Martin's Memos
Volume 2, Issue 9: October 26, 2018
This Week
Parents,
Please read through this information carefully and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Positivity Project
Photos of the Week
Concept of Change
Perspective
We clean!
What Did We Learn This Week?
Math: Students continued in their math groups.
Yellow- I can solve complex algebraic equations.
Green- I can solve algebraic equations.
Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers.
Science (5th): We continued our unit on matter, energy and organisms. We discussed symbiosis, the 4 states of matter and photosynthesis.
Reading: We continued to make generalizations and reason about change. We compared and analyzed two different folktales as well as poems by Emily Dickinson. Students will also reason about events and situations. In our small groups we used the "Notice and Note" strategy when reading. Each week we will focus on a different signpost to identify, locate, and discuss.
Writing: We continued our persuasive writing essays. The students are revising and editing their drafts using the 5th/6th grade checklists. We are also trying to reference our sources in our text and we will learn how to include a source page according to APA expectations.
Enrichment: We starting either updating or starting our online educational portfolios. Your child can share this with you at home. It is password protected - no one can go on your child's website unless they know the password. The students will begin another Enrichment project.
Looking Forward to Next Week...
Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Creativity
Yellow- I can combine my knowledge of algebraic expressions with geometry.
Green- I can solve algebraic equations.
Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers.
Science (5th): We will continue our unit on Matter & Energy in Organisms & Ecosystems. Specifically, we'll be exploring earth's natural cycles.
Reading: We will continue to make generalizations and reason about change and reasoning. We'll continue learning the "Notice and Note" strategy. We will continue reading The Secret Garden.
Writing: We will publish our persuasive essays! Yay! The goal is for our "publishing party" to be on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
Enrichment: We will continue dividing and executing our responsibilities to inform others and gather donations from the community. We will continue to update our Portfolios.
Fall Conferences are Coming!
Continuous Important Reminders...
Box Tops!
GOOD NEWS! Our class collected the most Box Tops at Woodland! 387! We get to keep the "Box Top Trophy" in class and all students received a small prize.
Keep collecting and sending them in! Don't forget to label your child's name on the baggie so they can get credit.
Book It!
We can start for the month of October a little late! Our "prorated" October amount is 625 minutes. :) Students complete the log and a parent needs to sign to confirm they read that amount of minutes.
Logs need to be turned in by the last day of each month. This is when I'll be passing out the "Free Personal Pan Pizza" coupon!
Khan Academy: What is it? When should my child use it?
In class, the students use it if/when they finish their in-class math lesson with me. However, sometimes I ask that the students do this instead of homework pages. Students can always log on at home and work on it anytime.
Standards-Based Grading
3 = Meeting or Exceeding Grade Level Standards
2 = Adequate Progress Toward Grade Level Standards
1 = Limited Progress Toward Grade Level Standards
Please note that more detailed information will follow from Avondale Administration prior to report cards, and that 4th and 5th graders will still receive letter grades in addition to their standards based grading.
Class Schedule
Ms. Martin’s Class Schedule
8:35-8:50: Morning Work/Welcome
8:50-9:40: Writing Workshop
5th Graders:
9:40-10:26: 5th Grade Specials
10:26-10:35: Snack (Healthy, Nut-Free)
10:35-11:30: Science/Social Studies with Ms. Martin
4th Graders:
9:40-10:35: Science/Social Studies with Ms. Gierman
10:35-11:21: 4th Grade Specials
11:21-11:30: Snack (Healthy, Nut-Free)
4th/5th Graders Return to their Teacher:
11:30-12:30: Math Workshop
12:31-12:53: Lunch
12:53-1:15: Recess
1:15-2:30: Reading Workshop
2:30-2:45: 2nd Recess
2:45-3:30: Enrichment
Woodland follows an “ABC” specials schedule. Tuesday, September 4th will start with “A” day and continue from there.
4th Grade students travel as a class together to specials. Their specials schedule is:
A-PE B-Music C-Art
5th Grade students are split among the three regular 5th grade classes. Their specials schedule depends on the teacher they attend specials with. It may change during the year.
Phou: A-PE B-Music C-Art
(Koen, Nicholas)
Davison: A-Art B-PE C-Music
(Xavier, James, Blair, Georgie)
McNaughton: A-Music B-Art C-PE
(Luca, Kayla, Aapratim, Annabel)Upcoming Important Dates
Normal School Hours: 8:32 - 3:39 (GT dismissal 3:34)
Half Day Hours: 8:32 - 11:45
Oct. 31: Halloween Party/Parade - Parade @2:15, party to follow.
Nov. 1: Elementary Conferences 4:30-8pm
Nov 2: Spirit Day/PBIS Assembly
Nov. 6: 1/2 day & Chuck E. Cheese Night 4-10
Nov. 8 & 9: ROARS store @ school
Nov. 13: PTO meeting 7-9
Nov. 14: Picture retake day & Current GATE Families Info Night @ Admin Building 6:30
Nov. 16: 1/2 Day
Nov. 20: 1/2 Day, end of 1st Marking period
Nov. 21-23: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 7: 1/2 Day
Contact Me
Email: kate.martin@avondale.k12.mi.us
Website: katemartingt.weebly.com
Location: 6465 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098, United States
Phone: (248) 537-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100017787916756
Twitter: @katemartin84