Thursday, September 11, 2014

Class info Sept 11

Language Arts

A lot is happening assignment-wise in the next couple of days:

 tomorrow

1.   reading log due
2.   spelling test, vocabulary test

Monday (latest)

1.  "Where I'm From" poem
2.   vocabulary boxes

Next week....

Finish "Where We're From", start an official writing unit, more vocabulary, more spelling, start grammar

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Class info Sept 10

Math

We learned about factor strings today.  Factor strings are the products it takes to create a number.  For example the factor strings for 20 are 2 x 10, 4 x 5, 2 x2 x 5.

Tomorrow we will have a brief assessment just to see where students are before progressing.

Language Arts

We started a poem today called "Where I'm From".  Students are to write their own poems based on George Ella Lyons' poem of the same name.

Also due are vocabulary boxes and reading logs all on Friday.  Spelling / vocabulary test is on Friday as well.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Class info Sept 9

Language Arts

We worked on vocabulary boxes for the words we discussed on Monday.  These will be due this Friday.  Spelling / vocabulary test will be this Friday.  I also passed out a reading log that should be completed and signed by Friday.  The diagnostic/review/norm setting part of the year is done, and we're in full swing!

Math

Had a great discussion about square roots and what they represent.  Study Link 1.8 at home would be  a great complement to the learning.

a common core primer

Here's some good general information on the Common Core curriculum from New York, who happens to be the state that is sort of the vanguard of the whole thing:

http://nyspta.org/pdf/Advocacy/NYSPTA_NYSUT_Common_Core_Brochure_8.13.pdf

The internet is full of great common core lessons and ideas for people who like to work with their kids at home.  When I find good sites, I'll post the links for your use.

Copy and paste the link on to your browser if the hyperlink doesn't work.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Class info Sept 8

I had to have a lovely dental procedure last Thursday, so since having to have a sub that day my blog posts have been a little delayed.

Language Arts

Reading logs go out tomorrow.  Friday we will have a combined spelling / vocabulary test.  The spelling words are on page 5 of the practice book.  The vocabulary words are expectations, fringes, hesitating, humiliation, sincere, and coaxed.  Don't forget that I need to see your library card if I haven't already done so.

Make sure your children are always reading.  We had a class discussion about favorite books and places to read today, and I am proud to report enthusiasm for reading is at an all-time high in this class.

Math

Studying exponents and exponential notation right now.  We studied divisibility and divisibility rules last Thursday and Friday.  These are all concepts that should be mastered.  Feel free to do study links 1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 if you are so inclined.  I can even check them if you'd like to turn them in, but that's not a requirement.

Science

Chapter 1 section 1 complete!  Your student should have mastered the basics of cells by this point. Expect a mini-project on cells to come in the next couple of weeks.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Class info Sep 3

Language Arts

I need you to have a library card by October 1.  I had a couple of kids tell me they don't got to the library at all, but that their parents frequently buy them books.  Thats ok, so long as I have a note.  If the library card is a parent's, that's ok too.

Reading logs are due this Friday signed.  I'd like students to write comments regarding what they thought of their book.  You don't have to do one book per line, you can write down the chapters you've read on every line if the book is long.

Make sure you read about 30 minutes at home on average nightly.  If an event after school deters you one night, try to make it up if you can.

Math

We've finished studying word problems and are working on arrays and fact families, which is a review of 2nd-3rd grade concepts with higher difficulty problems.  I would expect that your child is already at mastery of this concept.

Study Link 1.2 is an optional assignment to reinforce this concept.

Science

We're still looking at plant and animal cells.  Pages 26 - 31 have been covered and are expected to be in your children's brain.  A brief quiz is possible soon.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Thursday night 5th grade fundraiser

Support our 5th grade activities by attending our dine-out night at Blaze Pizza in the Glendale Galleria.  It's supposed to be quite good, and they are donating 20% of your check to the 5th grade.  Save yourself the displeasure of cooking on a hot afternoon and join us