Newsletter 3/21-3/25

Here's What's Happening...

English/Language Arts: We will wrap up text structures this week with some additional practice.  Students will take an in-class assessment of this skill on Thursday.  They will also complete some practice activities for Word Work List 9 in preparation for the List 9 quiz on Wednesday.  They will also make final revisions for their information writing piece this week!

Science: Chapter 2 comes to a close this week.  Students will write a practice scientific argument on Monday and receive feedback on their work.  This should help them feel prepared for writing their Scientific Argument for the Chapter 2 question "Why aren't the cecropia trees growing and thriving?"  Students will be given three claims to select from, as well as a set of data evidence and scientific idea evidence.  They will use these to decide which claim to argue and support their claim with evidence!

  

Social Studies: Students will work on activities this week to be able to compare and contrast what colonial life was like in the city, in a colonial town, on a Southern plantation, and on family farms.  This will help them prepare for an activity called a "Fishbowl", where students are able to debate and learn how to respectfully disagree with ideas.

Advanced Math:  We wrap up Unit 5 this week by working with operations with decimals in context, as well as relooping back to the skills of Least Common Multiple (LCM) and Greatest Common Factor (GCF).  We will have a practice day on Wednesday, where students will have the opportunity to select the order in which they complete the review activities.  This helps them practice being a self-directed learner because they have to do some accurate self-reflection about what their areas of greatest need are.  The Unit 5 test will be on Thursday!

Important Info:

CAP Presentation This Week

On Thursday, our class will work together with presenters from the YWCA for the annual Erin's Law presentation.  This presentation focuses on helping students have a greater understanding of what types of actions constitute child abuse, and more importantly give strategies for how they can prevent it.  It also arms them with ideas for how to handle difficult situations that may make them feel uncomfortable, including bullying. 

Spirit Week

To gear up for spring break, we will be having a spirit week this week!  Here are the themes for each day!

Monday 3/21 - March Madness Monday (Show your team spirit & wear your favorite basketball jersey/shirt.)
Tuesday 3/22 - Tropical Tuesday (Dress like you’re ready for the beach.)
Wednesday 3/23 - Wacky Wednesday (Get crazy and creative with your hair, hat, or outfit.)
Thursday 3/24 - Throwback Thursday (Deck yourself out in your favorite decade.)
Friday 3/25 - Fabulous Heroes Friday (Dress as your favorite real, fictional, or everyday hero.)

TGFD Home Workouts!

Each week of TGFD, your learner will bring home an assignment to complete as a family. This is to help facilitate a conversation at home about the topic covered in TGFD that week. Students will have a 10 point TGFD Homework Grade in their Social Science gradebook. In order to maintain the 10 points, they need to complete the assignment at home, and then return the paper with a family signature on it by the next TGFD class. If it is not returned in time, one point will be deducted from this grade. In the past, families have found these wonderful opportunities to foster genuine conversations with their learners, and I hope you will find the same!

Schedule of Events

• Sunday, March 20th: Center Cass Community Band Concert, 4pm @ LV
• Monday, March 21st: Monday Choir, 2:45-3:45pm
• Tuesday, March 22nd: Tuesday Choir, 2:45-3:45pm
• Tuesday, March 22nd: Art Adventures, 2:40-3:40pm
• Wednesday, March 23rd: American Eagle Theater Class, 2:45-3:45pm
• Thursday, March 24th: Young Rembrandts, 2:45-3:45pm