Hello and welcome!

Please remember our four TBS rules: Be safe

                                                         Be responsible/respectful

                                                         Be kind/caring

                                                         Be here and ready 

In Social Studies we have completed our Geography: Tools and Concepts book, and have begun our study of Asia.

Week 6/2 - Complete Chinese unit

                - Rehearsals for 'The Magic Whip'

                - Begin Japan unit

In Language Arts we began the year learning about the active reading strategies of question, predict, clarify, summarize, and respond. We are applying our active reading strategies to the story elements of plot, character, setting, and theme to various trade books throughout the year.

During the week of June 2 we will continue to read the book entitled Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang; it is a memoir of the Cultural Revolution. The book will intergrate our Social Studies unit on China with Language Arts minilessons on historical fiction.

Our Writer's Craft book will be used as a reference for and the basis for daily lessons focusing on writing style, grammar, and punctaution. 

In addition to regular long-term writing assignments, such as expository, persuasive, and description, we will be writing in a journal. We will be using the writing process to assist us in our journey, along with modeling, peer editing, and extensive planning in conjuntion with graphic organizers. All final writing assignments need to be typed, double-spaced, and in 12 point font. A title should be no larger than 16 point font.  

Our writing will focus on the skills of brainstorming, the organization of paragraph writing, and description. Currently we are focusing on Critical Stance writing.

In math, our class is exploring the Connected Mathematics 2 series which will continue through eighth grade. Our last unit of study is entitled Data About Us: Statistics The following topics are highlighted in this unit's investigations: Looking at Data, Using Graphs to Explore Data, and What Do We Mean by Mean?  

The Connected Math web site below has plenty of tips and practice problems for students.

http://phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=amk&wcsuffix=0099

OTHER GENERAL CLASSROOM INFORMATION

* All tests and quizzes will be announed in advance.

* Long term projects and book report due dates will be provided along with overviews of classroom studies. 

* Students will be responsible for writing down homework on a daily basis in their provided school planners. I will review homework each day in class.

* Homework will be given Monday through Thursday. You should typically expect 10-15 minutes of homework in each subject area; Language Arts may be closer to 20 minutes a night. (About 60 minutes per night total)

* The only homework over the weekends will be long-term assignments, such as book reports, which will be given each month, along with other various long-term projects.

* I will also periodically send home student work for parent(s)/guardian(s) to look over. All work needs to be sent back to school and also a parent/guardian signature will be required so I know that you had the opportunity to see your child's work.

Upcoming school events include:  

6/9 - AMS Step-Up

6/11 - Farmington Club

6/12 - Magic Whip

6/13 - Springfield trip

6/19 - Last day of school - 1/2 day

The next book order is due June .  If possible, write a check. I am unable to send cash in the mail. Thank you.

If you have any suggestions I can be reached at (860) 404-4870, ext. 215 (our room number) or through email. I truly believe open lines of communication will make this school year the best it can be for all of us. I will be as available as possible for anything that may arise. Thank you in advance for your support.

As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, or if I can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Miss Muller