Welcome back from break! Week of March 31, 2014

Math:  We will begin Unit 7, which will cover the addition/subtraction of integers & the order of operations (P.E.M.D.A.S). Here are some helpful links that were also provided before break. We will restart Guided Math instruction/change groups based on students' pretest results.
Exponent Games
Order of Operations

More Advanced Order of OperationsAdding Integers

IXL Is it positive or negative?

IXL adding integers with counters

IXL subtracting with counters

2048 Brain Game

Writing:   Students will get their Response to Fiction essays back on Monday. We will begin Book 3 on Tuesday, which is a unit on writing short fiction. Students will use pictures as inspiration for their characters, and will create stories using mundane situations. 

Reading/Novels:  We will be using the Comprehension Toolkit to help us analyze poetry and analyze poems by Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Students will learn how to annotate the poems and use a sheet to help guide their thinking. We will start novels next week! We will also be reading National Geographic to look for text features and analyze their purpose. 

Don't forget the MARCH letter is due tomorrow! (it was optional to turn it in before break)

Students must read poetry for the month of April. Here is the letter template

April Letter for Poetry

Social Studies:  We will begin Chapter 16 on Manifest Destiny & the gradual movement west. We will also be doing a project to see the difference between the Native American viewpoint/pioneers'. 

Special Events:
--Weather simulator Tuesday 10:55-11:20

--Bus Evacuation Wednesday right after lunch

Butter braids! - tasting on Tuesday at 3 pm! 
Vote for Tournament of Books!

Week of March 17, 2014

Math:  Students will get back their Unit 6 tests and Open Response portion. We will go over everything and make sure all questions are answered. Students will also be taking a Quarter 2 Assessment in the computer lab on Tues/Weds to see how well they have retained concepts we have covered thus far in the school year. We will do some problem solving and preview the concepts for Unit 7. Unit 7 will cover addition/subtraction of integers & the order of operations (P.E.M.D.A.S)
Order of Operations

More Advanced Order of OperationsAdding Integers

IXL Is it positive or negative?

IXL adding integers with counters

IXL subtracting with counters

2048 Brain Game

Writing:   Students will complete the final drafts of their Response to Fiction piece. 

Reading/Novels:  We will have a dress rehearsal for the Wax Museum on Monday. Be sure students have their buttons prepared by Wednesday! We will finish up the Wax Museum projects, portfolios (which you can look over with your child over Spring Break), and will begin poetry analysis with the comprehension toolkit. We will look at poems by Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, and Kaye Starbird. 

MONTHLY LETTER: MARCH TEMPLATE   (Due March 31, or prior to spring break for extra credit) 

Social Studies:  We will finish learning about the Bill of Rights this week. Students can expect a test on Thursday. 

Special Events:
-Wax Museum for Ivy Hill students 2-3:00 on Weds. 

-Wax Museum for Ivy Hill Families 6:45 Weds. evening. 

-Spring break begins at the end of the week! 

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS!

Week of March 10, 2014

Math:  We will wrap up Unit 6 on Monday, review on Tuesday, and have a Chapter test on Wednesday. On Thursday we will have a problem solving challenge, and Friday math is cancelled (assembly).  
Order of Operations
Adding Integers

Writing:   Students will continue to work on their final draft of their Response to Fiction essay. (2 paragraphs describing a main character's traits). We didn't do this this week due to testing, so we will resume this week. 

Reading/Novels:  We will continue working on the Wax Museum projects during our reading time. This will count as their monthly book report project. Students will also be expected to write a monthly letter about their historical figure. Please sign the sheet with all the information & return signed. 

We will be reading mini-books that will support what we are learning in social studies. We will be identifying fact/opinion and doing lessons from the comprehension toolkit. MONTHLY LETTER: MARCH TEMPLATE

Social Studies:  We will review for Chapter 14 on Monday & have a test on Tuesday. Students were given a study guide on Friday. We will begin Chapter 15 on the Bill of Rights on Wednesday. 

Special Events:
**PE helpers on Tuesday 10:45-11:15

**Assembly on Friday 9:15-10:15 

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS!