Hi Families,
I have sent home several pieces of "test prep" for students to work on over the break. We have been working incredibly hard, so it is important that they do at least a minimal amount of prep over the week. With that said, I know families are busy and have things planned. Please do what you think is best for your child. I will not be checking the work before the test, but I wanted to provide the option to you.
I sent home several new ELA (English Language Arts) packets/practice, as well as an old test for students to revise the essays. They have some essay drafts in their Writer's Notebooks. They can refer to the many handouts glued in the Notebook detailing different essay structures, prompts, etc. to revise and publish essays. You can use the different essay structures to create essay questions with the kids' independent reading books. They also have a large math packet and should have their math notebook to refer to notes and vocabulary.
I will post some pics to provide you with some insight on our work...
Friday, April 6, 2012
Testing Info
April 4th, 2012
Dear 405 Families,
As promised, here is a very late in coming curriculum letter. As many of you can imagine, writing narrative reports is quite a time consuming task. It requires a lot of time spent thinking about each of your children and then trying to put those thoughts onto paper in a way that captures who your child is while also providing you with helpful information about next steps we can take to insure that our last months together are productive and positive. And so after that experience it has taken me a bit longer than I had anticipated, getting back to my computer and writing about the goings on in our class. I apologize for that, as I know it is an important link between home and school and one that I want to honor.
So, here is some of what has been going on in our class:
TESTING!! The ELA (English Language Assessment) and the Math tests are right around the corner. I know they are on everybody’s mind – children and adults alike, so I wanted to fill you in on some thoughts I have and what we have been doing in class to get our kids ready. The dates are only one day after our return to school from April Break. I believe this timing to be a serious problem. As much as I don’t believe in high stakes testing, I still believe in setting up our students for success in the face of any challenge. With this belief, we are currently spending time each day on test prep to help prepare our students in a way that doesn’t compromise the rigor of our own units of study.
One important way that we have always prepared students for the test is by giving them long blocks of reading time. All year long we have been giving students a 50-minute period of reading each day. During this reading time I check in with students about many aspects of their reading experiences. For example, I ask students to tell me about what’s going on in a story to make sure they comprehend the text. We may read a section together so that I can check their current fluency. We problem solve around things like, what do you do when you loose track of what’s going on or how to figure out a tricky word.
Students will be expected to focus and read for an extended period of time, each of three days, on this test. (We think it’s about 60 minutes). Giving students long blocks of reading time builds their stamina, which they will need in order to complete the new longer test. But most importantly, it allows students to nurture a love and appreciation of reading – of getting lost in an excellent story, to develop ideas about characters and so on and so on.
The timing of the test puts this powerful exercise at risk. On breaks, many students and families put aside books in order to spend more time with family, traveling, relaxing, etc. These are important things to do over vacation; however, research shows that without repeated practice reading stamina and levels drop - even after a week.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to consider scheduling reading blocks for your student over April Break. Here are some suggestions:
• Schedule at least 40 minutes of reading in the morning or in the evening every day
• Keep students’ reading time free of multi-tasking and technology: TV, iPods, cell phones, computers, etc. unless they are reading on an e-reader.
• Encourage or help students to vary the reading: non-fiction articles in history, science, newspapers and magazines, poetry and fiction. This is the kind of reading they encounter in school every day as well as on the test.
Enough said! As always, please come talk to me or email me if you have any more questions about this. The best thing we can do for our children at this point (besides rallying and being REALLY VOCAL against high stakes testing) is to relax and not put our anxiety onto our kids. I talk to them in class – I tell them how unimportant we believe testing is, but I want them to do well in everything they try, including the upcoming tests.
And, I tell them that they get to chew special test gum!! Yes, that’s correct! Your child is allowed to bring in gum on the days of the tests. We encourage sharing. I will bring some in too and the chewing is limited to the time they are testing. If your child is not a gum chewer but prefers a hard candy, that’s fine too!
