Monday, March 24, 2014

Week of 3/24/14 Update

I hope everyone got the chance to enjoy the beautiful weather on Saturday! Our CRCT window is April 23-29. We will be taking the MAP test in the weeks after CRCT. I will keep you posted as I know the dates!

This week I am allowing students a substantial amount of time to continue researching and drafting their informational texts. The students were asked to choose a movement and discuss the driving forces behind its existence.  It has been so refreshing to see the students enjoy the researching process & identify the driving forces behind their movement. Some topics include: The Gold Rush, Locks of Love, Beads of Courage, Elephant Poaching, and many more! 


Here is the checklist that I will be introducing later in the week: 


Informational Writing Checklist
Central Idea: Behind every movement is a force that causes it.

*I have accurately used headings and subheadings to organize information throughout the text. _____

*I have used a variety of text features (glossary, table of contents, labels, pictures with captions, bolded text, etc.) _____

*I have used specific vocabulary to teach my reader everything I know about that heading or subheading. _____

*I have used correct spelling and used a dictionary when necessary. _____

*I have used correct capitalization and punctuation. _____

*I have a resource/bibliography page. _____


You can support at home by assisting with the editing/revising process. Please ask to see their writing journals! In social studies, we are discussing the Oregon Trail as well as some of the inventions during the time of westward expansion such as the steamboat, steam locomotive,and cotton gin.

In math, we're continuing converting units of measurement for length, weight, capacity, and time. We are also going to be integrating line plots into our extra thirty minutes each day. Check out http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/measurement/converts-units-time.htm and http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/data-analysis/line-plots.htm.

In science, we're studying simple machines. Check out http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/ and http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/forces-and-motion/simple-machines.htm.



Have a great week! -Miss Ary

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Update for Week of 3/17/14

It was great seeing so many of you at the Tour deCatur! It was a beautiful day! We hope everyone had a great weekend.

*Yearbook orders are due tomorrow!
 

*The F.AVE online auction is live! Go to http://auctions.readysetauction.com/the45academyatfiftha/
& type in the password fave2014
 

We'd love for students in our classes to win our items, but of course, you and your child should bid on the items you're most interested in! There are so many amazing items to choose from!
Our items:
•    Miss Ary's item: Pizza Party with Miss Ary
•    Mrs. Broman-Fulks's item: Stone Mountain Hike (there are a few of these but look for the title "Stone Mountain Hike)"
•    Mrs. Cassan's item: Rock the Rock! (Ms. Cassan and Mrs. Broman-Fulks will try to do theirs together so there could be 4 students total!)
•    Mrs. Bowden's item: Breakfast Club
•    Ms. Theisen's item: Steppin' Out with Semones and Theisen
  

From Miss Ary:
In English-Language Arts,
we are busy researching for our informational books. This week the students will be choosing chapter titles, and learning that when you take notes, you explain things to yourself so that you can explain them to someone else. You can support your child at home by checking in with them, taking a look at the notes/research that they have gathered inside of their writing journals, and assisting them with any researching they would like to complete at home.

In social studies, we will continue studying the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the acquisitions of Texas (the Alamo and independence). Some of the most beneficial videos on brainpop include: westward expansion, lewis and clark, & the Mexican-American War.
www.brainpop.com
username: decaturga
password: decatur

*Be on the lookout for a few of our latest formative quizzes in the communication folders next week!

