What`s Trending in Math and Science
September 5-September 9, 2016
This Week at a Glance
It`s hard to believe it is already September! I so enjoyed meeting each of you at back to school night! If you were not able to join us, I have attached the power point and general class information below, as well as on the website under the class information tab.
Also, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns, or would like to set up a time to come and visit the classroom.
Also, Please do not forget to fill out the Parent Questionnaire *located at the bottom of this newsletter*
Thank you to those of you who have already submitted it! and again, no rush!
Here is a link to our PTA page. Thank You Mrs. Kim for putting this together for us!
Monday - Labor Day Holiday - No School
Tuesday - Chapter 1 Math Test
Wednesday -Picture Day (9:05 AM),Music
Thursday-
Friday-
Upcoming Events for you Calendar:
9/12 ALF music classes begin
9/13 LCE Hearing screening
9/15 Dine Out: Roundtable; Fall fundraiser begins
9/16 Parent/Child Lunch
9/29 Fall fundraiser ends
9/30 Collaboration Day; Spirit Rally
Math
Math In Focus Parent Letter Chapter 2
Tuesday marks our first math test, on Chapter One - Positive Numbers and the Number Line. I know students have expressed concerns about the test, which is why I pushed it back to Tuesday, instead of on Friday. Please assure them that I will work with them, and to not stress!
We will begin Chapter 2 Negative Numbers and the Number Line, on Tuesday. This chapter is very short, and I am planning to test it the following week on Tuesday again. We will not have back to back tests like this all year, I promise! :)
I have attached an overview of the topics above.
Students are welcome to bring their lunches to my classroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on computational fluency or any other areas they have questions about. If they cannot on these days or times, or need more time, please encourage them to speak with me or email me to set up another time to meet.
Science
Homework Information and Overview
Each night students have three tiers of homework to choose from. They may choose to complete the assignment for ONE of the following tiers (they may choose to do more, however, I cannot give them extra credit for doing so as it is not equitable for students who may be struggling on a certain topic, however, other extra credit assignments are available to everyone throughout the year).
The tiers are (and this is what is listed everyday on google classroom, however the assignments next to the descriptions change)
Choose ONE of the following options:
1. Feeling good about the concepts covered and want more practice with them to ensure mastery. (choose Option One - Link to the online textbook pages 37 1-27 Odd Only)
2. I have the concepts mastered and want a challenge where I apply the information I learned today to new activities (Choose Option 2 and complete page 6 )
3. I feel like a review of the material we covered today would ensure my mastery of the concepts we learned today. (Choose Option Three - Complete All)
I encourage students to choose the assignment that feels right for them, and work with them daily to remove the stigma of doing the enrichment activities or not. I believe that removing this stigma is healthy for all students in that it allows students who have struggled, to apply themselves in spite of struggling and feel empowered to do so. I also think it allows the students who may have not struggled in mathematics to seek help and assistance if they do hit a point where they find a concept difficult.
However, this is a process for all students, but want you to be aware, that if your student is struggling with the math homework to inquire about which assignment they have chosen and encourage them to choose another, more appropriate one, or if you notice they are breezing through the homework, to encourage them to choose a more challenging assignment.
And again, I am always happy to differentiate according to your students needs, and encourage them to communicate with me consistently.