Rockhopper Weekly Reminders
February 25- March 1
Mark Your Calendars:
- Wednesday, February 27th: I-Check, Investigation 4
- Thursday, February 28th: Band Performance
- Friday, March 1st: 4th grade Decimals Test
- Tuesday, March 5th: 4th Grade STAR Writing Test, and 5th Grade District Persuasive Writing Test
- Wednesday, March 6th: 5th grade math test on multiplication and division of fractions
- Thursday, March 7th: Science Final test in Electricity and Magnetism
- Friday, March 8th: Reading Contract Due!
- Friday, March 8th: End of 2nd Trimester
Curriculum Flash!
Language Arts: This week we begin our study of the art of persuasion! Though we know that our students are skilled in this area (we are sure parents have first-hand experience too), students will be learning the formal structure of a persuasive essay. In learning to construct intelligent and sophisticated arguments, we will study an issue and decide where we “stand” on it, consider our audience as writers, provide evidence in support of our cause, and address our opponents counter-argument or concerns.
Fair warning to all parents: More friendly “persuasion” of various topics may ensue at home as a result of this training here at school ( :
Teacher suggestions: Have your child put it in writing!
Math:
4th grade: We will wrap up our unit on decimals this week and check our understanding; there will be a test on Friday. Students should review material from chapters 19 & 20 to prepare for the exam. The test will follow the same format as our last one; students will need to come up with a solution and explain their thinking. Moving forward in math, students will explore algebraic patterns and formulas using pattern blocks in an activity called “Red Fences and Green Gates.” Please ask your child to share their insights with you as they make discoveries in math!
5th grade: This week we continue to explore division of fractions. Our activities center around the students’ ability to communicate their understanding of the use of reciprocals when dividing fractions. They will use models, language, and manipulatives to explain their ideas. Students will be assessed on Wednesday, March 6th, on their ability to multiply and divide fractions using word problems, where they will be asked to show all work, and explain their thinking.
Social Studies:
This week we continue our studies of the establishment of California missions. Students are all involved in various stages of activities that deepen and enrich their learning. Students are currently engaged in multi-media activities that include character poetry, mission watercolors, and California mission “trading cards” created by using a new and exciting app on our iPads!
Science:
During the initial part of the week, students will review Investigation 4 pertaining to electromagnets. They will take the I-Check on Investigation 4 on Wednesday. We will then begin the next Investigation (5) entitled “Click It”, in which students will have the opportunity to re-invent the telegraph! Unfortunately, there will not be enough time to complete all portions of this investigation, since it is the end of the trimester next week. This also means that we will not assess the students solely on this investigation. On Thursday, March 7th, students will take a test on the entire Electricity and Magnetism unit. There will be review exercises in class to allow students to gain a greater understanding of difficult concepts prior to the test. This will also be our only closed book/note test for the unit. As teachers of this difficult unit, we are satisfied with the effort and knowledge students have demonstrated during the Electricity and Magnetism unit.
CA Trivia:
What was the name of the road linking the early Spanish missions, presidios, and pueblos from San Diego to Santa Clara?
