Martin's Memos
Volume 2, Issue 12: November 16, 2018
This Week
Parents,
We are all still reeling from the loss of our wonderful friend and teacher, Ms. Jaclyn Scott. She was truly a light - she always had fun, humorous way about her; I truly admired her spirit and vivacious personality. Ms. Scott was a fantastic teacher. For those of you who didn't have a child in her class - I can tell you from personal experience that our program has lost an amazing teacher who knew gifted children so well. She will truly be missed.
On Wednesday we had a class talk about what happened and had time to reflect. The students also had the opportunity to talk with me, counselors, and other trusted adults about their feelings and thoughts. I've posted the link to Ms. Scott's obituary and funeral arrangements below if you haven't seen them yet.
There will not be a newsletter next week. (Monday is a full day, Tuesday is a 1/2 day)
-Ms. Kate Martin
Positivity Project
We talked a lot this week about being grateful for the PEOPLE in our lives, especially in the wake of this tragedy. Together we created a "Tree of Gratitude" - we reflected on the people that mean the most to us and why. We also aim to tell those people whenever we can just how much they mean to us.
What Did We Learn This Week?
Math: Students continued in their math groups.
Yellow- I can solve complex algebraic inequalities.
Green- I can find the area of polygons.
Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers. Place value.
Science (5th): We dived into learning more about the hydrosphere and the atmosphere this week. We really focused on how the spheres on earth actually work together.
Reading: We finally finished The Secret Garden this week! The students absolutely loved it. We finished learning about our fiction signposts and how to identify them and understand their meaning within the text. We will watch The Secret Garden movie next week and discuss the similarities and differences.
Writing: We practiced responding to nonfiction opinion texts. Take a look at the expectations. The students are now independently working on responding to an article about animal testing.
Enrichment: The students continued their Enrichment project - all students will be completing this individually. Enrichment 3.0 (FYI: Enrichment 2.0 is our community service project we had to put on hold until January!)
Looking Forward to Next Week...(After Thanksgiving)
Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Knowing My Words and Actions Affect Others
Yellow- I can understand ratios and proportions
Green- I can understand ratios.
Orange- I can fluently multiply with large numbers. Place value.
Science (5th): We will continue our unit on Earth's Systems/Spheres, specifically focusing on the the interaction. We will finish this unit on 12/5.
Reading: We will be learning how to read and respond to nonfiction texts in our new unit - "Reading the Weather, Reading the World"!
Writing: We will continue to learn how to respond to texts.
Enrichment: We will continue working on our enrichment projects.
Continuous Important Reminders...
Jackets/Coats, Hats, Gloves...
Now that the temperatures will consistently be in the 30's-40's, please make sure your child has appropriate gear. Sweatshirts aren't going to be enough! Remember that the students go outside unless the temperature is below 10 degrees. (Including wind chill) They go outside during lunch recess, 2nd recess and sometimes during P.E.
When it gets snowy, your child is welcome to leave their winter gear in a large bag in/under their cubby during the week. They must bring it home each Friday and bring it back on Monday.
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.
Book It!
November goal = 750 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!
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.
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, and that 4th and 5th graders will still receive letter grades in addition to their standards based grading.
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 (GT dismissal around 11:40)
Nov. 20: 1/2 Day, end of 1st Marking period
Nov. 21-23: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 7: 1/2 Day
Dec. 24-Jan.6: No School
Jan. 8: PTO Meeting 7-9
Jan. 21: No School
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