Happy Holidays!

Thursday, Dec. 19, Schedule

The last day before winter break, Thursday, Dec. 19, is going to be fun!  The entire school population is encouraged to wear pajamas that day and sing-along to the Polar Express between 2 and 3. Our classroom's morning activities follows:

• 8:45-9:30--Hot cocoa and muffins
• 9:30-10:30--Students will deposit their $S Bucks and enjoy a good book while they wait their turn to visit a banker.
• 10:30-12:00--Mrs. S.'s Auction.  Students will bid on items and write checks for their purchases.
• 12:15-1:00- Lunch and recess
• 1:00-2:00-Room and personal space organization and clean-up
• 2:00-3:00 All school Polar Express

Winter Break, Dec. 20-Jan. 12, Academics

To keep students mentally active during winter break, students will have four IXL skills to work on: J1 Multi-step word problems, K6 Greatest common factor, K7 Least common multiple, and L2 Equivalent fractions--students may want to use Math  Journal page 206 to help them find equivalent fractions.

I am also asking students to visit Mission-US (the link is to the right) and play the game For Crown and Colony. Engaging in this role-playing game will keep students, reading, writing, thinking, and learning about the Revolutionary War.  Students have been given questions to answer after playing each part.

Students should continue to read over break.  Some students may be finishing up their Book Club books, others may read any books of their choice.

Enjoy your Winter Break! I look forward to seeing you all on Jan. 13!

 

December 9-19

End of Second Quarter Grading Period

The end of the grading period is upon us.  The last day for students to turn in any missing assignments is Thursday, Dec. 19.  Please check Infinite Campus with your child to see if she/he has any missing assignments. 

Reading

Students Mystery Independent Reading Assignment and AR points was due Thursday, Dec. 5.  The next Independent Reading Assignment will focus on historical fiction.  Students will be assigned to a book club. Each member will have his/her own copy of the book and will be required to read a certain amount each night.  The following day, book clubs will meet and discuss the previous night's reading. I would like to have all books finished before break, but the students and I will have to discuss the time table for completion.

Writing

Students are working in class on an essay comparing and contrasting colonial America with modern times. Students will be using the the "chicken foot" pre-writing graphic organizer to guide them.  Details regarding colonial America will come from the students' textbooks, informational books available in class, and their experiences during Colonial Day.

Students are also working a personal narrative.

Math

We are wrapping up our studies on geometry and division and heading into fractions and algebraic thinking.  We will examine more thoroughly the relationship between fractions and division.

Science

Our second investigation in Mixtures and Solutions dealing with saturation is coming to a close.  Students will be given a Saturation Puzzle this coming week.  Our next Mixture and Solutions investigations will focus on concentration.

Social Studies

We will conclude our Colonial American studies with a test.  Students will be given a study guide and tips on how to study for a test. The study guide will be distributed and discussed on Monday, Dec. 9. The test will be Friday, Dec. 13.

The American Revolution looms on the horizon. Focus of this unit of study will be on events leading up to the Revolution.  Students will examine cause and effect relationships as they pertain to this momentous American event.

December 19 Schedule

On Thursday, Dec. 19, the fifth grade will celebrate the arrival of winter break with muffins and hot cocoa from 8:45-9:30.  Following muffins and cocoa, students will snuggle up with books while they wait their turn to see a banker to deposit their S Bucks.  Once all deposits have been made, students will be able to spend their hard-earned S Bucks at Mrs. S.'s Holiday Auction.  Students will be required to write checks for all purchases and keep  track of withdrawals in their check books. 

Students will attend the Polar Express sing-along in the afternoon.

November 18-24

Independent Reading Assignment

Due to popular demand, the Independent Reading assignment due date has been changed from November 22 to December 5.  Many students felt they needed more time to reach their AR point goals.  For those students that will have met their personal goal by November 22, keep reading and taking tests.  Points earned above your goal will earn you extra credit!  So keep reading! 

Don't forget the Independent Reading assignment includes the following:  AR points, Mystery Story Map, Mystery Analysis questions, and Wow! Words.  Take your time when completing the story map and answering questions.  Take pride in your work by paying attention to spelling and punctuation.  Your responses should be thoughtful and supported with evidence from the text. I suggest you type out your responses to the questions to practice your typing skills and enhance the appearance and readability of your work.

Colonial Day is this Friday, November 22

Thank you to all the parents that volunteered to support our Colonial Day! It is guaranteed to be a successful learning experience for all of our Caughlin 5th graders.

