Friday, August 26, 2011
Specials Schedule
Mondays
Physical Education from 8:15 - 9:21
Make sure your child wears gym shoes every Monday. You may want to have them keep an extra pair in their locker.
Tuesdays
Spanish from 8:15 - 8:48
Music from 8:48 - 9:21
Thursdays
Art from 8:15 - 9:21
Students are responsible for drawing a sketch in their sketchbook every week. You will see it written down in their assignment notebooks.
Friday
Spanish from 8:15 - 8:48
Music from 8:48 - 9:21
Physical Education from 8:15 - 9:21
Make sure your child wears gym shoes every Monday. You may want to have them keep an extra pair in their locker.
Tuesdays
Spanish from 8:15 - 8:48
Music from 8:48 - 9:21
Thursdays
Art from 8:15 - 9:21
Students are responsible for drawing a sketch in their sketchbook every week. You will see it written down in their assignment notebooks.
Friday
Spanish from 8:15 - 8:48
Music from 8:48 - 9:21
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Everyday Math
Though most of you have experience with Everyday Math, I thought I'd include an overview for those who either don't have any experience with it or would like a refresher after a long and restful summer.
Here are several important features of the program:
1. Problem-solving Approach Based on Everyday Situations
By making connections between their own knowledge and their experiences, both in school and outside of school, students learn basic math skills in meaningful contexts so that the mathematics becomes "real."
2. Frequent Practice of Basic Skills
Instead of practice presented in a single, tedious drill format, students practice basic skills in a variety of more engaging ways. In addition to completing daily review exercises covering a variety of topics, patterning on the number grid, and working with multiplication addition act families in different formats, students will play games that are specifically designed to develop basic skills.
3. Instructional Approach that Revisits Concepts Regularly
To enhance the development of basic skills and concepts, students regularly revisit previously learned concepts and repeatedly practice skills encountered earlier. The lessons are designed to take advantage of previously learned concepts and skills and to build on them throughout the year instead of treating them as isolated bits of knowledge.
4. Curriculum Explores Mathematical Content Beyond Basic Arithmetic
Mathematics standards around the world indicate that basic arithmetic skills are only the beginning of the mathematical knowledge students will need as they develop critical thinking skills. In addition to basic arithmetic, Everyday Math develops concepts and skills in the following topics - numeration: operations and computation; data and chance; geometry; measurement and reference frames; and patterns, functions, and algebra.
The students will use their Math Journals as guidance as we learn new math concepts and practice skills every day. Most of their journals will be completed in class and what they don't finish will usually be homework for the following day. The "Math Boxes" are only done in class if they finish their lesson for that day. Otherwise, it is homework. Study Links are homework every night and are rarely done in class. They provide additional practice from the lesson that day and usually connect the lesson to real-life situations.
Here are several important features of the program:
1. Problem-solving Approach Based on Everyday Situations
By making connections between their own knowledge and their experiences, both in school and outside of school, students learn basic math skills in meaningful contexts so that the mathematics becomes "real."
2. Frequent Practice of Basic Skills
Instead of practice presented in a single, tedious drill format, students practice basic skills in a variety of more engaging ways. In addition to completing daily review exercises covering a variety of topics, patterning on the number grid, and working with multiplication addition act families in different formats, students will play games that are specifically designed to develop basic skills.
3. Instructional Approach that Revisits Concepts Regularly
To enhance the development of basic skills and concepts, students regularly revisit previously learned concepts and repeatedly practice skills encountered earlier. The lessons are designed to take advantage of previously learned concepts and skills and to build on them throughout the year instead of treating them as isolated bits of knowledge.
4. Curriculum Explores Mathematical Content Beyond Basic Arithmetic
Mathematics standards around the world indicate that basic arithmetic skills are only the beginning of the mathematical knowledge students will need as they develop critical thinking skills. In addition to basic arithmetic, Everyday Math develops concepts and skills in the following topics - numeration: operations and computation; data and chance; geometry; measurement and reference frames; and patterns, functions, and algebra.
The students will use their Math Journals as guidance as we learn new math concepts and practice skills every day. Most of their journals will be completed in class and what they don't finish will usually be homework for the following day. The "Math Boxes" are only done in class if they finish their lesson for that day. Otherwise, it is homework. Study Links are homework every night and are rarely done in class. They provide additional practice from the lesson that day and usually connect the lesson to real-life situations.
Everyday Math - Unit One
Unit 1: Number Theory
During the next several weeks, students will study properties of whole numbers. Unit 1 sets up procedures for review and practice of the multiplication facts. The new material in this unit builds on students' prior work with multiplication and division of whole numbers.
We will be using arrays to demonstrate multiplication. We will be looking for arrays (floor tiles, windows, and checkerboards) in our everyday lives. To practice using arrays with your child at home, use any small objects, such as beans, macaroni, or pennies.
You may want to help your child memorize the basic multiplication facts found in the multiplication table. You can work together using the Fact Triangles, or you may play Beat the Calculator, Multiplication Top-It, or Baseball Multiplication. These can all be found in their Student Reference Book (SRB). These are games that were introduced in previous grades of Everyday Mathematics.
During the next several weeks, students will study properties of whole numbers. Unit 1 sets up procedures for review and practice of the multiplication facts. The new material in this unit builds on students' prior work with multiplication and division of whole numbers.
We will be using arrays to demonstrate multiplication. We will be looking for arrays (floor tiles, windows, and checkerboards) in our everyday lives. To practice using arrays with your child at home, use any small objects, such as beans, macaroni, or pennies.
You may want to help your child memorize the basic multiplication facts found in the multiplication table. You can work together using the Fact Triangles, or you may play Beat the Calculator, Multiplication Top-It, or Baseball Multiplication. These can all be found in their Student Reference Book (SRB). These are games that were introduced in previous grades of Everyday Mathematics.
Welcome to the Blog!
There are several great ways to keep up with our class this year. This blog will be one of the best sites to find out about what we're studying, upcoming events and birthdays, and other information important to room 311, the 5th grade and Longfellow Elementary.
You will also find information on my teacher page located through the district website. That site has a link to this blog. Make sure you bookmark my teacher page and/or my blog for easy access.
The best ways to talk to me directly are to email or call me. I will provide my email address and cell phone number this week. I am also on the playground every morning before school.
I hope you find the blog and teacher page helpful and I look forward to a great year together.
You will also find information on my teacher page located through the district website. That site has a link to this blog. Make sure you bookmark my teacher page and/or my blog for easy access.
The best ways to talk to me directly are to email or call me. I will provide my email address and cell phone number this week. I am also on the playground every morning before school.
I hope you find the blog and teacher page helpful and I look forward to a great year together.
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