Greetings Families Week March 7, 2016
Hello to All, Happy Temperatures ahead this week!
Important Dates:
Fractions Test Wednesday
Math EOQ March 16
Reading EOQ March 17
Science EOQ March 18
Day Light Savings this weekend
Social Studies: We will finish our novel, Woods Runner and complete our Literature Circle notes. We will have a short quiz on the end of the book. Then, we will read out of our consumable Social studies book finishing our unit. Our next unit will be A New Nation. Focus will be on government.
Science: We had a fantastic day last week learning about quantitative and qualitative data. We will use our food boxes this week to identify these. Be sure to ask your child about their Halo!! Our next unit will be physical and chemical change. We will spend the week conducting in class experiments using corn starch, baking soda, vinegar, clay and soda cans.
Reading: We will re-visit sequencing/summarizing reading a basal story, Missing Links. We will also read a few passages on sequencing and interact in small centers with sequencing scenarios. Be sure to ask your child about these later in the week. Some are hysterical!! We will also finish our in class novel project and present. Be sure to ask your child which project they chose; States or Brochure! We will start our next novel after Spring Break.
Math: We will review adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators and simplifying. Our next unit is on graphing coordinates. This is a short week plus unit. Then we go back to fractions multiplying. This will take us to the end of 3rd quarter. Hard to believe.
We will have a fractions test this Wednesday. We will review with a study guide given out Monday. Students need to be proficient in adding and subtracting like and unlike denominators, and mixed numbers. Students need to know if a fraction is closer to 0, ½, 1 or 1 ½ on a number line. Students will be responsible to know to simplify. Last, students need to be proficient in ‘borrowing’ when solving subtracting mixed numbers.
I have taught the children 3 different ways to solve so they have a ‘comfortable’ way to be successful. First, we began simply drawing grids. This is a wonderful visual that helps understand the next strategy………
Strategy #2 - Convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction and either solve, or make denominators same and solve. Pictures helps those children understand how a mixed fractions becomes an improper fraction and vice- verse. This is very important to understand the “why” for mastery.
Strategy #3 - Last, we solved by the standard vertical set up algorithm. This way has been hard for some children. For example: If you have 5 ¼ - 3 2/4 some children are struggling with changing “5” to 4 and 4/4 and then the new mixed number is 4 5/4 – 3 2/4 . Please be sure your child is proficient or at least understands ALL ways as this shows mastery.
Grades are posted from the last assessment of Unit 9 and also the Quick check from the text book; page 258, # 16, 19, 20 a, 20b from this week. If your child did not pass these assessments they will need additional support from home. I am using many manipulatives to help visual learners. Nightly review will be crucial for best learning. A solid teacher will keep you posted WEEKLY on your child’s successes in math. A week can mean a world of difference in understanding a conept J The office has a wonderful list of tutors for those who may need.
Please be sure to go to my website for fantastic tutorials by Mr. Khan. This will be an excellent reinforcement/review. Also, Envisions Text Book has interactive videos for EVERY unit. Your child has their access user name and password to get on to the online text book.
Mrs. Corlett,
“We never know all the good a smile can do” Mother Theresa
The PBIS (Positive Behavior System) Document our school recognizes gives a student no more than 3 opportunities a day to make a good choice before the documented behavior is sent home for signature. Should your child come home with a disciplinary form please know it was written AFTER we have talked repeatedly to your child about the choices he/she is making, tried positive strategies in class, and have reflected. The form should be signed by a parent/guardian and one copy returned to me. I would hope that should this occur, it would only be one time.
Should your child have three or more disciplinary forms in a week, he/she will be sent to the office to speak to the principal and a phone call from there will be made to you. A decision to visit with ISS (In School Suspension) will also be discussed. Thank you for helping support our school in creating a positive learning environment for all.