Post date: Oct 22, 2015 1:58:10 AM
Math in Grades 4th-6th- Mrs. Wilhelm
We are mathematicians in Room 310B!!!! My 4th Graders just wrapped up multiplication of whole numbers and are diving into division of whole numbers. My 5th Graders will be jumping into a study of multiplying and dividing fractions next week. Lastly, my good ol’ 6th Graders have been working with rational numbers, fractions, and integers. So as you can see, we are learning, learning, learning.
All students in grades 4-6 will be participating in Math Olympiad competitions. These competitions take place five times a year in school. All the problems are nonroutine type problems that require careful mathematical thinking and problem solving. Each competition is timed. Each competition is NOT GRADED! Periodically, we do practice problems and simulations in class to prepare for competitions. These past weeks, we have been practicing for our upcoming competition in the end of November. During these practice sessions, students have the chance to work together and refine their mathematical discussions, reasonings, explanations, and problem solving skills. They also get to showcase their rationale and “teach” the class their methods to solving the problems as most Math Olympiad problems have multiple ways to solve. The students LOVE to share what they did to solve the problem. It is really neat to see your students take such pride in Math and I truly enjoy listening to their mathematical reasoning and logic. NOTE: If ever the Math Olympiad problem is too challenging, feel free to have your student send me an email, because we always go over all problems in class and show all the different ways to solve.
Scholastic Math & DynaMath magazine is due 11/2. We have spent a few times each week going over certain complicated questions and problem solving in class. Please encourage your student to ask me in class if they are struggling with a problem. If so, I will then go over it in class, so it can benefit all!
Reading in 4th-6th Grade- Mrs. Wilhelm
Lit Studies-We are continuing our literature studies in class. The students seem to be enjoying their books and are awaiting the climax and resolution to all of these novels. When these novels are complete, the students will be assigned a in class project and presentation that is associated with the novel and extends their learning. We will also be watching the movies of these novels and doing a contrast/comparison of the book to the movie. The students will then write a contrast/comparison essay in class.
Book Project Q2-Since we have entered Quarter 2, all students have been tested for their new reading levels and the new reading levels have been given to the students so they can begin to search for a new book for their Quarter 2 book project. I have gone over the new requirements and rubrics for each grade level’s book projects and they have been assigned with the task of finding a new book in a different genre than the Q1 project. The new book must be in their new level and I would prefer it to be an AR book. Once a student chooses a book, they can email me their book title and I will conference with them in class. Once the conference takes place, they are free to start!!!! All students must conference with me by 11/6.
Reading Log Requirement-After much deliberation and polling of parents, I am suspending the requirement of the reading log in grades 4-6. I am finding that most students are reading at home and that I do not need to manage nor do I want to deter students from that fantastic habit. Therefore, students do NOT need to log their independent reading for Q2. However, if I find that students are not reading and need me to manage their learning, I will institute the reading log on an individual basis. Happy Reading!
Parent-Teacher Conferences-Thank you for taking the time to meet with me at parent-teacher conferences next week. I did my best to make myself as available as possible. I look forward to discussing your students’ strengths and weaknesses.
WordMasters Challenge-5th & 6th Graders will be participating in a WordMasters competition on November 22-23rd. “The WordMasters Challenge™ is a national competition for students in grades 3-8 that encourages growth in vocabulary and verbal reasoning. Each year, over 125,000 students from some of the best public and private schools throughout the United States participate in the WordMasters Challenge. Unlike other language arts competitions for this age group – which focus on grammar, punctuation, spelling and other language mechanics – the WordMasters Challenge™ helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. The contest addresses higher-level word comprehension and verbal reasoning in two ways:
Excellence in the competition will require both a mastery of the meanings of the vocabulary words (of a difficulty appropriate to each grade level) and thoughtful reasoning about the relationships between these words and more familiar language used in the competition’s analogies.”