Summer Break is Almost Here!

What is the one thing you are most looking forward to about summer break? Explain.

I Should Have Listened

Describe a time when you thought, "I should have listened to my parent or teacher." Explain.

No Sunset?

Due to the summer solstice (June 21), the sun will not set in areas near the Arctic Circle for several days. Describe what it might be like where it's constantly daytime and never night.

Favorite Sporting Equipment

Summer is a great time to be active outdoors. What is one piece of sporting equipment that you are excited to use this summer?

A New Ice Cream Flavor!

Chunky Monkey is an actual ice cream flavor made by Ben & Jerry's. Pretend that the company has hired you to create a new flavor of ice cream. List the ingredients you would use and a possible name for the new flavor.

A food you MUST have

Some people love turkey; others love steak. Some people can't get enough cookies, while others love cake. Write two sentences about the food you wouldn't want to live without.

Shoes or barefoot?

As the weather is warming up, you have an important decision to make. Would you rather walk outside with shoes or barefoot?

Favorite Place with Family

Describe your favorite place to go with family. What makes this place so special?

New Ice Cream Flavor?

Chunky Monkey is an actual ice cream flavor made by Ben & Jerry's. Pretend that the company has hired you to create a new flavor of ice cream. List the ingredients you would use and a possible name for the new flavor.

Open House

Our class Open House is a fun opportunity to share the exciting projects that we have worked on this school year. What is the project that you are most excited to share with your guests? Explain.

It's Alive!

Imagine that one item in our classroom came to life. Which classroom object would you want it to be, and what would the object do?

Chinese Proverb

A Chinese proverb says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Explain what you think this means.

Neighborhood Kids' Club

Imagine that you have just been elected as president of your neighborhood kids' club. Describe what activities you will provide for the kids and how you will run the club.

Summer Chores

Summer is fun, but it also means summer chores. Describe a chore that you don't mind doing, and explain what you like about the feeling of completing the chore.

Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth, one of the best hitters of all time, retired from baseball on this day in 1935. What is something that you would like to do better than anyone else? Explain.

Best Thing I Ever Ate

What is the best thing you ate? Describe it with detailed words- Tell what it looked like, tasted like, smelled like, and the texture. Also, tell us where you ate this thing.

Character comes to life

Which book character would you like to have come to life? Explain.

Super Power?

If you were a super hero, what special power would you like to have? Explain.

Board or Video Game?

Would you rather spend an hour playing a board game or a video game? Explain.

Favorite Book

Think about your favorite book. What are two things you would want to say to the author of that book?

Visiting Relatives

The opportunity to visit a relative is a fun change of pace from our normal daily routine. Write about a relative whom you would like to visit and explain why you selected that person.

Farewell Miss Fish

Miss Fish has been a wonderful part of our classroom for the past two months. She has now earned her teaching credential and will be heading out into the big wide world of teaching.

Write a farewell message to Miss Fish telling her about something you enjoyed that she did with our class. Also, be sure to wish her well in the future.

Geometry Projects

This link will be used when we print our Geometry Technology Projects

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You will copy and paste the link into the run command on your computer at school.

How do you like to stay fit?

It is important for every one of us to exercise and stay fit. Write two sentences describing your favorite activity that helps you stay physically fit.

Invention?

Pretend that you are a scientist and you just invented something useful. Write a two sentence description for a science magazine explaining your invention and why people should use it.

Money Growing on Trees

Pretend that money does grow on trees. Write about how life would be different.

My Side of the Mountain

Reread page 665. Sam says that he has never experienced a "more real" Halloween night. Use a "quote" from the story as an example and explain what he means by this.

Trying Something New

Write about a time when you tried something new. Two sentences minimum.

Forest Survival Items?

Imagine that you are moving to a forest to live in nature by yourself. What two non-electric items from home would you want to bring and why?

Professional Sport

If you could play any professional sport, what would you play? Explain.

Friend's house, or yours?

Would you rather visit a friends house, or have a friend visit your house? Explain.

National Book Month

May is National Book Month. Would you rather read more books or fewer books than you currently read? Explain.

National Family Week

The first full week in May is National Family Week. What is your favorite way to spend time with family? Explain.