From Mrs. Broman-Fulks:
In math, we'll continue our unit on converting units of measurement. We'll finish metric units and begin U.S. Customary units for length, weight, capacity, and time.
Resources:
•    learnzillion.com quick codes LZ2316, LZ2317.
•    http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/measurement/converts-units-time.htm
•    Review codes: LZ2631, LZ2498, LZ2571

In science, we'll finish our study of force and will maybe begin simple machines later this week. Simple Machines Info: http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/forces-and-motion/simple-machines.htm

From the Spanish Department:  Please make sure your student does readings B and C from Episode 5 on Edmodo.  These readings were assigned as soon as your child began episode 5 and they are due March 28! www.edmodo.com    *Usernames and passwords are the student's responsibility & these should be written inside of their agenda

Friday, March 14, 2014

RESEARCH RESOURCES DAY 1:IN CLASS ASSIGNMENT

Check out the following resources below during your first day of note-taking. I spent quite some time selecting these sites so they should be filled with valuable info. Remember to use your note-taking skills. The will be the most difficult part of the writing process. 
*Your first chapter will probably begin with: "What is (insert your movement/topic here)?" so look for  the "WHAT? WHY? WHO?" during your first time researching. Good luck!

SMARTIES
Gold Rush
Robin, Gromyko, Ben H.
www.brainpop.com
 
 Fur Trading
Phyrliss, Nate
www.brainpop.com

Elephant Poaching
Devien
Adina
Jonah

Endangered Lions
Ava P.
Hunter

Important People from the Civil Rights Movement
Jada
Danielle
Kanysilie
Lauren

The Apartide
Calvin

White Rhinos
Bennie

Saving Congo’s Gorillas
Myra

Recycling in Decatur
Flynn

Why did Native Americans write myths?
Griffin

Beads of Hope
Sofia
  
Locks of Love
Isaiah
Ava T.

Trail of Tears
Aiden
Joe P.

RULERS
Government Shutdown
Sage

Salvation Army
Camden

2021 Mars Mission
Thomas

Anti Globalization
Yusha

Coalition to Unchain Dogs
Sula

Louisiana Purchase
Parker

The Bullying Project
Morgan Roach

Declaration of Independence
Ben S.

The Ozone Layer/Atmosphere
Lily
Science techbook

PETA: Endangered CATS
Tatum

American Revolution
Eli
*See links on Edmodo

Raising minimum wage
Quinn & Kelly & Luca

Louisiana Purchase
Kagan & Ford


MLB Integration
Mekhi
Biography of Jackie Robinson by Kenneth Rudeen

Alley Cat Allies
Grace

Global Warming
Charles

Pennies for Patients
Keiko

Boycott for Grapes
Francesca
library.thinkquest.org/26504/History.html

Military
Lyle

Wounded Warrior Project
Joey


Ending Obesity
Connor


Locks of Love
Dorsey





Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Term 5 Is Here!

Term 5 Update
Title: A World In Motion
Theme: Where We Are In Place and Time

Central Idea: Behind every movement is a force that causes it.

Lines of Inquiry:
(Form) The various meanings of force
(Function) Movement as a result of force
(Causation) Impact of movement on people, land, and developments

In social studies, we will begin describing territorial expansion, specifically discussing the Louisiana Purchase. I will be assessing the students' understanding of what motivated prominent historical figures to move west. Reading will be integrated into social studies this week with close reading strategies & exposure to various non-fiction texts. You can check out the importance of close reading here: http://www.learninga-z.com/commoncore/close-reading.html
 
In writing, we are back to informational this term! The students will be looking at their most recent written informational piece and deciding what types of things they could have done differently. I will also be showing them examples of a 1, 2, 3, and 4 so that they understand what their expectations are.

In math, we're beginning our unit on measurement. Students are required to convert within the same system of measurement. For example, they should know that 3,000 meters equal 3 kilometers. They will also be asked to add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve problems involving measurements. They standards do not actually require them to measure anything, but it's always a good idea for you build that into discussions or activities as you're cooking, playing, driving, etc. Please ask to see their math journals! They will have homework 3 nights this week. 

Go to www.learnzillion.com for review codes: LZ2571, LZ2460.

In science, we're starting our unit on force and motion. We'll begin learning about what force is all about, and then we'll study Newton's Laws. We have some really fun activities planned, so hopefully your child will come home telling you all about them!

As always, please contact me with any questions! -Miss Ary