I've been talking to the class on a daily basis about always putting extra effort into their work in order to improve. You can't let one mistake bring you down, but instead, think of how you can strive to achieve the long term goal of a better report card at the end of this last quarter.
The practice tests we've been taking for the AIMS exam are difficult. We go over each answer so the students can see how they can eliminate choices that make no sense, and narrow their decision down to one or two. They will be bringing home one of the pracice Math tests in their Homework Folder on Monday so that you can look over it with them. Please encourage them to think positive about the upoming tests! They will not be tested on anything we haven't covered in class at some point. If they take their time, read each question carefully, and stay focused, I'm extremely confident that they will all succeed.
Our Social Studies lessons on Arizona will take us up to the year 1848 and the end of the Mexican War. We will be talking about the influence of vaqueros on the American Cowboy, NAFTA, and the Kit Fox as part of this week's newspaper.
Our Science newspaper is all about Earth's Place in the Universe. The class will be reading articles about the possibility of life on other planets, and Polish astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, who wrote about the sun being the center of the solar system and the other planets revolving around it back in the 1500's, decades before anyone else.
We are in need of classroom supplies. Pencils, highlighters, sanitizing wipes, and for an end of the year art project, crayons and colored pencils. Thank you in advance for anything you are able to contribute!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
It's Not Over, Until It's Over!
Those words are so true! It doesn't matter if you're talking about an NCAA basketball tourney game, or 4th Grade Math grades, you always have a chance to succeed! We will continue to work with our Saxon Math Series, but our focus in the weeks ahead is going to be on taking practice AIM'S tests from our Buckle Down Series. Getting the students used to "bubbling" their answers, reading quietly when finished with a session, and being sensitve to the speed at which other's work, are things they've improved so much on during the past quarter.
Testing will be the week of April 11th. Please make sure you try not to schedule any vacations, doctor appointments, etc. during that time. Students will be allowed an oppotunity to make up missed sessions of the tests, but it has been my experience that student's scores are much better when they work with their class, in their own classroom, instead of being pulled out later, and taking the test with students from different grades, in a usually smaller, uncomfortable setting, going over the test with someone besides their regular teacher.
Stress plays a role in testing. Being in your own room, with your friends and teacher, helps to alleviate some of that burden. Getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, being on time, and having a great attitude are also important!
Testing will be the week of April 11th. Please make sure you try not to schedule any vacations, doctor appointments, etc. during that time. Students will be allowed an oppotunity to make up missed sessions of the tests, but it has been my experience that student's scores are much better when they work with their class, in their own classroom, instead of being pulled out later, and taking the test with students from different grades, in a usually smaller, uncomfortable setting, going over the test with someone besides their regular teacher.
Stress plays a role in testing. Being in your own room, with your friends and teacher, helps to alleviate some of that burden. Getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, being on time, and having a great attitude are also important!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Don't tell me how hard you worked, show me how much you got done!
That was a fabulous quote of the day last week, that is so appropriate as we near the end of the 3rd Quarter. I was so proud of the effort the vast majority of students put into their Natural Disaster projects! The team work, art work, oral presentations, and the papers I received were some of the best work they've done to date. It was very impressive, and you should take the time to come into the room and see the projects on display. Unfortunately, it coincided with the recent tragedy in Japan, and they were able to see the destruction and suffering earthquakes and tsunamis of that magnitude inflict on the people of communities that are touched by the devastation.
Everyone was running up to me first thing Friday morning to ask if I'd heard what had happened? They were excited that they had been able to tell people in their family exactly what caused it all from all the research they'd been doing. One girl was shaking her head, "Can you believe my older brother didn't even know that tsunami means, "harbor wave", in Japanese?"
I was sure to point out how important it is to read and stay on top of current events through newspapers, and other sources of information. That allows you to be part of the conversation, and not just one who stands around listening. Knowledge is power, and the more you know the further you go!
Those lessons were instilled in them this week, and they were able to see first hand how knowing about science helped them understand what was happening in the world around them!
Everyone was running up to me first thing Friday morning to ask if I'd heard what had happened? They were excited that they had been able to tell people in their family exactly what caused it all from all the research they'd been doing. One girl was shaking her head, "Can you believe my older brother didn't even know that tsunami means, "harbor wave", in Japanese?"
I was sure to point out how important it is to read and stay on top of current events through newspapers, and other sources of information. That allows you to be part of the conversation, and not just one who stands around listening. Knowledge is power, and the more you know the further you go!
Those lessons were instilled in them this week, and they were able to see first hand how knowing about science helped them understand what was happening in the world around them!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A Great Goal In Life Is The Only Fortune Worth Finding
The class has been working hard to complete their research on Natural Disasters! They have come up with some extremely creative ideas on how their group plans to display the material. I've been very happy to see how much they've enjoyed reading the books from the Wilmot Library. Please remember that Library Cards are free to anyone who fills out the paperwork at your nearest branch. This allows you to check out up to 25 books at one time, and keep them for three weeks.
I hope you'll take the opportunity to take your family to the 3rd Annual Tucson Festival of Books at the University of Arizona. Their are many great activities for children. Their is a free children's book available with a coupon from the Bear Essential News.
I recieved an email from Scholastic Books regarding an informative Math Workbook they are offering students that costs only $2.00. If you would be interested in purchasing one for you child, please return a check payable to Scholastic News by Friday, March 11th.
In Science this week, we will be covering "How to Protect and Conserve Eath's Resources". Our Social Studies newspaper is called "Transportation and Communication", with information on everything from stagecoaches to the telegraph. Learning about early Arizona has been fun with the papers we're provided to help us cover all the required state standards.
We're going to begin taking some practice AIMS tests in Math this week, so the class gets a better idea of what lies ahead in April. Like our weekly sing along to "Ghostbusters" says, "Testbusters! We're aren't afraid of any test!"
I hope you'll take the opportunity to take your family to the 3rd Annual Tucson Festival of Books at the University of Arizona. Their are many great activities for children. Their is a free children's book available with a coupon from the Bear Essential News.
I recieved an email from Scholastic Books regarding an informative Math Workbook they are offering students that costs only $2.00. If you would be interested in purchasing one for you child, please return a check payable to Scholastic News by Friday, March 11th.
In Science this week, we will be covering "How to Protect and Conserve Eath's Resources". Our Social Studies newspaper is called "Transportation and Communication", with information on everything from stagecoaches to the telegraph. Learning about early Arizona has been fun with the papers we're provided to help us cover all the required state standards.
We're going to begin taking some practice AIMS tests in Math this week, so the class gets a better idea of what lies ahead in April. Like our weekly sing along to "Ghostbusters" says, "Testbusters! We're aren't afraid of any test!"
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