National Honesty Day

April 30 is National Honesty Day. Do you think that there is ever a time when it is okay to be dishonest? Explain.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

April showers are said to bring May flowers. Pretend that you are a flower. Write a thank you note to the rain showers. (HINT: Think about the plant systems that you learned about in science).

Bedroom Makeover!

Imagine that you get to design a bedroom makeover for your friend. What would you do for your friend's room? Describe color and style.

The Richter Scale

The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake. The higher the number, the stronger the quake is. Number your paper one to three. List three things that personally shake you up.

Theater or Home Movie?

The first movie theater opened in New York City on April 23, 1896. Would you rather watch your favorite movie at the theater or at your own house? Explain.

Bring Your Parents?

The fourth Thursday in April is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Would you like to have a Bring Your Parent to School Day? Explain.

Kindergarten Day

April 21 is Kindergarten Day. Describe your favorite kindergarten memory.

Golden Lion Tamarin Comes Home

Why do you think tamarins born in the wild do better than tamarins who return to the rain forest after living in captivity? Use a quote from the story to support your answer.

Would you rather be...?

Would you rather be a doctor or a professional athlete? Explain.

Lost Bag of Money

Imagine that you are walking through the park with your friend and you find a bag of money. Explain what you would do.

Super Shoes

If you could have a pair of shoes that could make your feet have a super power, what would you want that power to be? You could walk up walls, run on water, speed run, or anything else you can imagine, but the power has to be with your feet.

Back to School Transition

When you have been off of school for a week, it can be difficult to transition back into the routine of being a 5th grader. What is something that you enjoy at Newport Heights that helps you get excited about coming back to school?

Grizzly Bear Family Book

The author writes on page 607: "...when a bear catches a moose calf, it is not a sad event." Do you agree? Why or why not? Support your answer with a short "quote" from the story.

Tips for a New California Baby

Lucas Gabriel Del Real was born at 9:46 in the morning on April 12. What advice would you like to give him about growing up in California? Be sure to post a minimum of 2 sentences.

International Children's Book Day

April 2 is International Children's Book Day. Pretend that you are a children's book that has been sitting on a library shelf for weeks without being checked out. What would you say to convince someone to check you out?

April Fool's Day

Today is April Fool's Day. Would you rather play a joke on someone or have a joke played on you? Explain.

Talk Show Interview?

Pretend that you are a Radio Talk Show Host. Name one person you would most like to interview. What is the most important question you would ask?

Favorite Song?

Music can be relaxing and bring back good memories. What are some of your favorite songs (or favorite song) and how do they make you feel?

Elena

All of the characters in the themeOne Land Many Trails demonstrate courage and determination. Compare Elena's courage to that of Slow, Grace McCance, or Bob Lemmons.

Use a "quote" from the story to demonstrate an event where Elena was courageous.

Pulling Pranks?

April Fool's Day is rapidly approaching. Do you feel that students should be able to play jokes or pull pranks at school on this day? Explain.

Invisible?

Pretend that you can put on a special coat and become invisible. Where would you go, and what would you do?

Monster in the Closet

Imagine that during a sleepover your friend tells you that he/she is scared because he/she thinks there is a monster in his/her closet. What would you do to help calm him/her down?

Black Cowboy Wild Horses

Do you agree with Bob's reason for letting the rattlesnake go after it killed the colt? Why or why not? Use a "quote" from the story to support your response.

Stranded on a Desert Island?

If you and your family were stranded on a desert island, list 3 things you would want to have that do not require electricity.

Weekend News

Weekends are a wonderful time to spend outdoors, with family, or just relaxing with a good book. What would you like to share with us about this past weekend?

Thinking Back

Think of a book that you enjoyed when you were younger. What was it called, and why did you enjoy it?

Most Awkward Moment?

Describe your most awkward moment, and how you felt at that time. Also, how have your feelings about that moment changed now that you are older?

Green Touch

Imagine that you wake up and discover that everything you touch turns green. Write about what happens next.

Live Forever?

A lot of people think it would be cool to never age and live forever. What do you think? Would you want to live forever? If so, what age would you "freeze" the aging process at?

Pioneer Girl

What do you think would have been the best and worst things about being a child in a homesteading family? Explain your answer with a "quote" from the reading selection.

Any Age?

