Important Day!

A lot of important documents went home today in your students folder. Please check to make sure you've
1. Received the report card and returned the envelope with the comment sheet
2. Returned the Field Trip permission form and sent in the money  **The permission form is of utmost importance.
3. Returned the "Ask the Animal" presentation invitation form

Come and Sing Along!

Here is a link to a Test taking song that we listened to a few times in class.  The kids really enjoyed it and it's a great reminder to slow down, don't get overly stressed and do your best!

Upcoming Dates

Today the class and I reviewed the "End of the Year at a Glance" document which is on golden paper and in their silver folders. You will find important dates regarding NYS tests, field trips and activities that are upcoming. Please try to avoid scheduling anything during these times as most events cannot be "made up".  The end of the year is coming up so quick!

Welcome back!

Welcome back from Spring Break!  We have a lot to do this month! Please remember that NYS testing will take place April 16th-18th (ELA) and April 24th-26th (math).  All students should be to school on time, well rested and with a good breakfast.  Any extra reading and math you can do at home will only benefit your student. I'm asking that all students start bringing home their math text books nightly to brush up on chapters we have already learned. You could use the "extra practice" section in the back or the chapters themselves to review. Thanks for your continued support. : )

We have a winner!!

After tons of work and lots of persuading our class has decided how to spend the $166 raised by our Art Sale to benefit Heifer International!  Yi Chee has written a beautiful essay that convinced the class to donate a flock of ducks, geese and chicks, honeybees, and a house!  Thanks to all who donated.  This is a project they will not soon forget. : )

Shensational Essay Contest

Another exciting opportunity is upcoming this month.  Shensational, which is a wonderful, family day that highlights student achievement and creativity will be held March 23 in HS West.  A part of the celebration will be readings from the essay contest held for elementary students grades 1-5.

I'm sending home information and the essay forms if any student thinks he/she would be interested and be able to attend Shensational if their essay was picked!  This is optional but I will be encouraging students to give it a try.  : )

March Newsletter 2013

ELA

Reading:

Ø  We got a little carried away in our study of Historical Fiction so we will begin mythology this month. J  We will determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). Exploring all of the gods and goddesses should be really fun!

Writing:

Ø  We’ll finish persuasive writing and begin writing essays using resources from two text (fiction and nonfiction).

Grammar:

Ø  Greek and Latin roots or affixes

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Thursdays!!!

Ø  List 19 – changing y to i

Ø  List 20- suffixes

Ø  List 21 – words with er or and ar

Math

Concepts:

o   Quadrilaterals in geometry

o   Congruent and Symmetrical figures

o   Different triangles

o   Measurement

o   Customary and metric

o   Perimeter and area

 

Vocabulary:

o   See notebook for important vocab

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept!

 

We will be having the geometry math test 3.15.13

Science / Social Studies

We will finish learning about electricity and test on 3.8.13.  Our labs have been extremely interesting as we are taking the WISE approach to learning. During each lab students have a chance to Wonder (predict and questions), Investigate, Synthesize their learning and express their new knowledge. By discovering the wonders themselves the information is that much more ingrained.

We will also begin our animal study late in the month.

In between electricity and animals we’ll travel back in time to NYS as an English colony. Students love this chapter as they can really begin to see NYS as they know it today.

 

Reminders  

ü     Fin Friday ~ wear green

ü 3.10.13  Daylight savings time begins

ü 3.15.13 Geometry test

ü 3.22.13 No school ~ Superintendents Conference Day for staff

ü 3.29.13  to 4.5.13  ~ No School ~ Start of Spring Break

ü 4.16.13 to 4.18.13 NYS ELA tests

ü 4.24.13 to 4.26.13 NYS Math tests