March 2017

March 2017

I am not sure if March came in a like a lion or lamb. March appears to be confused due to global warming. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriate for the weather of the day. Students should dress for the current weather as opposed to the expected temperature. If the sun sets or is covered by a cloud, the weather appears cooler.

Important Dates

Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2017: Chapter 6 quiz, Early European Settlements
Thursday, Mar. 23, 2017: Chapter 7 quiz,

Forget-Me-Not Dates

Friday, Mar. 3, 2017: Read-a-thon begins at 3:50 PM
Wednesday, March 8, 2017: Half Day of School, Dismissal 11:53 AM, Elementary Report Writing
Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2017: National Pi Day, 3.14
Wednesday, March 15, 2017: Music Field Trip, Hill Auditorium Ann Arbor Symphony, 9:30- 11:30 AM
Thursday, Mar. 16, 2017: Read-a-thon ends, last day to turn in tickets
Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2017: Natural History Museum Field Trip, 10:30- 12:30, 4-5 chaperones are needed.
Monday, Apr. 3- 7, 2017: Spring Break, School is closed
Monday, Apr. 8, 2017: School Resumes, M-STEP testing begins.

Subjects at a Glance

Math: Unit 5, Operations with Fractions, is a unit comprised of adding and subtracting mixed numbers; multiplying fractions; finding fractional area of a whole square unit; finding parts of a whole and mixed number, and dividing with fractions. This unit is challenging with many word problems; however, we will survive. I have taught lessons out of order due to the unexpected 3 days I was absent. I am uncertain the exact date of the unit test.
Language Arts
Writing: Students are writing expository essays and learning how to use 4 E's to expand their writing: Emotions, evidence, experience (anecdotal story), and examples. Students have also learned how to outline their essays.
Poetry: We concluded our study of Langston Hughes and will embark on a journey of understanding several popular women poets.
Social Studies: We have almost concluded our study of Chapter 6, Early European Settlements. In the next chapter, 13 Original Colonies, students are expected to learn and memorize all 3 regions, 13 colonies, reason for colonization, type of government, and economics of the colony. Chapter 8, Slavery in American Colonies,  is a take home quiz.
Science: We have built our standard vehicles and will prove the 3 Laws of Motion.

Read-a-thon

Although the read-a-thon is an optional event, I encourage all students to read: reading is fundamental to your child's success, and to help our class achieve our goal of winning the grade level party. Read-a-thon is also a fundraiser: it's an easy way to invest in your child and our building effortless without any sales or events. Students can promote cents or dollars per pages read or minutes read. Some students may promote family members to donate a designated dollar amount to our fundraiser. On most nights, I reduce the amount of math homework in order for students to allocate more time to reading. On these nights, the homework is to bring signed reading tickets as proof of reading.

New Reading calendar and log

I created a new reading logs for students to log his or her reading hours via a google spreadsheet. This google spreadsheet is fun way for peers to see each other books and comment on reading elements. Students who participate in the log are working to earn a special treat. Students have a choice to log on the reading log or log his or her books in their planner. These are the only two options. Reading 30 minutest every night is a requirement.

The Creation of the Mayflower Compact

February 2017

February 2017

Important Dates

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017: EDM Unit 4 Test
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, Social Studies Chapter 5, Movie Trailers are due
Monday, Feb. 27, 2017: Social Studies, Chapter 6, quiz

Forget Me Not Dates

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017: Pattengill's Annual Talent Show, 6:30 PM, cafeteria
Monday, Feb. 13, 2017: NAAPID Day, Parent Involvement: All parents are welcome.
                                       School Talent Show Viewing 1-3 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017: Valentine's Day: Valentine Card Exchange 3:00 PM**
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017: No School, President's Day.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017: Science Fair, 6- 7:30 PM**

Subjects at a Glance

Math: We are completing Unit 4. In unit 4, I taught a supplemental  lesson on the four quadrants.  Although EDM does not cover this, I felt is was imperative to teach this lesson. Soon to began Unit 5. Unit 5 involves more fractions. This time, students are required to master adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators. Students will be taught multiple ways to achieve the outcome. Another complex skill of dividing fractions by fractions as well as dividing whole numbers by fractions.
Language Arts:
Writing: Students are learning how to write an expository essay. Students will write an introduction, topic sentences, adding details, conclusion sentences and a conclusion paragraph.
Word Study: In the month of February, Students will learn, mal- Latin root, man- Latin root, cap- Latin root and Ped- Latin root
Poetry: It has taken a while to finally introduce metaphors through the work of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes.
Social Studies: We are completing Chapter 5, Early European Exploration. There is no unit test: Students are creating an I-Movie trailer with a group of peers. The groups were self selected and are permitted to bring in small, nonviolent props for their filming. The students were given a rubric to guide their filming and creation. The List of Explorers are below:

Christopher Columbus                       John Cabot                         Juan Ponce de Leon

Herman Cortes                                   Henry Hudson                   Jacques Cartier

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado        Robert de La Salle

In chapter 6, Early English Settlement, Students will begin to study the first English colonies in the New World as well as the Mayflower Compact. There will be a quiz for this chapter.
Science: We will continue our study of Energy which began on Winter Survival. Students will be creating energy posters. This week and discussing the transfer of energy.

