Thank You

Thank you to all my students from the bottom of my heart for everything this year; making me smile and laugh, helping me learn more about teaching and students, the cards and gifts, and all the good memories. You made my first year teaching at MA special. I will always remember you 4 as my first class as a "real" teacher! I truly enjoyed coming to work everyday and teaching you all. May Allah bless you all and your families with long happy and healthy lives and reward you with Jannahtul Firdaws for your hard work these past 10 months. (Please keep me in your dau'as!) Also, you can always come back to this blog years from now and remember 3rd grade with me :p

Making cards for teachers

Adding the last piece to the puzzle

Patiently waiting for everyone to arrive!

Aisha using her magic "tool" to pop this balloon

I don't know what pose this is :p

Why are they pointing at me?!

Social Studies Chapter 6 Study Guide

Vocabulary

canal

transcontinental

homestead

vaccine

telegraph

wagon trains

technology

immigrants

activist

frontier

Key Concepts

1. What was the fastest way to travel across the country in 1869?

2. Who invented the telephone?

3. What did landowners do with the money they received from toll roads?

4. Which explorer worked to widen the Cumberland Gap and to allow wagons to travel through the mountains to the American frontier?

5. What role did Mary McLeod Bethune have in the fight for equal education for everyone?

6. What did Orville and Wilbur Wright start building in the early 1900s?

7. Harsh weather, sickness, and steep mountains were difficulties MOSTLY faced by people traveling in _____________________

8. The Pony Express was a faster system for carrying _________________ that involved riders changing horses while traveling across the country.

9. How did the first radio signals travel?

10. Explain how Henry Ford’s assembly line worked, and how it affected car prices.

11. What did both Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman fight against? Name 1 thing each person did.

12. How did Sacajawea help Lewis and Clark as they explored the West?

13. What are 2 reasons why people move, or immigrate, to a new land?

14. What event brought so many immigrants from China to the USA that it eventually led to the Chinese Exclusion Act?

15. In 1860, people set up _________________ to improve the way letters were carried across America.

16. What is John Roebling’s best known contribution to New York City?

17. When thousands of European and Asian immigrants came to the USA in the early 1800s, where did they MOSTLY settle?

18. What is the fastest way to send a written message today?

19. What tool that we have today sends and receives signals for radios, televisions, cell phones, and computers?

20. People in the early 1800s wanted to improve transportation of goods and people between the Great Lakes and New York City, so they built ____________

21. What kind of car did Henry Ford want to build?

22. Today, new and more powerful airplanes allow people to travel across the country in 6 ________

23. What did the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1965 supply money to build?

24. What was the MOST COMMON way European immigrants arrived in NY in the early 1800s?

25. How did Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb change the way people lived?

26. What details did Lewis and Clark tell people about when they returned from exploring the West? What was the effect of telling people these stories?

27. What was the main goal of the Homestead Act?

28. What idea did Edward Jenner use to fight smallpox in 1796? How was it successful?

29. How did the transcontinental railroad improve travel in the 1800s?

June 13-17 Tests

Thursday, June 16
1. Math test on measurement
2. Social Studies chapter 6 test

Friday, June 17
1. Science chapter 7 test

These will be the last tests for the year!

May 31- June 3 Tests

Wednesday, June 1
Chapter 6 Science Test
Please click here for more info.

Thursday, June 2
Unit 6 Week 1 Comprehension Assessment

Friday, June 3
1. Spelling/ Vocabulary Test (Unit 6 Week 1)
This week's spelling/vocab. test will include dictation, matching, fill in the blanks, and writing sentences/paragraph. Students should study using their Spelling/Vocabulary "cheat sheet" or notebook.

2. Grammar Test (adjectives and articles)
Students have practiced what the test will cover in classwork and homework. Students should look over these at home and participate in reviews in class i.e. games, worksheets, etc.

3. Math Test on Fractions

*The teacher holds the right to change test dates. Students will be told in advanced if any changes will be made.

Chapter 6 Science Test Study Guide

Since this chapter is long (6 lessons) I decided to provide a study guide. Students should also look over the worksheets completed for each lesson. We will continue to review in class on Tuesday.

The test will be on Wednesday, June 1. There will be about 40 questions. Most will be multiple choice and a few short written response questions.

Vocabulary is VERY important. Students must know all the bold printed vocabulary words in chapter 6.

