With third tri starting Monday, now would be a great time to check in with your student about the status of his/her school supplies. Many notebooks are running out, and some folders are damaged beyond the point of repair. Students should have a good supply of pencils, correcting pens, and at least one highlighter. Thank you!
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It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly mid-March, and that second trimester is coming to a close. This Thursday, March 11th, is the last day of 2nd trimester. AR points are due by the end of the day Thursday. Remember, there is no school on Friday!
On Monday, students will start fresh with zero late assignments for 3rd tri. Homework turned in late during 3rd tri will be docked 30%, so it is imperative that students continue being responsible for completing and turning in homework on time. If your child meets his/her AR point goals for 1st and 2nd trimester, he/she will not be required to read for AR points during third tri. While we still expect students to be reading at home (20 minutes, 5 days a week) – we hope to expand students’ reading choices to some great non-AR books!
Look for info coming home next week regarding behavior expectations during third trimester, which are linked to our end of the year trip to Valleyfair!
As always, please call or email with any questions!
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I have been wowed and amazed by my two science classes this week! Students delved into the challenge of determining what was inside of our ‘black boxes’. They collaborated, supported their ideas with sound scientific observations, and listened respectfully to the opinions of their peers. Their next challenge will be to engineer a black box that behaves exactly like the box they studied – without opening the first one!
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After a quick break for a Health chapter, we’re back to Science in Room 47. We will begin the FOSS Models and Designs science unit this week. We will assume the roles of scientist as we try to figure out what hidden systems look like and how they work. Then we will change into engineers as we try to design self-propelled carts from simple construction materials. We have an interesting and exciting couple of weeks ahead!
In this module, students learn about scientific models. A scientific model explains a natural system or process that is not totally accessible to direct investigation. We will gather evidence, share ideas with peers, create models, and modify them based on additional evidence. We will learn how to think productively about the unknown.
After we tackle models and expand our points of view and ways of thinking about systems, we will become engineers who design and create products. We will be designing and building carts from sticks, paper clips, wire, rubber bands, and the like. With each passing investigation students face more demanding engineering challenges, and I can expect to see a lot of creativity brought to bear on the problems.
Please take some time to discuss with your student what they’ve been doing in Science class. When they explain and justify their work outside of class, their understanding deepens, and they may be able to delve deeper into the engineering process. Thanks for your continued support, and please feel free to send any questions my way! Photos will be coming soon! (Due to Spring Break, plan on one Science quiz before vacation, and then finishing up the unit and the final test a few weeks after we return – specific dates will be posted!)
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Spring is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing… STANDARDIZED TESTING!
NWEAs and MCAs are coming soon. Please try to schedule appointments and vacations around these days because it’s very important for students to be here (and well rested and well fed on these days!).
MCA math – April 14th and 15th
MCA reading – April 19th and 20th
NWEA – May 12th and 13th
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Please send in a small photo of your child/children for a mural project. (Photos will not be returned)
Reading: Next week’s test will be a take-home, open-book test. It will go home on Thursday, and is due Friday
Math: We start geometry on Monday. There will be a quiz on Friday on lessons 9.1-9.4
Health: Ch 1 Test Friday. Students will be able to bring home textbooks Thursday night, but can study from their notes all week!
Friday 2/26 is picture retake day, and we will have an art lesson with Mrs. Erickson.
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Just a sample of the fun we’ve been having with eye dissection, Morning Meeting games, and bowling! Happy Friday!
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I really enjoyed getting to chat with families at conferences. Thanks again for the support and encouragement that you showed your child at conferences.
Here’s what’s coming up in room 47:
Friday 2-5: Bowling permission slips/donations due. Fall Secrets reading test, spelling tests, Social Studies test
Monday 2-8: Brooklyn Jr High registration meeting with 6th graders, poetry unit in reading (no spelling in leveled rdg this week or next week!), math quiz
Tuesday 2-9: Miller’s homeroom dissects sheep eyes
Wednesday 2-10: homeroom spelling bee
Thursday 2-11: Bowling field trip, Science test (Light, Sight and Color), Haiti Fundraiser
Friday 2-12: No school for students; teacher workshop day
Coming up is our 2nd Annual Spelling Bee at Woodland!! Each class in grades 4 – 6 will have two representatives. Our classroom will host our spelling bee to determine who our representatives will be on Wednesday Feb 10th! If your child was interested, I have given them a study sheet to practice from. I am proud to say that we had an overwhelming response from students who were interested in the Spelling Bee!! Good Luck Spellers!
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A message from our WD student council:
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti January 12, devastating the country. More than 200,000 people died from the quake and buildings and homes have been demolished. It is a daily struggle to meet medical and nutrition needs and help the country recover from the trauma of this disaster. The American Red Cross’ primary focus during this time is providing food and shelter and meeting other basic needs for the people of Haiti.
The Woodland Student Council believes that we have an opportunity to help the people of Haiti recover and rebuild their lives through donations to the Red Cross. In reflecting on the many things we are fortunate to have, we ask you to consider helping the people of Haiti at this time of need. If every student and staff member brings in just $1.00 we will be able to donate over $1,000. Please help us meet this goal! We thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion.
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I am excited to talk with all of you in the next couple of weeks during conferences. Please bring your child with because they will be leading the conference.
Tuesday
conferences and book fair
midtris go home
Thursday
conferences and book fair
Reading: My Side of the Mountain test will be a take home test this week. Students may use their books on the test.
School picture order form comes home
Friday
School pictures at 2:45 pm
Spelling tests – Words from My Side of the Mountain
Math: test on chapter 7
Looking Ahead:
Monday 2/1 – full band practice in the afternoon
Tuesday 2/2 – Sheep Eye dissection, Wagenman’s homeroom (Miller’s homeroom 2/9)
Wednesday 2/3 – Eagle Celebration, conferences and book fair
Thursday 2/4 and Friday 2/5 – Character Education with Mrs. Birkinbine
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