--Lauren
Dear 405 Families,
As promised, here is a very late in coming curriculum letter. As many of you can imagine, writing narrative reports is quite a time consuming task. It requires a lot of time spent thinking about each of your children and then trying to put those thoughts onto paper in a way that captures who your child is while also providing you with helpful information about next steps we can take to insure that our last months together are productive and positive. And so after that experience it has taken me a bit longer than I had anticipated, getting back to my computer and writing about the goings on in our class. I apologize for that, as I know it is an important link between home and school and one that I want to honor.
So, here is some of what has been going on in our class:
TESTING!! The ELA (English Language Assessment) and the Math tests are right around the corner. I know they are on everybody’s mind – children and adults alike, so I wanted to fill you in on some thoughts I have and what we have been doing in class to get our kids ready. The dates are only one day after our return to school from April Break. I believe this timing to be a serious problem. As much as I don’t believe in high stakes testing, I still believe in setting up our students for success in the face of any challenge. With this belief, we are currently spending time each day on test prep to help prepare our students in a way that doesn’t compromise the rigor of our own units of study.
One important way that we have always prepared students for the test is by giving them long blocks of reading time. All year long we have been giving students a 50-minute period of reading each day. During this reading time I check in with students about many aspects of their reading experiences. For example, I ask students to tell me about what’s going on in a story to make sure they comprehend the text. We may read a section together so that I can check their current fluency. We problem solve around things like, what do you do when you loose track of what’s going on or how to figure out a tricky word.
Students will be expected to focus and read for an extended period of time, each of three days, on this test. (We think it’s about 60 minutes). Giving students long blocks of reading time builds their stamina, which they will need in order to complete the new longer test. But most importantly, it allows students to nurture a love and appreciation of reading – of getting lost in an excellent story, to develop ideas about characters and so on and so on.
The timing of the test puts this powerful exercise at risk. On breaks, many students and families put aside books in order to spend more time with family, traveling, relaxing, etc. These are important things to do over vacation; however, research shows that without repeated practice reading stamina and levels drop - even after a week.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to consider scheduling reading blocks for your student over April Break. Here are some suggestions:
• Schedule at least 40 minutes of reading in the morning or in the evening every day
• Keep students’ reading time free of multi-tasking and technology: TV, iPods, cell phones, computers, etc. unless they are reading on an e-reader.
• Encourage or help students to vary the reading: non-fiction articles in history, science, newspapers and magazines, poetry and fiction. This is the kind of reading they encounter in school every day as well as on the test.
Enough said! As always, please come talk to me or email me if you have any more questions about this. The best thing we can do for our children at this point (besides rallying and being REALLY VOCAL against high stakes testing) is to relax and not put our anxiety onto our kids. I talk to them in class – I tell them how unimportant we believe testing is, but I want them to do well in everything they try, including the upcoming tests.
And, I tell them that they get to chew special test gum!! Yes, that’s correct! Your child is allowed to bring in gum on the days of the tests. We encourage sharing. I will bring some in too and the chewing is limited to the time they are testing. If your child is not a gum chewer but prefers a hard candy, that’s fine too!
--Lauren
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday March 5, 2012
We had our first Theatre class today. It was a lot of fun getting to know and work with our theatre teacher, Lindsey. This will be a 10-week theatre residency through a special grant with Arts Connection. We are really looking forward to it.
Family conferences are next week, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening! March is busy, busy, busy! I will be sending out an email survey to schedule conferences.
Homework due next Monday:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math handouts: teach your parents the rules for the weekend puzzles + multiplication handout
Family conferences are next week, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening! March is busy, busy, busy! I will be sending out an email survey to schedule conferences.
Homework due next Monday:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math handouts: teach your parents the rules for the weekend puzzles + multiplication handout
Camp Ashokan Wed.-Fri.
*Just a reminder that our camping trip is this Wednesday-Friday! There are still a couple of students who are missing forms or parts of forms. Please be sure to check with your child and send them in if needed.
*I will be at my American History grant professional development workshop tomorrow, but I will be there for camp Wednesday morning.
