September 29 (progress reports and goals)

Hello everyone,
A few of important notes.....

1. We will be revisiting our 1st quarter goals (which we wrote on the 1st day of school) in class. My goal for the remainder of the quarter is to update our website at least twice a week. Please help me remember.

2. Progress reports will be sent home next week. Can you believe we're half-way through 1st quarter already?! This is a mid-quarter check in. There is still plenty of time to improve your grades.

3. I've graded your All-School Write pretest and will post the scores on powerschool. This is a preassessment and does not affect your grade in my class.

4. We will begin persuasive essays next week.

Quote of the day: "The warrior city, she of the white willows and white rushes, has died fighting as she lived. No more of will the conquered princes of all the regions come in boats through the mists to pay her tribute." -The fall of Tenochtitlan, Codex Azteca.

Question of the day: What does "compulsory" mean?

Tuesday, 9/20

Hello out there.................................................................................................

A couple of reminders and a heads up on what's to come.

Language Arts: Final drafts of narratives were due today. Be sure to finish tonight and turn your in with a late pass of you miss the deadline. On Thursday we will complete the first all school write.
This is a pre-assessment, so don't study or feel pressured. However, you should get a good night's sleep and plan to spend the whole block period writing.

Social Studies:
Tomorrow we'll leave the Mayans and travel north to study the Origins of the Mejica (Aztec) in the valley of Mexico. Don't forget your summary paragraph on Mayan agriculture tonight.

See you soon. Email me with any questions or concerns.

Quote of the day: "The jaguar was out hunting with bows and arrows when he met a shadow. He tried
to catch it and he couldn't."  - from the Popol Vuh, sacred text of the Quiche Maya.

Question of the day: How many people lived in Tenochtitlan? visit the site http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/teno_1/hd_teno_1.htm   to find out.

Tuesday, 9/13

Hi everyone.


Lots happening these days. We will be finishing our stories and review of the six points of plot this week.

In social studies, we will delve deep into the world of the Mayan empire.

Keep up with your reading and spread the word about back to school night. I hope to see all of your parents there.

Short and sweet.

Stay tuned.

Question of the day: What was Pok ta Pok? Check out this video for the answer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKvQjgC9sIY

Quote of the day: "The more you explain it, the more I don't understand it." -Mark Twain

Friday, 9/9

Another week come and gone.
Thank you all for your positive energy. I can already tell this is going to be a great year.

A few brief reminders......

You have until next Thursday to revise your certificate of achievement project for a higher grade.

The book fair began today. I will sign us up to visit during Language Arts next week. It's also open before and after school.

We will be writing original stories in class next week. Come with your ideas. Think of how to include all six points of plot.

Keep up with your independent reading and get your log signed.

Back to school night is next Wednesday, 9/14. Don't forget to show your schedule to your parents.

Last but not least, enjoy the sunshine.

Quote of the day: "I am not particularly interested in saving time; I prefer to enjoy it." -Eduardo Galeano


Question of the day: What does the Yucatec word Peek' mean?
visit the site
native-languages.org/maya_words.htm
to find out

Wednesday, 9/7

Mid-week already!

Remember............

Social Studies: You will get back your graded certificate of achievement project tomorrow. You have one week to make improvements for a higher grade. We'll begin studying the geography of the Mayan empire on Friday.

Language Arts: Keep up with reading and bring the rough draft of your letter to a teacher to class tomorrow. We will be reading the short story "7th Grade" by Gary Soto on Friday. We hope to raise enough money with this year's book fair to bring Gary Soto to our school. To learn more about Gary Soto and his books, visit the site www.garysoto.com.

Quote of the day: "Nothing should be wasted in a world where sparrows work hard to prove there is enough." -Gary Soto

Question of the day: How many months are there in the Mayan calendar?
Visit the website below to find out.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112511/

Tuesday, 9/6

Welcome back everyone.......

Here's what's happening

Language Arts:
A rough draft of your letter to a teacher is due on Thursday, 9/8
Read 30 minutes and get your reading log signed.
PLEASE, see me if you need a book. There are hundreds in the room.

Social Studies:
Complete a rough draft of the Certificate of Achievement Project.
We will create the final drafts in class tomorrow.

Question of the day: In what modern countries did the Maya live?

Quote of the day: "To speak a language is to take on a world."  - Frantz Fanon

Labor day weekend

Can you believe the way time flies? We're already 1/60th of the way through the school year. So much to do!

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend.

Please spend at least 1 hour reading your AR book and have a parent initial your reading log.
Also, don't forget to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

See you on Tuesday.

Quote of the day: "Minds are the real estate of the 21st century." -Chuck D

Question of the day: In what year was Labor Day declared a national holiday?
Visit the US Department of Labor's website: www.dol.gov      to find out.

Thursday September 1

Remember.............

1. Supplies for all classes will be checked tomorrow

You should have: 2 pencils, 2 pens, a pencil sharpener, a notebook, a folder, and an AR book.

2. I will be available to check out books  tomorrow morning from 7:45 until 8:20. If you need one, please enter through the attendance office and tell Lynn you are going to Room 203 to check out an AR book.

3. For social studies (and 2nd period language arts), choose a person from ANCIENT HISTORY for your Certificate of Achievement project, which we will begin in class tomorrow.

4. Review the first few pages of your Sharks' planner, and make sure your parents get their copy (it was in your first day packet).

It's been great getting to know you all these past two days.

See you tomorrow,
Mr. McIntyre

Question of the day (be ready to answer this question in class):
What is the 2nd largest city in the State of California?

Quote of the day: "Be yourself"  -Whodini