Martin's Memos

Volume 2, Issue 10: November 2, 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

This week's character trait was "creativity" which is defined as: You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.
https://youtu.be/MTCOExd0hDk

Photos of the Week

Publishing Party! We finished our persuasive essays!

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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 inequalities.

Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers. Place value.


Science (5th): We finished our unit on matter, energy and organisms. We discussed the 3 cycles of matter (hydrologic, carbon and nitrogen)

Reading: We continued to make generalizations and reason about change. 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. We analyzed poetry this week during our lessons.

Writing: We finished our persuasive writing essays!!!!!!

Enrichment: We continued 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 began another Enrichment project.

Looking Forward to Next Week...

Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Bravery

Math: Students will continue their in their math groups.


Yellow-I can understand ratios and proportions.

Green-I can understand ratios and rates.

Orange-I can understand place value.


Science (5th): We will start our unit on Earth's Systems/Spheres. (Hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere)

Reading: We will continue to make generalizations and reason about change and reasoning. We'll continue learning the "Notice and Note" strategy. We will try to finish reading The Secret Garden.

Writing: We will be learning how to respond to texts.

Enrichment: We will continue working on our new enrichment projects.

Does anyone have The Secret Garden on DVD?

If so, please email me! :)

Continuous Important Reminders...

Box Tops!

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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.


Don't forget to clip and save your box tops! Send them in in a baggie with your child's name on it. We have a plastic bin in the classroom we keep them in. A representative from the PTO collects them on a regular basis and counts how many we collect for our class. Prizes are awarded to individual students and classes that bring in the most!
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Book It!

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This year our classroom is participating in the BOOK IT! Program to encourage your child's love of reading. Plus, we know that the best way to become a better reader is to READ, READ, READ! Our nightly expectation is 25 minutes per night...so if they are doing that they should be able to meet our reading goal of 750 minutes per month! The students will receive the Reading Log by Minutes to keep track of the minutes. (linked below)


November goal = 750 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!

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Meadows Transition/Avondale GATE F.A.Q.

Please click on the button to learn more about our transition to Meadows.

Khan Academy: What is it? When should my child use it?

Khan Academy: What is it? When should my child use it?

Khan Academy is a website that has math video lessons and practice problems based on grade and subject. It is mostly geared toward math and science. Most of the students should be using www.khanacademy.org/mappers. Their username and password is on a sticker in the front of their agenda. When I input their MAP scores onto the website it automatically generates personalized math lessons for each student. Research has shown that when students consistently use Khan Academy Mappers they can grow by more than 2 years in math.


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.

Khan Academy: What is it? When should my child use it?

Standards-Based Grading

You may notice that some papers are coming home with a 3, 2, or 1 on them. We will be utilizing Standards Based Grading rather than the traditional grading system. This allows for more meaningful grading, adjustment of curriculum, and helps the students understand quality work. Report cards will utilize the language below, so we will use it in the classroom to keep things consistent. Students will be assessed based on their personal curriculum they are following.



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

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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)
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Upcoming Important Dates

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Normal School Hours: 8:32 - 3:39 (GT dismissal 3:34)

Half Day Hours: 8:32 - 11:45


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

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Ms. Martin's Student Handbook 2018-2019

A paper copy came home with your child within the first week of school.

Volunteering Spreadsheet

Add your name in if you'd like to come in and volunteer!

Contact Me

Contact Me

Lead Gifted and Talented Teacher
6465 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098, United States kate.martin@avondale.k12.mi.us (248) 537-6900 katemartingt.weebly.com