A few reminders we discussed as a class today:
- Any medicine, including vitamins and cough drops, must be accompanied by the original prescription or Dr. note (i.e.- do not take pills out of the bottle, they must be in their original container with the prescription info)
- Bring a light non-messy snack for the bus rides- only water to drink. Snack should be put in a zip lock baggie with the student's name written on the outside. We will collect leftover snacks once we arrive at Ashokan and then return to kids for the bus ride home. Kids may not have any food or candy with them at camp.
- If you get "car sick" be sure to bring plastic baggies, kleenex/paper towels, and hand sanitizer. Mints are also soothing.
- No electronics!
- Rated "G" or "PG" movies are okay to bring for the bus ride. Be sure to label your movie if you bring any.
- If you are bringing a camera please write your name on it- you can use masking tape or a label.
- Extra socks are always a good idea :)
I will see you Wednesday morning!
*I will be at my American History grant professional development workshop tomorrow, but I will be there for camp Wednesday morning.
A few reminders we discussed as a class today:
- Any medicine, including vitamins and cough drops, must be accompanied by the original prescription or Dr. note (i.e.- do not take pills out of the bottle, they must be in their original container with the prescription info)
- Bring a light non-messy snack for the bus rides- only water to drink. Snack should be put in a zip lock baggie with the student's name written on the outside. We will collect leftover snacks once we arrive at Ashokan and then return to kids for the bus ride home. Kids may not have any food or candy with them at camp.
- If you get "car sick" be sure to bring plastic baggies, kleenex/paper towels, and hand sanitizer. Mints are also soothing.
- No electronics!
- Rated "G" or "PG" movies are okay to bring for the bus ride. Be sure to label your movie if you bring any.
- If you are bringing a camera please write your name on it- you can use masking tape or a label.
- Extra socks are always a good idea :)
I will see you Wednesday morning!
HUGE THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of those who volunteered and helped out for Community Day. The room looks amazing and feels great! It means a lot that so many people showed up and pitched in. It was huge. Special thanks to Ondine (and Dylan) and Ayo (and Ayanna) for organizing, along with Harriet, Jesse and Georgia, Sara, and Michael! I feel so lucky to have such great families :)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Ashokan Forms needed ASAP
If you have not turned in all your camp forms please do so ASAP!
*Tomorrow morning, Ahyesha needs the 4 medical forms for each child to fax to Ashoken.
Thanks.
*Tomorrow morning, Ahyesha needs the 4 medical forms for each child to fax to Ashoken.
Thanks.
DIY DAY this Saturday at the New School!
This is part of the workshop/conference I have been working on this week. Saturday is going to be a great day for kids and adults! There will be a lot of creative, fun, free events. If you are interested you need to visit the site and sign-up/register for free, as space is limited. Here is a link to register: http://diydays.com
About Sat.:
DIY DAYS is a roving gathering for those who create. Past stops have included Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Philadelphia. FREE to participants and organized by volunteers – DIY DAYS is about the accessibility of ideas, resources and networking that can enable creators to fund, create, distribute and sustain.
More info on the work I've been collaborating on:
http://diydays.com/program-2/program/wicked-solutions-for-a-wicked-problem/
About Sat.:
DIY DAYS is a roving gathering for those who create. Past stops have included Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Philadelphia. FREE to participants and organized by volunteers – DIY DAYS is about the accessibility of ideas, resources and networking that can enable creators to fund, create, distribute and sustain.
More info on the work I've been collaborating on:
http://diydays.com/program-2/program/wicked-solutions-for-a-wicked-problem/
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
homework
SING TOMORROW! + BOOK SALE for CITS
read at least 45 minutes and record your thinking
math - 5 handouts due on Friday
social studies- use the interview questions to interview someone at home about civil rights
1- what types of discrimination are there today?
2- have you ever been discriminated against in the past?
3- what do you think civil rights are?
writing- collect an entry
*I will be out at a fantastic conference for Wed. and Thursday. I can't wait to share all of the cool stuff I learn! Cooper and Kenton will be teaching tomorrow and Barbara will be in Thursday.
*Remember Community Day is this Sunday!
read at least 45 minutes and record your thinking
math - 5 handouts due on Friday
social studies- use the interview questions to interview someone at home about civil rights
1- what types of discrimination are there today?
