Math: Unit Nine: Coordinates, Volume, Area, & Capacity
Concepts we are studying include:
Plotting ordered pairs on a four-quadrant coordinate grid, understand the concept of volume of a figure, use a formula to find the volume of prisms, identify the base and height of triangles and parallelograms, use a formula to find the area of triangles and parallelograms.
Unit ten: Algebra Concepts & Skills
Concepts we will be studying include:
Solving two-step pan-balance problems, write algebraic expressions to represent situtations, represent rate problems as formulas, tables, and graphs, use formulas to find circumference and area of a circle, distinguish between circumference and area of a circle, interpret mystery line plots and graphs.
Language Arts:
Writing: Dynamics of good expository writing. We will continue to work on grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, transitions and good beginnings and endings.
Reading: Theme 5: One Land, Many Trails
Strategies taught are drawing conclusions, propaganda, making judgements, story structure, somprehension skills, understanding autobiographies, Predicting & Infering, questioning, summarizing, and evaluating.
Grammar: Pronouns, Adverbs, Using Quotations, Combining Sentences, Organizing Information and Using Adjectives.
Science: Simple Machines and Forces & MotionBalanced and Unbalanced Forces, measuring “work”, motion vs. speed, Three Laws of Motion, kinetic and potential energy, electricity, light and sound, thermal and chemical energy, how people use energy, lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, screw, wheel and axel, fulcrum, and force.
Social Studies: The Colonies, Early Settlement, Revolutionary War, Our Government
We will now be using USA Weekly Newspapers for Social Studies. They are great kid-friendly newspapers that align to our Standard Course of Study. The kids have used them before in Science and now we have the pleasure in having them for Social Studies! J
Look for them coming home.
Important Dates:
March 13 & 14:
Camp Hanes Overnight Trip
March 19:
Technology Academy Ends
March 20:
PTA Board Mtg. @ 6:30
Spring Begins
March 21:
Good Friday
Begin Spring Break
No School that Friday
March 24 - 28 :
No School
Spring Break!
April 4:
Teacher Workday
No School
April 15:
3rd Report Card Issued
April 22:
Earth Day
April 23:
Administrative Professionals Day
Update:
I am no longer requiring “Think Marks” to be done nightly along with reading. I have decided instead to place a few different reading enhancements in place in hopes of increasing our reading levels, fluency, and comprehension:
1) Every student will be expected to take an AR test every 1-2 weeks on a reading book of their choice. Their grade on the AR will NOT be factored into their grade. I will; however, be looking for the amount and quality of reading each student does on their INDIVIDUAL level.
2) Every student will complete a book report every 2 – 3 weeks. I will be allotting time on Fridays to assist students in this. My book reports are nothing like a “traditional” book report and I think the kids will actually enjoy them! J
NEEDED:
I am in need of some basic classroom supplies if anyone has these items as extra and are able to donate them:
Paper towels, EXPO board cleaner, Dry Erase Markers, Pencils, and Erasers.
Thank-You!
Science Supplies Needed:
Our science supplies are running low. Things found around the house that I could always use are:
A few paper towel rolls
Tin soup cans with the labels off
2 liter bottles
Water or Soda bottles
Spools (from thread)
Drinking straws
Push tacks
Clay
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton balls
Salt
Flour
Various Wind Up Toys
Toy cars (matchbox)
Different size balls (Tennis Balls are always good to have on hand)
**All items WILL NOT be returned**
"Book It" Program sponsored by Pizza Hut
FYI: The calendars that are sent home at the beginning of the month are to be used to document the amount of reading each students does each night at home.
YES! It is a homework assignment EVERY NIGHT. The students are responsible to "Read 30"each night. However; they can pick one night of the week to take off. Each month has a predertmined goal of minutes to read based on the type of month it is. For example: For the month of January the goal is 720 minutes for the month.
At the end of each month, the kids can bring me in their calendar to receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza to be redeamed within in 30 days. The calendar must be signed by an adult and the student must have met their reading goal.
Please make sure that your child is also practicing multiplication flashcards everynight! This is crucial for success in this years math. If he/she doing pretty well at knowing instant recall of multiplication facts, flip it to division!
Good Math Web Sites:
http://www.kidsites.com/sites-edu/math.htm
*I especially love A+ Math and AAA Math. These are two fantastic sites that you should keep under “favorite”!