November 12-17

Science Carnival

The Caughlin Ranch Science Carnival will be this coming Wednesday, November 13, from 6-7 pm.    Community voluteers whose jobs and careers involve science will be presenting information and activities in science "booths" set-up in the multipurpose room. The Northern Nevada Astronomy Group will have telescopes on the playground, and UNR engineering students will be in the computer lab.

Colonial Day is Coming!

In order to bring American history alive and understand how children of the past lived, Caughlin Ranch 5th grade will be hosting the 12 annual Colonial Day! Colonial Day is an activity to support and enhance our Colonial America unit of study. During the day students will play, eat, and even dance (thanks, Mrs. Jackson!) as children living in colonial Williamsburg in the 1770s. Colonial Day 2013 will be on Friday, November 22.

 

An informational flyer asking for parental help went home in Friday's, November 8, Folder. We will need parents to prepare food, cut cloth, and assist in the rotation activities during the day. In my classroom, students will be making and dressing corn husk dolls, the more helping hands the better! Since we do not have a third 5th grade teacher this year, colonial games will need to be manned entirely by parents. 

To make the event as historically accurate and fun as possible, we encourage students to dress in a colonial fashion. For girls this means a dress or skirt. I will provide each young lady with an apron, and the girls will be making their own mob caps. For the young gents, I suggest they wear football/baseball pants or roll up pants to simulate breeches, knee length pants, and tall socks. A dress shirt and, if possible, a vest or dress coat, will complete their outfit. Boys will be fashioning cravats, precursor to the tie, out of material. Don't rush out to purchase clothing--raid every closet in the house. One of the best dressed colonial lads I ever saw wore his mother's full sleeved blouse and her vest! If you do decide to buy something, try Savers or one of the other used clothing stores. Old Halloween costumes can be fashioned into colonial clothing, too.

Below are some examples of student clothing from last year: 

 

 

 

November 4-12

Conference Week Follow-Up

I greatly enjoyed meeting with you and discussing your child’s assessment data and student skills last week.  But I made a mistake in regards to the SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium) computerized test.  The SBAC test will be administered next school year in the spring of 2015, not this year school year.  Students can still take the practice tests which are assessing our new Common Core Standards, but just know the traditional paper and pencil bubble in test will be given in May of this school year.  I apologize for this mistake in dates.

Explorer Presentations

We will discuss necessary skills for giving a presentation to the class on Monday.  Students will be asked to prepare a one to two minute presentations on their explorer.  Students should practice the presentation at home this week.  Presentations will be given on Friday of this week.

Math

The Everyday Math Unit 3 Geometry Checking Progress assessment is tentatively scheduled for this coming Friday.  We will review for this assessment in class during the week.

October 28-November 3

Conference Week--Oct. 28-Nov. 1

Looking forward to meeting with you and your child next week.  Our conference will  focus on your child's assessment data and student skills observed in the classroom. School will be dismissed each day at 12:50.

Explorer Trading Card

Students' Explorer Trading Card is due this Friday, Nov. 1.  We began this research project 3 weeks ago.  Students were given an outline and rubric for the project, as well as, a note taking guide. Computer and library times were used for research.  I provided students with maps and poster board for creating the "trading card."  Late trading cards will not be accepted.

Virginia City Field Trip

Thank you to all the parents that volunteered to chaperon on our recent Virginia City field trip.  We had an amusing time learning about Virginia City's past population by reading tombstones in the Silver Terrace Cemeteries.  Lunch was enjoyed in historic Piper's Opera House listening to the superintendent of Storey Count Schools explain a about the history of the opera house.  We finished up our trip with a visit to Fourth Ward School to learn about turn of the century schools and tour the Mark Twain Room and the Nevada Mining Association's Mining Room.  The students were on their best behavior and  enthusiastic learners!

Conference Week--October 28-November 1

If you have not already done so, please make sure you sign up for a conference the week of October 28.  Confirmation notices and sign-up forms went home in Friday Folders on October 11.  Please make sure your child attends the conference with you.

Virginia City Field Trip

Don't forget the class will be visiting Virginia City on Thursday, Oct. 24 to celebrate Nevada Day. Please make sure you have signed the permission form by Tuesday night as it is due in class on Wednesday. 

 

Get Well Soon, Tripp!!!

October 7

Thank You PTA!

Caughlin Fall Fest was a huge success!  Thank you Caughlin PTA for hosting this annual event for our community.