2- have you ever been discriminated against in the past?
3- what do you think civil rights are?
writing- collect an entry
*I will be out at a fantastic conference for Wed. and Thursday. I can't wait to share all of the cool stuff I learn! Cooper and Kenton will be teaching tomorrow and Barbara will be in Thursday.
*Remember Community Day is this Sunday!
Monday, February 27, 2012
HOMEWORK
Welcome Back!
Tonight:
- Read and keep track of your thinking on a reading log or thinkmark
- writing entry: be ready to update us on your independent project tomorrow
- words that have the "ai" pattern, like train...
- math handout on greatest common factor and least common multiple
*challenge- try out the back side
- geography: check your map quiz from today and fix things that need to be fixed, then study!
Tonight:
- Read and keep track of your thinking on a reading log or thinkmark
- writing entry: be ready to update us on your independent project tomorrow
- words that have the "ai" pattern, like train...
- math handout on greatest common factor and least common multiple
*challenge- try out the back side
- geography: check your map quiz from today and fix things that need to be fixed, then study!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Dance Photos!
For those of you who were unable to make our dance culmination, here are some photos from class. Enjoy!
Green Game Site
Here is a cool site I just found. Would be a great activity for kids to check out at home!
http://greenribbonschools.org/activity-detail.php?id=863
http://greenribbonschools.org/activity-detail.php?id=863
Friday, February 17, 2012
Have A Super Break!
Homework:
*READ, READ, READ, AND ENJOY!!
*Math packet
*Talk to your family friends to help you gather information about the amendments. You can use examples from your family and add pictures or drawings.
*READ, READ, READ, AND ENJOY!!
*Math packet
*Talk to your family friends to help you gather information about the amendments. You can use examples from your family and add pictures or drawings.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day
and Happy Birthday Georgia!!
Tonight's homework:
-read at least 30-40 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log.
- social studies reading passage + amendments then/now handout
-writing: collect + revise/edit
- math: mean/average 2 pg. handout + fix incorrect problems on quiz (highlighted = incorrect)
- words: choose at least 5 new vocabulary words from the social studies passage + look up the definition and be ready to share
Tonight's homework:
-read at least 30-40 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log.
- social studies reading passage + amendments then/now handout
-writing: collect + revise/edit
- math: mean/average 2 pg. handout + fix incorrect problems on quiz (highlighted = incorrect)
- words: choose at least 5 new vocabulary words from the social studies passage + look up the definition and be ready to share
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday 2.13.12
Thanks to all of the families that came to our dance celebration class! The kids did a fantastic job and it was nice to share :)
Tonight's Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete and ready to share with your club members
- reflect on this quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
*What things in history is this true for? Think of examples.
-writing: collect a 1.5 - 2 page entry
- math: handout- write a story problem for each problem, then solve in 2 ways. You must show each strategy!
- social studies: geoegraphy- review last week's quiz and study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America); study the countries in the Carribean.
- words: create your own scramble!
*Camp Ashoken letter went home today so please ask students about it. This was just an intro letter so there will be more coming soon!
*Ice-skating trip on Thursday
Tonight's Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete and ready to share with your club members
- reflect on this quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
*What things in history is this true for? Think of examples.
-writing: collect a 1.5 - 2 page entry
- math: handout- write a story problem for each problem, then solve in 2 ways. You must show each strategy!
- social studies: geoegraphy- review last week's quiz and study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America); study the countries in the Carribean.
- words: create your own scramble!
*Camp Ashoken letter went home today so please ask students about it. This was just an intro letter so there will be more coming soon!
*Ice-skating trip on Thursday
Friday, February 10, 2012
Friday
Happy Birthday Georgia! (On Tuesday) = No homework this weekend
*make sure you READ
*social studies handout from Thurs. is due Mon.
*look over the averages for the snake projects
See you Monday
*make sure you READ
*social studies handout from Thurs. is due Mon.
*look over the averages for the snake projects
See you Monday
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday Feb. 9, 2012
Happy Birthday Angie!!
