Mrs. Abbasi's 5th/6th Grade
Weekly Newsletter
February 26th, 2016
Unit Of Inquiry: How the World Works
Central Idea: Change is a natural component of society and the world around us.
Lines of Inquiry:
- Change is quantified and qualified
- Change is physical, biological, and transitional
- Factors that lead to change
- Recognizing Change around us
This week, students explored change through Reading, Writing, Science and Math.
In ELA, we continued our novel study. Students created a plot-structure diagram to identify elements of the plot through the rising action. In writing, students followed the writing process to write descriptive passages about a past event or experience and improved their writing with thoughtful prepositional phrases. Next week, we will continue with the revising for idea development and publish our writing.
Students also continued working on Unit 7 Vocabulary words and finished the week with the end-of-unit test.
In grammar, students continued working with Caught-Ya's.
In science, students investigated changes in matter and explored the difference between dissolving and melting. Students used hot water at two different temperatures to heat four common materials and observed one melt, two soften and one stay as a solid. Through the activities students learned:
- Dissolving is an interaction between two (or more) substances: a solute which dissolves, and a solvent, which does the dissolving and into which the solute disappears.
- Melting is a change in a single substance from solid to liquid caused by heat (energy transfer).
- The amount of matter is conserved when it changes form.
Students also inquired about different states of matter, how energy changes result in changes in states of matter, and sublimation (transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase without passing through the intermediate liquid phase).
We worked with dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) and demonstrated how it sublimates from a solid to a gas. We created dry-ice ice cream to demonstrate how liquid cream can change into a solid, and melted solid chocolate chips to create a liquid sauce for the ice cream.
The 3rd/4th-grade class also joined us to watch the dry-ice activities. Pictures are posted below.
Dry-ice bubbles
Mixing the ice-cream
Collab learning with Mrs. Walcott's class
Math
5th Grade
This week, we worked on CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.C.4: Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and improvised units.
Students constructed units of volume (cubic centimeter, cubic foot, and cubic yards) and determined an appropriate unit of volume to measure a large space. Students then created a plan to measure the classroom space and worked on finding the answer. Pictures are posted below.
6th Grade
This week, we continued working on Ratios & Proportional Relationships, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students understand that a ratio is often used to describe the relationship between the amount of one quantity and the amount of another quantity as in the cases of mixtures or constant rates.
- Students understand that a ratio table is a table of equivalent ratios. Students use ratio tables to solve problems.
- Students identify both the additive and multiplicative structure of a ratio table and use the structure to make additional entries in the table.
- Students solve problems by comparing different ratios using two or more ratio tables.
Reminder:
Students continue to build skills and practice with Khan Academy and Manga High. Homework is assigned on Khan Academy and/or Manga High three times a week. Students are expected to complete at least 30 minutes combined.
For any students who aren't fulfilling this expectation, this will reflect on the Term 2 report card. Please help your child log in and complete any homework assigned.
Creating cubic yards
Measuring the volume of the classroom
Playing a ratio game on the SMART board
Other News, Upcoming Events & Reminders
100 Days of School
The 100th day of school is on Monday, February 29th. We will be exploring 100 in many different ways in class. Students in the 3rd/4th-grade class will be dressing up as 100-year-olds, and some students have expressed an interest in doing the same. If your child would like to do so, they may.
Stay tuned for pictures of our 100-day activities in next week's newsletter.
Read Across America Week
This upcoming week, February 29th-March 2nd is Read Across America Week.
On Wednesday, our class will hold a pyjama read-a-thon in class. Students can dress in their pj's, bring a blanket/sleeping bag and their favorite books. We will also take part in a virtual author visit with J.K. Rowling.
In March, students will also be working on book reports. More details will be sent home this week.
Learner Profile Attribute Passports
Open-minded passports for February are due on March 1st.
For March, the LP attribute is Balanced.
Students will bring home a new passport this week.
Unfortunately, the 5th/6th grade hasn't been keeping up with the passports and have the lowest participation in the school. LP attributes are part of the curriculum of an IB student. It is important for students to embody the attributes in all facets of their lives.
Please remind your child to be diligent in completing the passports.
Maryland Science Center Field Trip: Thursday, March 3rd.
If you haven't returned the permission slip yet, please sign and return by Monday.
Field Trips are an important part of our UOI, and important learning experiences. Students will be taking part in an interactive enrichment experience, as well as explore the museum.
Students need to bring a bagged lunch including a snack. Buses will leave at 9 am and be back at school by 2.30pm Insha Allah.
Unit 8 Vocabulary Words
affluence
cringe
immobile
jovial
minimum
partition
sinister
arrears
crotchety
impassable
manacle
nimble
perishable
taut
cascade
template
innovation
martial
onset
retrieve
Students are encouraged to use vocabulary words in writing, as well as incorporate them into conversations. It is important for students to study the words regularly. You can also access games and other resources at
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/vocabularyworkshop.cfm
Important websites and links
Contact Information
Email: sabbasi@tarbiyahacademy.org
Website: www.tarbiyahacademy.org
Phone: 1-(844)- 827-2492