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

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

Valentine's Day Card Exchange 

A few weeks ago, I passed out a class list to students. Students were told that we will have a Valentine's card exchange. If a student wishes to exchange Valentine's cards, he or she may do so. It is not required.  I will be providing the cookies and milk. 

Students are responsible for providing one Valentine for each student in the class.
Students are responsible for providing his or her own zip bag, envelope, box to collect.

I cannot post names the entire class list online: Please refer to an email I sent to all parents. 

Science Fair , February 22, 2017, 6- 7:30 PM

A large majority of the class completed their work and received their boards. Colors were given on a first come, first serve basis. Attendance is not required at the actual Fair. Students who wish to attend may stand by their board and explain it. All boards will be collected at 7:30 PM and placed next to the classroom. Students are expected to take all projects the night of the Fair or the next day.

Science Fair 2017

Science Fair 2017

Required Science Fair Project 2017 (Topic Sheet)

Dates

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2017: Topic sheet is due.

Friday, Jan. 20, 2016: Final submission of title of project and a partner (optional)

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2017: List of materials is due.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017: Hypothesis (experiment) or Purpose (research/ demonstration) are due. Only 1 per project.

Monday, Jan. 30, 2017:Procedure is due. (Subtopics for research projects)

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017: References, research and/ or timeline plan and partner of        what each partner completed are due.

Friday, Feb. 3, 2017: Boards will be given on this day.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017: Final project is due with conclusion and/ or                                                                 results as well as pictures or diagrams.  (On the board)

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017: Science Fair, @6:00 PM

Materials are the items used or to be used in the project.

Hypothesis is the prediction of what the scientist thinks will happen or occur in the experiment.  Usually a hypothesis is supported with a reason.

Purpose is the rationale supporting the research or demonstration or model.

Procedure is a list of numerical steps written in complete sentences.

Subtopics are a list of the research topics you want to research.

References are any books, websites, or collaborators used in the experiment.

Research is any information researched that explains the project.

Conclusion is the written final results after the experiment is completed in paragraph format. It answers the hypothesis.

Results are the findings in the demonstration projects or what was learned.

Pictures are any photographs of the models or steps during the experiment.

Diagrams are picture models with labeled parts.

Topic _________________________________________________________________

Student signature _______________________________ Date ___________

Parent signature _______________________________ Date ___________

Partner signature ___________________________ (If applicable)

As a partner, you agree to share equally the responsibilities and meet at a mutual agreed upon place with adult supervision. Report to the teacher anyone who is not completing his or her share of the work as soon as possible.

Guidelines

1. Students are allowed to have a partner (s) from A-7 class, but partners are not required.

2. Projects are mostly home projects with some time for in- class work.

3. Each part must be legibly hand-printed or typed. Computers are available during lunchtime on Mondays and Wednesdays.

4. The PTO will donate the board. The school may or may not contribute the construction paper, if the desired colors are not available.

5. Avoid gluing assignments on the board until I have approved it.

Partner Plan

My partner is _________________________________________ . Our project title is _______________________________. 

Below is the type of project we are completing (Circle only one.)

o  Scientific Experiment (Testing only one variable)

o  Science Research

o  Model or Demonstration

Below is our partner plan:

                                    Name (s)                   Place (ex. Avery’s or Beyonce’s house)

Item for Project	Name (s) of Person completing it	Location (Mutually agreed upon)
Title (Largest word on Board)
Materials
Hypothesis or Purpose
Procedure or subtopic questions
Experiment/ Build Model
Conclusion/ Results
Pictures/ Display
References (websites)
Assemble Board NEATLY
Bring Board to School		Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017

MY Parent’s/ guardian’s  signature  _________________________________ Date ____________

Name _________________________________  Date ___________________

Individual Timeline (No Partner)

Item for Project	Date Completed	Typed or Written Neatly
Title (Largest word on Board)
Materials
Hypothesis or Purpose
Procedure or subtopic questions
Experiment/ Build Model
Conclusion/ Results
Pictures/ Display
References (websites)
Assemble Board NEATLY
Bring Board to School		Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017

MY Parent’s/ guardian’s  signature  __________________________________________________

Date ______________________________