Angie's birthday wish was "no homework" tonight. Students have a reading handout that needs to be completed by Monday.
Great job teaching your families the "lattice" multiplication!
*Remember tomorrow is a 1/2 day with 11:30 dismissal in the cafeteria.
Angie's birthday wish was "no homework" tonight. Students have a reading handout that needs to be completed by Monday.
Great job teaching your families the "lattice" multiplication!
*Remember tomorrow is a 1/2 day with 11:30 dismissal in the cafeteria.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Open Dance Class/Culmination next Monday at 10:45
Next Monday will be our last dance class and you are invited to watch! It will be a regular class and give parents a chance to see what students have been working on. We will be trying our this format, in lieu of a stage performance. Class is in the auditorium at 10:45 am.
Open Dance Class/Culmination next Monday at 10:45
Next Monday will be our last dance class and you are invited to watch! It will be a regular class and give parents a chance to see what students have been working on. We will be trying our this format, in lieu of a stage performance. Class is in the auditorium at 10:45 am.
Wed. homework
Tonight's homework:
-read at least 30-40 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- you must bring this to school tomorrow to show me!
- double sided reading passage handout- use the facts in the passage to answer the questions!
-writing: finish indep draft if you haven't + editing work in your notebook
- math: double sided handout using "lattice multiplication"- look at the math letter explaining the strategy and also your examples from class today
- word patterns: if you know...choose 4 words from your independent reading or social studies and use them to help you spell other words. For example, if i know how to spell NATURAL, then I also know how to spell...NATURALLY, UNNATURAL, NATURE...
-read at least 30-40 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- you must bring this to school tomorrow to show me!
- double sided reading passage handout- use the facts in the passage to answer the questions!
-writing: finish indep draft if you haven't + editing work in your notebook
- math: double sided handout using "lattice multiplication"- look at the math letter explaining the strategy and also your examples from class today
- word patterns: if you know...choose 4 words from your independent reading or social studies and use them to help you spell other words. For example, if i know how to spell NATURAL, then I also know how to spell...NATURALLY, UNNATURAL, NATURE...
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Reports Update
Dear Families,
Reports for our class will be going home Friday and Monday. I was hopeful that I would have them out by Wednesday but 28 reports (on top of middle school recs) is a lot :)
Thanks for your understanding!
-L
Reports for our class will be going home Friday and Monday. I was hopeful that I would have them out by Wednesday but 28 reports (on top of middle school recs) is a lot :)
Thanks for your understanding!
-L
Tuesday Feb. 7th
There was some last minute confusion with tonight's homework, so here it is:
-read at least 30-40 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log.Also, talk to someone at home about your theories for The Westing Game...
-writing: finish indep draft if you haven't + revision work in your notebook
- math: create 2 double or triple digit multiplication problems and show 2 strategies. For example solve 37 x 84 using 2 different strategies.
- words: choose at least 5 new vocabulary words you are interested in (these can come from your reading work or word interests)
-read at least 30-40 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log.Also, talk to someone at home about your theories for The Westing Game...
-writing: finish indep draft if you haven't + revision work in your notebook
- math: create 2 double or triple digit multiplication problems and show 2 strategies. For example solve 37 x 84 using 2 different strategies.
- words: choose at least 5 new vocabulary words you are interested in (these can come from your reading work or word interests)
Monday, February 6, 2012
MONDAY February 6, 2012
Happy Birthday Angie!!
Tonight's Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log + character handout- it must be complete and ready to share with your club members
- Today we voted on our read aloud and the winner was The Westing Game. Look at the cover, blurb and sample page from The Westing Game to preview and gather information about what the book might be about, question you have, theories, etc.
-writing: collect a 1.5 - 2 page entry
- math: handout (story problems + multi-digit addition strategies- use extra paper if you need to and attach it), 5th graders have an extra multiplication handout
- social studies: geoegraphy- study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America); Quiz is coming!
- words: create your own scramble!
