Wednesday, December 15th

Happy Wednesday!

We enjoyed some great presentations during Genius Hour this morning.  The inventions were wonderful and truly demonstrated the great hearts and kindness of our students.

We reviewed for our math assessment tomorrow.  The homework for tonight will help them prepare.  Only four problems!

We began an inquiry into processes of change.  We are hoping to grow crystals on pipe cleaner after dissolving Borax in hot water.  Here are some pictures and a link to the activity if you want to try it at home.

Borax Snowflakes

Tomorrow is our last day to collect items for our Hope for Haiti drive.  Please see your email from Friday for a list of items needed, and thank you for your donations!

Our Learning Celebration is on Friday at 12:50.  We will be sharing some of our work with your that day and celebrating our hard work.  Please join us in our classroom.  I will have a sign out sheet in our room, if you wish to check your child out after the learning celebration.  We have art at 1:30 of Fridays. See you then!

Tuesday, December 13th

Happy Tuesday!

We had a very productive writing time this morning.  Many students completed their published opinion pieces today.  Those who have not yet finished are close.

We explored the characteristics of quadrilaterals today.  Students were able to describe the characteristics of squares, rectangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms, including information about the types of angles and lines that are part of each figure.  We will have the remaining portion of our math assessment on Thursday.

We completed our weather assessment today and are looking forward to beginning an inquiry into processes of change tomorrow.

We played Kahoot to review for our assessment over the major battles and important figures in the Revolutionary War.  We will take that portion of our assessment tomorrow.

We'll see you Friday at 12:50 for our Celebration of Learning!

Monday, December 12th

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

We had a good start to our busy week.  Some Genius Hour groups had their last working day on their inventions and presentations.  We will be sharing their inventions on Wednesday.

Our math focus has been on symmetry and triangle classification.  Students utilized specific criteria to classify triangles based on their angle measurements and the length of their sides.  We then used symmetry to create portraits.  Students were provided a picture of half of their faces and asked to complete the picture using symmetry.  Ask your child to tell you more!

We inquired into data acquired from weather charts.  Students examined weather charts, looking for information, and responding to questions about the charts.  They were able to determine the average temperature and rainfall for an area based on the data.  We will be completing our weather assessment tomorrow, so review the reading data tables and weather vs. climate section of your study guide.

We are looking forward to a busy and fun week!

Friday, December 9th

Small group symmetry

Wednesday, December 7th

We had a busy and productive day!

We utilized pattern blocks to establish benchmark angles around a vertex.  Students aligned pattern blocks and used division and addition equations to determine to measure of each angle.  They then utilized the blocks to create puzzles to measure given angles.  Ask your child to tell you more!!

We explored the characteristics of dramas by reading a play called Gluskabe and Old Man Winter.  Students made predictions throughout the Native American myth and made connections to Greek Mythology.

We also completed a review and took the water cycle and phases of matter assessment.  Check out our song!!

Celsius and Fahrenheit

Have a great night!!

Tuesday, December 6th

Happy Tuesday!  We've had an incredibly busy start to our week.

We worked to incorporate transitions in our writing pieces.  Students are in the process of completing their planning and drafting.  We

We began construction of angles using protractors.  Students are working to utilize knowledge of straight angles at 180 degrees to determine the measurement of unknown angles when provided a given angle measure.  We took the beginning part of our math assessment today.  Students will be able to retake any portion next week.

We explored weather symbols on weather maps today.  Students explored the maps and then we explained and discussed what warm and cold fronts bring.

We began inquiring into several of the major battles in the Revolutionary War.  Students researched through web links and are recording information on a recording sheet.  We will be utilizing this information for some story telling next week.

We are looking forward to our class' Celebration of Learning next Friday, December 16th at 12:50.  Please join us in our classroom to celebrate our hard work.  Invitations will come home tomorrow!

I will be placing the Scholastic Book Club order tomorrow, so send in or enter your online orders by the afternoon.  Our class code is MDNBZ.

