Monday & Tuesday

Science - Students continued to work on their projects; they are due on Wednesday.  On Monday, Ms. Karably led a lab that showed students chemical changes by using vinegar and steel wool.


ELA - Students met with their book clubs and finished their plot diagram.  They have until next Tuesday to complete all parts of the project.


Social Studies -- I'm giving students who scored a 1 or a 2 on their short-answer WWI assessment another chance to take that test this Friday.  Students who received 4s lead small group discussions based on the content of that test and students also recopied down the notes.  I advised students to read over the notes for at least 10-15 minutes every night so they can familiarize themselves with the material.  Students who received 3s will also have the opportunity (if they choose) to retake the test to try for a 4.  



Math - We started learning about circles, Pi, the different lines in a circle (diameter, chord, radius) this week.  Today students calculated the circumference of circles and it was difficult for many because they don't have a solid foundation in their multiplication facts.  ...and that leads me to my next point...

Soapbox Moment

The vast majority of my students, regardless of math level, need to become more proficient in their basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - 0-12)  Their future success in math largely relies on having these fundamentals.
The next time you are at WalMart, Target, or other applicable retailer please buy your child a set of multiplication facts so they can practice for 10 minutes at home each night. Math will be a lot less frustrating if they have this skill down.

Thursday & Friday

Math -- On Thursday we reviewed for Friday's math assessment.  Next week we will start with circles (Pi, circumference, and area)


ELA -- Students continued to work on their book club projects and they took a formative assessment on adverbs.  On Friday students took a spelling and vocabulary quiz (root word = Miss / Mit)

Science -- Today we went on a walking field trip to Renfroe.  Student science ambassadors (some of my former students) led a science experiment where they changed a substance from a liquid to a solid (ice cream!)  

Tuesday & Wednesday

Math -- We worked on calculating the area and perimeter of irregular shapes on Tuesday and on Wednesday, Mr. Wither's lead an activity where students created different table sizes for King Arthur's new table.  They had to begin with a set parameter and select different numbers to create tables that were in the shape of triangles, parallelograms, squares, and rectangles.


ELA -- Mrs. Bowden taught a lesson on adverbs and the students took a formative assessment on adverbs. Starting next week students will begin working on their personal narratives.


Social Studies -- Students continued working on their take home assessment and it is due on Friday.  I will give a re-test of the WWI short answer assessment on Friday, February 3rd.


Science -- Yesterday I gave notes on physical and chemical changes.  Also, students continued to work on their Science projects (those are due on Wednesday, February 1st)

Pennies for Patients Update

So far we have raised almost $40 so keep up the good work!

Friday Field Trip Update

On Friday we will be walking to Renfroe for a field trip with Science ambassadors from Mrs. Thorton-Webb's 8th grade science class.


While we are there students will put their knowledge of the states of matter into practice by making ice cream.  Mrs. Thorton-Webb is supplying the materials to make the ice cream and she needs for us to supply  the toppings.  Any toppings except nuts (one child is allergic to them) are acceptable.  Thanks!

Monday, January 23rd

Math -- We reviewed radius and diameter and discussed the requirements of this week's homework.  I included some level 4 work in this week's homework for an additional challenge for my advanced students.

ELA -- Mrs. Bowden finished her noun lesson and I gave a formative assessment on nouns. We also went over this week's vocabulary words.

Social Studies -- We had a BrainPop marathon on the Great Depression, the New Deal, and Theodore Roosevelt.  We went over the notes in-depth and had short discussions on the political, social, and economic situations going on at that time.  Students have a WWI take home quiz in this week's homework and they are to use their class notes and last week's homework to complete it.  

Science -- We watched a BrainPop video on the States of Matter and students completed a worksheet in their homework.

Everyone in the school is raising money for the American Lymphoma Society.  I will match the LOWEST contribution... meaning that if everyone contributes (or shares their contribution) my donation will be higher.  Additionally, if we come in 2nd or 3rd place, I will buy the class donuts.  If we come in FIRST I will buy the class donuts AND pizza.  

On a personal note, I am a Hodgkin's Disease survivor (it is a type of lymphoma) so I would be very touched and pleased if my students made a good effort towards this worthy cause.  Thank You!

