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independent_projects_letter_2017.pdf |
Alder East Independent Project Presentation Sign-up
is now available.
To select a time for your student's presentation - CLICK HERE
Independent Project presentations begin May 22.
(I will be out of town on May. 22, so Alder East presentations begin May 23)
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.
5th Grade Math -
5th graders are studying Multiplication and Division strategies. Students have been investigating multiplication of 2- and 3- digit numbers using multiple strategies - Estimating and Rounding, Doubling & Halving, Over & Under, Ratio Tables, Area Model (arrays), and 4 Partial Products, while working to master either Standard Multiplication Algorithm (this is probably how you learned) or the Invented Standard Algorithm which is similar to the 4 Partial Products strategy.
Home Connection due Tuesday 5/8 - Skills Review
Alder East Writing -
This week we'll be focusing on journal writing, 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:
Students are finishing the year with a novel study, The Island of Blue Dolphins, By Scott O'Dell a classic novel based on a true story of the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island, about a Native American girl living on a small island off the coast of California who was accidentally abandoned by the rest of her people when they leave the island. It has themes about survival, determination, perseverance. It has been voted one of the top 10 American children's books of the last 200 years by the Children's Literature Association and it won the 1961 Newbery Medal.
We will be reading and studying the book in class, and it is not intended as homework, as students should be focusing their work on their Independent Projects.
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 students completed presentation about their body system specialties to others in their group. This week they must complete a physiology exam covering all of the body systems before their clinic groups can begin "taking patients". Each group will recieve patient cards with details about the patient's symptoms. Their task will be to diagnose the patient, and assign a treatment. They will create a presentation about their patient, their diagnosis, and their recommended treatments.
Main topics of this unit:
• 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