M-Step testing
Coming home today is a letter about the M-Step test your students will take next month.
WELCOME SPRING!
Welcome back from Spring Break - I hope everyone had an opportunity to do something fun and new. We are in the final stretch of the school year and have so much still to cover. Our current PYP unit, Location, Location, Location has the students exploring how each element of geography impacts the way people live in that location. We are once again working on informational reading strategies which students will practice throughout this unit. I've asked students to bring in or email me any photos they have of visits to places in Michigan. Through these pictures, and others I provide, students will come to understand how Michigan's geography allows us to grow certain foods, produce certain goods, and do certain activities for fun.
In math we are finishing our work on Addition and Subtraction. We will return to this topic at the end of the year. Students will be taking a unit test early next week and then we will begin exploring geometry.
We are starting a new science kit this week - Forces & Motion. Students will be engaged in many hands-on activities to learn about types of forces and motions, what work is and how energy is used and then apply these understandings to explore how we use simple machines to do many, many things.
Also this week we will be revising, editing, and publishing our Personal Narratives. Students will then write a "post-assessment" personal narrative on a given theme. I have been collecting all students' writing in a portfolio which they will take home at the end of the year.
In math we are finishing our work on Addition and Subtraction. We will return to this topic at the end of the year. Students will be taking a unit test early next week and then we will begin exploring geometry.
We are starting a new science kit this week - Forces & Motion. Students will be engaged in many hands-on activities to learn about types of forces and motions, what work is and how energy is used and then apply these understandings to explore how we use simple machines to do many, many things.
Also this week we will be revising, editing, and publishing our Personal Narratives. Students will then write a "post-assessment" personal narrative on a given theme. I have been collecting all students' writing in a portfolio which they will take home at the end of the year.
Valentines' Day Party
On Friday, February 13th we will be having a Hearty Valentine's Day Party. Please read the attached letter to find out more about the activities we will be enjoying. As we learn about the heart and how to keep it healthy, we will also be practicing caring for our hearts with a healthy party treat - yogurt parfaits and fruit kabobs. Please click on the link to sign up for a food to send in. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F084EACAC2FABF94-valentines
2nd Marking Period Begins
Nov 10
Nov 10
- This weeks marks the start of a new marking period. I have been working hard to get work packets and unit folders graded for report cards which will be send home on the 17th. You can expect to see A LOT of work coming home this week. Please take a moment to review it with your child - I'm sure he/she will have lots of information to share with you about what they've learned.
- I am pleased with how fast the kids are learning the multiplication and division facts. We have finished Math unit 1 which covers 0s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 9s and 10s facts. PLEASE help your child study these facts every night to build fluency. I will be teaching and sending home "strategy cards" for this purpose in the coming week. Unit 2 will introduce multiplication/division facts for 6s, 7s, 8s and multiple of 10s.
New and Old
Oct 23rd
Oct 23rd
- Last week we had a school assembly to review our school rules and three essential agreements, we are respectful, we are responsible students, we are safe and in control. Paws, the Tiger's mascot helped Mrs. Dryden and some of our students show each of these to the entire student body.
- This week we are wrapping up our first PYP unit. Students are writing government plans to solve problems in a scenario they have been given as their summative assessment. Next week they will select an artifact for their portfolio from their unit work and evaluate themselves on the unit report card. As a class we will be writing our own Classroom Bill of Rights.
- The end of the marking period and Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up fast. I have a few families that have not schedule a conference yet. Please contact me as soon as possible to get one scheduled.
- On Friday this week, students will be bringing home a Paper Bag Character Study assignment. At the library this week, students will select a book for this HOMEWORK assignment. We will discuss this project thoroughly in class so students should know exactly what to do and what is expected of them. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me.
Happenings This Month
Oct 13th
Oct 13th
- Our annual Halloween Parade/Party will be on Friday, 10/31. A huge thank you to Mrs. Garcia and Mrs. Liszak for offering to be our Room Parents this year. If you are interested in helping with donations to the party, they are the ladies to speak to. PLEASE READ the Halloween Information from Mrs. Dryden at the link below. It has all the Parade and Party details.
- This month's Learner Profile attribute focus is being a COMMUNICATOR. The link below offers suggestions for helping your child practice all the LP attributes at home.
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Welcome October
Oct 5th
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Bits and Pieces
Sept 29th
Sept 29th
- We are starting word work this week. Your child will know what color group they are in. Please use the Home Connection page to view an information letter, word work schedule, and homework packet.
- I was recently asked why more work was not coming home. For most subjects, except math, student work is prepared in unit packets. This allows us cover one piece of work at a time while still having the opportunity to review and reflect on previous learning. Currently underway is our PYP unit, Structure & Function, a Realistic Fiction Reading unit featuring the novel Stone Fox, and a Realistic Fiction Writing unit. These units will all be finished by the end of October at which time you will have an abundance of student work to review.
