Martin's Memos
Volume 2, Issue 4: September 21, 2018
This Week
Parents,
Another week of individual growth is in the books! There is a TON of information in this newsletter! Please read through this information carefully and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Photos of the Week
Social Studies
Reading
Enrichment
This Week
Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Curiosity
Math: We continued our math groups and lessons!Green- Understand numerical expressions, factors and operations involving fractions and decimals.
Red & Orange- Complete operations involving fractions.
Social Studies (5th): We acted as a historian and learned what indigenous people’s lives were like in the Americas.
Reading: We continued our read aloud - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. We also analyzed Hispanic poetry by using a literature web. We continued to discuss how our readings are related to the concept of change.
Writing: We learned that the roots words grad and gress mean "step". We also started the writing process for our persuasive essays. Students chose their claims!
Enrichment: We continued our 1st passion projects! Ask your child about theirs!
Looking Forward to Next Week
Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Teamwork (and how to work in groups)
Yellow- I can complete operations involving integers.
Green- I can x and / fractions and decimals.
Orange- I can complete problems involving fractions.
Social Studies (5th): I can act as a historian and learn how Africa influenced the history of the US.
Reading: We will continue to make generalizations and reason about change. Students will also reason about events and situations.
Writing: We will continue our persuasive writing essays. We'll use the Dagwood model to create our drafts and elaborate on our reasons. Next week's root word is pos, which means to "place or put".
Spirit Week
Tuesday - Crazy Hair Day
Wednesday - Wacky Day
Thursday - Favorite Sport
Friday - Grade Level Color Shirt (4th: green, 5th: purple)
Willing to Donate? We Need Books for Book Clubs/Literature Circles!
Thank you for your consideration!
Robinson Crusoe (5 copies purchased already)
The Prince and the Pauper (5 copies purchased already)
The Incredible Journey (2 copies purchased already)
Gulliver's Travels (5 copies purchased already)
Khan Academy: What is it? When should my child use it?
In class, the students use it if/when they finish their in-class math lesson with me. However, sometimes I ask that the students do this instead of homework pages. Students can always log on at home and work on it anytime.
NWEA MAP Testing
We will discuss your child's MAP data in detail at our Fall conferences in October/November, however we will be utilizing their data in class as I prepare lessons and as the students set goals.
Fun Run
The Fun Run is our PTO's biggest fundraising event! Your child came home with a packet about the fun run last week. Extra incentive: The top 8 students who raise the most money will get to choose which teacher they'd like to PIE IN THE FACE! Guess who is an option?! :)
Avondale GATE Internal Applicant Information Night
Helpful Information:
-November 1-15 is the Internal Application Window. Online application and forms will be online during that window.
-Current students in GT program do not need to reapply.
-Students that are in Avondale Schools through school of choice but are not in the GT program are considered internal applicants.
-Students that have a sibling in the GT program and they want to apply but are not currently in Avondale Schools are school of choice applicants. These students must wait for that application window in the spring.
-The school of choice information nights are January 29th and February 7th.
-The school of choice application window is February 6-March 8.
Standards-Based Grading
3 = Meeting or Exceeding Grade Level Standards
2 = Adequate Progress Toward Grade Level Standards
1 = Limited Progress Toward Grade Level Standards
Please note that more detailed information will follow from Avondale Administration prior to report cards.
Continuous Important Reminders...
Fall Conferences
Box Tops!
Volunteering
I absolutely love having parent volunteers in our classroom each year! I truly believe it enriches the student’s experience each day, and it is always a benefit to have extra help. The volunteering spreadsheet below is for parents who are interested in helping during the instructional day during math, science, reading, and/or writing. I’d prefer that I have volunteers that sign up for a consistent day & time each week or every other week.
Avondale Schools requires all volunteers to complete the Volunteer Application Form and send in a copy of your license. Once I am notified by the front office that your background check has cleared, then you may volunteer at your chosen dates/times. I will let you know when this happens, or you can also call Kathy in the front office to check.
There will be other opportunities for volunteering for field trips or other special events that will be organized separately. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Dismissal Enhancements
Dismissal: GT students AND their siblings will be dismissed from the ELC doors in the rear of the parking lot.
School Hours: 8:32 a.m. - 3:39 p.m. (GT - 3:34)
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:45 a.m.
Please stand outside the ELC doors at dismissal and hold up your child's assigned number card. Once you hear me call your child's number, please move off to the side so more numbers can be called. The students will meet you outside.
We are working to try and get the GT siblings dismissed a few minutes earlier so that the older GT students aren't always the last dismissed.
Thank you all for your patience as we find the best, most efficient and safe dismissal process possible.
Class Schedule
Ms. Martin’s Class Schedule
8:35-8:50: Morning Work/Welcome
8:50-9:40: Writing Workshop
5th Graders:
9:40-10:26: 5th Grade Specials
10:26-10:35: Snack (Healthy, Nut-Free)
10:35-11:30: Science/Social Studies with Ms. Martin
4th Graders:
9:40-10:35: Science/Social Studies with Ms. Gierman
10:35-11:21: 4th Grade Specials
11:21-11:30: Snack (Healthy, Nut-Free)
4th/5th Graders Return to their Teacher:
11:30-12:30: Math Workshop
12:31-12:53: Lunch
12:53-1:15: Recess
1:15-2:30: Reading Workshop
2:30-2:45: 2nd Recess
2:45-3:30: Enrichment
Woodland follows an “ABC” specials schedule. Tuesday, September 4th will start with “A” day and continue from there.
4th Grade students travel as a class together to specials. Their specials schedule is:
A-PE B-Music C-Art
5th Grade students are split among the three regular 5th grade classes. Their specials schedule depends on the teacher they attend specials with. It may change during the year.
Phou: A-PE B-Music C-Art
(Koen, Nicholas)
Davison: A-Art B-PE C-Music
(Xavier, James, Blair, Georgie)
McNaughton: A-Music B-Art C-PE
(Luca, Kayla, Aapratim, Annabel)Upcoming Important Dates
Normal School Hours: 8:32 - 3:39 (GT dismissal 3:34)
Half Day Hours: 8:32 - 11:45
Sep. 24-28: Spirit Week
Sep. 28: Box Top Collection
Oct. 2: Culver's Night
Oct. 5: Spirit Day/Fun Run 9-10:45
Oct. 8: Woodland Picture Day
Oct. 11 & 12: ROARS Store
Oct. 25: Elementary Conferences 4:30-8pm
Avondale Communications/Photo Release Policy
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100017787916756
Twitter: @katemartin84