Monday, January 28th

I hope you had a restful weekend.  We had a fun and busy Monday!

We started with a lesson about decimal conversion, comparing tenths and hundredths.  Students then worked with a partner to adjust a recipe.  Each partner group picked a recipe and had to convert the ingredients by multiply fractions and whole numbers in order to serve 48 people.  Students created a presentation on their iPads and several were shown to the class.  We will continue to watch the remaining presentations throughout the week.  Ask your child to tell you more!

We had a fun end of the day as we welcomed back Mr. Roaden with a surprise parade from the whole school.  Students lined the hallways and paraded through the building to fun music.  Mr. Roaden was very excited and the kids had a great time!  Thank you so much to all who contributed to our class basket!

See you tomorrow!!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes, spelling

Friday, January 24h

Thank you so much to everyone who was able to come to curriculum night!  I enjoyed our discussion.

We had a fun day!  We started classifying characteristics of states of matter.  We will continue with this topic next week and students are looking forward to visiting the science lab on Wednesday.

Students became delegates today.  In order to experience what it was like for the delegates in the Constitutional Convention, students debated about something important to them - the rules of Four Square.  Each student had to discuss the rules that they felt were fair and unfair and explain why.  They had to keep in mind what their opposing delegate was saying.  They had to be willing to compromise.  Together, students came up with compromised rules to Four Square and shared with the class.

We looked at planning our plot for writing today.  Student looked at using an arc to create a build up, turning point, and resolution in their story.  I enjoyed watching them as they created their graphic organizers.

I hope you have a restful weekend!  We will be signing up for explorations on Monday.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes

Thursday, January 23rd

Students were excited to continue working with fraction decimals and decimals today.  We looked at our base ten system and added tenths, hundredths, and thousandths to our chart.  Students were then able to use creativity when creating their base ten models of their fraction decimals.  Ask your child to tell you more!


We worked in small groups for our social studies research today.  Students utilized close reading to address several questions regarding issues that were debated during the Constitutional Convention.  It was an interesting conversation and fun to hear how students felt about the issues being discussed.

We began looking a the characteristics of various forms of expression today.  Students did an exploration activity, working to identify each piece as poetry, prose, or drama.  We took a look at the specific characteristics of each piece.

Tonight is Curriculum Night and I hope that you can join us!  It begins at 6:00, but I am not planning to begin my presentation until about 6:30.  This will give you a chance to head to the multi-purpose room for a tour of the new building.  Tonight we will be discussing Compass Learning, CRCT, and more.  I look forward to seeing you!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes, Spelling

Wednesday, January 22nd

Good afternoon, and happy Wednesday!

We switched gears a little in math from multiplying fractions and whole numbers to working with decimals.  We did an opening exploration of decimals and discussed ways that they are similar to fractions.  Students were surprised when they realized how frequently we see and use fractions and decimals daily.  We utilized grids to shade decimals and write them as decimals, fractions, and in word form.

We took a closer look at weather maps today.  Students looked at symbols of weather maps and how they are used.  It was fun for them to begin understand how to better read a weather map and understand the forecast.

Don't forget that tomorrow is Curriculum Night here at FAVE.  We will have a helpful sessions in the classroom and tours of the new building will be offered.  We hope to see you tomorrow night at 6:00.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes, Math workbook pages (in students' book bags) 130 and 132.

See you in the morning!

Tuesday, January 21st

Welcome back!  I hope you enjoyed your long weekend!

A huge congratulations to Quinn!  He represented our class at the school spelling bee and placed 8th.  We are so proud of you!

We worked on utilizing number lines for multiplying fractions.  Students were able to hop the number line to to determine the product of their equation.  For more information go to learnzillion.com and enter quick codes LZ2971, LZ2938.

We looked at important people involved in the Constitutional Convention today.  Students were able to utilize close reading to identify several people and determine the role that they played.

We continued working to develop characters for personal narratives today.  We took a look at things to think about that may give cause your character struggle or give them motivation.  Ask your child to tell you more.

Students received information about a self selected science project today.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Please join us this Thursday at 6:00 for FAVE Curriculum night.  We will have an informational meeting in our classroom and tours of the new building will also be provided.  We hope to see you there!

Homework:  Read for 30 minutes, Spelling

Thursday, January 16th

WOW!  Students worked so hard today, even though we had a packed day.  We were able to get everything accomplished.

We had a lesson on cyber safety in the media center today.  Students will continue to have media lessons each time we visit.

