Post date: Feb 24, 2016 9:03:25 PM
4th Grade
I wanted to take just a moment to update you on some classroom news.
In Honors Reading, we are wrapping up our class book projects to extend our learning. The students had to create a cereal based on our novel and they ‘sold’ it in class today as their presentation. They had to design a cereal and then present their commercial to sell their cereal! Loads of fun! In the next two weeks we will be working on analogies, 4 Level sentences, as well as watching a cartoon version of The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe. Lastly, to prepare for our next novel study, My Side of the Mountain by Jean George, we will be pairing a non-fiction reading with this book. The students will then complete an in class project on the non-fiction reading as well as an in class research project that correlates to our novel. Lastly, we will be incorporating the Wonderland Garden into our study by learning about ethnobotony with Mrs. Klein. This next novel study will be fantastic and I can’t wait to jump in after Spring Break.
Our 5th Root test was yesterday. Students did fantastic! They now have learned half of the Latin & Greek stems.
ILR- Book Project Q3- The written Book Project for 4th Grade (Character Advice Letter) is due on Friday,March 4th to Google Classroom. All explanations and rubrics have been given and can be found on my website.
In Honors Math, we have wrapped up multiplying decimals and jumping into dividing decimals. Our next chapter after Spring Break, will be fractions! We will be working with fractions for about 6 weeks and then jump into a little pre-algebra. Dynamath magazine is optional this month (for some). I have used it as a challenge activity for extra credit for some, but for others it is mandatory but will only help not hurt their grade. It is due this Tuesday,3/1.
Pi Day is coming up! We are getting excited! We will be spending the week before Spring Break discovering pi! I have some fun but educational activities planned. Can’t wait!
5th Grade
I just wanted to give you an update on class news in Honors.
In reading, we are wrapping up our novel My Brother Sam is Dead next week. This book correlates perfectly with Sing America Sing and what the students are learning in Social Studies right now. We will finish the book on Monday and have a Socratic Seminar over theme on Thursday. The students will also be creating a time capsule for the novel as their final book project. If they use their time wisely, they should be able to get the time capsule completed in class.
ILR-Book Project Q3- The written Book Project for 5th Grade (Book Review) is due on Friday, March 4th to Google Classroom. All explanations and rubrics have been given and can be found on my website.
In Math, students are getting an introduction into Algebraic expressions and using the Distributive property.
Scholastic magazine is optional this month (for some). I have used it as a challenge activity for extra credit for some, but for others it is mandatory, but will only help not hurt their grade. It is due this Tuesday, 3/1.
Pi Day is coming up! We are getting excited! We will be spending the week before Spring Break discovering pi! I have some fun but educational activities planned. Can’t wait!
6th Grade
I wanted to update you on the classroom activities for Honors.
In Honors Reading, we are immersed in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. What a classic novel! Tom is such a character. This week we are learning about satire and irony and finding examples of these in Mark Twain’s writing. It is amazing to see the students’ books filled with sticky notes! They are really learning how to annotate the text, use questioning techniques, predictions, and look for connections between the text and today’s world.
ILR- Book Project Q3- The Book Project for 6th Graders will be completing the Character For a Day/Wax Museum Presentation on March 9th from 5:00-5:30. All explanations and rubrics have been given and can be found on my website. To prepare for the Wax Museum, students should have their book read and an AR test taken by March 4th. On March 7th, students need to have their index card for their speech completed and in class to rehearse. We will rehearse in class on 3/7-3/9. Lastly, on March 9th, students need to arrive dressed in costume and with their prop at 4:45. If all parents, could wait in the office lobby until the Museum opens at 5:00, I would appreciate it. I will come and open the doors to our Wax Museum at 5:00 promptly. I have encouraged students to bring water bottles because they will be doing a lot of speaking. Bring your cameras! You will be impressed.
Skills books- For the Quarter 3 report card, I will be recording grades for Skills Books 4-8. Quarter 3 ends on 3/11! If your child has incomplete skills book scores on 3/11, it will greatly affect their grades. To keep on pace, your child should be working on book 7 or 8 now. If your child is not on book 7 or 8, they are drastically behind pace.
In Honors Math, we are loving the Stock Market Game. Our $100,000 hits are financial portfolios on 2/16. The students are so engaged! This week we discussed scenarios that can affect a stock. See below for more information regarding the Stock Market Game!
Stock Market Game- Students will be broken into teams and will receive lessons on how the stock market works. Each team will receive "$100,000" and will learn how to manage a portfolio on the stock market. Each team will get to make trades, research companies, and learn the difference between bonds, mutual funds, and stocks. The team with the greatest growth in their portfolio at the end will be the winners. Here is a link with more information: http://www.stockmarketgame.org/
If any parent/grandparent has expertise in the stock market/financial advisor, guest speakers are always welcome. Feel free to contact me to schedule a time.
Scholastic magazine is optional this month (for some). I have used it as a challenge activity for extra credit for some, but for others it is mandatory but will only help not hurt their grade. It is due this Tuesday, 3/1.
Pi Day is coming up! We are getting excited! We will be spending the week before Spring Break discovering pi! I have some fun but educational activities planned. Can’t wait!