Update

I apologize for falling behind on the posts; its been an extremely busy week.  Here's what we've done in each subject thus far:


Math -- Congruent Shapes, Area formulas (circles, parallelograms, triangles, rectangles & squares).  Students who received a 2 or lower on last week's assessment will be reassessed on Friday.  Next week we are going to work on calculating the area for circles and start doing more advanced geometry.


Social Studies -- Students worked on their WWI review in class and the assessment will be on Friday.  I will also send home a WWI take home, open-note quiz with the homework next week.  Yesterday students took notes on the Jazz Age and the Roaring 20s.  They will be assessed on those concepts this Friday as well.


ELA -- This term we are working with the eight parts of speech again; expect to see that information in their homework all term.  Students will also be writing a narrative this term.  Over the next two weeks we will be working on generating ideas and taking those ideas through the writing process until we get a finished product.  Students will also be working on their Book Club projects.


Science -- Students will continue to work on their Science projects in class; they are due on February 1st.  I will also try to do one or two labs before our field trip to Renfroe next week.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday, January 13th

Wednesday, January 11th

ELA -- Students took a formative assessment on Clauses.  Based on my informal observation I'm going to spend some extra time going over grammar and sentence structure.  After that students began a writing analysis activity where they read student samples from the 5th grade Tennessee writing test.  Tomorrow students will discuss the writing in small groups and identify the "good, bad, and ugly" of each piece of writing. 


Social Studies -- We continued our discussion about WWI.  If I'm able to get through all the notes I'd like to do a trench warfare simulation on Friday.  


Math -- Mr. Withers lead an activity where students calculated the area of shapes within tangrams.

Tuesday, January 10th

ELA -- Students began their book clubs today.  Students are placed in book groups according to reading level (and MAP scores) so they can choose an appropriate level book.  Additionally, my students are mixed in with Mr. Zimbardo's class so they can get used to working with other students.


Science -- Students received their term 4 projects.  The work will cover both science standards for this term and they are both due on Wednesday, February 1st.  Students who do not do quality work or who do not show that they fully understand the standard will re-do the work.  I hope, however, that each student will do their best work the first time around.  


Math -- We discussed how to calculate the perimeter of various polygons and how to estimate the area of polygons using a grid.  This term I will be giving the summative assessment in pieces and the first part will be given this Friday.  I'm doing this so I can assess the students while the information is still fresh and I'll be able to re-assess the students who do not do as well. 


Thank you to the parents who have been sending in supplies and snacks; we really appreciate it!


Upcoming Assessments -- Vocabulary and Math (perimeter, congruency) - Friday, January 13th.

Monday, January 9th

Homework -- Students received math, language arts, vocabulary & science homework today.  It is due on Friday and I stressed the importance of doing a little bit each night.  The homework packet will be overwhelming if it is left to Thursday night.

Chaperones Needed

I need a few parent chaperones to accompany us on a walking field trip to Renfroe on Friday, January 27th, 9:00am-11:00am.  We are going to Renfroe to meet with select students from Mrs. Thorton-Webb's 8th grade science class.  Each one of her students will facilitate lab experiments with a small group of my students.  


The experiments will cover physical vs. chemical changes and the states of matter.  Please contact me via email if you will be able to accompany us.  Thank you!

Have you recently wondered, "Why haven't I seen my child wear that sweater my sister got her a few months ago?"  Have you observed that your child's coat isn't in it's usual nighttime spot on the floor near the front door?  Or have you point-blank asked your child, "Where is your coat?" And they respond with a shrug and mumble, "uh-I-dunnoh..."

Well, you may find the answer to those questions here...

Feel free to stop by and rummage through the lost and found - it's located directly outside the Multi-Purpose room on the mezzanine level.  

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a great holiday break.  This term we are studying the following topics in each subject:


Science -- States of matter & physical vs. chemical changes
Math -- Geometry, Area, Circumference & Pi
ELA -- Expository writing, Literature Circles, Parts of Speech & Literary Elements (plot, character & setting)
Social Studies -- WWI & The Great Depression


If you have any personal knowledge or resources that pertain to the above topics we would appreciate you sharing or visiting us.


Homework will start again next week.  As a reminder, packets go out Mondays and homework is due on Fridays.  Last term I started giving daily Math quizzes and I will continue to do that this term.  Lastly, students are required to read at least 30 minutes each night.

Students taking notes and listening to a WWI introduction from the Dean of Students, Mr. Thomas.