Classroom Updates
Language Arts
We have continued reading our novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The students wrote an argument essay based on who they believe is the most important character in the novel. Their choice was based on evidence and examples from the novel. I loved seeing the varying thinking and supporting examples that they were able to articulate in their writing.
We have just started our next round of literature circles. Students were given a book and small group to work with. Their first meeting to discuss their reading will be next Tuesday, February 10. It is important that every student keeps up with their reading and come prepared to their book club meetings fully prepared. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays for a total of five meetings.
Social Studies
The students turned in Chapter 14 notebook pages and took the test on Chapter 14. They also designed magazine covers called, DIG IT! This magazine cover was to include three artifacts found in Mohenjo-Daro and the information each artifact may tell archeologist about the people and civilization of Mohenjo-Daro. I loved seeing their creativity!
We have continued reading our novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The students wrote an argument essay based on who they believe is the most important character in the novel. Their choice was based on evidence and examples from the novel. I loved seeing the varying thinking and supporting examples that they were able to articulate in their writing.
We have just started our next round of literature circles. Students were given a book and small group to work with. Their first meeting to discuss their reading will be next Tuesday, February 10. It is important that every student keeps up with their reading and come prepared to their book club meetings fully prepared. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays for a total of five meetings.
Social Studies
The students turned in Chapter 14 notebook pages and took the test on Chapter 14. They also designed magazine covers called, DIG IT! This magazine cover was to include three artifacts found in Mohenjo-Daro and the information each artifact may tell archeologist about the people and civilization of Mohenjo-Daro. I loved seeing their creativity!
MATH
Students brought home a test that needs to be signed, corrected and returned to school by Wednesday to get 5 points homework credit. Students should have been able to demonstrate mastery of adding, subtracting fractions, simplifying fractions and finding equivalent fractions. Understanding adding and subtracting positive and negative integers should be close to mastery, but we will continue to practice this concept.
Long division, using the standard algorithm, is being practiced and reinforced this week and next week. Please talk with your child about the procedure and steps we are using. For most problems, I am having students round to the nearest tenth, if necessary. This eliminates having a remainder or turning the remainder into a fraction . . . but there is a correlation between the fraction and decimal produced!
TEN MARKS - please have your child use this tool to reinforce skills and concepts. Assessments taken last week on line produced a list of skills called a PLAY LIST unique to each student's needs. Even if it says an assignment is closed, your child should try to attend to it. I am trying to work out some glitches with the TENMARKS people and will hold students accountable for this practice when we return from break . . . until then, students should be using this tool on the honor system!
Students brought home a test that needs to be signed, corrected and returned to school by Wednesday to get 5 points homework credit. Students should have been able to demonstrate mastery of adding, subtracting fractions, simplifying fractions and finding equivalent fractions. Understanding adding and subtracting positive and negative integers should be close to mastery, but we will continue to practice this concept.
Long division, using the standard algorithm, is being practiced and reinforced this week and next week. Please talk with your child about the procedure and steps we are using. For most problems, I am having students round to the nearest tenth, if necessary. This eliminates having a remainder or turning the remainder into a fraction . . . but there is a correlation between the fraction and decimal produced!
TEN MARKS - please have your child use this tool to reinforce skills and concepts. Assessments taken last week on line produced a list of skills called a PLAY LIST unique to each student's needs. Even if it says an assignment is closed, your child should try to attend to it. I am trying to work out some glitches with the TENMARKS people and will hold students accountable for this practice when we return from break . . . until then, students should be using this tool on the honor system!