Picture Day

October 11 is picture day. I'm not sure when our class is scheduled for picture taking.  Information about pictures was in the Friday Folder sent home October 4.  If you did not receive this information, please contact the office.

No School Days

In accordance with the school district's new balanced calendar, Fall Break is October 12-20.  Nevada Day is Friday, October 25.

End of the Grading Period and Report Cards

The end of the grading period is October 8. Report cards will be sent home on October 24.

Virginia City Field Trip

In lieu of a Halloween or Fall classroom party, Ms. Johnson's and our class will be celebrating Nevada Day with a trip to historic Virginia City.  Before visiting this famous Nevada landmark, students will use primary sources to glean information about Virginia City's past residents. They will also be introduced to Fourth Ward School before visiting this historical school. We will be touring the Silver Terraces Cemeteries, lunching at Piper's Opera House, and concluding our visit at Fourth Ward School.  Students will need to wear weather appropriate clothing and bring a cold lunch.  A field trip permission form will be coming home this Friday with details about cost (bus and entrance fees).

Math

In the coming weeks, students will have computation practices on the back of their Everyday Math Study Links.  To prepare them for 6th grade and beyond, students will be asked to use the standard or traditional algorithm for division.  We also begin our geometry unit in Everyday Math.

Science

We have finished up Mixtures and Solutions Investigation #1: Making and Separating Mixtures. Students will have a test on Friday, October 11, on vocabulary and concepts studied during this investigation.  A study guide will be provided on Monday and a review will be held on Thursday.

Social Studies

Students began researching their European Explorers last Friday in library and computers.  We will continue researching this coming week.  Students will be given a instructions and a grading rubric for  creating an Explorer Trading Card this week. 

September 30

Fall Fest

Caughlin Ranch's fun-filled Fall Fest will be held on Friday, October 4.  I know the Fall Fest committee is in need of volunteers.  Fliers went home this past Friday with more detailed information.  If you would like to volunteer your time or some baked goods, the office has the information.

Reading

The students' Independent Reading Assignment is due this coming Friday, October 4.  This assignment includes students' AR points, a story map and character analysis on a realistic fiction book (this was a two sided sheet of paper handed out more than 3 weeks ago), and a WOW! Words bookmark. 

Students are expected to read every night at home.  They are also encouraged to read in the classroom after finishing required assignments.

Math

We are finishing up Unit 2 in Everyday Math.  They will be taking a multiplication assessment and the Unit 2 Checking Progress test in the next few days.

Common Core Standards state that 5th grade students need to be fluent in the standard/traditional algorithm for double digit multiplication.  Some students are still struggling with this algorithm.  You may want to check your child's homework to see how they are progressing using the standard algorithm.

The next Everyday Math unit is geometry based.  As we work our way through this unit, we will also begin practicing simple division.

Social Studies

Students will be introduced to a European explorer from the Age of Exploration this week.  They will begin researching their explorer in the library and during computer time.  Research will be presented in the form of an Explorer Trading Card.  Students will be given instructions and an outline for this project during the week.  I will take student in-put as to when this assignment will be due. Because students will need to work on this assignment at home, this assignment will take the place of one  Zaner-Bloser weekly writing assignment.

Science

Mixtures and solutions is being investigated during our labs.  Students earn a lab grade based on their active participation, ability to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations of proper lab behaviors and use of equipment, and cooperation with their science team.  In this week's main lab, students will need to write a materials list and procedure for separating a mixture of gravel, salt, and diatomaceous earth powder.  Then follow their procedure for separation.

Writing

This week students final draft of a Batty Opinion will be due Wednesday. Their rough drafts of this essay were due Friday and have been commented upon.  As a class, students will read, analyze, and compare their essays to  examples of well written essays on Monday.  This will help them in the revision process.  A focus point for revision will be smoothing out transitions.

This week's writing assignment will be another opinon essay on whether or not schools should be nut-free zones.  Information for this topic will be supplied by a Time For Kids article.

Septemeber 23

I apologize for not posting more blogs; however, learning to comment and score Zaner-Bloser writing assignments has be quite time consuming. 

Zaner-Blosser Writing

Thank you for your support using the Zaner-Bloser program.  Please encourage your child to use the   e-books and other reference materials the program offers.  I have included page numbers to the Strategies for Writers e-book in the assignment instructions. I, also, encourage you to help your child with the revising and editing of their writing.  When I work with students individually on written assignments, I tell them to read out loud to me every word they have written.  This revising strategy helps them to hear their writing and pick up on extra words or missing words. 

