Newsletter 3/7-3/11

Here's What's Happening...

English/Language Arts: We will wrap up our work with sequencing, which lends itself to the start of learning about text structures, since sequence is one of the text structures we cover.  Text structures will be our focal point for the week, as it is the main topic of focus for this unit.  Students will utilize these text structures when they get to the end of the unit project in a few weeks.  They will complete the Word Work Lesson 9 Sort and Definitions this week too.

Science: This week, students will explore the SIM to help them gather evidence for two different claims and then determine which claim is best.  This will lead to a greater understanding of where the energy in an ecosystem really comes from.  In addition, students will have the opportunity to connect to what we are learning about text structures by looking at a text that is written in the problem/solution text structure.  They will use this text to continue developing their ability to make a claim and find evidence to support their claim. 

  

Social Studies: We will be finishing up our colonization unit by taking a look at what life was like during colonial times.  Students will learn about the different economies in the colonies, as well as the idea of triangular trade, which was popular during this time.  In addition, they will learn about the Middle Passage by reading the primary source of Olaudah Equiano's account of the Middle Passage.  

Advanced Math:  We didn't get to long division last week, so we will begin it this week!  As usual, we will begin with looking at models to gather our understanding of this skill, and then work our way into various strategies for dividing, and apply those to decimal situations.  Students will also complete a short checkpoint about multiplying decimals for homework on Tuesday.  

Important Info:

CoGAT Testing  BeginsThis Week

This week, students will begin to take the CoGAT tests.  These tests are used for a variety of reasons, including helping identify students who may qualify for gifted services, as well as a piece of determining class placements at Lakeview.  These are not tests the students can study for, as they do not directly assess the content or skills that students are taught this year.  We do ask students to give their best efforts, and you can help at home by making sure they get a good night's sleep and have a good breakfast in the morning.  Our testing schedule can be found below.

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!

PRIDE Winner!

Congratulations to Dominick, who was selected as the winner of the Positive Attitude award for the month of February!

Schedule of Events

• Monday, March 7th: Monday Choir, 2:45-3:45pm
• Tuesday, March 8th: CoGAT Testing, 1-2pm
• Tuesday, March 8th: Tuesday Choir, 2:45-3:45pm
• Tuesday, March 8th: Art Adventures, 2:40-3:40pm
• Wednesday, March 9th: SIP Day Early Dismissal, PV dimisses at 11:30am
• Thursday, March 10th: CoGAT Testing, 1-2pm
• Saturday, March 12th: Parent University, Online Safety, 9-10:30am