Weekly Update 1/26

Just some friendly reminders as we finish up January.  Olympia Junior Program permission slips are still being collected.  If you need another one or are unsure if your child turned theirs in, let me know.  Pennies for Pasta is still going on, please remember to bring in those boxes filled with loose change!  The last day to turn in collections is Thursday, January 29^th!

Math

We continue our journey into geometry this week.  We’ll review how to use pattern blocks as a tool to measure interior angles and then have them become a checking tool as we move into measuring and sketching angles with a 180° protractor.  We’ll also do an examination of circles in which your child will identify parts of a circle, learn that there are 360° in a full turn, and discover that angles, rather than being static, are measures of rotation.  Next we will extend our work with angles and explore attributes of polygons.  Your child will identify and draw parallel and perpendicular lines.  They will also practice drawing a variety of angles and lines and complete a work sample drawing lines and measuring angles.  We will end the week by introducing lines of symmetry, and how they work to define and create examples of polygons with one or more lines of symmetry. 

Social Studies
Last week we focused on the elements that make up the economy of Washington State.  This week we will look more in-depth at the industries that build Washington, including timber, agriculture, technology and fishing.

ReadingPlease see the "Reading" Tab for information

Other Notes
Again, just a reminder to return the OJP permission forms as soon as your are able.  Even if you can’t pay, please turn in the signed envelope so your child can still attend.  On Friday there will be a PBIS assembly.

Excelsior!
~Ms. B

Weekly Update 1/20

I hope y’all had an enjoyable long weekend and remember to take a day on Monday instead of a day off.  Just a few reminders, book orders are due this Friday!  Please be sure to turn them in or fill them out online.  Also, Olympia Junior Program permission slips need to be return ASAP!   Pennies for Pasta is still going on, please remember to bring in those boxes filled with loose change!

Math
I am extremely pleased with how well everyone did on the Post Test for Unit 4, especially considering we had winter break right in the middle of it!

This week we move onto Geometry & Measurement.  Your child will identify, draw, compare, analyze and classify angles.  They will study angles in isolation as well as those in two-dimensional figures.  They will use two very basic benchmarks – the 90° right angle and the 180° straight angle – to determine the measure of the interior angles in each of the pattern blocks.  

Social Studies
We are skipping chapter 7 on government, but will return to it later.  We will be finishing up Social Studies by discussing working in Washington.  This week we will focus on the elements of the economy.

ReadingPlease see the "Reading" tab for more info.

Other Notes
Again, just a reminder that book orders are due Friday, January 23 and to return the OJP permission forms as soon as your are able.  Even if you can’t pay, please turn in the signed envelope so your child can still attend.  If you need another one, please let me know and I’ll be happy to send one home.

Excelsior!
~Ms. B

Weekly Update 1/12

The new year is under way!  Here’s what we’re learning about this week…

Math
This week we will have the opportunity to explore benchmarks and relative sizes for length, time, liquid volume, mass and weight.  Your child will use ratio tables to convert units within the same measuring system (grams to kilograms, for example), and apply some of the place value and multi-digit computation skills they’ve been practicing to solve story problems related to measurement.

We are going to end the week with a two day project that gives your child an opportunity to apply some of their measuring skills in a new context – data analysis.  On Friday there will be the post test for Unit 4.

Social Studies

We are continuing our discussion about the events that led up to Washington gaining statehood.  Our focus is the differing points of view the U.S. government and Native Americans had about the land, the creation of the reservations and some of the wars that were a result.  We’ll also look at the new industries brought into the territory and how that led to the growth and develop of new towns and cities and eventually to statehood.

ReadingPlease visiting the "Reading" page for details.

Other Notes
We will have our spelling test this week!  Don’t forget to check out www.spellingcity.com/tbraford for fun games to help study!

We are starting up our Winter Benchmark testing this month.  We will be taking our Winter MAP tests next week on the 12^th and 15^th.  Please make sure your child comes to school on time and well rested so they can perform at their best.

Olympia Junior Programs (OJP) is back!  Students will soon be attending live, professional performances at the Washington Center for Performing Arts.  A packet with more information and the permission slip will be sent home on Tuesday.  Please return these ASAP!  Our class will attending “Laura Ingalls Wilder” on March 3^rd and “Schoolhouse Rock. Live!” on March 16^th.  Envelopes need to be returned, even if you can’t pay.

Also, don’t forget book orders are due Friday, January 23^rd!!!

Excelsior!
~Ms. B

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year and welcome back!  I hope y’all had a relaxing and enjoyable break.  I know I did!  However, I am super excited to get back to work!

Math
We are picking up where we left off with multi-digit subtraction.  We will review the other strategies we discussed before break and compare them to the standard algorithm.  I will collect a work sample which will provide information about your child’s proficiency with methods for solving multi-digit subtraction combinations.  They will also have a chance to show what they have learned in a brief checkpoint on Wednesday

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Then we will have the opportunity to explore benchmarks and relative sizes for length, time, liquid volume, mass and weight.

Social Studies
This week we start looking at the events that led up to Washington becoming a state in 1889.  We will be studying the treaties and scrimmages that dotted our history as we work out compromises with the Native Americans and Great Britain.

ReadingSee the Reading tab for more information

Other Notes
There will not be a spelling test this week, but a new list of words will be going home on Wednesday.  Also, if you visit www.spellingcity.com/tbraford you will find the current list of words as well as a variety of games you can play to practice, even take practice tests!

We are starting up our Winter Benchmark testing this month.  On Friday, we will be having our DIEBELS benchmark.  We will be taking our Winter MAP tests next week on the 12^th and 15^th.  Please make sure your child comes to school on time and well rested so they can perform at their best.

Excelsior!
~Ms. B