I hope you all had a great weekend! We have a busy week ahead!
In reading, we are focusing on scientific texts based on simple machines & robots. The students will be using these texts to determine the main idea and identify evidence the author is using.
In writing, the students are wrapping up their informational research assignments. Each student will be presenting their work!
In social studies, we will be reviewing and taking the assessment later in the week. Each student has a study guide that they completed in class.
In math, we will be finishing our unit and taking our test Thursday and Friday. We will focus on comparing fractions and adding and subtracting fractions and decimals of tenths and hundredths.
In science, will are finishing up our test that we started last week and then we'll focus on wrapping up the IB unit of inquiry.
Announcements:
• Spring break is next week! I hope the students enjoy some time to rejuvenate away from school!
• Our next Village Gathering is April 16 at 1:45. Our class is hosting, so come by to see what they put together!
• The testing window for Georgia Milestones begins April 21st. The specific testing schedule will be sent soon.
• Spring MAP will begin in early May. Again, the schedule will be sent in the coming weeks.
• Our class raised the most money for the Pennies for Patients fund! We will be celebrating with a pizza party later in the year! Thank you all so much for your support with that fundraiser!
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Update for Week of 3/23/15
In writing, the students are revising and editing their research assignments. I am encouraging students to revise using their own personal voice. The students have been busy learning to paraphrase during note-taking time so that their writing doesn't sound like an encyclopedia.
In reading, we are exploring functional texts! This week we are looking at textbooks to notice their structure, features, and information.
In social studies, the students have been fascinated to learn about the challenges that pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail. This week we are looking into the technological innovation in the 19th century. Specifically, we are learning about the steamboat, steam locomotive, and telegraph.
In math, we will continue working on tenths and hundredths equivalencies, and then we'll move on to comparing decimals using >, <, and =. Students will practice justifying their answers with written responses. Please encourage your children to practice verbalizing their reasoning for answers. Think more on the lines of why you did what you did rather than just what you did.
• learnzillion.com quick codes for comparing decimals: LZ3217, LZ3158, LZ3354, LZ3385.
In science, we'll finish our unit on force and motion. Students will have a study guide that they can work on at home or during morning work this week. We'll have our test this Friday.
Have a great week!
In reading, we are exploring functional texts! This week we are looking at textbooks to notice their structure, features, and information.
In social studies, the students have been fascinated to learn about the challenges that pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail. This week we are looking into the technological innovation in the 19th century. Specifically, we are learning about the steamboat, steam locomotive, and telegraph.
In math, we will continue working on tenths and hundredths equivalencies, and then we'll move on to comparing decimals using >, <, and =. Students will practice justifying their answers with written responses. Please encourage your children to practice verbalizing their reasoning for answers. Think more on the lines of why you did what you did rather than just what you did.
• learnzillion.com quick codes for comparing decimals: LZ3217, LZ3158, LZ3354, LZ3385.
In science, we'll finish our unit on force and motion. Students will have a study guide that they can work on at home or during morning work this week. We'll have our test this Friday.
Have a great week!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Update for Week of 3/16/15
Hope you all had a great weekend! Here is our weekly update:
In reading, we are working on tips and tricks for identifying the main idea of an informational passage.
In writing, we are still in the process of researching and note-taking. The students will work on paraphrasing the information they have been given. The students will also be choosing the format of their informational piece (pamphlet, informational mini-book, brochure, etc.) We have been using a great resource at school to assist with your child's typing skills. You can even use it at home! Students should go to
[ https://favedecatur.typingclub.com/ ]https://favedecatur.typingclub.com/
username: lunch number
password: go
In social studies, we are studying the challenges that pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail.
In math, we will continue working on fraction and decimal equivalencies. We will extend our learning to hundredths. We'll work not only on fraction to decimal conversions, but also tenths and hundredths equivalencies. In general, an example would be: 4/10 = 0.4 = 0.40 = 40/100.
In science, we will be moving on to simple machines: lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and wedge. There are some Brainpop videos on these, and you can also check out studyjams.scholastic.com. Once there, click Science, then See All Topics, and then Force and Motion.
