Thursday, January 28, 2016

Derry Updates for January

Hey all,
I have not updated the blog in a few weeks. Please check each subject for homework assignments. I will be updating periodically. Also parents be checking your child's agenda. If there is nothing written at all then they are not taking the time to update their day. There should always be something in their agenda written even if they do not have homework.  Here is what our week has looked like.

Writing: In writing this week, we have been working on informational writing. They are really work hard to train their brain on what strategies to use.

ELA: We have been reading "Encantando: The Pink Dolphin. Ask your child how they like doing the book talk questions!

Math: We are working on Fractions: This unit is huge so we will be here for awhile. Right now your child is learning equivalent, improper fractions, how to make a multiplication sentence with fractions, and how to draw out tape diagrams.

Science: Refer to the Science page for updates

Social Studies: We are working on Branches of Government, The Bill of Rights, and memorizing the Preamble. Both classes will be getting directions and the preamble today and Friday. They will also have directions attached. Please be aware they have 2 weeks to memorize. Derry's class will be tested on Tuesday, February 9th and Fortson's class will be Thursday, February 11th.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Fortson Weekly Updates for January 25th

BRRRR!!! I hope that you enjoyed your snow days and you have plenty of new memories of fun in the snow! It is always fun to have an unexpected day (or days!) off, but we now know that we have to be even more focused as we work over the next few months.  Here is what is happening this week:

Fortson Math:  This week we will spend a few days reviewing our fraction concepts.  We took an assessment last week and this was given back on Monday.  Students have the option to redo as always.  The redo on this test will be a little different. Please talk to your child as they explain about our "reflective analysis" redo for this assessment.  I am planning to complete the fraction unit this week and then move into decimals by the end of the week or the beginning of next week.

**All other math classes are also working on fraction concepts.  Please check in with your child for daily assignments!**

Reading:  Students are required in my class to have a chapter book. They must complete at least one chapter book each nine weeks.  Most students complete more than 3.  It would be a good idea to check in with your child to see what he/she is reading.  I check books on Friday and this counts as a homework assignment.

ELA:  This week we are focusing on pronouns and informational writing. There will be at least one ELA homework assignment this week.
Writing:  We will be doing a writing piece this week.  It will be timed and we will use it as a teaching piece throughout the rest of the week.  I will be sending home your child's writing this week.  Writing is one of our most important concepts and it is definitely our weakest.  Many have asked how to help your child.  Writing definitely needs to be the focus for the next few months!

Science:  We will take our Weather and Climate assessment on Tuesday for Fortson's class and Thursday for Derry's class.  We will begin our new unit Weathering and Erosion next week.  Students have a study guide that was actually due last week. We will review this before the test.

Social Studies:  Please check in with Mrs. Derry's blog posts and SS page for up to date information.

Upcoming Events:
1/26- Enrichment sign ups before 8am
1/28-Box Tops collection

Monday, January 11, 2016

Fortson Weekly Updates for January 11th

Welcome Back and Happy 2016!  We are half way through our year and it's amazing how quickly this time will go.  Here are some things for you to know:

Math: Fortson math class will continue with fractions.  There will be homework assignments this week, so please check the agenda for these.  For all other math classes, please check your child's agenda.  Students should be practicing the concepts they are learning in class.  Fractions is a major part of the curriculum for our grade level.  We want to make sure that students have a good foundation.

Reading: Starting this quarter, students are required to have a chapter book at all times.  On Fridays, I will conduct a Status of the Class.  Students should have communicated with me on that day (should have their book!)  what they are reading.  It's important that we get this reading practice in each night. This will count as a homework assignment.

ELA:  This week we are working on contractions and singular/plural pronouns.  I will be uploading a copy of the contractions we are working on this week as well as sending a copy home.  There will be an assessment over these on Friday.

Writing:  We will write an informational piece using our TIDE organizers.

Science:  This week we will continue Water Cycle and finish with weather and climate this week.  Next week, I will be giving a study guide with plans to test on this material in the next few weeks. Please look in the agenda for dates.

Social Studies:  Please check Mrs. Derry's posts about what is happening in SS.  You can also visit her page for additional resources.

Upcoming events:
January 18- MLK Holiday

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Derry Updates for the Week of January 11-15

Hey all, I totally dropped the ball last week and did not update the blog. I hope everyone had an amazing few weeks off. I know that it was great to reenergize. This week we will be having a Spelling Bee on Friday. Last week was very short so we did not finish everything and will continue on with last weeks lessons.

ELA: In ELA we are going to continue to read Paul Bunyun and work on Figurative Language. Last week we focused on Similes and will go into Metaphors and idioms.

ADW Study: We will also stay with the same words for this week. They are possessives and we will continue to put into our writing.

Math: We are working on fractions. This week we will continue working with equivalent fractions, simplest form, and improper fractions. For the student's that are in my math class, we are working on a different technique. We are working more in small workstations. The students are responding and working really hard.

Social Studies: We are finishing up with the Revolutionary War. We are having a vocabulary quiz on Monday. The students will be working on questions from their Social Studies Weekly.

Science: Refer to Mrs. Fortson's science icon

Please feel free at any time to email or call if you have any questions.