Today marks the last day of third grading period. I. Can. Not. Believe. It. This year has been speeding by. We still have a whole lot of learning to go.
In science we are currently working on a huge unit that covers everything from food chains to environments to inherited traits and adaptations.
This week in math we used the partial product method to tackle double digit by single digit multiplication. Parents, I know some of you are teaching your kids the algorithm and they are ready for it ... but they still need to know other strategies. A STAAR question might say:
Abe had 14 bags with 8 apples in each bag. Which is one way he could NOT find the total number of apples:
a. He could add 14 + 14 + 14 + 14 +14 + 14 + 14 + 14
b. He could multiply 10 x 4 and then add 4 x 8
c. He could solve the equation (8 x 10) x 4
d. He could solve the equation (10 x 8) + (4 x 8)
So ... they design these problems to show whether students have true number sense.
In reading we are fine-tuning our reading comprehension focusing on summaries and main idea.
Coming up: Our fabulous room mom is busy constructing our Picnic Themed carnival basket. Thank you to all who have signed up to contribute. If you have been at FCE before you know what an amazing even this is and the basket drawings are phenomenal.
We have set our plans for this year's field trip. I would love to have LOTS of parent volunteers. You have to supply your own transportation and entry fee (which I believe is $1!) You will be in charge of your child and one or two others as they explore the TX History museum doing a scavenger hunt.
SOAP BOX: If your child is struggling in either reading or math, they should be doing more of it at home. There's no replacement for practice.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Friday, March 3, 2017
March Madness!
Is it just me or have the weeks begun speeding by? We are almost at Spring Break!
Thank you parents for attending the wonderful Living Museum. I'll post pictures of our "exhibits" soon. The audience reinforces the lessons about making sure you are presenting your best work. As students move onward that "effort" piece should be making more sense to them.
Thank you too for all the parents that have completed the district survey. Drop me a line so I can reward your child with dojo points for your homework!!
Next week we are back to our regular schedule, thank goodness! We will be having the second STAAR ready test in Math on Tuesday. Make sure students get a good night's rest and healthy breakfast.
The key approach for Math is to 1) read carefully or have the question read to you if you are confused 2) solve the question before looking at multiple choice answers (which are designed to be natural errors by children), 3) go slowly taking mental breaks every few questions and 4) double check with a different strategy.
In language arts we will be delving deeper into fiction and working on personal narratives.
We begin our unit on environments and food chains in science.
In math we'll focus more on problem solving and reinforce some of the recent units on linear measurement, perimeter, area, capacity and volume.
Behavior has gotten a little hairy this week. I'm hoping it was the excitement of a changed schedule, hoe-down helpers and the Living Museum. I will be reinforcing my expectations for active learners with the class and asking you as parents to support us by emphasizing the importance of education at home.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact me!
Thank you parents for attending the wonderful Living Museum. I'll post pictures of our "exhibits" soon. The audience reinforces the lessons about making sure you are presenting your best work. As students move onward that "effort" piece should be making more sense to them.
Thank you too for all the parents that have completed the district survey. Drop me a line so I can reward your child with dojo points for your homework!!
Next week we are back to our regular schedule, thank goodness! We will be having the second STAAR ready test in Math on Tuesday. Make sure students get a good night's rest and healthy breakfast.
The key approach for Math is to 1) read carefully or have the question read to you if you are confused 2) solve the question before looking at multiple choice answers (which are designed to be natural errors by children), 3) go slowly taking mental breaks every few questions and 4) double check with a different strategy.
In language arts we will be delving deeper into fiction and working on personal narratives.
We begin our unit on environments and food chains in science.
In math we'll focus more on problem solving and reinforce some of the recent units on linear measurement, perimeter, area, capacity and volume.
Behavior has gotten a little hairy this week. I'm hoping it was the excitement of a changed schedule, hoe-down helpers and the Living Museum. I will be reinforcing my expectations for active learners with the class and asking you as parents to support us by emphasizing the importance of education at home.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact me!
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