World Maths Day

This week for math homework, I am asking students to participate in World Maths Day. Unfortunately the actual events take place on March 1st, during our vacation week. (Perhaps some students will find time to participate regardless.)

Preparation for World Maths Day is allowing students to log-in and have practice matches against kids from around the world this week. The link can be found below.  The students have their log-in information.

Check it out:
http://www.worldmathsday.com/

Feature Article Update

This is the last week we will be working on Feature Articles in school.  I recommend that they are turned in on Friday, February 25th; however, I will accept them on Monday, March 7th as well.

Students are continuing to revise their article this week.  They are creating a double page spread and adding text features (title, subtitle, headings, pictures, captions, text boxes, columns, page numbers, by line, dropped cap, various fonts....).  We will edit the articles on Wednesday, in class.

If you and/or your child has any questions, comments, or concerns, PLEASE come see me.  My goal is to teach your child how to be a writer and to learn how to research and write nonfiction information successfully in the future.  My goal is not to make this particular piece of writing be perfect.  Writing is a process.  Learning is a process.  I teach the writer, not the piece of writing.

Sargent Camp Parent Informational Meeting Reminder

Thursday, February 24th
Swasey School (Brentwood)
6:30-8:00pm

Feature Article Update

Students are doing a great job writing their Feature Articles.  We're still in the pre-writing stage of the writing process.  We will begin drafting our articles next week.

Below is what students need to finish (for the most part) before they begin to draft their Feature Article:
  

-        Research  facts, laws, statistics, examples, stories, and.or quotes (need 2 sources of information- one being a quote from an expert)

-        Read through research and highlight important information

-        Write an outline

This project is intended to be accomplished primarily in school; however, if your child is behind, it may be a good idea to work on it at home.  Please call, email, or come in if you have any questions.

Everday Mathematics Unit 5: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

Last week we started studying fractions, decimals, and percents.  Many students are finding these concepts difficult so we will move slowly through the unit.  Below is a link from Everyday Mathematics that can be a good resource for you. 

http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents/homework_help/5th_grade/#unit_5

Rescheduled Sargent Camp Parent Information Night

Thursday, February 24th
Swasey School
6:30-8:00pm.

The Swasey School, in Brentwood, will host a meeting for parents and other interested persons.  Larry Chambers, School Program Coordinator for Nature's Classroom at Sargent Center, will discuss the enviornmental program and respond to any questions you may have.

The fifth grade students from Kensington, East Kingston, Brentwood, and Newfields are scheduled to attend Sargent Camp from April 11- 15th.  They will participate in a program designed to teach them about our environment and how to work together to achieve success with challenging adventure activities.

Report Cards and Mind Pictures

2nd Quarter Report Cards and NECAP scores have been sent home with students today. 

We started studying a new reading comprehension strategy this week: mind pictures are vivid mental images.   Good readers create movies in their minds as they read.  When readers can not create mind pictures while reading, their comprehension has broken down and they need to monitor for meaning or abandon the book if it's too difficult.

Good Readers make Mind Pictures because:

• Mind Pictures allow readers to create mental images from words in the text
• Mind Pictures make the reading more understandable
• Mind Pictures link past experience to the words and ideas in the text
• Mind Pictures help readers to place themselves in the story
• Mind Pictures strengthen a reader’s relationship to the text
• Mind Pictures help imaginative thinking
• Mind Pictures heighten engagement with the text
• Mind Pictures bring joy to reading

Good Readers:

• Spontaneously and purposefully create mind pictures while and after they read. 
• Use mind pictures to immerse themselves in rich details as they read.  These mind pictures make the text more memorable.
• Use mind pictures to draw conclusions, and help make the text make sense.
• Change their mind pictures as they continue to read.  The images are changed to incorporate new information revealed through the text.