As always, let me know if you have any questions! -Sarah
In reading, we are working on tips and tricks for identifying the main idea of an informational passage.
In writing, we are still in the process of researching and note-taking. The students will work on paraphrasing the information they have been given. The students will also be choosing the format of their informational piece (pamphlet, informational mini-book, brochure, etc.) We have been using a great resource at school to assist with your child's typing skills. You can even use it at home! Students should go to
[ https://favedecatur.typingclub.com/ ]https://favedecatur.typingclub.com/
username: lunch number
password: go
In social studies, we are studying the challenges that pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail.
In math, we will continue working on fraction and decimal equivalencies. We will extend our learning to hundredths. We'll work not only on fraction to decimal conversions, but also tenths and hundredths equivalencies. In general, an example would be: 4/10 = 0.4 = 0.40 = 40/100.
In science, we will be moving on to simple machines: lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and wedge. There are some Brainpop videos on these, and you can also check out studyjams.scholastic.com. Once there, click Science, then See All Topics, and then Force and Motion.
As always, let me know if you have any questions! -Sarah
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Update for Week of 3/9/14
Hope everyone was able to enjoy the fabulous weather this past weekend! Here is our weekly update:
In reading, we are continuing our discussion of text structures as well as identifying when authors use specific structures and why.
In writing, students are working on researchable questions based on a topic of their choice. Students were asked to identify a movement in history that has impacted society and be able explain the driving forces behind this movement. Topics have ranged anywhere from the civil rights movement to the word wildlife fund. The variety of topics are outstanding! We have some very creative kids on our hands, but we already knew that! If you would like to support your child in any way, feel free to ask them to bring home their writing journal or show you their resources in Edmodo. *Edmodo usernames and passwords are kept in your child's agenda.
In social studies, we are inquiring into the driving forces behind the acquisitions of Texas, specifically focusing on the Battle of the Alamo and Texas independence.
In math, we will work on decimal and fraction equivalencies with tenths and hundredths. The students have homework this week that is due Friday.
In science, we will continue studying the effects of forces on movement. We will learn the ideas of Newton's Laws among other things, but the students are not required to memorize which law is which.
Announcements:
Spring Luncheon, 3/12/15, 12:20-12:50
In reading, we are continuing our discussion of text structures as well as identifying when authors use specific structures and why.
In writing, students are working on researchable questions based on a topic of their choice. Students were asked to identify a movement in history that has impacted society and be able explain the driving forces behind this movement. Topics have ranged anywhere from the civil rights movement to the word wildlife fund. The variety of topics are outstanding! We have some very creative kids on our hands, but we already knew that! If you would like to support your child in any way, feel free to ask them to bring home their writing journal or show you their resources in Edmodo. *Edmodo usernames and passwords are kept in your child's agenda.
In social studies, we are inquiring into the driving forces behind the acquisitions of Texas, specifically focusing on the Battle of the Alamo and Texas independence.
In math, we will work on decimal and fraction equivalencies with tenths and hundredths. The students have homework this week that is due Friday.
In science, we will continue studying the effects of forces on movement. We will learn the ideas of Newton's Laws among other things, but the students are not required to memorize which law is which.
Announcements:
Spring Luncheon, 3/12/15, 12:20-12:50
Monday, March 2, 2015
Update for Week of 3/2/15
I hope you all had a great weekend! There was no update sent home last week since we missed 2 days! I hope everyone was safe and warm!
From Mrs. Ary:
In reading, we are reading and discussing Amelia's Road by Linda Altman and Enrique Sanchez. The students will be making inferences to understand characters and learning how to determine text structure.
In writing, we will be beginning to research topics based on social or cultural movements that have happened in history. This is one of my favorite units of the year. The students love working independently! Be on the lookout for more information about this and how you can assist your child at home!
In social studies, we are discussing territorial expansion with an emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the Oregon Trail.
From Mrs. Broman-Fulks:
In math, we will work on multiplying fractions by whole numbers. We will use the same strategies as multiplying whole numbers by whole numbers. We will do this in isolation and in word problems. Moving forward, we will start with tenths as fractions and decimals.