See you tomorrow!

Thursday, December 1st

How in the world is it December?!?  I just can't believe it!

We had another busy day today!  Students enjoyed celebrating our learning from term 2 at our Village Gathering this morning.  Thank you for joining us!

We are continuing to explore geometric terms.  Our inquiry today was into parallel and perpendicular lines.  Students found examples in the classroom and worked to create a class definition of the terms.  We are excited to begin working with protractors this week and next week to construct angles.

We had our final day of MAP testing today.  Students who have not completed all of their tests will be given the opportunity to do so over the coming days.  Everyone will finish.

Take a look below for messages from Mrs. Smith in the media center, as well as Maestra Wagner:

F.AVE Book Out at Little Shop of Stories

Support the F.AVE media center and a beloved local business at the same time! Do your holiday book shopping at Little Shop of Stories from 10 AM - 8 PM on Tuesday, December 13th, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the F.AVE Media Center!

Need ideas for great books to buy your child this holiday season? Go to the F.AVE Media Center Book Recommendations website or visit the F.AVE Book Club website to see lists of recent award winners and possible future winners as well!

Queridas familias de F.AVE,

We are rapidly approaching the end of our third term! During the week of

December 12 - 16, students will be assessed in Spanish over Writing and Listening.

Please be on the lookout for our mid-term vocabulary quiz in the red

communication folder. It is very good indicator of your child’s progress this term

and which areas he or she may need to work on before the end of term assessments.

And as always, for extra, at-home review, please visit our Quizlet page and practice

Term Three activities:

https://quizlet.com/subject/fourfiveacademy/

¡Gracias!

Maestra Wagner

hwagner@csdecatur.net

http://favespanish.weebly.com/

See you tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 29th

Happy Tuesday!

We had a wonderful day!  Students are working to develop evidence to support their thesis for their opinion writing piece.  We explored using research, as well as personal experiences to support our ideas.  Ask your child to tell you more!

We utilized note cards to determine if angles were right, obtuse, or acute.  Students created definitions for each term while analyzing angles.  They are connecting these term to their past experiences with angles.

We had our first day of MAP testing and will continue with Reading tomorrow.  Our schedule for tomorrow was altered slightly, so we will begin testing at 9:15.  We will go back to our 10:40 testing time on Thursday.

We are looking forward to our Village Gathering on Thursday at 8:00 in the multi-purpose room.  See  you there!!

Have a fantastic evening!!

Monday, November 28th

Welcome back!!
Mannequin Challenge

I hope you are rested and enjoyed the Thanksgiving break!  We got things started this morning by working on our inventions in some Genius Hour groups.  Students have been working to determine problems that need to be solved and are now brainstorming and designing inventions to help.  Ask your child to tell you more!

We began our geometry unit by working to create, label, and correctly name points, lines, line segments, rays, and angles.  Students used graph paper and rulers to follow steps and practice labeling and naming each shape.

We began exploring point of view during our reading.  Students worked to repeat my POV "rap" and determine key words that help a reader know who is telling the story.

We use an activity called Window Panes to tell the story leading up to the Battles of Lexington and Concord.  Ask your child about window panes!

We will begin Map Testing tomorrow at 10:40.  We test for the next three days, and then students will make up/complete their testing in the days to come.  Most students have seen and discussed their MAP scores/goals.  The remaining few will discuss them with me tomorrow morning.

Thursday is our Village Gathering celebrating our learning from Term 2.  It will begin at 8:00 in the multi-purpose room.  See you there!

Parents/Guardians - Please take a moment to take our winter communication survey. This information is used to help guide our school strategic planning process. It takes only a couple of minutes, but provides us with a wealth of information. If you took this at the Thanksgiving lunch, you do not need to take it again.

https://docs.google.com/a/csdecatur.net/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsjlRHhD9WLcCE733hExxbFQNplAk7hYdO6mk464RvWIKqPQ/viewform?c=0&w=1

Have a nice evening!

