Ms. Jessup's Class Newsletter
March 10, 2014
Plaza PTA Meeting
Dear 5th Parents (or Incoming 6th Grade Plaza Parents),
On behalf of the Plaza PTA and the Plaza Administrators, I would like to cordially invite you to attend our next PTA meeting on Monday, March 10th at Plaza Middle School.
Prior to the regular PTA business meeting, Park Hill Superintendent Dr. Springston will share information regarding the upcoming levy for FLiP and Safety at 6:00 p.m. in the Plaza Café. The Plaza PTA meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Center. The current Plaza PTA board is accepting volunteers for various positions for the 2014-2015 school year. Handouts regarding future events. Please plan to join us to learn more about Plaza’s PTA and to begin your involvement in supporting the programs of the school!
If you have questions regarding this PTA meeting or other items regarding your child’s upcoming 6th grade year, please contact the Plaza Middle School office at 359-4210.
With a warm welcome,
Dr. Ivy
Dr. Lezlee Ivy
Principal
Plaza Middle School
Monday, Mar 10, 2014, 06:00 PM
Plaza Middle School, Northwest 72nd Street, Kansas City, MO, United States
Math
9-3 Problem Solving: Writing to Explain
Mathematical explanations can be given using words, pictures, numbers, or symbols. A good explanation should be correct, simple, complete, and easy to understand. (We learned how to write a mathematical explanation of how you estimated the fractional parts of objects.)
9-7 Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Fractions with unlike denominators can be added or subtracted by replacing fractions with equivalent fractions with like denominators. The product of the denominators of two fractions is a common denominator of both. (We learned how to use equivalent fractions to add fractions with unlike denominators.)
9-8 Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Fractions with unlike denominators can be added or subtracted by replacing fractions with equivalent fractions with like denominators. The product of the denominators of two fractions is a common denominator of both. (We learned how to find equivalent fractions with a common denominator to subtract fractions with unlike denominators.)
10-4 Adding Mixed Numbers
One way to add mixed numbers is to utilize a number line to model and find common denominators. Sometimes whole numbers of fractions need to be renamed. (We learned how to add mixed numbers using a variety of methods.)
10-5 Subtracting Mixed Numbers
One way to subtract mixed numbers is to utilize a number line to model and find common denominators. Sometimes whole numbers or fractions need to be renamed. (We learned how to subtract mixed numbers using a variety of methods.)
Writing
Focus
- create opinion pieces that are fully sustained and consistently and purposefully focused on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
- introduce a topic or text with a clearly stated opinion that is strongly maintained and communicated within the context
- provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented
Organization
- create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose (e.g. introduction, body, and concluding paragraphs)
- link their opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g. consequently, specifically)
- logically progress their ideas from beginning to end
- create an effective introduction and conclusion for audience and purpose
Elaboration
- provide thorough and convincing support/evidence for the controlling or main idea that includes effective use of sources, facts, and details
- provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details
- smoothly integrating the use of evidence from sources that is comprehensive and relevant
Produce and Distribute Writing
- develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach in collaboration with adults and peers
- produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
- use technology with guidance, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others
- demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting
Research
- conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic
- draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
- apply grade 5 reading standards to literature (g.e., "Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or a drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g. how characters interact].")
- apply grade 5 reading standards to informational texts (e.g., "Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point[s].")
- summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work and provide a list of sources
Math-a-Thon Pledges Due
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014, 09:00 AM
Line Creek Elementary School, Northwest Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO, United States
February Reading Minutes
Please help me in congratulating these students!
- Sydney C.
- Colby
- Andrew H.
- Sydni H.
- Bryston
- Carly
- Andrew N.
- Tess
- Michael
- Justine
- Jocelyn
- Finley
- Jessica
- Hayden
- Ty'Azia
- Bailey
- Preston
- Will
- Cain
There are still some February Reading Logs missing so if you do not see a particular name on this list, please turn that one in asap. Thanks!
Pajama Day
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014, 08:30 AM
Room 201
Social Studies
- Describe the growing conflict with Britain that led to the American Revolution (e.g. Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party) through the perspectives of Patriots and Loyalists.
Overview: The American Revolution
Topics:
1. Great Britain Reacts to the Boston Tea Party
2. Colonial Representatives Meet
3. Patrick Henry Speaks Out
4. Paul Revere's Ride
5. The First Shots of the American Revolution
February Accelerated Reader Goal
Please help me in congratulating these students!
- Jocelyn
- Justine
- Hayden
- Michael
- Cain
- Carly
- Andrew N.
- Jessica
- Bryston
- Sydni H.
- Ty'Azia
- Andrew H.
- Colby
- Sydney C.
- Finley
It's been exciting to see so many students already getting started on displaying comprehension this month through AR quizzes!
Science
The student will formulate a testable question and hypothesis that includes independent, dependent, and constant variables (e.g., related to the topic of force and motion) and determine the fairness of an investigation using the characteristics of a fair test.
Conducting Investigations
The student will determine the appropriate scientific tools to collect data, use the five senses to make qualitative observations, and measure and compare measurements from dependent variables collected from the inquiry.
Evaluating and Analyzing Results
The student will use quantitative and qualitative data to support reasonable explanations, use data as support for observed patterns and relationships, and analyze whether evidence supports proposed explanations.
Communicating Results
The student will communicate the procedures and results of investigations and explanations through symbolism, oral presentations, or writings.
Atmosphere, Weather, & Climate
The student will describe that the atmosphere is composed of gases, condensed water and minute particles, identify and use the appropriate tools needed to collect weather data and observe and summarize relationship between weather data collected over a period of time.
Blogging Begins!
1. Growing Up: Feelings of Exclusion and Secretiveness can be Overwhelming and Confusing
2. Courage and Honor: Understanding Self and Others
3. Culture and Diversity: Responding to racism, stereotypes and prejudices
4. Finding Our Way in the World as We Overcome Obstacles
5. Impact: The World Changes Us; We Change the World
6. Forgiveness: Finding Good in People and Places
7. Insights: Finding Resolutions to Problems through the Arts
8. Overcoming Obstacles in Life
9. Fitting in: Living in a World of Differences
10. Perceptions: The Way Others View Us Can Affect the Way We View Ourselves
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014, 12:45 PM
Room 201
Reading
- Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension by reading on-level text with purpose and understanding.
- Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
- Summarize two or more main ideas of a text using key details through literature and informational text.
- Summarize fiction text including all literary elements (e.g. setting, characters, problem/solution, and events).
- Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from informational text and literature.
Author's Purpose and Point of View
- Explain/analyze how the author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in informational text.
- Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
- Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.
Literary Elements
- Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem based on the point of view and details from the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic.
- Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g. how characters interact).
Text Features and Structures
- Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fit together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
- Use the overall structure (e.g. chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
Synthesis
- Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
- Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
Compare and Contrast
- Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g. mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
- Compare and contrast how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or presentation of a text (e.g. graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
- Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.