Room 26 Weekly News
November 13-17, 2017
Announcements
I hope you enjoyed the long weekend! It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner!
As a reminder, our next States & Capitals test is this Friday, November 17th. Upcoming test dates are 12/8 and 12/20 (Wednesday, due to the Winter Break.)
Our field trip to Julian Mining Company is on December 1st. Thank you to those of you who have already returned permission slips and money. (Permission slips are due by tomorrow, 11/13.) Please remember that students must be AT SCHOOL by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the field trip. The buses will depart at 8:15 a.m. We will return to LCM around 4:00 p.m. that day (depending on traffic), so alternate arrangements for after-school pickup will have to be made for that day. On the day of the field trip, I will post messages to Class Dojo so you have a good idea what time we will be arriving back at LCM so you don't have to wait around in the parking lot.
Academic Updates
Math
The students are doing a wonderful job multiplying decimals. Not only are they able to apply the "rules" about where to place the decimal point when they multiply decimal numbers, they are understanding the reasoning behind why the decimal point gets placed where it does. We have been focusing on estimating products before solving in order to build this mathematical reasoning. For example, if we were multiplying 4.8 x 3.2, students would estimate that problem as 5 x 3 = 15, so it is reasonable that the product is 15.36 and the decimal point should be placed between the 5 and the 3.
This week, we will be dividing with decimals. We will start by dividing whole numbers with decimal answers. We will then move into dividing whole numbers by decimal numbers and vice versa. I will be requiring students to use grid paper when they solve division problems to help keep their numbers lined up neatly in rows and columns.
Language Arts
Social Studies
We are continuing our chapter on explorers who made expeditions to North America between 1400-1700. Students have been working on research projects in addition to our textbook chapter. Students will be presenting their research to the class this week. We are leading up to the establishment of settlements and the early colonization of what is now the United States.
Our next States & Capitals test is this Friday, November 17. Upcoming States & Capitals tests will be on 12/8 and 12/20 (a Wednesday, due to Winter Break.)
Science
Specials
Monday - P.E. and Science Garden
Tuesday - none
Wednesday - P.E.
Thursday - Music and Library
Friday - Flag Salute (8:45 a.m.)