Martin's Memos
Volume 1, Issue 17: January 12, 2018
This Week
Parents,
It was a long winter break, but I think we all needed the rest and relaxation! It was good to get back into our routine this week, however. This week the students took the Winter Reading MAP assessment. Overall, it showed what I'm seeing in class - that students are growing! As a class, the students earned about 138% of their expected growth scores for winter....wow! We still have improvements and growth to be made in reading, however. We will be tightening our structures and accountability for reading in class and at home. Some key points we will focus on are making sure we are reading within our Lexile level and making sure we are reading a minimum of 20 minutes at home every night. I cannot stress enough how important these are. I appreciate all of your help and support with this! :)
We will take the Winter Math MAP assessment on the 17th. Once I gather all the results, I'll be sending you an email with your child's reading and math MAP scores/data and some action steps that we'll work on together to help your child to continue to grow. Remember that more information for parents about the MAP test can be found on my website: http://katemartingt.weebly.com/parent-resources.html
We did a lot of fun things this week, so please take a look at this week's news, upcoming events and information! Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Pictures of the Week
Hands-On Equations
VEX Robotics Kit
Nonfiction Writing
Nonfiction Writing
Nonfiction Writing
Stream Table Explorations
Supplies Needed!
- 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 White Index Cards (With lines)
- Dry Erase Markers
Topics:
Writing: We began our new unit of study, and began researching to prepare for writing a nonfiction book.
Reading: We
Math: Orange Group: We began our unit relating decimals and fractions. Blue Group: We continued our algebra unit. Purple Group: We continued our place value unit.
Science: We completed our energy transfer unit and began our earth systems unit. Please check out our Earth Systems PBL that we'll be doing!
Enrichment: We made our VEX robot this week! We also had a lesson on empathy.
Looking Forward to Next Week
- Math: Orange Group: Continuing decimals and fractions unit. Blue Group: Finishing algebra unit. Purple Group: Continuing place value unit.
- Reading: We will continue our nonfiction unit!
- Writing: Writing informational texts.
- Science: We will continue our PBL on earth systems.
- Enrichment: We will begin our 3rd enrichment project as a class. We'll choose a community service project!
Character Trait of the Week: Justice
STEM Career Day Volunteers Needed!
Woodland’s STEM Career Day will take place on Friday, February 9th, 2018 from 1:30-3:00. Please consider signing up to present to Woodland students in grades 3-5 for our upcoming STEM Career Day! If you are interested, please either print and detach the bottom of this form or e-mail me with this information by January 19th.
Reading Logs
Late Work
This week many students received a list of missing work. These items must be turned in as soon as possible. When we return from break, I'll try to give students a sticky note with missing work items on a weekly basis. I'm hoping students will become more responsible about assignments, projects and homework!
Winter MAP Testing
We took the Winter Reading MAP test on 1/10/17, and the Math MAP test will be on 1/17. The winter MAP test is used as formative data to determine how students are progressing toward their growth goals. I am looking for students to grow by at least half of their spring growth goals. Please review those goals with your child. They are listed on their MAP reports we went over during conferences and are also on their online educational portfolio website.
Lansing Field Trip
The Lansing Field Trip is scheduled for Friday, April 13. All 3/4 GT students will attend this field trip with the rest of the Woodland 4th graders.
We will be visiting the Impressions 5 Science Center in the morning and our Capitol Tours are in the afternoon. We will be leaving Lansing by 4pm.
More information and logistics to come.
General Information
- Homework
-Independent Reading: Minimum 20 minutes
-Literature Circles: Reading and "job"
-www.learnzillion.com: Assignments on Google Classroom
Math:
-Daily math homework M-Th
-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: They were sent home today! Please take out all the sheets and return the folder MONDAY.
- Bagel Sales! Pre-Order on Wednesdays of each week. All varieties cost $1, cash only. Bagels are delivered on Fridays.
- Order online at www.scholastic.com and use our class code R3CHK if you need books!
Upcoming Important Dates
1/15 MLK, Jr. Day - No School
1/17 Winter Math MAP Test
2/21-2/23 Mid-Winter Break - No School
3/8 1/2 Day
3/9 1/2 Day
3/30 Good Friday - No School
4/2-4/6 Spring Break - No School
4/11 1/2 Day
4/13 Lansing Field Trip (All 4th Grade/GT Students)
5/11 1/2 Day
5/28 Memorial Day - No School
6/14 1/2 Day
6/15 1/2 Day - Last Day of School
Content Related Videos
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