Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Week of 1-14-2013

With the weather being what it is, unpredictable, and the flu season as one of the worst in a long time, I am asking parents to please make sure their kids have coats, hats, gloves, and if they want to play in the snow, boots or spare shoes.  I was amazed by the number of kids who came to school not dressed properly for outdoor recess.  We will not go outside on days where the weather is dangerously cold or extremely wet.  Please also help me to remind your children to stay off the ice.  We had a few accidents this week when kids did not follow this direction and slipped, only to hit their heads on the ground.  If kids cannot stay off the ice, or dressed appropriately, we'll have to resort to indoor recesses only, as I cannot divide up my class.  I apologize in advance for any errors on e-mails and other writings.  I broke my finger the Sunday before we came back and the splint makes it difficult to type and write with.  I want to also apologize for not getting extra credit work up for break.  After two busy days of programming leading right into Christmas, I completely forgot.  If your child read over the break, include it on the reading log that went out today for extra credit.  If your child did 28 kind things for extra credit, just send me a list of those items and I'll give your child the extra 50 points for a subject of his/ her choice.  We will have a half day on Friday, January 18th and no school on Monday, January 21st.  The half day will we morning sessions only for the kids.  Thanks to all who helped out for our Ellis Island and World Foods Programs.  We had a great turn out and the kids had a blast.  I'll post pictures of the event later this week.  The card marking ends next week with a little room the week after for me to get late work into the books.  Please request missing work by Monday, January 14th and try to have it in by the 18th of January to be sure it is counted.  For the third quarter, students will have only a week after progress reports come out to get work into me, so requests need to be made prior to the end of that week.  There is an updated January calendar now available on the web site.  Look on the right hand side and scroll down; there should be a link for it.

Science News
This week we learned about the different fossil types and how to determine the 'Relative Age' of rocks.  Next week we will do experiments on both concepts and also learn about soil composition and properties of erosion.  Look for a test to come out the week after.

S. Studies News
We are starting a new unit on Latin America, beginning with a chapter on the geography of the areas in Latin America, and a study of the Native American Tribes in Pre-Columbian America.  Students will study the Olmec and Mayan, Incan, and Aztec Tribes, as well as how they were eventually conquered by the Spanish.

Math News
This week we took our district test for math, and the target goal for each child was to improve upon their scores from the beginning of the year by 5 problems.  We also learned how to make ratios and fractions into percents, and percents into fractions.  Next week, we will jump into least common multiples and how to add and subtract fractions.  Look for a test on these items the week of MLK Day.

Reading News
New Book It forms will come out this week.  We are moving into our nonfiction reading lessons and small groups have been established.  For the nonfiction unit, we will be using our science and social studies textbooks.  Look for a district test in two weeks on reading.

Writing News
Our next tests in spelling and vocabulary will be next week.  The list should have come home on the 11th of January.  We are looking to soon be working on a nonfiction biography piece of a person of their choice.  Students will make a timeline as a pre write piece, then create the rough draft from it.

Yes, my Irish looked like Irish instead of the Fighting Irish.  Alabama was unstoppable as usual, but at least I can say congrats to the team for making it so far when at the start, Notre Dame was not even ranked as far as I know.  Better luck next year!  Have a great week!

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