Weekly Newsletter, May 7-11

Weekly Highlights:

MAP-M (with math class)
May 9: Hudson
May 11: Beddick
May 14: Dynda

MAP-R (with reading class)
May: 7: Hudson
May 8: Cooper
May 9: Dynda


May 8: Guest author visit, 10:30-11:20
May 8: Schedule change: Science: 9:30, assembly 10:30, Math 12:20
May 9 & 10: Mrs. Dynda's math assessment
May 10: Muffins with Moms & Principal chat
May 15: Assembly, Chinese Acrobats (thank you PTA)
May 15 & 16: Mr. Beddick's math assessment
May 17: Schedule change: Science at 9:30, Math 12:20
May 18: Part 2 of Autobiography project due
Looking ahead:
June 1: all classess math assessment (tentative)


*Mrs. Sagona has challenged the school to read 1 million minutes by May 15. If the students and teachers reach the goal, each class will earn an ice cream party and an additional recess. Students should continue to read each night for 20 minutes (at least) and record this information on their reading logs. We continue to record the minutes we read each day in school on the log as well.


Math 5:
During Unit 5 we will cover the following topics:

• Geometry: Identify transformations in tessellations

• Measurement: Select appropriate measurement attributes, tools and units to solve problems

• Estimate and determine the perimeter and area of a closed figure

• Develop and use formulas to determine the volume of a rectangular prism



This week: We will be reviewing all indicators for our unit assessment
Unit test May 9 & 10



Math 4:

Mathematics is a tool used to solve problems in everyday life. In this unit, students develop measurement skills and explore transformational geometry. The many practical applications of measurement enable students to make connections among number and geometry concepts.


Prior to Grade 4, students developed skills for estimating and measuring length, weight, time, and capacity. They explored the concepts of area and perimeter by estimating and counting. Students also used measurement models to investigate whole number operations. In Grade 4, students measure with increased precision and develop formulas to determine area and perimeter. They determine equivalencies within a measurement system and use manipulatives to determine volume. In this unit, students also examine situations that negative numbers can model, including temperature. The concepts and skills developed in this unit provide the foundation for multi-step measurement problem solving in Grade 5 and for investigating integers on a number line.

In Grade 3, students explored the movement of plane figures. Their focus was on the rigid motion of the object being moved as they investigated slides, flips, and turns. Grade 4 students begin to analyze and describe transformations with increased precision. They identify lines of reflection and points of rotation, as well as describe slides as translations horizontally and/or vertically. Grade 5 students will apply these understandings to transformations in designs.



THIS WEEK: we continue to review lattice multiplication and other strategies to multiply and divide 2-digit numbers.  Our Unit 4 retest will be next Thursday, May 17.
Translation = slide

Rotation = turn

Reflection = flip

http://www.multiplication.com/


A great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word problems/real world application of multiplication & divsion:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/

We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a login is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.

http://www.khanacademy.org/

Science: Distinguishing Between Rocks and Minerals

In science class, we will focus on the similarities and differences between the three different types of rocks: Metamorphic, Igneous, and Sedimentary.  We will then move on to examining fossils.  We will identify characteristics of a fossil as well as some names of fossils.


Reading:

We have begun the study of autobiographies. Students have selected various autobiographies to read as well as the works of these authors. We will use the William & Mary strategies to analyze the works of these authors to make connections/draw conclusions to their lives.


READING HOMEWORK: Students are asked to read 20 minutes each night at home and record on their reading log. This is an independent book of their choosing. Students should complete the Book Talk paper and be prepared to discuss something they read in class every Friday.


Some students have an autobiography reading assignment while other students are reading biographies.   Autobiographies must be read by June 1. Students in this group must also read two books/pieces of work by the author and complete questions as well.  Students reading biographies have a research graphic organizer due to class this FRIDAY, May 11.



Writing:
This week will begin to prewrite about a quarter 4 writing project. We will brainstorm things we know about, things we are interested in, things we have questions about to determine the "what" and "how" of our next project.

All students in Ms. Cooper & Mrs. Dynda's classes are going to be writing an autobiography. Students in Ms. Hudson's class are going to continue writing their own projects. Students in the OSS reading group will be required to complete an autobiography. We are introducing a new computer program we have called "Classroom Suite" where students will be able to choose from various formats, include video, text, and graphics.


For the next two weeks we are asking students to complete Part 2 of their autobiographies: The Present. They will write about their feelings about school, interview someone in their family, and collect family recipes to share. This draft is due FRIDAY, MAY 18.

A link to a website for additional information on the 6 Traits is below:
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.htm



Spelling: Sort 21 will focus on vowel alteration, how word sounds change when you compare root words with long vowels to words that have short vowels or schwa sounds. . Our spelling test for this sort will be on FRIDAY, May 18.

The spelling activities that we suggested in the students spelling journals are just suggestions. Please feel free to adapt as your child needs to.