March 2018

March 2018

Important Dates

Friday, Mar. 2, 2018  Monday, Mar. 5, 2018: Unit 4 EDM assessment (snowdate)
Thursday, Mar. 22, 2018: Unit 5 EDM, part I of unit Test

Forget Me Not Dates

Friday, Mar. 2- 14, 2018: Read-a-thon begins afterschool.**
Sunday, Mar. 11, 2018: Spring Forward, Turn Clocks forward
Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2018, 9:00 -9:30 AM Tappan Counselor visit
Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2018, 9:30 AM - 11:45 AM, Symphony Orchestra Hill Auditorium Field Trip
Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2018: Incoming Sixth graders orientation, 6 PM
Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018: Scarlett Incoming Sixth graders orientation, 6:30 PM
Friday, Mar. 24, 2018: Read-a-thon monies are due.
Friday, Mar. 23, 2018: Spring Break begins at 4:00 PM
Monday, Mar. 25- Mar. 30, 2018: No School, Spring Break
Monday, Apr. 2, 2018: School resumes

Subjects at a glance

Math: Unit 4 will be assessed Friday. If your child does not complete the assessment, he or she will have the opportunity to complete it tomorrow.
Language Arts:
Writing: Students are writing their first opinion/ persuasive essays. It will be addressed to you, the parents. We have learned how to list pros and cons, pick 3 pros, pick 1 con, use transition words and complex sentences along with an introduction and conclusion. Students will also write a persuasive essay on the best colony.
Reading: In the month of February, we covered historical fiction. In my reading class, we reviewed theme and how it applies to biographies and autographies. During the month of March, students will be challenged to write fiction story: fantasy or realistic fiction. Students will preplan their story with a plot outline. Then, draft and publish the story.
Poetry Anthology (Figurative Language Fridays) : We will cover alliteration, assonance and consonance.
Word Study: Our Core Lexia Program will cover our word study program. It is self paced to individual students reading needs.
Social Studies: We are studying the Early English Colonies, Africa and its resources, and the Colonies. This will be chapters 7, 8 and 9.
Science: We will be beginning our study of the Human Body.

EDM Assessed outcomes
Unit 4: Decimal Concepts and Coordinate Grids

• Read and write decimals in words, numbers and expanded forms.
• Compare decimals.
• Round decimals.
• Plot points on a coordinate grid.
• Use a coordinate grid to answer questions and solve problems.
• Shade grids to add and subtract decimals.
• Use algorithms to add and subtract decimals.

Unit 5: Operations with Fractions (Fractions return)

• Find common denominators. (part I)
• Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators.
• Multiply fractions using paper folding, area models, or an algorithm (part I)
• Explain why multiplying a fraction by a fraction equal to 1 gives an equivalent fractions. (part I)
• Divide a unit fraction by a whole number.
• Divide a whole number by a unit fraction.

Sixth-Grade Orientation

Tappan and Scarlett counselors will be visiting Pattengill to explain course selections and electives to our fifth-graders. The sheets will help to determine their involvement in band/ orchestra and choir. Listed in the Forget-Me-Not dates is the date of the orientation meetings for parents at their perspective middle schools. Parents who are in need of a change, Scarlett is a great choice for middle school. 

Read-A-Thon

Rather than selling products to raise money, our students get to focus on READING – a win- win for our students and schools! Students will track their time spent reading (or being read to) to strive for a medal, win raffle prizes, and raise funds for our schools.

During Read-A-Thon days, your child should read as much as possible. Time spent reading BYparents/guardians/volunteers TO your child counts as well.  Pattengill students must read a 1/2 hour to earn a raffle ticket. Each ticket must be signed by an adult and returned to school, to be counted. (I am sending home 2 sheets to helps students printed on scrap paper.)

A raffle prize drawing will take place each day during Read-A-Thon. Some days feature double and triple drawings, so keep an eye on the Read-A-Thon calendar! Time spent reading also counts toward earning a Read-A-Thon medal. See the Read-A-Thon prize sheet to learn what it takes to earn a bronze, silver, or gold medal! All participating students will receive a pencil.

Raising money for our schools is an important part of Read-A-Thon. Please ask your family and friends to pledge money for the minutes your child spends reading. DO NOT allow your child to ask strangers.

Funds raised through Read-A-Thon help the PTO to provide classroom supplies and equipment, field trips, and fun and educational school events for students and families.

Please contact readathon@bryantpattengill.org or your classroom teacher. Thank you for helping your child participate in the Read-A-Thon winter fundraiser!

Time spend during lunch and lunch recess counts toward the read-A-Thon.