Week of January 11th

We had a great week back. A chatty week, but we still got a lot accomplished.

Most students showed wonderful growth on their SRI test. Remember that by the end of the year, our goal is for students to be at a score of at least 520.

This week, we will take our winter MAP/NWEA reading and math tests. We will take these again in the spring, as well. I think we will be amazed to see all that the students have learned these last few months, especially in math. Please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast. It really does make a difference and I appreciate your support at home!

In reading, we will continue on with Unit 4, which is teaching about the story of Earth. Many students have brought in fossils, which have been fun to analyze and study. So many questions left unanswered... Our theme vocabulary words this week are ancient and environment. We will work on the skills of making connections, completing analogies, and distinguishing fact and opinion.

In math, we will continue on with Chapter 6, which is diving into division. We have discussed division as equal groups, and will look at bar models, repeated subtraction, and using arrays this week. Students who have their multiplication facts mastered are breezing through these first few lessons. However, it is clear that some students need to be working more on recalling their multiplication facts fluently.

We probably won't have much time for social studies or science this week, with NWEA testing on the schedule. Hopefully we can fit in some PLTW time, though. Last week, students learned about the parts that make up a glider: fuselage (body), wings, and horizontal stabilizer.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend! Stay warm out there! See you Monday morning! :)

Code Words: MAP Testing