What`s Trending in Math and Science
September 12-16, 2016
This Week at a Glance
Also, Please do not forget to fill out the Parent Questionnaire *located at the bottom of this newsletter*
Thank you to those of you who have already submitted it! and again, no rush!
Here is a link to our PTA page. Thank You Mrs. Kim for putting this together for us!
Monday - Homeroom Motivational Monday postponed, STEM bridge Project instead
Tuesday - Art, Miss Patito at NGSS training
Wednesday -Music, Finish Bridge Building Project
Thursday-Science Vocabulary Test, chapter 1 lessons 4 and 5
Friday- Parent Child Lunch
Upcoming Events for you Calendar:
9/12 ALF music classes begin
9/13 LCE Hearing screening
9/15 Dine Out: Roundtable; Fall fundraiser begins
9/16 Parent/Child Lunch
9/29 Fall fundraiser ends
9/30 Collaboration Day; Spirit Rally
Math
Math In Focus Parent Letter Chapter 2
Students have begun work on Chapter Two, and are moving through it quickly. We will review the concepts covered in the entire chapter and I will assess their mastery of the material. We will either test chapter two on Friday, or on Monday the following week.
They have received their Chapter One tests and have been given the opportunity to make up credit. Expect to see those in your Thursday folders with a final score.
Overall, Student performance was as expected, but there were many AHA moments and students have a better understanding of what to expect on math tests.
Students are welcome to bring their lunches to my classroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on computational fluency or any other areas they have questions about. If they cannot on these days or times, or need more time, please encourage them to speak with me or email me to set up another time to meet.
Science
Students will also be looking at how the nitrogen, carbon and water cycle support life.
Homework Information and Overview
Each night students have three tiers of homework to choose from. They may choose to complete the assignment for ONE of the following tiers (they may choose to do more, however, I cannot give them extra credit for doing so as it is not equitable for students who may be struggling on a certain topic, however, other extra credit assignments are available to everyone throughout the year).
The tiers are (and this is what is listed everyday on google classroom, however the assignments next to the descriptions change)
Choose ONE of the following options:
1. Feeling good about the concepts covered and want more practice with them to ensure mastery. (choose Option One - Link to the online textbook pages 37 1-27 Odd Only)
2. I have the concepts mastered and want a challenge where I apply the information I learned today to new activities (Choose Option 2 and complete page 6 )
3. I feel like a review of the material we covered today would ensure my mastery of the concepts we learned today. (Choose Option Three - Complete All)
I encourage students to choose the assignment that feels right for them, and work with them daily to remove the stigma of doing the enrichment activities or not. I believe that removing this stigma is healthy for all students in that it allows students who have struggled, to apply themselves in spite of struggling and feel empowered to do so. I also think it allows the students who may have not struggled in mathematics to seek help and assistance if they do hit a point where they find a concept difficult.
However, this is a process for all students, but want you to be aware, that if your student is struggling with the math homework to inquire about which assignment they have chosen and encourage them to choose another, more appropriate one, or if you notice they are breezing through the homework, to encourage them to choose a more challenging assignment.
And again, I am always happy to differentiate according to your students needs, and encourage them to communicate with me consistently.