LAYSON FOCUS NEWS
Sunday, August 25
General Information: All FOCUS students
Thanks so much for sending in all the supplies. I don't think I will need anything at all for the rest of the year.
It has been my pleasure to have already taught many of my 5th grade students. For those parents who are new to Gwin Oaks and for my new 3rd grade students' parents, here is a little about me.
This my 31st year of teaching! I taught 1st grade for two years, 4th grade for 4 years. Then I took many years off to be a stay at home mom. I returned to teach 5th grade for 19 years . I am now in my 7th year of teaching FOCUS.
I have three children.
My daughter is married with two children. One just began her freshman year at University of Georgia. The other is a freshman at Dacula High School. My daughter is a 5th grade teacher.
My oldest son is a financial advisor. He is married with three children. His daughter is a 7th grader at Crews Middle. His oldest son is a 5th grader at Craig, and the youngest son just started kindergarten.
My youngest son has an IT degree and is a security operations analyst .
You will often find me at a baseball, softball, football, basketball, or volleyball game. My grandchildren are very involved! I also love reading, walking, cooking, traveling, concerts, and plays. My happy place is the beach!
I am still teaching because I love children and enjoy helping them learn. I especially like teaching in the FOCUS program.
I am excited about this year.! I will do everything I can to help every child in my class learn at his or her highest level. If you have any questions or concerns, I will always be glad to help you. Email me at linda_layson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
3rd Grade Math
- rounded numbers to the nearest 10
- rounded numbers to the nearest 100
- solved real world math problems using rounding to the nearest 10 and 100.
- used the base 10 model to add and subtract three digit numbers
- used number lines to add and subtract three digit numbers
- used the place value model to add and subtract three digit numbers
There will be a test on Thursday covering all of the above. The children were given review homework last night. We will go over this in class today, and I will be able to provide help to all who need it.
You can expect to see math homework on a regular basis. The homework will reflect what we have covered in class that day. It is very important for the children to complete this so we can follow up in class the next day.
I will soon begin enrichment with them called Math Rules. More information will be forthcoming.
5th Grade Language Arts
READING:
- We began an extended text called Fish in a Tree. We discuss this text as we go--learning about character traits, themes, predicting, inferring, plot, etc. The children love the book.
- I also read another book to them the first few days called Flying Solo. It is also a great book to discuss character traits, theme, etc.
- Media center orientation was the first week. We go to the library every Tuesday.
- The children in my class are expected to read at least 20 minutes every night. Most of them read more.
- We began book clubs August 23rd. They have something called a Thinkmark to complete as they read. Book clubs meet every Friday.
- After we read two book club books, we have a book club celebration. More info about that later.
- I have taught several mini-lessons so far---how to choose books, when to abandon a book, types of literature, and point of view. We read an article about the Transcontinental Railroad and worked on annotating and how to use context clues to determine words we don't know.
- We set up guidelines for writing workshop.
- The class is working on writing narratives now. They have learned several ways to do this---write about a person who matters to you, a place that is special to you, a first time story or last time story, or a time you realized something.
- We talked about great beginnings and takeaway endings. We shared many in class. Better verb choice and transitions have been discussed.
- Much sharing has taken place. They learn a so much from each other.
- We are now working on the piece we will take through the entire writing process.
- In grammar, we have covered how to write and punctuate compound sentences, commas in a series, and we are currently working on commas with direct address.
5th Grade Math
We have already covered a lot of math. We have...
- reviewed how to use the area model to solve multiplication problems
- learned the standard algorithm for multiplication
- used the Brookwood Engineering and Design process to help us solve word problems.
- reviewed how to do an extended constructed response to a math problem
- learned about how to solve problems using the order of operations
We are currently preparing for a test we will take that covers all of the above. The children were given a Show What You Know quiz today that covers all of it. They will be graded tonight and tomorrow I will help anyone who is struggling with those concepts. The test will be Thursday.
CML problem solving will begin soon.
It is very important that the children know their multiplication facts. If your child is not confident with these, he/she needs to review these at home.