Honors News 11/13
Post date: Nov 9, 2015 7:22:10 PM
Reading in 4th-6th Grade
Lit Studies-We are wrapping up our literature studies in class. The students LOVED the in class 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-I have conferenced with every student over their book selections and they should be good to go on reading them and completing the Independent Literature Requirement for Quarter 2. In my 4th grade class, I modeled how to write a book review by writing a book review over Holes in class with the students. They all feel much more confident on what is expected of them for Q2. The written Book Projects for 4th Grade and 6th Grade are due 12/11 to Google Classroom. The 5th Grade Wax Museum Presentation will be on 12/16 from 5:00-5:30pm. More Info to come in the upcoming weeks.
HEADS UP! -Root Test for 4th Grade- We are almost at 30 Latin & Greek Stems. Our next test over roots #1-30 will be on 11/19. Students will need to know the stem, the stem meaning, as well as the starred words on the back, and their meanings.
Math in Grades 4th-6th-Mrs. Wilhelm
My 4th Graders are learning how to divide. We are learning LONG DIVISION! My 5th Graders have been working hard on multiplying fractions and will be diving into dividing fractions next week. Lastly, my 6th Graders have finished learning how to multiply and divide rational numbers, fractions, and integers. Next up for 6th Grade is percents!
I know this next piece on Math Olympiad was in my last newsletter, but I wanted to include it again since our first Math Olympiad Competition is getting closer! Over the next two weeks, we will be working on sample problems to prepare ourselves for our first competition. We will also be doing a MOCK competition to help shake out the jitters! The students are nervous and excited and ready to take on the challenge.
Here is what was in the last newsletter: 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 11/30. 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!
Classroom needs- With flu season upon us, I could really use some Clorox (or similar kind) Wipes!
I hope you have a fantastic day!
Mrs. Wilhelm