We also had a lesson from Dr. Root today.  She led a great discussion about friendship, teasing, and bullying.  Students were very open and honest.

We will have another busy day tomorrow.  Have a great evening!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes, Spelling - study for test

Wednesday, January 15th

Congratulations to Olivia, our class elected Superstar of the Month for December!

Students continued working with fractions today.  We utilized colored dots and word problems to model and solve multiplication of a fraction with a whole number.  Students were able to connect division to their work today.  Ask your child to tell you more!

We also took a closer look at personal narratives today.  Tables were given four samples of narratives and asked to rate them as a 1, 2, 3, or 4.  We discussed each sample and explained reasons for rating them in a certain way.  This allowed students to see and more clearly understand their expectations in writing.

See you tomorrow!

Homework: Social studies reading activity

Tuesday, January 14th

Students worked especially hard today.  We completed math stations and took a midpoint quiz over fraction multiplication.  We will continue working with this standard before taking the summative.  Students will receive feedback about their quiz tomorrow and reflect as we move forward.

We explored some weather patterns today and took a closer look at some weather instruments.  We also did a close read of Pandora's box.  We will utilize our two myths for a comparison activity tomorrow.  Students began brainstorming some ideas for the myths that we will be writing.

See you in the morning!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes, Math

Monday, January 13th

Welcome back!  We got off to a great start utilizing beans to assist us with multiplying fractions.  Ask your child to tell you more!

Congratulations to Quinn!!!  He will be representing our class in the school wide Spelling Bee on Friday.  Great work!

Students performed a close read on a Native American myth called Loo Wit.  We will be utilizing this text again in the coming days for some myth comparisons.

Monday folders have gone home and have a lot of information.  There are a couple of pieces in the sign and return section.  Please read the directions and only complete and return the papers if they apply to you.  You will also find your student's MAP scores, report cards, and a helpful math information page for this term.

See you in the morning!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes, Spelling, Math
Learnzillion Quick Codes:

LZ1429

LZ122

LZ3076

LZ2927

LZ3066

LZ126

Friday, January 10th

We had a really busy day and got a lot accomplished.  We started by reviewing math homework and self assessing what we understand and what we are still working on.  Students were excited to get back into math stations today.  It was wonderful working with small groups to assist them with fraction multiplication and area models.  Parents, be on the look out for some parent tips for math in the communication folder on Monday.

We explored weather instruments in science and began recording our daily weather data.  We will be utilizing this data to notice weather patterns and forecast the weather.  Students also began to take a closer look at the Articles of Confederation.  They are exploring the weaknesses and why they were a problem for the developing nation.

We took a look at our first myth today.  Students utilized the myth about Kind Midas for close reading and note taking.  They were looking for important, interesting, or confusing parts of the myth.  They were also challenged to explain the lesson that we learned from this myth.

We had a great three days back, and I am looking forward to more hard work next week.  Have a great weekend!

Homework: Read for 30 minutes

Thursday, January 9th

We had a very busy and productive day.  Students began observing properties of multiplication for fractions.  We began multiplying fractions by whole numbers today.  Students practiced utilizing area models and equations to solve their problems.  They received four practice problems tonight for support.  Please allow students to solve each problem to the best of their ability.  If they get stuck that is okay.  I will be reviewing the problems in the morning and addressing concerns and issues.  Thank you for your support.

We introduced our new UOI for term 4 - How we express ourselves.  Students came up with some great questions for our UOI board.

We also began looking a Greek Mythology.  Students were able to discuss their schema about myths and compare similar phrases and allusions that are seen in myths.

See you in the morning for another great day!

Homework: Math Practice, Spelling, Read for 30 minutes.

Wednesday, January 8th

Welcome back and Happy New Year!!!

I hope you all had a restful break and I am so happy to finally see you again today.  We got off to a great start today with new seats, new class jobs, and an exciting announcement! :)

Students took their pretest for math.  This allows them to become aware of what they will be assessed on this term, and provides time for reflection upon what they do well and what they may need extra assistance with.

Students were given their new reading contracts for this term.  We reviewed and adjusted the reading contracts, and students set reading goals for term 4.  They also took a Star Reading assessment to update their AR level.  This will assist them greatly when checking out books from the library.

We did have a fire alarm today.  The alarm went off because of water that began leaking into an electrical room in the building.  The fire department came and inspected the room to ensure the it was safe for students and staff to reenter the building.

I am looking forward to another busy day tomorrow!

Homework: Spelling, Read for 30 minutes