Spring Break is almost here and we are ready! The students have been troopers….I have continued to keep up the pace in the classroom and they have continued to perform beautifully. We will begin to lighten some of the load this week–but STAR test is coming right around the corner. This means a lot of review the next 2 weeks, so homework will continue.
Some of the changes in homework this week will be no literature after this week’s questions are completed for Tuesday. We will give the novel a break until we return refreshed. Also, lesson E will be omitted this week in Wordly Wise and most importantly, the BOOK REPORT HAS BEEN CANCELED. Instead we are making it optional as an extra credit work. This is a fun book report. It will be a comic strip on an Adventure book of their choice. Yet, we are getting ready to assign the Health and Human Body research report, so the Fifth grade teachers all agree, it might be overload. Speak with your child about what they think they can manage. I trust their judgement on what they think they can handle at this point in the year.
Homework Packets will be put together as a math review. This week, the math packet will center on Order of Operations, Multiplying with Decimals and adding and subtracting Integers.
Math- we are currently working in Unit 10- Algebra Concepts and Rules and Tables. This is a fun unit for the students as we explore how to balance equations, write Algebraic equations and look for patterns. During our Thursday differentiated centers, some students are working on Area of prisms, circles and non-rectangular shapes, Pythagorean Theorem, fraction concepts and skills and Equations with variables. I want to send a special thank you to Anya, Reva and Karen for helping us coordinate these valuable centers for the students. If you ever have any questions about the math program we are currently working on in class, please feel free to email me anytime.
***Curriculum Night is this Wednesday at 6:00- Come and enjoy the work of all the Nixon students. You may visit your child’s classroom and see all the hard work they have completed in the area of Science. Science is the theme this year, so you can see the progression of investigations throughout the years. I will be in and out of the room, since I am a parent this year as well. I would love to see you and say “hi”, but if we miss each other, know that I am thinking of everyone in my room this year!
Upcoming Events:
April 9th- early dismissal
Spring Break! until April 19th.
STAR Testing- April 26th- May 6th. A schedule will be sent out the week we return from Break.
Mid May- date TBA. Student Led Conferences. I will send a 20 minute sign-up as we get closer to the dates.
Cheers and let us all think happy weather thoughts for our upcoming break!
Nikole