This weekend some students did not complete all of the homework. Make sure it gets done tonight or you will be up at recess tomorrow: thinkmark, character handout, math handouts, social studies
Tonight's Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log + character handout- it must be complete and ready to share with your club members
- Today we voted on our read aloud and the winner was The Westing Game. Look at the cover, blurb and sample page from The Westing Game to preview and gather information about what the book might be about, question you have, theories, etc.
-writing: collect a 1.5 - 2 page entry
- math: handout (story problems + multi-digit addition strategies- use extra paper if you need to and attach it), 5th graders have an extra multiplication handout
- social studies: geoegraphy- study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America); Quiz is coming!
- words: create your own scramble!
This weekend some students did not complete all of the homework. Make sure it gets done tonight or you will be up at recess tomorrow: thinkmark, character handout, math handouts, social studies
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Ice Skating- tomorrow + 2.16
Tomorrow we are going ice skating. Please bring a snack to eat before we leave school(9:30). We will eat lunch after we return to school (12:30/1).
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday 2.1.12 Homework
Happy February!
Building on our conversation yesterday, today in writing we read through a Leonard Pitts editorial together, discussing content, tone, language, thinking about the power of writing. For homework students chose another editorial they wanted to read.
- read editorial + take notes on handout
reading- read for at least 30 minutes and fill out thinkmark/reading log
words- add new words to your mini word wall + fill out related words on the back
math handout- show all of your work
See you tomorrow!
Building on our conversation yesterday, today in writing we read through a Leonard Pitts editorial together, discussing content, tone, language, thinking about the power of writing. For homework students chose another editorial they wanted to read.
- read editorial + take notes on handout
reading- read for at least 30 minutes and fill out thinkmark/reading log
words- add new words to your mini word wall + fill out related words on the back
math handout- show all of your work
See you tomorrow!
Monday, January 30, 2012
MONDAY 1.30.12
This week we are going ice-skating! For real ;) On Thursday February 2nd.
I will let you know when our next trip has been re-scheduled for.
Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete and ready to share with your club members
-writing: collect a 1.5 - 2 page entry
- math: handout (story problems + multiplication strategies)
- social studies: geoegraphy- study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America); Quiz is coming!
- words: create your own scramble!
I will let you know when our next trip has been re-scheduled for.
Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete and ready to share with your club members
-writing: collect a 1.5 - 2 page entry
- math: handout (story problems + multiplication strategies)
- social studies: geoegraphy- study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America); Quiz is coming!
- words: create your own scramble!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday 1.23.12
Tomorrow we go ice-skating! *Remember, they will not allow us to eat at the rink so we will have a snack before we go and eat lunch after. Hot chocolate should be fine :)
All homework is due on Friday! Great job to our Principal for today, Nissim.
Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete
-writing: collect a new entry or work on your independent project
- math: 2 review handouts. Use 2 strategies. To make it more challenging, try changing the numbers or write your own problem!
- social studies: geoegraphy- study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America)
- words: create your own scramble!
All homework is due on Friday! Great job to our Principal for today, Nissim.
Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete
-writing: collect a new entry or work on your independent project
- math: 2 review handouts. Use 2 strategies. To make it more challenging, try changing the numbers or write your own problem!
- social studies: geoegraphy- study where the countries of the Western Hemisphere are located (North and Central America, and be able to locate S.America)
- words: create your own scramble!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Welcome Cooper!
We have a FANTASTIC new student teacher this semester, Cooper. Today she and the kids started working on a timeline of U.S. history so we could pay attention to all of the dates and events we were learning and reading about. We will add onto it when we come across new information. Here is some of the work we did today.
Math Connections: Factors and Fractions
Today we started looking at the connection between factors and fractions.
For example:
1/5 of 35 = 7
1/7 of 35 = 5
5/35 is the same as 1/7 and 7/35 is the same as 1/5.
Once we got started, we couldn't stop! 9/72 = _____ and 1/4 of 32 = (ask your student!)
For example:
1/5 of 35 = 7
1/7 of 35 = 5
5/35 is the same as 1/7 and 7/35 is the same as 1/5.
Once we got started, we couldn't stop! 9/72 = _____ and 1/4 of 32 = (ask your student!)
