Martin's Memos
Volume 2, Issue 8: October 19, 2018
This Week
Parents,
Please read through this information carefully and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Positivity Project
"Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them." -Renee Brown
Photos of the Week
Socratic Seminar
UofM/MSU Spirit Day!
Go Green!
Root Word Practice
What Did We Learn This Week?
Math: Students continued in their math groups.
Yellow- I can solve complex algebraic equations.
Green- I can solve algebraic equations.
Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers.
Science (5th): We began our unit on matter, energy and organisms. We discussed the delicate balance of an ecosystem by interpreting food webs. We discussed overpopulation and how that affects an ecosystem.
Reading: We continued to make generalizations and reason about change. Students will also reason about events and situations. In our small groups we used the "Notice and Note" strategy when reading. Each week we will focus on a different signpost to identify, locate, and discuss.
Writing: We continued our persuasive writing essays. The students are starting to revise and edit their drafts using the 5th/6th grade checklists. We are also trying to reference our sources in our text and we'll learn (next week) how to include a source page according to APA expectations.
Enrichment: We starting either updating or starting our online educational portfolios. Your child can share this with you at home. It is password protected - no one can go on your child's website unless they know the password.
Looking Forward to Next Week...
Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Perspective
Yellow- I can solve complex algebraic equations.
Green- I can solve algebraic equations.
Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers.
Science (5th): We will continue our unit on Matter & Energy in Organisms & Ecosystems. Specifically, we'll be exploring symbiosis and photosynthesis.
Reading: We will continue to make generalizations and reason about change and reasoning. We'll continue learning the "Notice and Note" strategy. We will continue reading The Secret Garden.
Writing: We will publish our persuasive essays! Yay!
Enrichment: We will be starting a group community service project along with Ms. Gierman's class. The students will choose what they'd like this to be.
Executive Functioning in Gifted Students
What is it?
- Paying attention
- Organizing and planning
- Initiating tasks and staying focused on them
- Regulating emotions
- Self-monitoring
Why do Gifted Students Struggle with it?
- They never really needed them before! They have always succeeded in school without them.
- In an intellectually appropriate program - the level/amount/type of work has "caught up"! They never had to study!
- Asynchronous development - an uneven intellectual, physical, and emotional development
How Can It Improve?
- Patience!
- Short-term, achievable goals
- Explain the WHY - why is it important? Get buy-in!
- Checklists! Checklists! Checklists!
- Use the agenda - get it out and identify what needs to be done and in what order
Box Tops!
GOOD NEWS! Our class collected the most Box Tops at Woodland! 387! We get to keep the "Box Top Trophy" in class and all students received a small prize.
Keep collecting and sending them in! Don't forget to label your child's name on the baggie so they can get credit.
Fall Conferences are Coming!
Continuous Important Reminders...
Book It!
We can start for the month of October a little late! Our "prorated" October amount is 625 minutes. :) Students complete the log and a parent needs to sign to confirm they read that amount of minutes.
Logs need to be turned in by the last day of each month. This is when I'll be passing out the "Free Personal Pan Pizza" coupon!
Information Night for Current Families
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.
Avondale GATE Internal Applicant Information Nights
Next Information Night for Internal Families: Oct. 24th.
Other 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.
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
Oct. 25: Elementary Conferences 4:30-8pm
Oct. 31: Halloween Party/Parade (More info to come from room parents)
Nov. 1: Elementary Conferences 4:30-8pm
Nov 2: Spirit Day/PBIS Assembly
Nov. 6: 1/2 day & Chuck E. Cheese Night 4-10
Nov. 8 & 9: ROARS store @ school
Nov. 13: PTO meeting 7-9
Nov. 14: Picture retake day & Current GATE Families Info Night @ Admin Building 6:30
Nov. 16: 1/2 Day
Nov. 20: 1/2 Day, end of 1st Marking period
Nov. 21-23: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 7: 1/2 Day
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