Martin's Memos
Volume 1, Issue 26: March 23, 2018
This Week
Parents,
Please read through the newsletter and let me know if you have any questions! This week the students also attended a safety review (ALICE procedures) with Officer Brian Miller. It was a good summary of how we can be prepared for the unexpected.
Also, we NEED PENCILS! We have gone through our class supplies and personal supplies. Any donations are appreciated!
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Pictures of the Week
Fletcher, Xavier and Isaac
Ashwith, James and John
The Experiments Begin!
Topics:
Writing & Reading: This week we revisited fact vs opinion and reliable sources, and started a new essay to improve on our opinion/persuasive essay skills. We use the Dagwood model to help organize our thoughts.
Math: Purple: We started our fraction unit. Blue: Finished our fraction unit for advanced learners. (Project M3) Orange: We continued a unit on algebraic expressions, equations and word problems.
Social Studies: The students experienced a short unit on Immigration. We learned about push/pull factors, Ellis and Angel Islands and what life was like after immigrating to the United States.
Enrichment: Students are in the midst of our enrichment project...take a look at it here. Students received this packet last week and have the choice to create a science project or an engineering design project. Most of the work will be done in class.
Looking Forward to Next Week
Writing & Reading: Students will continue working on their persuasive essay. We'll finish our read aloud From the Mixed Up Files and Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and our analysis. We will start to compare this book to our own novels in lit circles.
Math: Purple: Continue fraction unit. Blue: Start comparing fractions and decimals. Orange: Finish our unit on algebraic expressions, equations and word problems.
Social Studies: Students will prepare for a Wax Museum! See the links below! This is again an IN CLASS project, but it concludes with an actual Living Wax Museum that everyone is invited to on 4/18/18 from 1:30-2:30!
Enrichment: The Enrichment project will be due the Monday after Spring Break!
Spring Fair!
Our Spring Fair is going to be "OUT OF THIS WORLD"! Please join us Saturday, March 24th from 5-8pm for lots of family fun.
Volunteers Needed! If you are available to donate baked goods, or volunteer your time before, during or after the Spring Fair, please click on the link below:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4ba5ac2e5-outofthis
Donations Needed! For the Children's Raffle, we need items such as toys, books, movies or gift cards. Please drop items off in the Main Office no later than Friday, March 23rd. For Grab Bags, we need small items such as extra party favors, bouncy balls, or candy (must be nut-free). Please drop these items off in the Main Office no later than Friday, March 16th.
March is Reading Month!
"Reading Takes You Out of This World!"
Students should bring their baseball in on THURSDAYS!
Spirit Days
March 29th: All Star Reader Day...Wear your favorite sports jersey.
Mystery Reader Days
Mrs. Weadock
Mr. Pierce
Mr. Marx
Self-Reflective Learning: Organization
This week we discussed organization. What we realized was:
- Can help you cope with the world around you.
- Provides structure and order and can help you have less anxiety over work and due dates.
- Can help you set goals for things you need to accomplish.
- Using your agenda is a great tool to help you keep up with your work and remember important details or events.
Help Ms. Green!
Late Work
A late work policy will begin January 8th for my classroom. Students will receive -%5 off for each day any homework or project is turned in more than a day late. This means students will get a 1 day grace period. For example: If a project was due on Tuesday but was turned in on Thursday, it would be -5% off of the grade they earned. Keep in mind, absences a different situation. Students receive one day extra time for each day they are absent.
Lansing Field Trip
The Lansing Field Trip is scheduled for Friday, April 13. All 3/4 GT students will attend this field trip with the rest of the Woodland 4th graders.
We will be visiting the Impressions 5 Science Center in the morning and our Capitol Tours are in the afternoon. We will be leaving Lansing by 4pm.
The permission slips were sent home on 3/16/18, and are due by 3/23/18. Please note the following:
-We are leaving at 8:45 and returning to school around 5:45 pm.
-Students should bring a sack lunch that can be thrown away.
-Snacks/water will be provided on the bus to and from Lansing.
-Students should NOT bring electronics.
-Students should wear regular school clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
General Information
- Homework
-Independent Reading: Minimum 20 minutes
-Literature Circles: Reading and "job"
Math:
-Daily math homework M-Th
-www.khanacademy.com/mappers
- Please check your child's agenda nightly by initialing under "Parent Signature". I will also initial it in the morning to confirm they have written the correct information down.
- Friday Folders: They were sent home today! Please take out all the sheets and return the folder MONDAY.
- Bagel Sales! Pre-Order on Wednesdays of each week. All varieties cost $1, cash only. Bagels are delivered on Fridays.
- Order online at www.scholastic.com and use our class code R3CHK if you need books!
Upcoming Important Dates
3/24 Spring Fair 5-8pm
3/30 Good Friday - No School
4/2-4/6 Spring Break - No School
4/11 1/2 Day
4/12 School of Choice GT Open House 6-7:30pm at Woodland
4/13 Lansing Field Trip (All 4th Grade/GT Students)
4/27 Talent Show
5/11 1/2 Day
5/28 Memorial Day - No School
6/14 1/2 Day
6/15 1/2 Day - Last Day of School
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