Watters' News
Math and Science
Math
In math we will be wrapping up unit one this week. We are continuing to explore how to find volume of rectangular prisms by counting unit cubes, and using the two volume algorithms the students have identified. Students will then be asked to extend their thinking by finding volume of objects composed of more than one rectangular prism.
SInce unit one is quickly approaching an end please encourage your student to make sure they have completed all their home links as assigned. Once the unit one test has been completed any homework from that unit is no longer accepted for credit. I mark in their planner when they are not completed. These home links will help them be successful in their upcoming assessment.
As of today the unit one open response assessment will be given Monday September 26th and the unit one assessment (main test) will be given on Tuesday September 27th. The open response consists of two questions which students will need to use words, number sentences, and pictures to explain their understanding. Students will be given their self-assessment to help guide their studying on Wednesday September 21st. We will have an in class review on Friday. To help prepare for the assessment students should go back over concepts and redo problems in their math journal and home link book. I will also be assigning a Study Island over volume this week which they can use as additional practice. Finally, they have the math vocabulary from unit one in their binder that they are defining and should know and recognize the meaning of those terms.
Below are the focuses for unit 1.
Students will be able to:
- Find areas of rectangles with fractional side lengths.
- Find areas of rectangles with fractional side lengths by tiling them with squares.
- Solve expressions with grouping symbols.
- Place grouping symbols in an expressions.
- Compare volumes of 3-dimensional objects.
- Use nonstandard units to measure volumes of rectangular prisms, noting how they may gap or overlap to obtain inaccurate volumes.
- Discuss and explain why unit cubes are used to find volume of rectangular prisms.
- Find and use two algorithms to find volume of a rectangular prism.
- Convert between units of volume.
- Find volumes of figures composed of two or more rectangular prisms.
Science
In science students have began the ecology unit by learning about photosynthesis and that our main source of energy is from the sun. They are currently working in small groups to become experts about a type of organism (producers, herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, scavengers and parasites, and decomposers) and prepare a presentation. They will finish these presentations in class this week. If you have read this please draw a sun in your student's planner and they will receive a treat!
Students will be given a quiz over photosynthesis, the main source of energy, and types of organisms before we move on to food chains and food webs. Students should study their notes and fill in their ecology study guide found in their binder in the science tab to prepare for the quiz. The notes and study guide are also posted on google classroom.
- Watters' class quiz Friday September 23rd
- Carlini's class quiz Monday September 26th
Look for the home project rubric and directions to becoming home later this week. The project will be due on Monday October 24th. The directions and rubric can also be found on ProgressBook and your student's google classroom.
Below are the focuses for the ecology unit.
Students will be able to:
- Explain that sunlight is the major source of energy.
- Explain that all living things need energy to live.
- Explain how the process of photosynthesis passes the energy from the sun on to other organisms.
Define the terms producers, consumers, decomposers, carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores and explain their relationships in an ecosystem, including predator and prey.
Explain differences between mutualism, commensalism and parasitism in a symbiotic relationship.
Distinguish between a food web and food chain and illustrate how energy flows through an ecosystem.
Describe the interdependence of endangered species and other organisms in an environment.
Analyze research about what happens in an ecosystem when new producers are introduced and how this might change the relationship between producers and consumers.
Events and Updates
- Thank you for the successful cookie dough fundraiser!!
- Please continue to "clip and save" box tops for education, so PTA can sponsor events like assemblies, the squire store, and mini grants just to name a few.
- Campbell's labels provide valuable learning tools and equipment for teachers every year. Please keep collecting Campbell's labels with the Labels for Education logo on the upc.
- A PTA newsletter came home last Friday in your student's gold folder. In case you missed it here is the link to the newsletter.
Important Dates
September 23rd: Watters' class science quiz
September 26th: Carlini's class science quiz
September 26th: Open response math assessment
September 27th: Unit one math assessment
September 30th: Squire store opens
October 24th: Endangered or threatened Ohio species home project due
Miss Watters
Email: kristin.watters@nordoniaschools.org
Twitter: @MissWattersLE