division III  golf finals so "Fore!" There's a good question, what do golfers yell "fore!" for? The modern game originated in Scotland, and has more than it's share of funny words. In your bag you might find a "mashie" and a "niblick." What are they? What is a "caddie?" Where would you expect to find a "fried egg?" What is a "bogey?" And finally, where are this year's NCAA Division III finals being held? Keep your head down and hit 'em straight!

IXL

IXL homework for this week: section N

Question of the Week

Back after a brief hiatus, this week we're kind of celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week... What is the name of the first public school in the US? Harrison Park used to be called Binnsmead... where did that name come from? And speaking of Harrison Park... our school is named after President William Henry Harrison. What was Harrison's nickname, and why did he only serve one month as president?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: Free write. Math: p. 55-59, #1-4, 21-27. IXL: section Q.

Question of the Week

Today is the Boston Marathon, the most prestigious of all marathons. Who are this year's winners, and what are their times? When was the first Boston Marathon run? Who was the first woman to compete in the Boston Marathon? Ms. Freeman's father ran today, what was his time?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: Free write. Math: p. 39-43, #8-14

Question of the Week (a little late.....)

It's Badminton!!!!! When did badminton become an Olympic sport? Which country has won the most Olympic medals in badminton? Where did badminton originate? And where does the Portland Badminton Club meet (hint: it's not Portland!)?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: free write. Math: p. 38-39, #5-7, p. 46, #22-23. IXL: section U.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: I wish I had one more chance to.... Math: pp. 19-27, #6-9, 27. Extra Problems: #21-24, 28. IXL: sections T1-T10, by next Tuesday.

IXL

We'll be starting to use an online program for some additional math homework starting today. The link is http://www.ixl.com/. Since everyone's web access is a little different, I'll be making weekly assignments. There is no need to turn anything in to me, since the site will report completion rates to me. Each student should have received a login and password today in class. This week's assignment will be in the homework post later today.

Buzzzzzzzzzzz!

Following up on our unit on the decline of bees, here is something you can do to help out the humble bumble bee. Because of their habits, bumble bees are rather hard to study. So scientists and conservationists who want to learn more about them (and in turn, help them), want us to help out. It's pretty simple: sign up at bumblebeewatch.org, and when you see a bumblebee, whip out your phone and take a picture of it, then upload the picture. You can also use the sight to identify the bumble bee species, learn more about them, and learn how to create habitat for them.

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: I wish I could see_______, because.... Math: p. 17-18, #4-5. Extra problem, #26.

Question of the Week

April 8 is the traditional celebration of the birth of the Buddha. So here are the 4 noble questions, which will reveal 4 noble answers: What was the Buddha's given name? A highly popular novel, with the Buddha's given name as the title, was written by whom? What does "Buddha" mean? In what countries is Buddhism the official state religion?

Homework

NO HOMEWORK! (April Fools!) Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: "I wish I could forget the time I....." Math: What is the Percent?

Question of the Week

How did April Fools' Day get started?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Comparing percents sheet. Writing: "I wish I could be like______. Tis person is special because......" Don't forget: novel assignment due Friday!!!

Question of the Week

Spring Special!!! Easter is coming, so what do Easter eggs and Easter bunnies have to do with each other? Who was St. Patrick? And how did Spring Break get started?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: free write. Math: You and three of your besties are going to El Gaucho for dinner. Figure a 20% tip and 4% tax. If you left your menu at school, look here: http://www.elgaucho.com/El-Gaucho-Menus-Portland.html

Question of the Week!!!!

Great prizes this week for anyone who can shake loose the cobwebs from Daylight Savings Time! And speaking of Daylight Savings Time, when did DST start? And why did it start? Who was the first American to propose it, and why?

Homework

Reading: 30 Minutes. Math: NO MATH TONIGHT (I know you're all super-sad!). Writing: free write. If you didn't finish your novel assignment and turn it in last Friday, um, it's a little late (Turn it in!!!)

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: free write. Math: Problem 4.2, extra problems... p. 55 #4-7, 15-19. Novel assignment due Friday!!!

It's Bonus Time!!!

Today is the birthday of Levi Strauss, the founder of the company that bore his name. Denim work pants had been around for a while, so what made Levis so unique and different when they were patented in 1873?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: I wish I had one_____, because....... Math: p. 44, #15-24. Extra problems: 32-34, 41-43. Don't forget, novel assignments are due a week from Friday!

Question of the Week!!!!!

The warmest Winter Olympics ever just finished in Sochi, Russia. The warm temperatures didn't stop speed skating from taking place, however. One country won 23 speed skating medals (out of 36 total!). What country was that (and it's "other" name)? This country also has a 120 mile speed skating race called the Elfstedentocht. How come it isn't held every year? When was the last year it was held? How long is a speed skating blade? Oh, and this country has two cute symbols. What are they?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: free write. And because we are doing OAKS testing today and tomorrow, no math homework. Novel projects are due Friday, March 7.

Question of the Week!!!!!

Tuesday was the anniversary of the the discovery of Pluto, our formerly ninth planet. Answer these questions, astronomers, to win valuable prizes. What belt is Pluto in? Who discovered Pluto? What year was Pluto downgraded from planet status, and what organization did that? What is Pluto's moon called?  And which came first, the discovery and naming of the planet Pluto, or the cartoon dog Pluto?