Math

This coming Wednesday, September 25, the Caughlin Ranch Math Committee will be hosting a Math Night at school between 6:30 -7:30.  I highly recommend you and your child attend.

We will be finishing up Unit 2 in Everyday Math by the end of the week. This unit focused on estimation, statistics, addition and subtraction.  I have had question regarding how much time should be spent on IXL assignments. IXL is great program for reinforcing and practicing math skills. I would like every student to work toward achieving 100% on a skill; however, I do not want students spending hours achieving 100%.  20-25  minutes of honest to goodness hard work is enough time.  If a student can reach 100% in 10 minutes, that's great.  If after 20 or 25 minutes they are at 75% that is good enough. They have practiced the skill and will have a better understanding of it. What I will down grade students for is having practiced a skill for 3 minutes with score of say 50%.  That student can put in more effort.

Reading

We have finished our novel unit and have focused on reading information text related to science and social studies. We will begin using the district provided reading anthology, as well, as other teacher provided resources to work on specific reading skills.  You child's Independent Reading assignment which includes her/his personal AR point goal, WOW! words bookmark, story map, and character analysis is due October 4.  This is several days later than the original due date because students requested an extension.

Science

We have begun using the FOSS kit, Mixtures and Solutions.  It was quite challenging managing the chemicals and equipment for 33 students, but we did it.  I'll I can say is it takes extra time setting up and passing equipment out. Our first lab was making and separating mixtures.  I encourage you to talk to your child about this investigation.

Social Studies

We recently studied ancient American cultures which intrigued the students.  This coming week will focus on North American Native Americans.  The following week will be the Age of Exploration, which will then lead to exploration and colonization of the Americas.  Our major focus in 5th grade social studies is the 13 English colonies and the American Revolution, but I believe students needs background information on North American Native Americans and exploration to fully understand colonization.

Fall Fest

Caughlin Ranch's annual Fall Fest will be October 4.  I know PTA needs a lot of help to make this event happen.  A flier about this family fun event went home in Friday Folders.  If you did not receive one, information is available in the office. I will be volunteering at the event and look forward to seeing my students and their families there!

Posting Videos and Photos

I would like to occasionally post videos and photos taken in the classroom.  Before I do so, I will review the information parents submitted about posting photographs.  I realize many parents do not want their child's pictures on-line. 

Please e-mail with questions, comments, or concerns.  Thank you for supporting your child's education.

September 3-9

I hope you all had a wonderful three day holiday!  Below you will find information on upcoming events and assignments for the week ahead.

Jog-athon & Count Day

Friday, Sept. 6, is our annual PTA Jog-athon fund raiser! Please make sure your child wears shoes and clothes he/she can run in on that day.  Friday is also official Count Day for the district.  Students will be asked to sign their names on a roster to indicate they are enrolled and present.  Our school's student population will determine the amount of money allocated to the school.

Math

On Wednesday of this week, students will be taking the Unit 1 Checking Progress test covering concepts in Unit 1 of Everyday Math.  We will review for the test on Tuesday.  We will then be reviewing decimal concepts before heading into Unit 2 which covers estimation and addition/subtraction algorithms and concepts. 

IXL for this week is Q12, writing multiplication expressions using exponents, Q13, evaluating exponent expressions (students may use a calculator), C1, identifying the decimal number illustrated by the model, and C3, working with decimal place value positions.

On Thursday of this week students will be taking the Math MAPs assessment.

Zaner-Bloser

Please make sure your child is logging onto my.zaner-bloser.com website and checking her/his assignments.  This week students will be playing the Sentence: Fragment, Run-on, and Commas Splice game.  Students have been asked to play all three games to improve their knowledge and skill and identifying these grammar errors. Grammar games should be played by Friday.

This week's writing assignment is another opinion piece on open-book tests.  Rough draft of the assignment is due Saturday, Sept. 7 for teacher review and comments.  Final draft is due Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Social Studies

We have completed our review of world and US geography with a test this last Friday.  We will be reading the text book and learning about early American cultures and civilizations.

Science

Atomic theory will be coming to a close with an investigation of static electricity.  Atomic theory test will be sometime the week of September 9.  Look for a study guide coming home.

Reading

We are more than half-way through, There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom. Following completion we will analyze the book discussing plot structure including internal vs. external conflict, climax, resolution,  and theme. Students will be asked to apply their knowledge of these concepts to their independently read novels.

