Friday, April 1, 2016

April Newsletter

ELA
**The NYS testing dates for ELA are the 5th-7th. These tests are untimed and have fewer questions. We will start each day at 8:15. Our specials have been moved to 10:15 or 10:45. If your student is still testing at 10:15 they will be moved to another location to finish the test.

**The following week we will revisit our animal study and complete an online research project titled “Ask the Animal”. Students will use our iPads to do research and create a presentation all about a NYS animal. Mrs. Chakmakas and Mrs. Rao will join us as well to help with the project. Stay tuned for an invite to our electronic NYS animal zoo!

Ø  Our regular classroom schedule will resume the 3rd week of April (18th-22nd). That is when we will go back to normal homework and classwork.

Math
Concepts:
o   Continue review of content covered in 4th grade
o   Prepare for NYS math exam
o   Begin chapter 9 - Decimals
o   Place Value of decimals
o   Equating decimals, money and fractions
o   Comparing decimals
o   After the NYS tests we still have chapters 9 and 12 to finish in our text book.
o   When the book is finished we will begin lessons called “Getting Ready for 5th Grade”
o   These lessons will incorporate what we have learned this year and stretch students thinking.


Social Studies
This week we will begin an inquiry unit about the American Revolution! Students will read use our text book, primary sources, videos and on-line research. They will get to choose to either write a persuasive essay to join the revolution or not or create a skit! We will take a few weeks to research and create before we present for each other. We have so many creative students; it’s sure to be great!
Reminders
ü 4.5.16 – 4.7.16 NYS ELA testing
ü 4.8.16 Quarter 3 closes
ü 4.12.16 Scotia Glenville Traveling Museum - Measuring
ü 4.13.16 to 4.15.16 – NYS Math test
ü 4.13.16 – PTA meeting in library
ü 4.18.16 – Report cards sent home
4.25.16 – 4.29.16 – Spring Break