1. What tool would be used to measure wind speed?
2. Melted rocks that cool and harden are called_________
3. What substances do ALL soils contain?
4. What process would MOST LIKELY affect rocks in a dry climate?
5. What is a way that valleys form?
6. Rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure are called_______
7. Which type of soil breaks down to provide resources for making new soil?
8. At what stage of the water cycle does some precipitation seep into the ground?
9. Explain how erosion by water is DIFFERENT from weathering by water.
10. Describe what the climate is like where you live. What factors affect your climate?
11. Water from rain that flows over the land into a river is an example of ____________
12. As water vapor rises into the air, it cools. What happens next in the water cycle?
13. What location is MOST LIKELY to have a moist, mild climate?
14. Winds form when _____________
15. Rocks are _________________
16. You find a rock that has layers of small bits of rock, shells, and other materials pressed together. What kind of rock is it?
17. Which soil layer contains the most humus and plants?
18. Which soil is a mixture of particles of the other three kinds of soil, plus air and water?
19. Which landform is a low, narrow area between hills?
20. What can FORM new rock on Earth's surface?
21. What is an example of weathering by water?
22. Water changing from a gas to a liquid is called________
23. What describes what the AIR is like outside?
24. What tool would you use to measure precipitation?
25. What are the size and pattern of minerals in a rock called?
26. The soil in a bucket feels rough. Water poured into the soil drains quickly to the bottom. What type of rock particle does this soil MOST LIKELY contain?
27. What natural event can cause a rapid change in Earth's surface by shaking and cracking it?
28. What process breaks down rocks?
29. What describes an area's climate?
30. The average temperature in summer for a certain city is 30 degrees Celcius. In winter the average snowfall is 25 cm. The climate in this city would best be described as __________
31. Granite, rhyolite, and pumice are sedimentary rocks. All 3 rocks formed_______
32. Earthworms help improve the soil by ____________
33. How are sedimentary and metamorphic rocks SIMILAR?
34. The thin layer that covers most of Earth's land is ____________
35. You observe grains of different colors in an igneous rock The grains most likely are ________
36. Which material contains the most humus?
37. Which process MOST LIKELY caused the smooth shape of a rock?
38. How are ALL rocks alike?
39. How are ALL minerals alike?
40. Which process MOST LIKELY causes puddles to disappear?

May 2-6 Tests

Thursday, May 5
1. Unit 5 Week 3 Comprehension Assessment

2. Social Studies Chapter 4 Test
Students will review in class on Monday and will also receive a study guide to take home.

Friday, May 6
1. Spelling/ Vocabulary Test (Unit 5 Week 3)
This week's spelling/vocab. test will include dictation, matching, fill in the blanks, and writing sentences/paragraph. Students should study using their Spelling/Vocabulary "cheat sheet" or notebook.

2. Grammar Test (pronouns)
Students have practiced what the test will cover in classwork and homework. Students should look over these at home and participate in reviews in class i.e. games, worksheets, etc.

*The teacher holds the right to change test dates. Students will be told in advanced if any changes will be made.

January 18-22 Homewrok Schedule

Monday, January 18
1. Spelling- spelling words 3 times each
2. Vocabulary worksheet
3. Grammar- worksheet
 * Please check with your child/ their planner for any Quran homework.

Tuesday, January 19
1. Spelling- write sentences for each spelling word
2. Vocabulary- worksheet
3. Math- homework page 
4. Social Studies- study for test on Thursday
* Please check with your child/ their planner for any Arabic/ Turkish/ Islamic Studies homework.

Wednesday, January 20
1. Vocabulary- write sentences for each vocab. word
2. Grammar- worksheet
3. Social Studies- study for test tomorrow
* Please check with your child/ their planner for any Arabic/ Turkish/ Islamic Studies homework.

Thursday, January 21
1. Spelling/Vocabulary/Grammar- study for tests tomorrow  
2. Math- homework page 
3. Social Studies- work on SS fair project
* Please check with your child/ their planner for any Arabic homework.

Friday, January 22
1. Writing- journal entry
2. Math- homework page
3. Social Studies- work on SS fair project
* Please check with your child/their planner for any Quran/ Islamic Studies homework.

The teacher holds the right to make changes to the homework schedule. Students will be told in advanced if any changes will be made. Please read this.