Students should be reading toward their personal AR goals nightly.

August 26-30

The first two weeks of school have flown by quickly.  Students have successfully learned the procedures of the room and our gelling into a cohesive, collaborative group.

Parent Night

Parent Night will be Tuesday, August 27 from 6-7:30.  Parents will meet in the cafeteria to hear a few words from our principal, Mrs. Thoroughman.  Parents will then head to classrooms for teacher presentations.

Zaner-Bloser On-line Writing Program

Students will be introduced to the Zaner-Bloser website this week.  They will be playing grammar games and composing a persuasive letter on-line. Check it out with your child!

Reading

Students were given Independent Reading Contracts on Wednesday.  This assignment will be due September 30. We are continuing to read and analyze There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom.

Math

We will be finishing up Everyday Math Unit 1, Number Theory this week.  Students will take the Checking Progress Assessment the week of Sept. 3-6.

Social Studies

Our brief exploration of world and US geography has come to a conclusion.  Students will have a test on the material covered Friday, August 30.  A study guide will be given on Tuesday.

Great Thinker

Students have collaboratively worked on their Great Thinker project.  The project will wrap-up within the week.

Welcome Class of 2013-2014!

I greatly enjoyed meeting the students and parents that attended Caughlin Ranch's Ice Cream Social last Thursday, and I can't wait to meet the rest of the class this coming Monday, August  12.  Parents, look for a Student/Parent Handbook coming your way this week.  I will review the information in the handbook with the students the first few days of the week.  Students are expected to bring the handbook home and share it with you. There is a page for you to sign indicating you reviewed the book. Please keep the book at home as a reference guide.

Below is an outline of tentative academic studies the first few weeks of school:

Math

Our first unit of study in Everyday Math is Number Theory. This will be supplemented with a review of base 10 and place value.

Reading

Students will be reading the novel There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom.  This novel will provide a platform for studying story structure and characterization. Students are expected to read assigned pages nightly and be prepared for classroom discussion the following day. Students will eventually be asked to read a realistic fiction novel of their choosing  for analysis.

Social Studies

Our focus in 5th grade social studies is United States history. We will begin this study by learning a little bit about U.S. geography, followed by a quick study of the first people of North and South America and European exploration of the Americas.

Science

Atomic theory will kick off our science studies and then we will begin our first FOSS unit--Mixtures and Solutions.

Language Arts

Word study will focus on  words I expect to see spelled correctly in students' everyday writing and homophones.  Words studied will also come from the content areas.

Students will write in the content areas and also be given weekly writing assignments to be completed on-line using the Zaner-Bloser On-Line Writing Center.  More information about this remarkable web based program to follow.

Grammar will begin with a review of sentence and paragraph structure.

Great Thinkers

 Our motto for the year is D-1 Home of the Great Thinkers, and my goal is to support, expand, and challenge the thinking abilities of my students.  Students will be working on a collaborative mini-research project of a great thinker to answer the question: What makes a person a great thinker?

End of Year

It has been my pleasure teaching the 2012-2013 class this year.  This class has been one of the most cooperative and respectful group of children I have ever taught.  It was a joy watching the students organize themselves to play games at recess and during PE without adult intervention.  Academically this class has grown greatly as evidenced by their recent MAPs scores.  I will be sending home those scores home in Wednesday's Friday Folder.  CRTs scores will be mailed to parents sometime in June.

End of Year Celebrations

For our end of the year celebration, I will be holding the Mrs. S. Auction between 9 and 10:30 on Monday, June 3.  In the afternoon of that day, students will enjoy an hour of water play on the playground. Children can wear swimsuits or water clothes under their regular clothes or change at school.  Tee- shirts should be worn over bathing attire. Water toys will be auctioned off in the morning, but students are encouraged to bring their own water toys.

Keeping in Academic Shape Over Summer Break

In order to prepare for the rigor of 6th grade, students should continue to read over the summer and do  IXL math.  In conjunction with their reading, students should occasionally summarize what they have read.  Also, encourage your child to write letters or e-mails to family and friends--it is a fun and easy way to stay in writing shape. Students will also be bringing home their math journals and spelling books.  They can work on pages in these workbooks over summer, too.

New School Year Calendar

Washoe County School District adopted a new school year calendar.  I will be sending a copy of it home in Wednesday's Friday Folder.  School will begin on August 12.

