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What we're learning: Dec. 16-20, Jan. 6-10
Posted by Sara Ibis on 12/16/2019 9:00:00 AM -
What we're learning: November 18-28
Posted by Sara Ibis on 11/18/2019 3:30:00 PMHere's what we're doing November 18-29.
Science
- Movement of Energy in Ecosystems
- The Animal Kingdom
- Food chains and food webs
Homework: None planned
Assessments: Yellowstone food web due 11/26
Looking forward: Elk and Wolf Perspectives project due early December
Math
- Visual models and the standard algorithm for dividing whole numbers and decimals
Homework: Module 2 Lessons 16-21 (one per night); test corrections due 11/21
Assessments: Daily entrance tickets
English Language Arts
- Literary analysis of Esperanza Rising
Homework: read for pleasure every night
Assessments: Final essay due 11/25
Social Studies
- Colonization of the land now known as the United States:
- Who were the colonists?
- Why was the land colonized?
Homework: Reading assignment due 11/21
Assessments: Reflection questions
Upcoming events:
11/26 - Paperclip Party! We've been earning compliments (keeping tracks with paperclip) and we've earned our first paperclip party. We'll celebrate with a PJ Cozy Day on Tuesday, 11/26.
11/27-11/29 - Thanksgiving Break
12/11 and 12/12 - SPARK! Artist Residency (please make sure your child is here these days - it will be impossible to make up the SPARK residency!) - Look for more details coming soon!
Help needed! Do you have woodworking skills? Our music teacher, Ms. Gibson, is looking for help building maypoles. Please let me know if you're interested.
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How should we prioritize homework?
Posted by Sara Ibis on 10/28/2019 9:00:00 AMWith the winter holidays approaching and schedules filling up, students and parents alike want to know, How do I prioritize homework? This is a great question because some assignments have later due dates, some assignments are absolutely necessary for our class discusion, and some assignments are just for practice.
Here are some tips for priortizing homework:
1. Check your Assignment Planner for due dates. For bigger assignments, like posters and projects, you usually have 3-5 days to work before it is due. Don't rush to finish it all the first night it's assigned.
2. Required reading is a must! We discuss and use the previous night's reading in class, so doing the required reading every night is a must. If you like to read right before bed, be sure to give yourself enough time to finish. Also consider using time during the school day, like transition time and Daily 3, to work on your reading homework.
3. Social Studies is a must too. We don't have social studies homework very often, so when it's assigned, that means its important. We'll use the social studies reading in class, so you need to have read it and done the required assignment. I'll always try to give you two days to finish social studies homework.
4. In a pinch, shorten (or skip) the math homework. If you're really tight for time, set a timer for 10-15 minutes and do only a portion of the math homework. Our math homework is for extra practice and, since we have math homework pretty much everyday, you'll be fine missing a day of math homework. Just make sure you communicate with me so I know what is going on, otherwise I'll record it in the gradebook as incomplete.
5. Use your classtime wisely. We have a fair amount of down time during the day, like transitions after specials and lunch, and independent time after you finish classwork. If you use this time to work on homework, you'll definitely have less to take home.
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Halloween Celebration & Expectations
Posted by Sara Ibis on 10/22/2019 8:00:00 AMWe look forward to having a fun day on Halloween! We will celebrate from 1:30-2:15 with board games, crafts and socializing. Students may bring their costumes to school and change into costumes after lunch.
A recent school-wide newsletter from Principal Wright outlined our costume expectations, which I've included here as a reminder for you.
- Costumes must conform to the Rattlesnake School Dress Code.
- Costumes may not be demeaning to any ethnic group, race, religion, nationality, disabilities, gender, or individual (staff or student) at the school.
- Costumes may not cause a disruption or distraction to the school program.
- No weapons, toy weapons, or props replicating weapons (sorry no light sabers either!) are to be brought to school.
- No costumes are allowed that would completely hide the identity of the student, i.e. Hazmat suit, gorilla suit, "Scream" character. Face paint shouldn’t cover more than 50% of the face (again we want to know who you are).
- No full face masks are permitted (they may not be worn OR carried)
This school year, our District is focusing on consistent approaches to student health through the foods that are served during classroom parties and school celebrations. Please let me know if you'd like to provide any of the snacks listed below.
~fresh fruit or fruit kebabs
~veggies & dip
~cheese cubes & baked crackers
~popcorn
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What we're learning: Oct. 14-25
Posted by Sara Ibis on 10/14/2019 1:00:00 PMHere's what we're doing October 14-25.
Science
- Is Rattlesnake Creek Healthy?
- Leaf pack investigation
- Macroinvertebrate research project
Homework: Macroinvertebrate poster due 10/21
Assessments: Lab report due 10/28
Observing the creek prior to placing leaf packs.
Math
- Hotel Project: Adding, subtracting and multiplying decimals
- Mental strategies for whole digit multiplication
- Visual models for whole digit multiplication
Homework: Module 2 Lessons 1-5 (starting 10/21)
Assessments: Daily entrance tickets
English Language Arts
- Engaging in conversation about Esperanza Rising
- Identifying theme, setting and character traits in Esperanza Rising
Homework: Read 1-2 chapters each night (starting 10/21)
Assessments: Daily reflection questions
Our artwork from the art experience at the MAM.
Social Studies
- Colonization of the land now known as the United States:
- Solving the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke
- Comparing perspectives on the Jamestown Colony
Homework: Jamestown reading due 10/24
Assessments: Reflection questions
Upcoming Events:
October 16: Traveling Classroom trip to Rattlesnake Creek (9:30)
October 17 & 18: No school (MEA Conference for teachers)
October 24: Family Fun Night with Animal Wonders (6-7:30)
October 31: Halloween classroom celebration (1:30-3:00) - Look for a Halloween expectations blog post next week
November 13 & 14: Conferences - Look for an email on 10/29
November 27-29: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
