Newsletter : March Update

Math: We wrapped up the exponents unit this week, which included both learning the basics of what an exponent is, writing exponents, and using exponent operations. Next week we will be using exponents to start work on scientific notation. Also starting next week, Mrs. Reeder will be taking over my classroom while I am on Paternity Leave for 4 weeks. Mrs. Reeder has been doing Mrs. Stewart's Maternity Leave the last 10 weeks and is looking forward to a new challenge.

Please encourage your students to continue working on their weekly i-Ready requirement. Every year our strongest IAR scores come from the students who took the time to do their weekly independent work.

Geometry:  Wrapped up our test on circles this week, and we will move on to volume and surface area next week. Also starting next week, Mrs. Reeder will be taking over my classroom while I am on Paternity Leave for 4 weeks. Mrs. Reeder has been doing Mrs. Stewart's Maternity Leave the last 10 weeks and is looking forward to a new challenge. When I return, we will wrap the Geometry curriculum up with a unit on probability. I met with GBN's Algebra 2/Trig teacher to make a plan for May and we will focus on continuing to shore up quadratics, rational expressions, and radicals.

Any questions or concerns, please reach out.

Some helpful tips

1. Parents - You have been invited to join your student's Google Classroom.  This will allow you to view your student's classwork activity - including graded and missing work.  Please take advantage of this communication opportunity.

2. Students - Check your email everyday. Email is an effective way to communicate with your teachers.

ELA Class Updates- 

February 2023

• Reading - Students will finish up Unit 2 on the horror genre. Our next unit will focus on argumentative reading and writing pieces. 

• Writing - Writing will be addressed through reading responses at this time. Argument writing will begin in March. 

• Vocabulary-  Students will continue with Unit 4 of the Sadlier Oxford Level C Vocabulary series. Activities to practice vocabulary will include work with synonyms and antonyms, words in context, analogies, and a variety of games. The test for Unit 4C will be on Friday, February 10th 

• Grammar-  Grammar practice is embedded within the ELA curriculum.

• Book Clubs:  Round 2 of Book Clubs is almost complete. A final project will be assigned and due on Wednesday, February 15th. 

• Independent Reading- Please encourage your student to read 10-20 minutes each night. Students either borrowed a book from myself, checked a book out from the IC, or had a book at home. Please check in with your student to see what book they started. 

ELA Class Updates

February 2023 

Reading & Writing: Students will be finishing up their study of the horror genre with a look at Hades in Greek mythology by reading a selection from Virgil's Aeneid and a graphic novel entitled Hades: Lord of the Dead. Their comparative study will include analyzing author's tone and using relevant text to support their ideas.  

Besides literary analysis, students' writing study will move toward crafting arguments.   

Vocabulary & Grammar:  Students will be continuing with their study of unit 4C of the Sadlier-Oxford vocabulary series. Activities to practice vocabulary with will include working with synonyms and antonyms, using words in context, completing analogies, and playing a variety of games. The test for Unit 4C will be on Friday, February 10th   

Grammar practice will be embedded within the ELA curriculum.

Book Clubs:  Round 2 of Book Clubs is quickly coming to an end. Their final book club project will be due on Wednesday, February 15th. Please encourage your child to check his or her grades to be sure that all assignments have been and continue to be turned in. 

Independent Reading- Please encourage your student to read 10-20 minutes each night. There is no single more powerful tool that they have at their disposal to develop themselves as readers, writers, and speakers than simply this!