Newsletter September 6, 2012

Reminders and Important Dates

NEEDED: Sets of the game "MOUSE TRAP" for use next week as part of an inquiry rotation.  If you have a set, please contact Dr. Ricotta and send it with your child by Monday.

Friday, September 7 - Thursday Folders Due
                                        Reading Logs Due
                                        List of Rube Goldberg ideas due

Tuesday, September 11 - Picture Day

Friday, September 14 - Early Dismissal 2:10

DIII is currently looking for a DPR (Division Parent Representative).  This individual would be involved in coordinating volunteer needs for our division (see the Inquiry section for an example), organizing some of our larger events, and other things as needed.  Please contact Ms. Brown or Mrs. Myers for additional information if you are interested.

LifeSkills:

In LifeSkills this week, students are learning our school's Vision and Mission statements.  See if your child can recite and/or explain what they mean! We have also been exploring the differences and similarities in people's perspectives, considering how perspective can impact someone's message or how our message is received.  Students in Dr. Ricotta's class are also learning how to write an entry in their Writer's Notebooks using a BINGO sheet.

World of Math:

Students in Dr. Ricotta's math class this week spent time identifying different properties polygons and learned how to use a compass to create a circle.  Ms. Brown's math class discussed the vocabulary word "equivalent" and learned about equivalent names for numbers, explored the vocabulary of probability (sure/not sure, probable/improbable), and learned to use the number grid to find the difference between numbers.  

Please check your child's binder regularly for homelinks and other Math related news.  

Art of Language:

Dr. Ricotta's class has started Ceasar's English, which emphasizes Latin roots, as well as editing and four level sentence analysis for Grammar.  They are also identifying nonfiction text features using National Geographic for Kids, and are continuing their informational essays on their animal of choice.

Ms. Brown's class is continuing their work with four level sentence analysis to help students create vivid and interesting sentences in their writing.  Spelling and vocabulary work will begin next week.  Please check your child's binder in the language arts section (3rd tab) for more information on your child's work in this area on MONDAY.  Her students have continued their exploration of non-fiction text, focusing on the topic of Nutrition.  Several students have already shared the area in which they intend to study and write about.  Using nonfiction books and articles, students are learning more about the organization of informational writing, everything from the use of descriptions and lists to cause/effect articles, to include question and answer pieces.  

Students are encouraged to locate materials on their topic of choice and bring these to class with them each day.  Please go with your child to the library or search the internet for information, books, and articles on the topic he or she has chosen, helping them to locate pieces that are child-friendly.  Nonfiction writing can get rather technical, and it then becomes frustrating for students when they are unable to make sense of what they are reading because it involves terminology or information that is not easily understood by young people.

Our writing this week has focused on writing about what we have read including summaries, note taking, and reflective pieces to document our thought processes as we explore the idea of nutrition.  Students are in the ideas/planning phase of the writing process currently.

Inquiry:

This week, students moved from mechanisms into learning about electrical circuits and how they work. We discovered the difference between conductors and insulators and how each affects a circuit.  Students will also learn about switches, and how they affect a circuit as well.  Next week, we will start a three day rotation in which students will further their knowledge of mechanisms and simple machines.  

Late next week, we will begin a study of medieval inventions, tying students' study of mechanisms and machines to history.

We are still in need of volunteers during Art Encore classes (12:30-1:20 daily) starting Monday, September 24th, as well as some supplies:
1. to make x6 paper "presses" -   fine metal screen and wood for frames ( important to make the metal edges completely safe!) with plywood cut to size (inside measurement)
2. x6 concrete half blocks
3. x6 plastic trays to catch the water
4. x4 blenders for making the pulp
5. Elmers glue x3 large containers
6. natural materials - grass, flowers etc

Please email Ms. Brown (teresabrown@academyacl.org) if you have not already and you are interested in providing supplies or adult support in the classroom.

Have a wonderful weekend!