Don't forget...this weekend we "spring forward"...
so change your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday night!!
so change your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday night!!
OK...so let's start with ....
"Who in the World Reads our Blog?!?!"
Hello to...
...Ashwin's aunt, uncle, and cousins in Edison, New Jersey!
...his uncle in Mumbai, India!
...his grandparents in New Delhi, India!
We're so glad you're with us!!
We've had a busy, fun four day week...here is how it all went down...
In Language Arts this week we have been focusing on the indicators in our Reading Ancillary Materials unit..."students will preview tests by skimming directions, main parts, questions and time allotments...students will read test questions to determine if a factual or critical thinking response is required...students will review and reread questions that they find particularly challenging on tests..." We have been using the Reader's Handbook to gather information about using "before, during, and after reading strategies" when taking a test. We have worked in groups, pairs, and individually...we have taken copious notes...we have made posters, flyers, written poems, and performed skits to show our understanding of all of the information gathered. The kids have done an amazing job and I'm very proud of them. All of the students in my class will do very well on the MSA's if they take their time...they will find a lot of the activities "easy" and I worry that they will hurry because they "know it all"...I say that with love :-). So, one reminder you can give to your child is to take his/her time, even when they think it's easy, to reread directions, to underline and circle important key words, and to always use any extra time to check over their work. Magnet students make careless mistakes because their brains are working way faster than their pencils!! So we want them to slow down and use time wisely!! We will finish this unit next week...all the while doing "practice" tests to get them used to the stopwatch that keeps time, their desks being moved into a different arrangement, and their teacher saying OVER and OVER and OVER again..."I'm sorry I can't help you, you need to reread and do your best!"...with a big smile! We took a break from King of the Wind this week, which has not made them very happy, but we will bring it back some next week and do lots of reading the week of MSA's.
In Math this week we have been "up to our ears" in fractions! Depending on where your child is in the "spectrum of learning" this week the kids have: found equivalent fractions, simplified frations, converted common fractions to mixed numbers, plotted fractions on number lines, added and subtracted fractions with unlike denominators, and solved problems involving fractions...see what I mean about "up to our ears"!!! I feel very confident on their knowledge of fractions and we will move into money, decimals, and time next week...I attended a two hour technology class last night and found some WONDERFUL websites for time and money...so we should have a fun week with it all!
In Science this week we shared our composting projects and our gems research...the kids did a great job! We have been observing our soil investigation and are quite puzzled with the results...ask your child about it this weekend...we have to conclude that the baggies must be having an effect on the investigation! This will make more sense once you ask your child about what has happened to our seeds! I was SO pleased to see children using fractions in their observations...1/2 of the seeds have shown growth...they used measurement...the plant is 7 and 1/2 inches tall...and they used properties...the plant is bent over, the plant is green with two seed leaves...I was very impressed! We are getting ready to move into a Social Studies unit about Economy...a big switch from Rocks, Soil and Fossils! It is chock full of vocabulary and decision making...the kids will LOVE it!
A big thank you to Ms. Kim and all of our parents who helped to make our silent auction basket so wonderful...I'm thinking of bidding on it myself! A humidifier, a heating blanket, and many, many other great first aid needs can be found in the beautiful basket...have a look:
Have a great weekend...enjoy the weather!
