Ms. Palucki's Classroom News
April 2019
IAR Testing This Month!
IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) testing window begins April 8th and ends April 23rd!
The IAR assessment (formerly PARCC), tests students in English Language Arts and Mathematics based on the Common Core State Standards. The computerized test is aligned with what the students are learning in the classroom and measures real-world skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. For more information about this assessment, click HERE!
Here is our 5th grade IAR Schedule:
Week 1:
Monday, April 8th - AM - ELA 1
Friday, April 12th - AM - ELA 2
Week 2:
Monday, April 15th - AM - Math 1
Tuesday, April 16th - PM - Math 2
Wednesday, April 17th - AM - Math 3
Not only will we be taking practice tests and preparing for the IAR assessment in school, but there are ways that you can help too! Check out our Tip of the Month section of this newsletter to find out some important tips you can do in order to help your child be successful!
Also, make sure to check out this website for IAR Practice Tests!
Thank you...
We had another successful round of Student Led Conferences! I am yet again so impressed with how well the students spoke about their learning, strengths, and goals for the future!
Trimester 2 Celebration!
Read Across America Week!
Finish Line Fridays are BACK!
Join us Friday, April 12th for the first 2019 Finish Line Friday!
Who? Apollo families, students, and staff!
When? Every Friday!
Where? At the corner of Dee Rd. and Golf Rd. @ 8:00 AM.
Why? We will walk/ride to school to encourage fitness and promote wellness at Apollo!
We can't wait to see you there!
See You at McTeacher Night!
Tuesday, Apr 9, 2019, 05:00 PM
McDonald's, Dempster Street, Niles, IL, USA
American Revolution Historical Figures!
I was so impressed with the creativity and effort students put into these projects!
Ozobot Fun!
Special Vistors
Time With Our Buddies
Google Tour
Digital Citizenship
What have we been learning in Room 204?
Reading...
- Students read two literature stories in the same genre and compared and contrasted the information based on their approaches to the themes and topics of the stories.
- Students learned about various informational text structures (Problem/Solution, Cause/Effect, Sequence, Compare/Contrast, Description). They practiced reading a passage and then determined the text structure.
- Students took their knowledge of text structure to compare and contrast the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
Writing...
- Students were introduced to our next writing unit: Opinion Writing.
- We discussed fact vs. opinion.
- We read and discussed some opinion articles and topics, such as:
Are Water Bottles Harmful or Handy?
Should we go screen-free for a week?
- When we come back from Spring Break, students will pick their own opinion topic, organize, draft, and publish an opinion essay! They will write reasons and evidence to support their opinion.
Math...
- We are in Module 5: Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area.
- Students took the mid-module 5 assessment.
Science...
- We began Bundle 3 of Stemscopes, which is Human Impact on the Earth's Systems.
- We just finished learning about the 4 spheres of the earth and how they interact with one another.
- The students completed many hands-on activities to show their knowledge of the 4 spheres of the earth and their interactions.
- Some of the activities included building a diorama. They also picked two of the spheres and showed how they interacted with one another in a Google Drawing!
Social Studies...
- Students worked in groups to become experts about either the Legislative branch, Executive branch, Judicial branch, or checks and balances.
- After becoming experts on their topic, students were then put into different groups to teach their classmates what they learned.
- Students took an assessment of the US Constitution.
- Students researched a famous person from the American Revolution.
Important April Dates!
March 25th - March 29th - SPRING BREAK
April 1st - School Resumes
April 2nd - No School
April 3rd - Apollo Ambassador Meeting
April 8th - IAR Testing Window Opens
April 8th - IAR ELA Test 1
April 9th - McTeacher Night!
April 12th - Finish Line Friday Begins!
April 12th - IAR ELA Test 2
April 15th - IAR Math Test 1
April 16th - Instrument Recruitment
April 16h - IAR Math Test 2
April 17th - Apollo Ambassador Meeting
April 17th - Author Visit - David Biedrzycki
April 17th - IAR Math Test 3
April 19th - No School - Good Friday
April 21st - Easter Sunday
April 23rd - IAR Window Closes
April 24th - 5th Grade Science Assessment - ISA
April 24th - Apollo Family Math Night
April 26th - Ambassador Primary Lesson
Join us for Family Fridays! Every Friday, come to Apollo and eat lunch with your child! 5th grade lunch is @ 11:45 - 12:15!
Tip of the Month
IAR Testing is THIS MONTH!
With IAR testing coming up, it is important to help your child be the most successful that they can be! It is important to talk to your child at home about the IAR test and have them prepared!
There are many things you can do the night before, the morning of, and after the test, so they can feel positive, supported, and encouraged!
Check Out these:
PARCC: 5 Ways to Help Your Child
and
Don't forget to follow Room 204 on Twitter!
Room 204 is on Twitter!
Follow us at @_MsPalucki
Students tweet about what they are learning and all the fun that goes on in room 204!
Don't forget to also check out the hashtags:
#ApolloPride63 #63Success #63Impact
Stay Connected!
Stay connected with what's going on in Room 204!
Remind is a way for me to communicate with you by sending updates, questions, and reminders to your phone as a text, on the app and by email!
To sign up, text @palucki5th to 81010 or sign up online by clicking here!
Email: apalucki@emsd63.org
Website: https://www.emsd63.org/Domain/677
Location: Apollo Elementary School, Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL, United States
Phone: 847.493.8380
Twitter: @_MsPalucki