Rockhopper Reminders - March

Rockhopper Reminders
March News


Mark Your Calendars:
March 3 - 21 Pennies for Patients Fundraising
March 4 - Incoming 6th grade Parent Info Night at Miller 6-7pm
March 4 - Incoming 6th grade Parent Info Night at Cup. Middle 6:30-7:30pm
March 5 - Unit 4 Lesson 6 Social Studies Assessment (open book)
March 7 - Reading Contract DUE
March 7 - Kitchen Science DUE
March 10 - School wide Assembly: Wildlife Associates
March 11 - Class Picture Day
March 14 - Incoming 6th grade Electives Night at Hyde 6:30-7:30pm
March 18 and 19 - 5th Grade Math Placement Test
March 19 - Incoming 6th grade Parent Info Night at Lawson 6:30-7:30pm
March 20-28 - Conferences: Dismissal at 12:30 each day! * Please be sure to return your confirmation of conference dates and times!
March 27 - Family Science Night: 6-8pm
March 31 - Staff Learning Day (No school)

Curriculum Flash!
Language Arts:
This month in language arts, we continue with our literature study of Dear Mr. Henshaw, written by Beverly Cleary. As we read, we are paying particular attention to the use of language while studying the author’s voice through word choice and sentence structure. Also, along with comprehension, students are being asked to pay particular attention to the way in which the main character grows and changes over time. Our character analysis includes exploring the developing emotions of the character and having an empathetic understanding of all of the characters in the book. This ties in well with this month’s Megaskill of empathy!

As we write, students are being more critical of word choice and sentence structure in their own writing to help develop their own sense of voice and as a class we’ve been comparing different literature books with similar themes to hear how voice is created.



Math:
4th grade:
We have been exploring the realm of algebra by using a strategic method to solve for the unknown variable. In class, we have been emphasizing the importance of showing work each step of the way when performing each operation. Students have also been exploring function tables, looking for patterns, and participated in several group challenges (Red Fences & Green Gates, Click, Clack, Moo) to strengthen their communication and apply various problem-solving strategies. Please ask your child to share more details with you! Here is a link to a fun function machine game for extra practice: http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/functionmachines.html

Looking ahead, students will be participating in "menu math," which will utilize real-life scenarios of ordering food from a menu to help them to learn and use variables and expressions. At the end of the unit, students will create their own unique restaurant menu to use for a fun algebra activity!

5th grade:
We recently completed the Fractions Unit where students learned to perform all mathematical operations using models, numbers, and words. They solved multi-step word problems, persevered on Problem of the Month, and tried their hand at performance tasks. Students recently took a Decimals Pretest, which partially tested their use of common sense, and partially tested their knowledge of basic understanding of decimal operations. It surprised them at how they got involved in doing the math correctly, while losing focus on what made sense. Those students who have done well on the pretest, will be provided with enrichment activities to keep them interested and challenged. The 6th grade placement test will be administered on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18th and 19th.

Social Studies
We will soon be finishing studying the fourth unit in Social Studies which has dealt with the establishment of the thirteen colonies. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with two other students to do an in depth study on a colony, the findings of which they will publish on a Google Site they create. This past month we stressed developing the basic skills of comparing and contrasting, and answering questions to the point. Additionally, students have been learning about different regions of the United States. Every two weeks students watch a video on a specific region, take notes as they watch it and discern the key ideas. They have also been learning the names and locations of the states and their capitals, and will continue to do so until we finish studying the geography of all 50 states.


Science:
As we continue with our study of the Water Planet and water vapor, students have had the opportunity to reinforce prior knowledge about evaporation, deepen their understanding of condensation, and learn the principle behind the creation of convection currents of both gases and liquids. There has been a lot of opportunity for hands on experiments and our current Kitchen Science also involves experimenting and discovering the ideas behind evaporation and condensation. As we move forward, the students will be learning about atmospheric pressure and it’s effect on weather. These ideas will prepare us for this month’s study on Earth’s Weather. We’re so lucky this is a perfect time of year to observe changes in our weather and environment. Great dinner time conversation!



Mystery State Clues:
This state elects four people to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Helium was discovered at a university in this state in 1905.
This state leads the United States in cattle and wheat production.
This state's state song is "Home on the Range."
Female aviator Amelia Earhart was born in this state.
Which state is it?