- Our new Music Teacher, Mrs. Mary Johnson has asked to share her website with you. Enjoy - http://mrsjohnsonsmusicroom.weebly.com/
- ROYAL OAK NATURE SOCIETY OCTOBER PROGRAMS
· "Starting an Urban Apiary” speaker program is being held on Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 beginning 7:30 pm at the Royal Oak Middle School (709 N. Washington). Bees play a critical ecosystem service function in that they pollinate many of our crops, thereby increasing our production of food. From spring through fall, dozens, if not hundreds, of bees can be seen daily at the University of Michigan Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center’s rain gardens and it’s Community Organic Garden. What visitors might not realize is that the Center is home to a small number of managed beehives on its grounds. University of Michigan-Dearborn students can take part in all of the activities involved in urban beekeeping, including hive start-ups, seasonal hive maintenance, and the annual harvest of honey in late summer. Come learn about the University of Michigan Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center’s urban apiary (bee keeping) from Dr. David Susko, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
· "Fall Color” is being held at Cummingston on Saturday, October 4th, 2014 beginning at 10:00 am. Park and meet at Leafdale & Torquay. This is the most beautiful time to take a look at our nature study areas.
· "Fall Color” is being held at Tenhave Woods on Sunday, October 19th, 2014 beginning at 2:00 pm. . Park at the Lexington & Marais lot & meet at the Lexington entrance. This is the most beautiful time to take a look at our nature study areas.
· “Mushroom Walk” is scheduled for Saturday, October 25th, 2014 at Tenhave Woods beginning at 10:00 am. Park at the Marais/Lexington lot & meet at the park entrance. Mary Fredricks, a member and botanist/mycologist of the Royal Oak Nature Society, will lead the walk. Anyone with an interest in learning more about mushrooms and other fungi of the urban woods is welcome.
· "Fall Color” is being held at Tenhave Woods on Sunday, October 26th, 2014 beginning at 2:00 pm. Park at the Lexington & Marais lot & meet at the Lexington entrance. This is the most beautiful time to take a look at our nature study areas.
Online Resources
Sept 26nd
Sept 26nd
- Yesterday, your child brought home information to login to RAZ-Kids and Mobymax. Links to these reading and math resources can be found on the Home Connection page. Also new to this page is a link to Xtramath, an online program to help students practice math facts. I will introduce this site to students at school and encourage them to talk to you about setting up an account to track their progress with math fact memorization.
Math Help for Parents
Sept 22nd
Sept 22nd
- The link below will take you to a support website offered by our new Math Expressions materials. Once at the website, click on 3rd grade. The "Math Background" link offers explanations of both in-class math practices and homework practices. The "Teaching Tools" link offers printable forms, charts, tables, glossary, challenge pages and more! The "Math Talk Learning Community" explains the importance of students leading our math conversations to articulate and defend their own thinking. I am positive you will find this site both informative and useful in helping your child do well in math this year.
Wrapping Up September
Sept 22nd
Sept 22nd
- This week we are starting Word Work. Each day, students will be taught a new word work activity that they will be expected to complete each week with their word work group. I will send home the word work schedule sometime this week so you know which day your child will take their test (starting next week).
- We are also starting the novel Stone Fox this week. Students will be engaged in a variety of reading and language arts activities. These activities will be done in a packet so you won't see anything coming home in for a couple weeks (until we are finished).
- Our class has a guest teacher tomorrow (Tuesday) so that I can work individually with students to conduct Developmental Reading Assessments (DRAs). Please remind students to be on their best behavior.
- The link below shares a few reminders with you, including the parent/teacher conference schedule. Please contact me with your first and second choice of date/time and I will confirm with you which one works.
A Few Things
Sept 15th
Sept 15th
- This week we will be starting our new math series. Our first math unit, Multiplication and Division is the longest unit of the year and introduces basic multiplication and division concepts through a variety of strategies. This unit provides students with two types of math homework; math fact practice and concept practice. Use the link below to find Unit 4 Letters to Parents explaining this unit.
- Please return the Summer Reading Books in their bag. The PTA will reorganize the books for use again next summer.
Curriculum Night
Sept 11th
At our curriculum night, we review this website and where to find any information parents might need to find throughout the school year. We also reviewed the new report card and grading system ROSD is using (see the power point slides below. I am asking all parents to complete the following form so that I know the best way to contact you.
Sept 11th
At our curriculum night, we review this website and where to find any information parents might need to find throughout the school year. We also reviewed the new report card and grading system ROSD is using (see the power point slides below. I am asking all parents to complete the following form so that I know the best way to contact you.
Getting to Work
Sept 8th
This week we will not only practice routines and procedures but learn how to pick "good fit" books. The students will learn a rap with hand motions to remember the "I-PICK" method of choosing books for themselves (see video link ). We will also collect data about ourselves, graph it and analyze the results to learn about who we are as a group. Don't forget, CURRICULUM NIGHT is Thursday, September 11th - 7:30 to 8:15!
Sept 8th
This week we will not only practice routines and procedures but learn how to pick "good fit" books. The students will learn a rap with hand motions to remember the "I-PICK" method of choosing books for themselves (see video link ). We will also collect data about ourselves, graph it and analyze the results to learn about who we are as a group. Don't forget, CURRICULUM NIGHT is Thursday, September 11th - 7:30 to 8:15!
Welcome Back to School!
Sept 2nd This first week of school we will be working on getting to know each other and learning classroom routines and procedures. We will also begin our first PYP unit - Structure and Function. Click on the link below to view the Welcome Back Letter sent home the first day of school. |