Thursday, November 18th

We had another great day!

Students worked to develop problem solving strategies and models when solving multi-step word problems involving metric conversions.  They did a great job working through their thinking!

Earlier this week, students completed an organizer working to describe the setting of their books.  Today, I gave their description to another student and asked them to sketch the setting from the information given.  As we worked, students reflected on information that would have been helpful to have for them to draw.  They also thought about their own work, and the details they would add to their description.

We connected the phases of matter to the water cycle, working to describe each phase and the process of change that occurs to move between the phases.  Students used popcorn kernels to represent molecules, and used them model the phases.  Ask your child to tell you more!

We are looking forward to a fun day tomorrow!  Have a great night!

Wednesday, November 16th

Congratulations to Anika, our class elected Superstar of the Month for October!

Thank you so much for joining us for our Thanksgiving Lunch this afternoon!  It was wonderful to see everyone!  Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 15th

Happy Tuesday!

We had our first College and Career Explorations of the school year this morning.  Members of our class were able to explore anything from T.V and Film Directing, to Basketball Camp, to Essay Editing, and more.  It was so fun to hear about their experiences.  I know everyone is looking forward to our next round of explorations in March!

We inquired further into the water cycle today.  Students utilized Brainpop and a graphic organizer to describe the water cycle phases.  They also created a diagram of the water cycle with labeled parts.  We will continue our weather inquiry, connecting the water cycle to processes of change, and our weather instruments!

We also explored a reading passage about the Sons of Liberty.  This group of activists protested British taxes.  Students were able to examine key vocabulary words such as loyalist, protest, boycott, and more!

Tomorrow is our Thanksgiving Lunch at 12:50.  Please take parking into account.  When you arrive, you will enter through the multi-purpose room in the horseshoe.  From there, you will be sent to meet our class at our designated time.  We are looking forward to celebrating all that we are thankful for this season.  The cost of lunch is $5, cash only.  There will be no other lunch options tomorrow, so if your child does not want to eat the Thanksgiving lunch, please send in a lunch from home.

On Thursday, 5th grade will be having their Thanksgiving lunch.  Any student who does not bring their lunch from home will have a sack lunch of turkey sandwich.

Our MAP testing schedule is below:
11/29 - Math
11/30 - Reading
12/1 - Language
All tests will be given from 10:40 - 11:55.

Have a great evening!

Monday, November 14th

I hope you enjoyed your weekend!

We kicked things off by exploring metric conversions utilizing units of mass.  Students worked to convert grams to kilograms and back by multiplying by 1,000.  They are working to complete some remaining classwork for homework.  This involves conversions and addition/subtraction.

We worked to create rain in our classroom as our opening inquiry for the water cycle.  Utilizing a hot plate, pan of water, and tin pan filled with ice, we were able to create evaporation and see water vapor, condensation due to the cooling of the atmosphere, and precipitation in the form of water droplets.  We also experienced the phases of matter and determined the boiling and freezing points for water.  Ask your child to tell you more!

There are so many exciting things occurring this week, so please read the following carefully:

1 - Report cards were sent home today, as well as the picture orders that were given to me.

2 - Thanksgiving Lunch is Wednesday at 12:50.  The cost for visitors (adults and children) is $5.  Cash only, please.  You will head to the Multi-purpose Room when you arrive for your lunch and will be sent to the cafeteria at the appropriate time.  After getting your meal, we will cross the outside playground to have lunch in the Falcon's Nest.

3 - MAP Testing will begin on November 29th.  Our days and times are listed below.
    11/29 - Math
    11/30 - Reading
    12/1 - Language
    We will test each day from 10:40 - 11:55.  The class will still have recess, and lunch as usual.
4 - Village Gathering is on 12/1 at 8:00.

Have a nice evening!

Friday, November 11th

Area and Perimeter in the hallway!

King George visits our class!

 These colonists are not happy about being put in debtors prison.  :(