April 26, 2019
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| Learning all about Apple technology at your field trip to the Apple Store!! |
The month of April is really flying by, and students have been working hard to show what they know! This week, we finished the last of our IAR testing, and next week we move on to MAP testing. The Math MAP test will take place on Wednesday May 1, and the reading MAP test will occur on Thursday May 2. Both of these assessments will be used as part of the placement process for 6th grade. Please remind your student to get a good night's rest, eat a hearty breakfast, and bring a healthy snack. Also... don't forget to charge those iPads!
Literacy
Last week, we began a new unit in literacy with a theme of understanding the universe. We began our unit with a new novel titled George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking. In this book, George’s neighbor has a superintelligent, superpowered computer that can transport them into space on great adventures! As we have been reading, we have continued to practice literacy skills such as comparing and contrasting characters and settings, analyzing themes, and using quoted evidence from a text to support responses.
Writing
Within writing, the students have been working on writing their own science fiction stories. After learning and reviewing the main components of a science fiction story, students brainstormed ideas for stories and then chose one to use for their story. Students planned their story with an I-Planner to identify the characters, setting, problem, solution, and map out the beginning, middle, and end of their story. Students have really enjoyed the creativity of this writing task.
Math
Students have wrapped up their work with the hierarchy of polygons and have been multiplying and dividing fractions, including mixed numbers. In addition, students have been working on breaking up the mixed numbers when multiplying by using the area model. This week, we have concluded our geometry unit within math by taking the unit 6 post assessment. Next week, we will begin unit 7 which includes skills such as long division and decimal multiplication and division.
Social Studies
We are continuing to work on our economics unit. We have studied how goods and services work in a market economy while including the ideas of supply and demand. Next, we will study how people of the past were positively and negatively impacted by cultural exchanges.
Science
We have continued to work on our unit on Changes in Matter, which encompasses the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). We conducted an engaging investigations where students identified various powders such as baking powder, talc powder, salt, and sugar by their attributes and reactions to substances such as iodine, water, and vinegar.
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 26 -- Half Day // Dismissal @ 11:45
Tuesday, April 30 -- Variety Show
Wednesday, May 1 -- Math MAP test
Thursday, May 2 -- Reading MAP test
Friday, May 3 -- Twin Groves Musical
Friday, May 10 -- All library books due
Friendly Reminders
**Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack. Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
**Please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts up to 12.