In science, we are exploring forces: causes of movement, direction, and speed. Our new central idea is "Behind every movement is a force that causes it."
Announcements:
• Report cards will be in your child's red communication folder today. Please also find graded papers to be returned by this Friday, RSVP form for the spring luncheon, and information about the Spring Variety Show. Pennies for Patients has been extended until this Friday! Please send in any contributions by then.
• Tour deCatur is next Saturday, March 14th (Pi day)! In the spirit of all things pi... or pie... the Friday night Expo will offer a chance to throw pie in a teacher's face. Teachers who have volunteered so far are Mrs. Radford (Ms. Art), Mrs. Goodman-Terrell, and Mrs. Broman-Fulks!!! Find more information about signing up and the expo [ https://decatureducationfoundation.org/community-events/2015-tour-decatur-to-be-held-on-pi-day-3-14-15/ ]here.
• The Spring Luncheon will be Thursday, March 12. Our scheduled lunch time is 12:20-12:50 (this is not our usual lunch time).
• College and Career Explorations will be next Friday, March 13 1:00-2:30. If you are interested in leading an exploration, please read the following from the State Department of Education: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/CTAE/Pages/Elementary-Cluster-Activities.aspx. There is also more specific information if you go to the sign-up link: http://goo.gl/forms/vb891XWn3l
• Student-Led Conferences are this Thursday. Please refer to the email I sent last Friday for signup information. This is information that Ms. Newton sent last night. Please pay particular attention to the information about visiting other teachers before or after your classroom conference:
Portfolio Night Thursday, March 5th
This night is designed for students to have an opportunity to inform parents about what they have learned, demonstrate new understandings and articulate personal goals for the remainder of the school year. Please make sure that you have signed up with your homeroom teacher to attend with your child(ren). Our goal is to have students independently lead parents through their portfolio of learning for the IB unit of inquiry, How We Express Ourselves. However, if you need additional information or clarification there will be an opportunity to indicate that. Teachers will respond to all inquiries via email soon after this event.
This sharing of work also includes Spanish, the Arts and Physical Education. Additional areas of the building will be open so that students can share how their learning in these areas also connected to the unit of study, How We Express Ourselves. Feel free to visit these areas before or after your scheduled conference time in the classroom.
• Music: Room 227
• Art: Cafeteria & Falcon's Nest
• Spanish: Media Center
• Physical Education: Multi-Purpose room
Also, feel free to stop by room 135 if you need to briefly speak with LINKS or EIP teachers.
Have a great week! As always, let me know if you have any questions!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Update for Week of 2/9/14
I hope everyone was able to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend! Here is our weekly update:
In social studies, we are continuing our discussion on the War of 1812. We are also reviewing, and beginning the assessment on Tuesday. The students have a study guide that we called the "gallopade" to prepare at home tonight.
In writing, all students are publishing on Monday and Tuesday. These literary essays are great! Also, the students did a great job meeting with their writing partners on Friday. It's amazing to see the progress that they have made throughout the year, especially when it comes to peer reviewing.
In reading, we are going to be exploring texts on the Overdrive app. The students have access to a lot of e-books on their Ipads!
In math, we are finishing our unit by learning about line plots that use fractional parts. We will begin our test on Wednesday. Please review these topics in preparation:
• creating equivalent fractions using models or by multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number
• comparing fractions (with like and unlike denominators) using models, benchmarks, reasoning, or finding like denominators by creating equivalent fractions
• adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like denominators
• decomposing fractions (like 3/8 = 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 or 2/8 + 1/8)
• solving word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers
• identifying and using patterns
• making a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit
In science, we will finish our unit on sound. We have discussed how sound is created by vibrations and the many factors that cause pitch to vary. Some specific examples are the thickness of guitar strings, the length of bars on a xylophone, and the speed of vibrations. This unit has been mostly hands-on, so they may have fewer notes written down than usual. We will also begin this test on Wednesday, so Tuesday will be devoted to reviewing. The test will cover light and sound. The students have a study guide for the light unit.
