Holifield Happenings
September 18, 2014
Upcoming Events
Sept. 25 (Thurs) - Interims go home
Sept. 26 (Fri) - Dr. Doug
Oct. 1 (Wed) - Fall Picture Day
Oct. 3 (Fri) - Moms Make a Difference
Oct. 8 (Wed) - Early Release & Parent/Teacher Conferences
Oct. 13 (Mon) - No school for students (Professional Development Day for teachers)
Oct. 17 (Fri) - Hands due for PBIS Bubble Mania
Oct. 22 (Wed) - End of 1st Nine Weeks
Oct. 24 (Fri) - PBIS Bubble Mania
Oct. 28 (Tues) - PTO Spirit Night - Marco's Pizza
Oct. 29 (Wed) - Report Cards go home
Oct. 30 (Thurs) - Celebration of Learning
Oct. 31 (Fri) - Hero Hustle (Fun Run)
Cooperation
ALEKS
I reminded your children that each topic on ALEKS represents part of a 4th grade standard. Many of those standards are things they have been exposed to in Escolares last year. However, the remainder of them are things that they have not been taught. Most of the topics that ALEKS explains to them are simply a matter of being told what to do and then it clicks. If we accomplish those things with ALEKS, we don't need to spend classtime on them. However, that will not be the case with all topics, thus the reason for the discussion today.
I hope this information helps your child to get the most benefit from ALEKS - without any frustration! :-)
ELA
Writing: While the TFK quiz is part of our Reading Workshop, your child will eventually be expected to answer one of the questions by writing an essay. Next week, I will be modeling my expectations for them and will begin grading them accordingly.
For now, the questions that require writing are worth double: 1 for anwering the question with correct information; 1for answering the question with complete, thoughtful sentences. Next week, I will be looking for complete, thoughtful sentences that are organized into paragraphs and the expectations will grow as we work on transitions, endings and more detailed organization in writing. What I am looking for will be made clear to the class each week.
Science
So far this week we have discussed the difference in observations and inferences with regard to Scientific Inquiry. This is a challenging concept. Please practice making factual observations (just the facts, ma'am) with your child. They should also be able to determine if an observation is qualitative or quantitative.
We are in the middle of discussing the steps in a simple scientific investigation or a fair test. The concepts that tend to be most confusing for this age are the different kinds of variables. We've discussed Manipulated, Controlled, and Responding at length. Again, they will need to be able to apply these concepts, not just define them. We will be practicing at school, but a few minutes of home each day would be extremely beneficial. This does not need to be time spent with the notebook or textbook in front of you. The perfect time might be while driving down the road or cooking dinner. Present different scenarios to them and see if they can identify the variables. :-)
Shoparoo
Help our school earn donations by snapping your receipts! Download the app, Shoparoo and take pictures of your receipts whenever you get groceries, eat at a restaurant, or go shopping. Each receipt gets our school a donation or a chance to win prizes of up to $15,000. Use the special code, OUTOFMILK. After entering the code, enter Harbison West Elementary to begin.
I signed up on Thursday and have used it this past week. It couldn't be easier. I love the idea that my regular purchases can benefit the school. More bang for my buck!! :-)