Science Test on Chapter 3 Lessons 1-3

The science test will be on Thursday, January 14, 2015. This test will cover concepts taught in chapter 3 lessons 1-3. Notes have been completed in class and should be used to study.
 
There will be 25 total questions.
6 labeling
17 multiple choice
2 short answer responses
 
Lesson 1
6 ways plants are classified or grouped.  
What are flowering plants?
Seeds grow inside cones.
What are spores?
4 parts of plant and what each does (handout)
 
Lesson 2
2 places carbon dioxide comes from.
Plants need energy from the sun to change carbon dioxide and water into sugar.
The leaves make a kind of sugar (glucose) for food.
 
Lesson 3
Roots store food made by the plant's leaves and they also take in water and minerals from the soil.
Most plant stems have tiny tubes that move water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

Get Updates ASAP

Please follow this blog by email to receive updates sent directly to your email as soon as there is a new post. I will be updating this blog at least twice a week (if not more).

Under the About Me section on the right side, you will see a Follow by Email tab. Submit an email address that you frequently check to stay up to date on class news.

Notes on Homework

I try to post the weekly homework schedule in the beginning of each week. This serves to give an idea on what can be expected each night from me (Sr. Sabrina). Of course, things may change and more or less homework can be given before I get a chance to update the schedule. Please see student planners with my signature on that specific date for the most updated daily list of homework.

We are currently in the 2nd marking period, almost coming to a close in a few weeks. Students should expect to get more homework as we progress in the school year to prepare them for state assessments and the end of the year, which will come by rather quickly then we expect!

I understand that the list of homework may seem like a lot, but considering the actual assignments (many of them worksheets on what has been already taught in class), homework should not take too long. If students require extra assistance, please see me as soon as possible for help :)

Student Homework Folders

Parents, please check your child's homework folder daily. These folders contain other important school related papers such as tests that must be signed and returned as soon as possible, lunch menu for the month, papers from the office, etc.

Book Fair 2015

Our 1st book fair was a success! Alhamdulillah with everyone's support, we were able to raise over $1,000!!! InshAllah we can have another great book fair before the end of the school year ;)

Thank you to all my students who helped me set up the book fair and for purchasing Scholastic and Islamic books. I really hope you read and enjoy all the books you chose.

Miraj Academy's 1st Book Fair

December 14-18, 2015

(Click on the images to enlarge them)

 

 

There were hundreds of different books to choose from!

 

A variety of Islamic fiction and nonfiction books were available.

 

 

Someone just picked out an interesting looking Islamic (fiction) book!

Looks like someone is really into their book ;)

I spy Minions!!!

Breakfast, Snacks, and Lunch

Parents, PLEASE provide your child with a filling (healthy)breakfast EVERY morning before school. I understand there may not be enough time, but have them eat something in the car at least, like a piece of fruit, granola bar, muffin, etc.

Some students in my class come without eating anything or enough in the morning. Lunch begins 6th period (11:30) for all students.

Food is NOT allowed in classrooms anymore.

Finally, a school lunch menu is provided via email. I also send a copy home with my students in the beginning of the month. Lunch money should be sent in for the following week to the homeroom teacher by Friday or by Monday morning for that week at the latest. Please do not send money in daily with your child since some do forget to give it to me until it is too late.

Parents, please ask your child if they will actually eat the lunch before you pay for the week. I have had students pay for lunch, but when they find out it is something they don't like, they get very upset and barely eat any of it.   

I am sorry if this does not concern you or your child, but I had to address this because food is becoming an issue in my class with some students and we can't expect students to work well if they are hungry.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Report Cards

I wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to my students who have gone on the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll!!! Inshallah you all keep up the good work and make improvements where needed.

Thank you parents for working with me and your child this past marking period. Please sign your child's report card and return it with them to school on Monday, December 14, 2015.

If you would like to meet with me to discuss your child's progress, Miraj Academy welcomes you to attend Open House on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 from 3:15 pm to 5:30 pm. There will be no after school activities on Tuesday.

Social Studies Chapter 2 Lessons 1 and 2 Test

This test will have 25 questions (minimum number of test questions) AND extra credit questions.

vocabulary word matching
short answer questions

A study guide has been provided to students. This CANNOT be used on the test, so PLEASE study well.