Weekly News - update

• This week in Math students continued to divide decimals by whole numbers. The concept was taken a step further. It had to do with remainders. They were taught what to do if there was a remainder (Basic understanding is to add a zero). Students were taught to regroup. For example 1 one equals 10 tenths, 1 tenth equals 10 hundredths etc. This concept was extremely difficult. We practiced for a few day and now many students understand the concept. They did well on their exit ticket. Exit tickets are given at the end of each lesson. They and informal assessments to see if students are grasping the concept being taught.
• In Literacy this week students worked in stations. Stations are when students work in small groups around the room after having been taught a mini-lesson as a whole group. There are four stations set up in the classroom in which students practice the skill for a particular day. Station 1 is working with the teacher. In this station students usually bring their notebooks and we practice the skill that was taught during the mini-lesson. Students may also bring their leveled books and we review reading strategies from the curriculum. Station 2 is a partner and/or individual station. In this station students may complete a worksheet, play a game, have a discussion etc. Station 3 is the computer. In this station students work on a game or activity that reinforces and strengthens the skill taught in the mini-lesson. Station 4 is on the rug. In this station students work with their leveled books, vocabulary or fluency. Leveled books are books written on the students reading ability level. The content of the book is closely related to the fifth grade curriculum, but it is written at the students level. Fluency is when students time each for one minute. They record their scores and try to improve them the next day. All fluency sheets are based on the students ability level. The levels are determined by the Dibels test results. Students love stations because they are allowed to move around the room. Please encourage your children to stay focused and on task during this time. We all want to see them use their time wisely and to improve in Reading.
• In Social Studies this week students are continuing to use criteria to complete their projects. At this point most students have completed their research and they are creating their maps by labeling  North America, outlining the map, adding the oceans, Gulf of Mexico, a compass rose and coloring the bodies of water. Several groups have begun to add symbols to represent the tribes they have researched. They will continue this project up until Christmas break.
• Thank you for allowing your child to participate in the before school math program. It will be beneficial in improving their capabilities in math as the year progresses. Hopefully there will be a bus available soon.

Have a restful weekend because I'm sure with Thanksgiving coming next week we will be very busy. Thank you for all you do on the homefront.