If you could fast forward or rewind to any age, what age would you be? Explain with a minimum of two sentences.

Magic Seeds

Imagine that you found a package of magic seeds and could grow anything you wish. What would you grow? Explain.

Million Dollar Race

Imagine that you are in a race for a million dollars. In the middle of the race, your friend falls and breaks her ankle. Do you continue on in the race, leaving your friend behind, or do you stop to help? Explain.

A Boy Called Slow

What childhood actions and character traits were clues that Slow might grow up to be a great warrior and leader? Use a "quote" from the story to support your response.

Qualities of a Friend

Use a minimum of two sentences to describe the qualities you look for in a friend. Don't just say "A friend is someone who is nice." Be sure to explain what those qualities look like.

Change One Thing?

Imagine that you could travel back in time and change one thing in your life. What would you change and why?

Weekend Plans?

Fridays are a special day because we all get to look forward to the weekend. Tell us about something you are looking forward to this weekend. Be sure to explain WHY you are looking forward to this event.

What Makes you Happy?

Think about what makes you happier than anything else in the world. Describe how others can join in and be happy too.

Life without the Telephone?

Alexander Graham Bell was born on March 3, 1847. Write two sentences about what your life would be like without the telephone. This means no cell phones, or phones in your home.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

What does Leigh's behavior at the luncheon tell you about him? Use a "quote" from the story to support your response.

Persuasive Essay Topics?

This week you get to choose the topic for your persuasive essay and write 4 paragraphs supporting your side on the topic. What topic would you choose, and why is it important to you?

Hint: Think of the "Debate of the Week" from Scholastic News.

National Pig Day

Today is National Pig Day. Imagine that you wake up one morning to discover that you have grown a pig snout and a curly tail. Write about what happens next.

A Guest Actor

Imagine that you could be a guest actor on a TV show. What role would you choose on what show?

A Scary Discovery

Use two sentences to explain what you would do if you found out that one of your classmates cheated on an exam.

Best thing about Winter

Sometimes it's hard to believe that we are in the middle of winter since we live in a such a warm and beautiful area.

Use two sentences to describe your favorite part about this wonderful season.

Learning Something New

It feels great to learn something new. At first you may feel overwhelmed by the challenge, but soon you feel powerful after you mastered a new song on an instrument, a new objective in AM, or a trick on your skateboard. Use two sentences to tell us about something new that you learned and how you felt once you mastered it.

Yang the Second

Yingtao plays a trick on Second Sister. Mariah misleads Lynn in Mariah Keeps Cool. How are these kinds of trickery alike and different? Use a "quote" from the story to support your response.

Welcome Back!

You have had a long and relaxing vacation from school. Use a minimum of two sentences to describe something fun that you did on your ski week. Remember to use details.

Valentine's Day! (2 days early)

Valentine's Day is a special day to tell people you care about them. Use two sentences to tell someone (Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Friend etc.) how much you care about them. Be sure to describe why you care about that special person.

Mystery Object

Select one classroom object. Write a detailed description of that object without naming it. Use a minimum of two sentences.

Wednesday Morning: Chocolate?

Imagine that you had to eat chocolate with every meal this month. Would this be a good thing or a bad thing? Explain with a minimum of two sentences.

Mom's Best Friend

We had the extraordinary opportunity to meet Kayla and Ashton on Tuesday this week. Describe something important you learned from their visit and use a "quote" to connect to something we read in Mom's Best Friend.

Rain Again!

It's raining again today. Use two sentences to describe your favorite rainy day activity. Explain what you do and why you enjoy it.

Classmate Computers

Very few 5th graders in the world have a computer sitting on their desks. Use a minimum of two sentences to explain how you feel about this extraordinary opportunity and what you hope to accomplish using this amazing tool.

Remember, "With great power comes great responsibility."

Compliment for a Friend

What one compliment would you want to give your close friend? Explain with a minimum of two sentences.

Remember, your response must be at least 2 sentences with no spelling or grammar errors.

Mariah Keeps Cool

How would you describe Mariah? Would you like to have a friend like her? Why? Explain with a "quote" from the story.

James Forten

After the British ship Active, surrendered, James Forten had "mixed feelings" about the victory. Why? Describe the feelings he may have had and use a "quote" from the story to support your response.