Daily Update 1/28

Hi Parents,

Tonight's math homework is a quick review of writing fractions using parts of a set (as opposed to parts of a whole). Hopefully, students have the background experience that will allow them to complete the assignment without much difficulty.

The Reading Response Blog entry is also due tomorrow.  If students haven't yet completed it in class, please have them work on it at home, if possible.

Yesterday, students began a new writing assignment; the first two quarters were spent working on writing good, well developed paragraphs, and we've now moved into writing multi-paragraph essays. Students are currently using graphic organizers to organize their thinking, and will edit, revise, and publish within the next two weeks. The first assignment is to write a opinion/persuasive essay on one of the following topics:

• Should elementary schools get rid of homework?
• What is something that you'd like to change in our school?  Write a letter to Mrs. Shriner to persuade her to agree with you.

**Don't forget to visit our student blog to check out some online grammar resources.  We're currently working on verb tenses.

**Report cards go home tomorrow.  Please be on the lookout and return the signed envelope ASAP.

**Looking ahead, don't forget that students do not have school on 2/15-2/16!

Thanks so much for your support!  Have a great evening!

Update 1/26

Hi Parents,

Here's tonight's math homework.  Students wrote this in their math journals:

Please note that for question 1, students will be using eighths to decompose the 1 whole (or 8/8).  For example, they could say:

Friend 1 gets 2/8, Friend 2 gets 2/8, so Friend 3 gets 4/8.  The equation would be 2/8 + 2/8 + 4/8 = 8/8 = 1.

For questions 2 and 3, students are not expected to solve the addition equations.  They should be able to use logical reasoning to figure out which value is the highest.  For example, in question 2, both equations begin with 3/4.  Using what you know of fractions, you can see that adding 1/9 is less than adding 1/3.

Please also remind your child that his/her Reading Blog Response is due on Friday.  Please see the previous post for the prompt.

Finally, we have talked to a few parents who are interested in having extra practice for the grammar skills we are studying.  For the next 2 weeks, we will be working on verb tenses:  past, present, and future.  If you'd like your child to have a bit more practice, please visit the student blog for links.  Thanks!

Have a great evening!

Daily Update 1/25

Hi Parents,

Tonight's math homework is a fraction puzzles worksheet that requires students to add fractions with like denominators.  There is an extra challenge; if students are able to simplify fractions (a skill we practiced earlier this year), they will be able to solve the riddle included on the sheet.  If they don't remember how to simplify fractions, it's fine if they just solve the equations.

Students should also start working on their weekly blog entry.  The prompt this week:

What is the genre (non-fiction, fiction, adventure, science fiction, mystery, etc.) of the book  you're reading.  Cite evidence from the text to show how you know.  For example, if you say that your book is an adventure story, cite some of the adventures you've read.

**Tomorrow is class picture day.  If you'd like to buy a class picture, please send in $10 with your child tomorrow.

**Tonight is Heroes Elementary night at Wendy's.  Please consider dropping by and supporting our PTO.

Have a great evening!

Update 1/19/2016

Parents,

Students have a math worksheet on converting pounds to ounces. They should have brought home the charts we completed during math instruction to assist them with the homework, if needed. We looked at converting feet to inches, pounds to ounces, and kilometers to meters. Due to the short week, the students do not have a reader response this week. They should complete last week's if it is not already done.

Reminder the students have no school on Friday due to the teacher workday.

Reminder the end of the 2nd quarter is this Thursday.

charles.utter@am.dodea.edu     mindy.thompson@am.dodea.edu

Update 1/14/2016

Parents,

Since we were measuring different items for part of the math lesson today, the homework is: Pick 10 items at home and give an estimate for the length of the object in inches, feet, or yards and write it down.  They should pick about 3 smaller items, 4 medium, and 3 larger items to predict. They can, but are not required to check their estimate with a tape measure or ruler to see how close they came to their estimate and write that next to their estimate.
The reading response is due tomorrow. Thanks.

charles.utter@am.dodea.edu    mindy.thompson@am.dodea.edu

Update 1/12/16

Parents,

Students have to complete a math assignment that is similar to last night's homework only the input/output chart will consist of feet and yards. There is one word problem, as well. They should also be completing their reader response that is due on Friday. Have a great night.

charles.utter@am.dodea.edu       mindy.thompson@am.dodea.edu

Hi Parents, 

Tonight's homework was written in the math journal, so students should have their math journal at home with them tonight.  If, for some reason, your student does not have his/her homework, here are pictures of the board to help you out.  There's a little glare on the board, but I think you can make it out.

In reading, students have a new Reader Response Blog prompt.  It is:

What is the author's purpose for writing the book that you're reading now?  Tell how you know, including evidence from the text.  Make sure to include the title of your book and edit before you post.

This assignment is due Friday!

Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful evening!

Update 1/7/2016

Parents,

Tonight's math homework dealt with two-step word problems. For example, they might have to add up parts of a problem and then subtract that number from the total. We also reminded students to bring home the problem set which we worked on in class to assist them with their homework since the concept is the same. If there is a lot of difficulty solving the problems and your child tried their best and still didn't get it, write a note and we will excuse them. Their reader response is due tomorrow. Have a great night.

charles.utter@am.dodea.edu     mindy.thompson@am.dodea.edu

Update 1/5/2016

Parents,

Students have a math review sheet to complete on subtraction again. This homework is a little more challenging than yesterday since it brings in more zeroes in the problems to subtract. They will use the regular strategy to solve the algorithms as we learned when we were their age. I want to remind you that they have until Friday to complete their reader response on their blog. This was announced in yesterday's post or you can look at the reader response tab on this blog. Have a great week.

charles.utter@am.dodea.edu       mindy.thompson@am.dodea.edu

Update 1/4

Hi Parents!  Welcome back to school in 2016!

Tonight's homework in math is a subtraction review worksheet.  For most of the assignment, students should use the standard algorithm to solve subtraction problems.  There are a few word problems that require students to model their problems using what we call a "tape diagram."

Here is a simple example.  After modeling the problem, students would solve for "N" using the standard algorithm.

In addition to the math assignment, students also have a blog entry due Friday.  The prompt is:

**Find a cause and effect relationship in your story.  Explain using 3-5 sentences.  Don't forget to check your spelling!

As always, students are allowed to work on their blog entry during Reading stations, but are also encourage to work on it at home.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!