Martin's Memos
Volume 1, Issue 35: June 1, 2018
This Week
Parents,
Please read through this newsletter and let me know if you have any comments or questions.
Have a great weekend!
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Field Day Rescheduled for June 8th
Field Day is rescheduled for FRIDAY June 8th!
Reminders:
· Grades 3-5 is from 1:30-3:00pm
· Wear tennis shoes (not a new/nice pair!)
· Wear Woodland t-shirt (either yellow or green)
· Students can wear a hat/sunglasses
· Students can bring sunscreen and apply it around lunch time if desired
· Bring a water bottle with the student’s name on it
· Suggestion: Bring a change of clothes/socks to go home in!
· Parents are welcome to come watch/walk around with our class to the stations
End-of-Year GT Class Party!
The year has flown by and summer is around the corner!
The classes will combine for a party on Tuesday, June 12--kids will tie-dye t-shirts and a have a picnic lunch together.
A few ways you can help:
- Send in a prewashed white t-shirt as soon as possible!
- Everyone in our class has paid the $4....thank you!
- Sign up here to check the donated food items...and to remember what you signed up for :)
Thank you to Heather Shaw, Jennifer Wloch and Megan Marx for your help coordinating this!
Topics:
Writing & Reading: We had two days of reader's workshop and are finishing our own books that communicate a theme from Wonder.
Math: All Groups: We worked on an extension activity about data analysis using presidential age data.
Science: We learned about DNA, cells, and learned vs inherited traits. We played "Monster Genetics" on Friday to learn about the role of probability in determining our traits and learned about the "father of genetics," Gregor Mendel.
Enrichment:Students continued their 6th enrichment project. Some started on a 7th. Check it out here. Presentations will be the week of June 4th.
Looking Forward to Next Week
Topics:
Writing & Reading: Students will share their books that communicate a theme from Wonder. The rest of the class will have to determine what their theme was after sharing! We will continue our reader's workshop and lit circle groups. The students will also start to create a "Mind Map" using a thesis they will create from either Wonder or From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Math: All Groups: We'll be continuing to learn about higher level data analysis by using presidential data through history. We'll also solve a math mystery using a game similar to "Clue".
Science: We will continue our mini unit on heredity and genetics! We'll be extracting the DNA from a strawberry and learning about Punnett Squares. Check out the link below if your child is interested in learning more!
Enrichment: We will finish our 6th/7th enrichment projects and present the week of June 4.
Pictures of the Week: Presidential Age Analysis and Completed Tiny Houses
Optional Student-Led End of Year Conferences
To summarize and reflect on our year, the students will prepare to lead an end-of-year conference. These are in full swing in our classroom and so far the students have done a fantastic job!
The BEST part about these conferences is that the students are taking ownership of their learning....the positives and the areas for improvement. It has truly allowed us to have an open, honest conversation and set goals for the future.
Self-Reflective Learning
This week we focused on teamwork because of Field Day on Friday. We realized that:
- We can encourage each other to do their best.
- Pay attention when playing and just TRY - even if you're not the best at it.
- Give constructive criticism rather than negative feedback.
Summer Learning
Optional Summer Book Club!
Optional Online Summer Book Club!
Who: Students in the GT program
What: Summer Book Club
When: Once per week, starts July 9th
Where: Online - Google Hangouts
Why: To help keep our reading skills up over the summer and to keep in touch
How:
Log in using your Avondale email OR personal email on www.google.com. Please let me know your personal email address if you aren’t using Avondale’s.
Click on the apps icon in the upper right hand corner. Look for: . If you don’t see it, click on “more”.
Look on the left rectangle for a message with more directions from Ms. Martin!
The Basics:
Choose one book (parent provided):
The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Read the required amount each week.
After your weekly reading is complete, you must do two things each week by Friday:
Post your own thoughts, comments, or interesting details about what you’ve read.
Reply to at least one other classmate’s comment.
*We will learn about how to do this online before the end of the school year. I'd like to know who'd like to participate and which book they'll read before school is out.
More Summer Learning Ideas
Math:
Purple group math - Look for grade 4 materials
Blue group math - Look for grade 5 materials
Orange group math - Look for grade 6 materials
Remember that the students will always have free access to Khan Academy online. (khanacademy.org) The students just need to go to the website, log in with their current credentials, and then choose "subjects" in the upper left hand corner. They can then choose the grade level material they need to work on and then they will start the "missions"! Students can also go to khanacademy.org/mappers and continue to practice on their leveled skills, too.
Reading:
READ, READ, READ!
Have you used the Lexile Find a Book feature?
Go to https://fab.lexile.com/
Enter your lexile range.
Choose your areas of interests.
View your results!
Find the books at local libraries or online!
Check out other website sources for books!
goo.gl/o1s5CU
goo.gl/sxVUgf
goo.gl/oLTMS8
DON'T get too hung up on reading EXACTLY in your child's lexile. Find a balance! Maybe try encouraging your child to read every other book within their lexile. The purpose is to increase awareness that when we read within in our "zone of proximal development" we are challenging ourselves to come across new vocabulary and content.
Science and Social Studies:
Students will continue to have access to www.discoveryeducation.com using these credentials below. This website has thousands of videos, reading passages, interactive activities, etc. for science and social studies.
User - ghes5
Pass - ghes5
Khan Academy has more than just math! It also has middle school and high school level science and social studies courses. Have your child log in and click on "subjects" to check it out!
General Information
- Homework
-Independent Reading: Minimum 20 minutes
-Literature Circles: Reading and "job"
Math:
-www.khanacademy.com/mappers
- 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: Please take out all the sheets and return the folder MONDAY.
- Order online at www.scholastic.com and use our class code R3CHK if you need books! I will still check this over the summer if you'd like to continue ordering.
Upcoming Important Dates
5/28 Memorial Day - No School
6/1 Field Day (6/8 rain date)
6/12 End of Year Party
6/14 1/2 Day
6/15 1/2 Day - Last Day of 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