Thank you, again, for a wonderful year!

CRTs & Native American Presentations

You probably have already heard, but in case your haven't, students will be taking state mandated Criterion Reference Tests (CRT) next week.  Students will be tested in the areas of math, reading, and science. In preparations, we have been reviewing and working on test taking strategies the past two weeks. Please make sure your child has a good breakfast and plenty of rest to power them up for the mental work ahead of them. They will have no homework that week, but I encourage students to work on their Native American Presentation (see below for more information).

Below is an outline of  current units of study:

Math

We are delving into measurement which include customary and metric systems, perimeter, area, and volume of rectangular prisms.  We have also touched on algebraic thinking.  We will continue investigating volume of other prisms and go more deeply into algebraic thinking following CRTs.

Social Studies/Reading

Students have been given an outline for creating a presentation, either a poster or PowerPoint, on a Native American culture of their choosing.  They organized note cards for each of the topics they are required to present to the class.  Mrs. Benensch, our librarian, provided students with books on many different cultures and a lesson on Internet sources on the WCSD website.  Students were also given a paper describing how to locate these Internet sources.  Students should have their research completed by May 6, paragraphs written on each of the topics by May 13, and be prepared to present their project to the class by May 22. We will be visiting Donner Memorial State Park and the Immigrant Museum on May 24 to support our Westward Expansion studies.

Westward Expansion will become our focus in social studies,  We will be reading informational and literature texts to support this study.

Science

Our Mixtures and Solutions unit is in its final set of investigations--chemical reactions.  The labs our a lot of fun, and I am sure the kids will enjoy the learning experience.

Thank you!

First, I apologize for not keeping up this blog very well.  It has been hard to find the time and energy due to the illness and death of my father, and  the subsequent estate issues. Our beloved family dog also became ill and needed to be put to sleep recently.  But enough about me. 

I want to thank you for supporting your children's efforts and attending the We the People  mock Congressional hearing.  The students truly shined that night!  Many thanks, also, for attending Open House and the Art Auction. Your support of your children and our school is truly appreciated.

In the weeks ahead students will be delving into the following units of study and events:

Writing

Students will be participating in a Writing Event mandated by the state and Washoe County School District. Students will be given two 45 minute sessions in the computer lab to write to a prompt.  Students' writing will be scored by teachers the following week. 

Language Arts

We will begin a quick study of tall tales.  Following readings and analysis of several tall tales students will write a comparing and contrasting essay of two of the tales.  They will also put their imaginations into gear and write and illustrate their own tall tale.

 Math

We are wrapping up our fractions, decimals, and percents unit of study and will be heading to the realm of algebraic thinking focusing on order of operations and positive and negative integers.

Science

Our Earth science unit is coming to a close, and we will be continuing with our mixture and solutions lab work.  We will be investigating solubility and chemical changes. 

Social Studies

Student will be  learning about the first people to arrive on the North and South American continents and conducting their own research on a Native American tribe or culture.

January 22-28

American War for Independence Week

The week of January, 22-28 is American Revolution week.  Students have been given an outline for creating a Revolutionary War time line which is due January 28.  Students will also be having a test on the American Revolution on Friday, January 25.  A study guide will be given out in class on Monday, January 22.  A thoughtfully completed study guide will earn a student extra credit points on her/his test score. The study guide and time line are considered homework, so students WILL NOT have a spelling book or fluency assignment this week; however, daily math homeworks will be given.

We the People

We have completed Unit 1 in our We the People constitutional studies. The mock Congressional Hearing, a culminating activity of our We the People studies, will be held on March 6, 6:15-8:00 pm. This is a very powerful learning opportunity for students.  Parents are strongly encouraged to attend and watch and listen as your child "shows off" her/his constitutional knowledge and speaking skills to a panel of judges.

Mixtures and Solutions

In science we are continuing our investigation of Mixtures and Solutions.  We have completed the first investigation examining separating mixtures.  Our next investigation with focus on solutions and saturation.

Math

Our area of concentrations is the wonderful world of fractions.  Students are using models to "see" fractions and then learning the  mathematical skills that apply to the models. Please ensure your child is working on their weekly IXL skills.

Reading

Reading has been incorporated into the content areas of social studies and science.  Students continue to work on locating details in text to support questions, as well as identifying  cause and effect and drawing conclusions. Students have been given new independent reading goals.  Please make sure your child is reading 20-30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.  The more a student reads, the stronger and more fluent reader they will become.