Post date: Feb 11, 2016 3:33:22 AM
4th Grade News
I wanted to take just a moment to update you on some classroom news. In Honors Reading, the students LOVED the book and the play “The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe”. The play adaptation was so unique and mostly accurate to the book. We had some fantastic discussions comparing and contrasting the two. I strongly encourage your child to watch the movie as well! By the way, there were mixed reviews on the Turkish Delight. Some loved the sweetness, others thought it tasted like cough syrup. Hmmm??? I sent home a recipe as well. Feel free to make it yourself! This week we discussed the symbolism and theme of this book. Students were very prepared for all discussions and seminars. Next week, we will be creating in class book projects to extend our learning. Our 5th Root test is probably going to be on 2/25. Keep studying.
ILR- Book Project Q3- The written Book Project for 4th Grade (Character Advice Letter) are due on 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 adding and subtracting decimals. This next chapter will involve multiplying and dividing decimals. Here we go! "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 3/1. Our 4th Math Olympiad competition was today! Students are really getting the hang of these problems and excelling at them! Way to go, 4th Grade!
5th Grade News
I just wanted to give you an update on class news in Honors. In reading, we are continuing with our novel, My Brother Sam is Dead. This book correlates perfectly with "Sing America Sing" and what the students are learning in Social Studies right now. We are also gearing up for our 2nd WordMasters competition. This week, we worked on making connections and analogies with our 25 words.
ILR-Book Project Q3- The written Book Project for 5th Grade (Book Review) are due on 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 integers and the coordinate plane. We will be wrapping up Chapter 5 next week with a test and jumping into Chapter 6. Chapter 6 is all about algebraic expressions and using the distributive property. Lastly, the students competed in their 4th Math Olympiad competition today! They are getting so good at these problems! Way to go, Mathletes!
"Scholastic Math" magazine requirements changed as of Feb. 1. I have so many students approach me asking for extra credit to bump their grades...my new answer is "Scholastic Math". "Scholastic Math" will be an optional, challenge activity for those looking for extra credit. It is due 3/1.
6th Grade News
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! It is amazing to see the students’ books filled with sticky notes! They are really learning how to annotate the text, use questioning techniques, and look for connections. Lastly, we are also gearing up for our 2nd WordMasters competition. This week, we worked on making connections and analogies with our 25 words.
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. More detailed information to come.
Skills books- For the midterm grades, I recorded skills book 4 & 5. However, for Quarter 3, 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 next Tuesday, 2/16. The students can’t wait to compete! The last two weeks, students have been learning about stocks, ticker symbols, levels of risk, the importance of diversification, and the difference between stocks, mutual funds, and bonds! 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.
I STRONGLY encourage students to review Chapter 5 on ixl Expressions/Equations lessons 1-13. Next up, Chapter 6 which covers equations and inequalities. They will be learning to solve all types of equations and inequalities.
"Scholastic Math" magazine requirements will be changing as of Feb. 1. I have so many students approach me asking for extra credit to bump their grades...my new answer is "Scholastic Math". "Scholastic Math" will be an optional, challenge activity for those looking for extra credit.