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: I wish I had a million______. Then I would..... Math: 2.2 (B1-3, C1-2), 2.3 (A1-4, B2), p 28, #7-19, p. 29, #22-24. Extra problems, 20, 21, 40-44, 49. History: Chapter 20 Assignment on Shang Dynasty is due tomorrow!

Homework

Reading: 30.0004 minutes. Writing: What is the funniest dinner you've ever had with your family? Math: The other Multiplying Decimals A

Homework

Reading: 30.105 minutes. Writing: What qualities do you like best about yourself? Math: Bits and Pieces III p. 28, #1-3, p. 31, #34-39, (extra problems: 46-48).

Homework

Reading: 30.01 minutes. Writing: What four things are most important in your life? Math: Decimal sheet C.

Homework

Reading: 29.99 minutes. Writing: What talents do you have? Math: p. 13, #8-18, additional problems, 39, 47, 48.

Question of the Week

It's the Year of the Horse! Name these "famous" horses: the Lone Ranger's horse, the last horse to win the Triple Crown, Roy Rogers' horse, and the horse on the old TV show "Mr. Ed." Neigh! Whinnie!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What things are better than going to school? Why? Math: The Handshake Problem (handed out in class).

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What kind of TV commercial would you like to make? Describe it. Math: Bowl-a-fact, 3, 3, 6.

Question of the Week

It's National Meat Week! Fire up your bar-be-ques kids, and answer this tasty question. Name five cuts of beef, and where on the cow do they come from? Yum

(yesterday's) Homework :(

ooooops!!!!! The assignment was: Reading: 30 minutes. Math: Bowl-a-fact, using numbers 1, 5, 5. Writing: Free Write.

another super duper mini hint.......

sh!

Homework

Reading: 30 minutes. Writing: What do you like to do in your free time? Math: Bowl-a-Fact, 2, 2, 3. Bonus question: If you extend the bowling pin pattern out to 10 rows, how many pins will there be.

Another wee hint...

both words are capitalized....

Homework

Math: Bowl-a-Fact, 2, 2, 4. Writing: What do you like best about yourself? Reading: 30 minutes. Bonus question: How many different games of Bowl-a-Fact are possible using 3 dice. Remember, the duplicate combinations only count once, so 1, 2, 3 is the same as 3, 1, 2.

Another (micro) hint...

If this were twenty questions, and you asked, "Plant, animal, or mineral?", I would answer....... Animal.

Official hints.....

Ok, clue 4. The original series (after which all subsequent series and movies were named) aired in 1966. The movies are still being made, and all the shows have rather large followings, with conventions all over the country, where people dress up as the characters. It has also spawned a made up language. At the risk of giving too much away, the genre is science fiction.

The Rules and Stuff...

It's not exactly later tonight or tomorrow, but I thought I'd better give you enough time to either solve the puzzle, or email me and tell me what an evil genius I am! Ok, here it is..... Spelling and word order are extra-crucial (especially in clues 2 and 3). Words like "a" and "the" and "and" do not count: take them out (the one exception is the word "of" in clue two, it is part of the answer). Commas and spaces do not count as letters (I know that seems obvious, but...). Now, make sure you have all 6 answers written down, and numbered (yes, the answer to clue 3 is way longer than the rest). Get out a highlighter, or be ready to circle letters. Ready? Ok, I can wait. Just kidding! Answer 1, highlight the 7th letter. Answer 2, highlight the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 9th letters. Answer 3, highlight the 7th and 21st letters. Answer 4, highlight the 7th and 8th letters. Answer 5, highlight the 3rd, 5th, and 7th letters. Answer 6, highlight the 3rd letter. Now, rearrange the highlighted letters to form two words. See you Monday!

Clue #6

I couldn't resist! One more piece of the puzzle. Take the answer to clue #5, find out what the largest type is. Guess what? It's also the name of a song! What is the name of the band?
Directions on how to unravel the mystery will not-so-mysteriously appear sometime later on today, or maybe tomorrow!

Hmmmm, pt. 2

Well, so far, I have heard from both Kinji and Michelle, who were both stuck on Clue # 4.... but I have also noticed that there has been an even number of views each day, which means that more of you are in the hunt. Very good!!!! If you have a question, don't hesitate to ask..... my email is bswan@pps.net. I'll check it throughout the weekend. :)

Hmmmmmm.......

There seems to be a bit of a logjam around clue #4......... and Kinji, I feel your pain. Just remember, the reference librarians at MCL are, like Sauron, all-knowing, all-seeing. The last clue will appear sometime this weekend...............

Clue #5

If you are still in the hunt for the solution to this mystery, well done! You are getting oh so close. I hope you are having as much fun trying to solve this mystery as I am creating it. By the way, if you somehow got stuck on clue #2, Multnomah County Library has that dictionary, at least the Woodstock branch does. Road trip! Or just pick up the phone, call the library, and ask for the reference librarian. Ask her or him to look it up in that dictionary, it's what they do (and you might find out a lot of other information, too!). Now, on to today's clue. Take the first word from yesterday's answer, and find out what it's final stage is. Happy hunting! And I forgot to say Happy New Year yesterday, so, yeah.... Happy New Year!

Clue #4

You know those four components in Clue #3? They need to be in order from greatest to least percentage. Done? Now you are ready for today's clue. Take the first component from Clue #3. An electronic version of this is used to power the "vehicles" in a popular family of TV series and movies. What is it called? (the show, not the stuff)