Thursday, #3 2012 2013

Day 3....
3/180 = 3/(60*3) = 1/60  so we are 1/60th of the way done and I just gave you a quick simplifying fractions lesson.  

We began the day with a discussion reminder about the best practices for doing our best on an assessment or the “May test.”  I ask the kids to use these quarterly assessments as a practice of the best test taking strategies that they should use in May.   They shouldn’t stress over them since we are working on the discipline of using the proper techniques/strategies.  

They then began taking an assessment that mirrors the May testing they took in May.  That way we can begin assessing what areas need to be quickly re-addressed, what areas should we skip ahead to (due to mastery) and what skills do specific students need more work with.

We did some more review and work on classroom procedures.  Students now know what is expected when we want water, pencils, and emergency procedures.

We then worked more on their note taking, shorthand and assessing what is the main point.   Therefore we watched again CNN for Students.   Today they learned some about Mitt Romney and the GOP slogan of “He built it.”  There were also some information about tropic storm Isaac.  They had some first person reports from brave reporters near the eye of the storm.  We discussed the negative effects of mold after so much flooding.  They also had a short presentation on Hurricane Hunters.  These brave souls fly into hurricanes dropping various probes so they further discover what causes Hurricanes.  Truancy problems in American schools was also quickly discussed.  Finally they showed a “Tomato Festival” that takes place in Spain and involves the worlds largest food fight.  

We then watched and wrote about the website called “Brain Rules.”    Within the 11 slides it covers why consistently exercising will improve your ability to think.    They had to share with me in writing three new facts they learned about our brain and exercise, so if you have time ask your son/daughter what they remember.  


After that lesson we decided to take a walk or jog for 30 minutes.  The only requirement was “don’t stop moving.”  I was able to have conversations with many of the kids and learn more about them, we also discovered a garter snake and we were able pick up litter in the lawn area.  We are going to shoot for an additional 30 minutes a week of aerobic exercise each week in addition to the 45 minutes they have on a weekly basis with their Monday P.E. class.

Math
Chapter 1 Review
We corrected last night’s homework.
Tonight’s homework is a review of the concepts.  We will take our first test on Wednesday.  
Homework due on Friday:   Page 20 and 21 all the odd problems for sections.

Finally we ended the day with a spirited game of scavenger hunt that Mrs. Cooper put together.  The students were able to go around and collect autographs from their peers while learning about each other.    Maybe ask your son/daughter what things did they sign off on and what new things did they learn about their new classmates.  

Misc. things discussed today:
Reading Around the World paperwork was distributed.  We will definitely discuss this at Back to School Night.  

Vallet Permission Slips -- students interesting in helping our school before and after school are bringing home permission slips.

The 5th grader 10 hour community service goal.   Click here for the form to complete prior to June 1, 2013.  

Homework due on Friday:
1.  Math -- see above

2.  The Reading Survey -- complete sentences and all 20 questions.  
Click here for the survey if it has been misplaced  

3.  Name Tag -- Students are to decorate or NOT decorate their name tag.  
The requirements are the following:

1. It must be 18 inches horizontal by 3 inches vertical
2. Myself or any adult must be able to easily read their first name and their student number in the class.
3. It must not have so much bling or pizzaz that it can NOT easily be covered by contact paper.  
4. It must be “appropriate” for a school environment and not distract others from learning (no severed heads, blood, or Justin Bieber photos)

Besides those four requirements students may choose to make their name tag a reflection of their artistic abilities or they may choose to keep it simple and just write their name/stud # with a permanent marker.  

Remember you can like the class website on Facebook.  

Happy Thursday!!