Friday on My Mind

Hello!  We've had another great week.  Your students received their term 3 social studies and math study guides today.  Please help them begin to review this weekend.  Also, don't forget that the Six Hats Project is due Wednesday, December 17.

Here is the assessment schedule for next week:
Monday:  Begin End of Term Writing Assessment - Research Based Argument (Final Copy Due January 9)
Tuesday:  Reading Assessment (Point of View - No Study Guide); Math Assessment (study guide given December 12)
Wednesday:  Science Assessment (study guide given on December 16)
Thursday:  Social Studies Assessment (study guide given on December 12)
Friday:  Celebration of Learning and Birthday Celebration

Tell Me on a Sunday

Here is another example of an algebra fraction problem from last week.  There are two methods shown below.  The pictures show the problem that we all made a mistake on while we were working in class.  The key is that you have to remember that when you subtract 2 parts from the same whole, you have to add the parts together before subtracting.  We will be moving away from this math, but it is going to continue to be part of our centers rotation.  

This week in math we will be completing a project about recipes and using math in every day life.  These lessons will link our current work with the multiplication and division of fractions that we will work on next term.  We will also be taking our MAP tests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so there will only be math homework on Monday and Tuesday.

In social studies, we are going to focus our attention on innovators from the Turn of the Century period in US history.  Students will be doing several close reading assignments about the different contributions of these individuals.  We are going to be answering focus questions to develop our ability to analyze the contributions of these individuals and connect it to our central idea.

During writing, we are continuing to develop the ability to write a researched based argument.  We will begin the week working on how to structure an essay about our beliefs on school uniforms.  Additionally, we will be working on the use of transitional phrases in our writing.  Look for a chart in their notebooks on Thursday.

Finally, in science, we are wrapping up our studies on electricity this week.  Students will work to answer the conclusion questions from our lab last week on Monday.  We will then begin working on magnetism on Tuesday.

Here are some pictures from our lab last week.  Students had to build a series and a parallel circuit.  Some students attempted to build a series circuit inside of a parallel circuit.

Here's to another great week on 5th Avenue.  I will post an assessment schedule on Friday for next week.  Have a great night.

Mrs. Prophet

Sample Math Problems from Homework on 12-4

Groovy Tuesday

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break.  We are back to work this week and enjoying every second.  We've already accomplished a lot of stuff in the last 2 days.  We will be continuing our work on addition and subtraction of fractions in math for the rest of the term.  Additionally, we are also working writing opinion pieces during ELA.  Students were also given an at-home project that is due on December 17 called the Six Thinking Hats Project.  Please make sure you student received this assignment.

During our Reading block, students are working on a variety of skills including inferencing and point of view.  I am also conducting individual reading conferences with each student to evaluate their progress so far.  Additionally, I will be speaking with students about establishing MAP goals early next week.  We are almost finished presenting our Biography projects.  Students have done an amazing job with their presentations.  I will send home their graded rubrics with their Monday folders, so their will be no confusion about what day the information is coming home.  If you would like to know your child's score before then, please email me and I can send you the rubrics and comments via email.  

Here are a few reminders:

1.  MAP testing - December 10, December 11, December 12 (Next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday)

2.  Tybee Paperwork - Please send this back as soon as you can.