Ernie, the Elf, has joined us for the month of December!
Congrats, Sofia for winning the PRIDE! Award
for the month of November!!!
Coming Up:
12/10 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
12/12- Polar Express Movie at the Tivoli'
12/18-The bowling field trip for 4th grade
12/23 - 1/3/20 - No School - Winter Break
Spelling - Mythology Words
This week's list contains words pertaining to Greek Mythology. We will study the definitions of the words as they are used in myths and also look at several myths and their messages. Because this unit has many valuable activities, we will study it for 2 weeks. The spelling test for mythology words is scheduled for Friday, 12/20.
English-
The use of quotation marks will be the focus of English this week.
Reading- Unit 1 Courage - Greek Mythology
The vocabulary QUIZ for the Lou Gehrig story is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/10. In addition to the vocabulary quiz we will have a comprehension quiz and an extended response related to the Lou Gehrig story.
Next, we will begin our study of Greek Mythology with a look at the myth of Hercules. We will also focus on the skill of summarizing. A summary is a shortened version of a story that retells all the important parts of the story in sequence. We will work as a team to summarize the Hercules myth. After winter break, I will be introducing a mythology project that focuses on personalized learning.
Social Studies - "The Cherokee"
We will begin our study of the Native Americans of the Southeast, The Cherokee. We will take a look at how their culture and traditions began and how they continue to keep them alive in modern times.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) - Emotion Management
This week I will be introducing the topic of emotion management. We will discuss that when you have strong feelings, it's hard to think clearly and how unmanaged, strong emotions can lead to negative behavior and consequences. The objective is for students to be able to describe what triggers their own strong emotions and what happens in their brains and bodies when they experience strong emotions.
Mrs. Spakausky's Math Class -Unit 3-Fractions & Decimals
Session 1 Unit 3 Pre-Assessment
Session 2 Fair Shares
Session 3 Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Session 4 If This Is One-Third
Session 5 Egg Carton Fractions
Session 6 Name That Fraction
Module 2-Comparing, Composing & Decomposing Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Session 1 Exploring Fractions on the Geoboard Module 2 Comparing, Composing & Decomposing Fractions & Mixed Numbers
In this module, the geoboard is assigned a value of 1. Students name fractional parts of the geoboard and describe the parts’ relationships to one another. Their observations are then extended into comparing fractions with unlike numerators and denominators, and adding fractions with like denominators. The last three sessions feature an extended problem-solving opportunity followed by a math forum, as well as two new Work Places that provide practice with composing and decomposing fractions.
Session 2 Last Equation Wins
Session 3 Comparing, Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Session 4 Dozens of Eggs
Session 5 How Many Candy Bars?
Session 6 Racing Fractions
Module 3-Introducing Decimals
In this module, the base ten mat is assigned a value of 1. Students determine that the strip and the unit are worth 1/10 and 1/100 respectively, and are introduced to the decimal notation for these fractions. The base ten pieces serve as a visual anchor as students compare decimal numbers and investigate the relationship between tenths and hundredths. During the last two sessions, the teacher introduces two new Work Places to provide practice with adding tenths and hundredths, as well as building and comparing fractions. There is a checkpoint on fractions and decimals at the end of the module.
Session 1 Introducing Decimal Numbers
Session 2 Comparing Decimal Numbers
Session 3 Thinking About Tenths & Hundredths
Session 4 Decimal More or Less
Module 4-Fractions & Decimals
The activities in this module, including another new Work Place, reinforce the relationship between decimals and fractions with denominators 10 and 100. Students are also invited to investigate the connection between decimals and other common fractions, including halves, fourths, fifths, and twentieths. The module concludes with a unit post-assessment.
Session 1 Decimal & Fraction Relationships
Session 2 Fractions & Decimals
Session 3 Ordering Fractions & Decimals on a Number Line
Session 4 Unit 3 Post
Working on Dividing "Candy Bars" into 3/4!