Reminders:
This Thursday is our field trip to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater! We are asking that students please dress up a little for this special theater experience at the Fox! We will be eating a late lunch (possibly around 1:00), so students will be allowed to eat a snack at about 8:45 that morning just before we leave. Please send a healthy, hearty snack with your child. The hours before and after the field trip will be spent completing our learning units.
The student led conference link was sent out last week. This is a school-wide event on February 26th from 4-6 p.m. Please keep in mind that this is an optional 15 min. conference that will be led by your child in their homeroom. There will be multiple conferences going on at the same time. This is not a time to conference with a teacher. Please be on time!
In social studies, we are continuing our discussion on the War of 1812. We are also reviewing, and beginning the assessment on Tuesday. The students have a study guide that we called the "gallopade" to prepare at home tonight.
In writing, all students are publishing on Monday and Tuesday. These literary essays are great! Also, the students did a great job meeting with their writing partners on Friday. It's amazing to see the progress that they have made throughout the year, especially when it comes to peer reviewing.
In reading, we are going to be exploring texts on the Overdrive app. The students have access to a lot of e-books on their Ipads!
In math, we are finishing our unit by learning about line plots that use fractional parts. We will begin our test on Wednesday. Please review these topics in preparation:
• creating equivalent fractions using models or by multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number
• comparing fractions (with like and unlike denominators) using models, benchmarks, reasoning, or finding like denominators by creating equivalent fractions
• adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like denominators
• decomposing fractions (like 3/8 = 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 or 2/8 + 1/8)
• solving word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers
• identifying and using patterns
• making a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit
In science, we will finish our unit on sound. We have discussed how sound is created by vibrations and the many factors that cause pitch to vary. Some specific examples are the thickness of guitar strings, the length of bars on a xylophone, and the speed of vibrations. This unit has been mostly hands-on, so they may have fewer notes written down than usual. We will also begin this test on Wednesday, so Tuesday will be devoted to reviewing. The test will cover light and sound. The students have a study guide for the light unit.
Reminders:
This Thursday is our field trip to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater! We are asking that students please dress up a little for this special theater experience at the Fox! We will be eating a late lunch (possibly around 1:00), so students will be allowed to eat a snack at about 8:45 that morning just before we leave. Please send a healthy, hearty snack with your child. The hours before and after the field trip will be spent completing our learning units.
The student led conference link was sent out last week. This is a school-wide event on February 26th from 4-6 p.m. Please keep in mind that this is an optional 15 min. conference that will be led by your child in their homeroom. There will be multiple conferences going on at the same time. This is not a time to conference with a teacher. Please be on time!
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Update for Week of 2/2/14
In reading, we are still comparing and contrasting themes in myths. We are also learning how to distinguish between a firsthand and secondhand account of an event. The AR challenge for this term ended on Friday. We have TEN winners in the Ary/Broman-Fulks crew! One student even read 17 texts on his level! Wow! I found that the students were motivated to read, especially since they have been given minimal homework over the last four weeks. Way to go! The winners will receive a ticket to a Hawks game, and the top 3 readers will get a pizza party! Thank you for always encouraging reading into your child's daily routine.
In writing, we are looking at a sample literary essay today. During this week, the students will continue to draft and revise their essays. We plan to begin editing and meeting in writing partnerships by Friday. Feel free to check out your child's draft!
In social studies, we are studying how the bill of rights places limits on the national government. We will also be researching the causes of the War of 1812. A study packet is being sent home today and is due Thursday. We will begin the assessment on Monday, 2/9!
In science, the students are working on a study guide for the light unit. We will start our sound unit this week. It's very quick. We study how sound is produced by vibrations and causes for variations of pitch.
In math, we are comparing fractions with like and unlike denominators using >, <, and =. We have several strategies for doing this: draw a pictures, reasoning, using a benchmark of 1/2 or 1 whole, and using equivalent fractions to find a common denominator. We will also reviewing adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and then use those skills to solve word problems.
Upcoming Events:
This week is math-a-ton! Feel free to allow your child some time for www.sumdog.com at home! They are getting on this daily at school too.
On February 12th, we are taking a field trip to the Fox to see Alvin Ailey! If you have not been on a field trip with us yet, and you would like to volunteer, please let me know. The cost is $15.
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