Wednesday 1.18.12
Tomorrow we go ice-skating! *Remember, they will not allow us to eat at the rink so we will have a snack before we go and eat lunch after. Hot chocolate should be fine :)
All homework is due on Friday! Great job to our Principal for today, Nissim.
Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete and ready to turn in
-writing: collect an entry using new vocabulary
- math: volume (length x width x height)
find and label ALL of the different box dimensions for each number of cupcakes
boxes of 12, 16, 24, 32, 48
ex. 12: 2x2x3, 1x3x4...
*remember Eric's strategy for drawing the boxes: draw the array 1st...
- social studies: our timeline looks great! bring in any new dates or events to add...
- words: sorts- prefix -un and suffix -ed
+ instead of COLD
All homework is due on Friday! Great job to our Principal for today, Nissim.
Homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- it must be complete and ready to turn in
-writing: collect an entry using new vocabulary
- math: volume (length x width x height)
find and label ALL of the different box dimensions for each number of cupcakes
boxes of 12, 16, 24, 32, 48
ex. 12: 2x2x3, 1x3x4...
*remember Eric's strategy for drawing the boxes: draw the array 1st...
- social studies: our timeline looks great! bring in any new dates or events to add...
- words: sorts- prefix -un and suffix -ed
+ instead of COLD
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tues. 1.17.12 homework
Welcome back!
Tonight's homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- you must bring this to school tomorrow to show me!
-writing: finish indep draft if you haven't + collect an entry
- math: Sodoku handout
- social studies: read the new Freedom Riders handout + take complete notes on the note-taking sheet (front and back). Jot down things that are confusing or tricky- questions, ideas, etc.
- words: choose at least 5 new vocabulary words from the article that are connected to the topic and our understanding of U.S. history
-*science quiz with Emily
***important- if you haven't turned in ice skating money or permission slips please bring it tomorrow!
Tonight's homework:
-read at least 30 min. + fill out your thinkmark or reading log- you must bring this to school tomorrow to show me!
-writing: finish indep draft if you haven't + collect an entry
- math: Sodoku handout
- social studies: read the new Freedom Riders handout + take complete notes on the note-taking sheet (front and back). Jot down things that are confusing or tricky- questions, ideas, etc.
- words: choose at least 5 new vocabulary words from the article that are connected to the topic and our understanding of U.S. history
-*science quiz with Emily
***important- if you haven't turned in ice skating money or permission slips please bring it tomorrow!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Personal Essay Celebration this Wednesday morning- 8:45
Dear Families,
We are having a writing celebration for our past unit of study, Personal Essay, this Wed. January 11th at 8:45. It will be a short celebration, but all are welcome to attend. Invitations went out last Friday. We will videotape and try to send the videos for those who can't make it.
Thanks!
We are having a writing celebration for our past unit of study, Personal Essay, this Wed. January 11th at 8:45. It will be a short celebration, but all are welcome to attend. Invitations went out last Friday. We will videotape and try to send the videos for those who can't make it.
Thanks!
Thank You! + Ice Skating info
Dear Families,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a lovely holiday. THANK YOU so much for the generous class gift!! It was greatly appreciated.
Our 2 ice skating trips this year will be:
Thursday January 19th and Thursday February 2nd
at Laser Rink in Central Park. We are planning to go by school bus.
Students were given permission slips and envelopes on Friday. Please be sure to fill out the label on the front of the envelope and return with the 2 permission slips and money (admission, skate rental). The 2 permission forms are for the DOE and Laser Rink.
Thank you and I hope to see you!
Happy New Year! I hope you had a lovely holiday. THANK YOU so much for the generous class gift!! It was greatly appreciated.
Our 2 ice skating trips this year will be:
Thursday January 19th and Thursday February 2nd
at Laser Rink in Central Park. We are planning to go by school bus.
Students were given permission slips and envelopes on Friday. Please be sure to fill out the label on the front of the envelope and return with the 2 permission slips and money (admission, skate rental). The 2 permission forms are for the DOE and Laser Rink.
Thank you and I hope to see you!
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