Martin's Memos
Volume 1, Issue 9: November 3, 2017
This Week
It was SO fun seeing all the students dressed up for Halloween! They all looked fantastic! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable time trick-or-treating. We had a wonderful week of learning.
Also, we have fantastic news! Our "Rockin' Robotics" Donors Choose project was fully funded this week. We should be getting our VEX robotics kits in a few weeks! Thank you to everyone who donated or spread the word in our community!
Please take a look at this week's newsletter and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Avondale School District 2017 Bond Proposal
- Requires NO increase in mils currently paid.
- Pays for safety, security, and technology upgrades.
- Spread the word to VOTE on November 7, 2017 if you live within the district.
- Learn more HERE
Pictures of the Week
Marshmallow Towers
Parade Time!
Stocking Bowling
Topics:
Writing: We started writing our thesis statements for our personal essays. The students have been doing great and have a lot to say!
Reading: We finished our literature unit and book The Tiger Rising.
Math: We are continuing our studies of multiplication and division.
Science: We began our unit on waves and energy.
Enrichment: The students continued writing the script to our class play.
Homework
-Independent Reading: Students should be reading their lexile-leveled novel for at least 20 minutes each night.
-Literature Circles: Students have one activity per week to complete along with about 2 chapters to read from their literature circle book. They have 1 week to complete this, and it is due on Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on when their group meets.
-Learn Zillion: 30 minutes total per week on www.learnzillion.com on the lessons they are assigned from Google Classroom. We usually have time for students to work on this during reader's workshop for about 15 minutes.
Math:
-Daily math homework is given Mondays-Thursdays.
-Khan Academy: 30 minutes total per week on www.khanacademy.org/maptest. We usually have time for students to work on this during math workshop for about 15 minutes.
*In total, students should not be spending more than 40 minutes on homework each night.
Essay Contest
Want to help Santa Claus and the Mayor of Auburn Hills light the City’s Christmas Tree?
The Auburn Hills Mayor and City Council invite you to participate in our holiday
Essay Contest
Winners will be invited on stage and awarded for his or her accomplishment at the 24th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday, December 1st, 2017. Along with citywide recognition, the winners will assist the Mayor and Santa Claus in lighting the City Christmas Tree in Downtown Auburn Hills to officially kick-off the holiday season!
Theme
What change do you want to see in the world this holiday season?
Deadline: Wednesday, November 22th, 2017
Please submit essays EITHER by mail or electronically to:
City of Auburn Hills
ATTN: Zack Thomas, Management Assistant
1827 N Squirrel Rd
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
OR
Please include contact information and grade level with your submission. Winners will be notified prior to the event.
Reading: Did You Know?
- Children from professional families have heard 30 million more words by the time they are three years old than those from families in poverty.
- Students who are not proficient readers by 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out of high school.
- In 2015-16, less than 1/2 of Michigan 3rd graders scored at or above proficiency on the 3rd grade state ELA assessment.
- For 85-90% of poor readers, intervention and support programs implemented before 3rd grade can increase reading skills to average grade levels.
- Children spend 15% of their lives from age five to age 16 in school and 85% with families, parents and communities.
Character Trait of the Week: Integrity
Board of Education Meeting
Looking Forward to Next Week
- Math: Continuing current units that will start to focus more on division.
- Reading: We will culminate our learning with a Socratic Seminar.
- Writing: Continuing to learn about personal and persuasive essays.
- Science: We will be continuing our Waves and Energy unit.
- Enrichment: We will continue to write and create our own play. Eventually we will perform the play for Ms. Gierman's class! Once the play is completed, we will then move on to complete a 2nd Enrichment Project.
Gifted and Talented Open House
There will be a Gifted and Talented Open House for prospective families on November 15th and 16th at 6:30pm at Woodland Elementary. Applications for in-district students who will be in 2nd - 5th grades next year will be available. Parents from out-of-district communities may attend to get information only. (The school of choice window does not open until the spring)
Although this is mainly for new families, current families in the program would benefit from learning how the program will grow in coming years. Feel free to attend!
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.
More information and logistics to come.
General Information
- 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
11/14 PTO Meeting
11/15 Picture Retake Day
11/17 Half Day
11/21 Half Day
11/22 Half Day
11/23-11/24 Thanksgiving Break, No School
11/27-12/11 Canned Food Drive
12/1 Spirit Day/PBIS Assembly
12/2 Holiday Breakfast 8:30-11am
12/8 Half Day
12/12 3rd Grade Holiday Concert - All GT Students participate!
12/25-1/5 Winter Break, No 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