AT Times
Newsletter from Mrs. Mogle's Class
Grades for Second Quarter
As you know, the grades for second quarter will be available online on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. I will be sending printouts of the students' AT grades home with them no later than Tuesday. This printout will allow you to see how you child's AT Math grade or the AT portion of the reading grade were calculated. As with previous grade reports, you may notice letters appearing in the Scores column. An m indicates a missing assignment, an assignment that was not turned in. An e indicates the student was excused from that assignment or not required to complete it. As always, please email or call me if you have questions.
Fifth Grade AT Field Trip
All fifth graders who are enrolled in AT will be bringing home information about our field trip to the Challenger Learning Center in Woodstock, Illinois, which is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2015. We have been assured that every effort will be made for us to return to school in time for the Valentine's Day parties. Here's hoping the traffic cooperates!
Permission slips, the trip fee, lunch forms, and souvenir order forms will all be due no later than Friday, January 23, 2015. In case the forms have been eaten by your child's backpack, they are also attached to this email.
Math Classes Study Fractions
Third, fourth, and fifth grade AT Math students are currently studying fractions. The third graders are learning about equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, and solving problems using fractions. Fourth graders are learning how to reduce fractions to simplest form, compare and order fractions, use benchmark fractions for estimation, and understand improper fractions and mixed numbers. Fifth graders are working on addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators, including mixed numbers. We will continue our fraction work for the next few weeks.
It's Cold Outside in 3rd and 4th Grade Reading!
The third and fourth grade reading students are shivering through the novels Alone in the Ice World and Snow Treasure, respectively. Alone in the Ice World involves a girl who finds herself stranded in a culture very different from her own. The children of Norway are the key to saving national treasure during World War II in the novel Snow Treasure. Both groups are continuing to hone their skills in question writing and conducting discussions. They are also continuing to build their vocabulary. Developing a description of a character based on the character's actions, words, and what others say about him is another skill we are working on in this unit.
Fifth Grade AT Reading Students become Teachers
The fifth graders are building their research skills as they prepare for the mission to the Challenger Learning Center. They will be charged with the responsibility of teaching their peers what they will need to know about comets to make the mission a success. They will also be reading, analyzing, and discussing articles about the mission to develop their background knowledge.
Fifth Grade AT Math Students to Develop NASA Skills
In addition to our study of fractions, AT Math students will be learning some mathematical and communication skills that they will need to use as they perform scientific investigations on the Rendezvous with a Comet at the Challenger Learning Center. This mission will give students an opportunity to apply their skills in a situation that feels real!