independent_projects_letter_2017.docx |
Independent Project proposals are due Monday 4/24. You and your student should talk about and select a topic, and complete and return the sign-up slip that was sent home last Monday (and is linked above). Independent Project presentations begin May 22.
During the month of May, students will have an Independent Project work log to complete daily, instead of a daily Reading Log. Daily work can be anything from researching topic, going to the store to get supplies, to discussing topics and presentation ideas with family. Final presentations are usually about 15-20 minutes long. Please see the letter for guidelines and ideas.
On-line sign-ups will be available soon.
SBA Testing:
5th and 6th Graders begin Smarter Balance Math assessments on Monday. Testing schedule:
Monday 8:30-10:00 Math CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)
Tuesday 10-11:30 Math CAT
Wednesday 8:30-10:00 Math CAT (as needed)
A few students will also have additional time to finish LA testing, if required.
5th Grade Math -
5th graders are studying Multiplication and Division strategies. Students have been investigating multiplication and division with decimals, and exploring the relationships between quarters of dollars, 1/4 and 0.25, 3/4 and 0.75, and using those relationships to solve combinations that involve multiplying or dividing by 25, 75, and other closely related numbers such as 24, 26, 74, and 76.
This week, we will begin exploring multiplication and area, using arrays (rectangle models) to solve multiplication and division problems, and introducing the standard algorithm.
Home Connection due Tuesday 4/25 - Dante's Decision
Alder East Writing -
We're getting a lat start, but as part of Poetry Month, we'll be studying some poetry for the next 2 weeks. On Friday, we introduced a short exploration of different forms of Poetry. On Monday, students will select or be assigned a type of poetry and spend the week researching a definition of the form, and finding an example to share.
This week we'll also continue our journal writing, word word work, and spelling.
Alder East Reading -
Reading Log - due Monday 4/24
(There will be no assigned Reading Logs during the month of May. See Independent Projects above)
In-Class:
Reading time used for gathering information as part of our Human Body Systems humanities unit (see below).
Independent Reading:
I encourage students to use independent reading at home to research their Independent Project topics. Even though there are no Reading Logs required this month, encourage your student to keep reading daily!
Alder East Humanities -
Last week we began out unit on Human Body Systems.
• The components and workings of the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, digestive, muscular/skeletal and immune systems
• Relationship between positive health behaviors and the prevention of injury, illness, disease, and premature death
• How health is influenced by the interaction of the body systems
• Ways to reduce risks associated with adolescent health problems