Monday PE | Tuesday O&A to Clean Water Services Tour-closed toe shoes and warm layers! | Wednesay ART No Halloween costumes or candy at school, please. :) | Thursday | Friday ART |
Important Dates
| Volunteer Click to signup for an upcoming O&A!
|
*Students will have math, reading & spelling homework this week. Obtaining a parent signature is part of homework. Goal reflection (secret word) is due by Friday--be sure to review your child's Google document. Do the goals look good to you? What do I still need to provide you with?
Project
A highlight this week was definitely analyzing our Leaf Packs from Scoggins Creek. All 6 packs were recovered. And, what looked like a lifeless pile of leaves in water turned out to be bursting with life! Life that indicated excellent water quality. We also took a stab at building our own macro invertebrates by following some complicated directions--will one ever get fully constructed. That's to be determined. :)
Ask how did we calculate the biotic index to reveal excellent water quality?
Talk about what could have made our results better than reality.
Extend the learning to look for macroinvertebrates in a different stream.
Literacy
A big part of our literacy time this week was to write up our inquiries on Fernhill and Leaf Pack. It's definitely challenging wrapping our heads around this level of science and then trying to write about it. The assignments have all had some sort of support built into them, so kids can get a feel for how scientific writing should sound. We're getting close to wrapping up Flush as well! There are so many loose ends that will need to get tied up. I've enjoyed challenging kids to think how those loose ends will come together--otherwise why would an author write about it (whatever it is) in the first place.
Ask, what went into the Results and Conclusion section of your scientific writing?
Talk with your kiddo on how they think the book will come together in the end.
Extend the learning to find a scientific article to read together.
6th Grade Math
It's time, we're into that 2nd unit test! We reviewed strategies to determine a multiplication from a division story problem while reviewing for the test. There are a lot of rules to consider with multiplying and dividing decimals. My hope is that with discussions through problems, students are able to understand the rules and therefore better remember them. We also had discussions about the importance of reasonable answers and how having an estimate is sometimes better than coming up with an exact answer that is way off. (For instance, many times if a student is confused they might divide the wrong number and get an answer, but it could be way off.)
Ask what steps do you take to divide 2.63 by 15.5 ?
Talk about the importance of being able to think through a reasonable answer before you start to solve a problem.
Extend the learning by seeing how changing a decimal division problem into whole numbers is just using equivalent fractions.
5th Grade Math - Correct, Reflect & Retake this week!
Fifth graders, you impressed me with your focus, good question-asking and awesome explanations on your first formal test of the year! At Level 3, we treat math tests as a chance to learn, not just a grade. That means student must make corrections for any problems they missed on a separate sheet, complete a reflection page, and get the test signed by a family member at home. Look out for tests coming home Monday! Also, if students received under 80% or would like a higher score, they must complete the corresponding problems on a "retake" test. Families, while students can ask for help with correction, the retake test should be independent! A great way to help a student who is stuck on a problem is to make up a similar problem and walk through the steps together.
Ask, when you are getting a test back, what are some things you can say in your head to stay positive? (Or, things you shouldn't say to make others feel bad about a score.)
Talk about the importance of getting a second chance to solve a test problem.
Extend the learning by finding the volume of a room or box at home. Volume was the concept that was trickiest for our class on this test!