Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Tonight's Homework 3/17/15

Here is a description of tonight's homework for each block.

Block 1 Homework:
Finish your Movie Marathon reflection.  It was shared through google drive.  This is due Friday. Also finish the fraction buckets document also shared through google drive.

Block 2 Homework:
Finish Kahoot project.  Check the rubric before sharing it with me.  Share the kahoot by searching me on Kahoot (carjacobs).  Also, complete fractions on a number line sheet.  There are 5 number lines and 4 fractions that need to be placed on the number line.  The fractions may not have the same denominator so you have to figure out the equivalent fraction.

Block 3 Homework:
Complete fractions on a number line sheet.  There are 5 number lines and 4 fractions that need to be placed on the number line.  The fractions may not have the same denominator so you have to figure out the equivalent fraction.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

NASA Night

Please don't forget to come out tomorrow night for NASA Night. The theme is Math and Literacy.  4th grade will be hosting the Cake Walk.

PS: It is also my birthday tomorrow!!! 

State Testing

Blurb for elementary/middle parents

New laws passed by the South Carolina General Assembly have resulted in new tests that will be
administered during the spring of 2015 throughout our state. Students in Grades 3-8 will take a new,
timed test this school year called ACT Aspire. In Richland Two, our students will take the paper and
pencil ACT Aspire tests for writing, English, reading and mathematics. They will not take the optional
ACT Aspire test for science that some districts may use. This new test will help teachers understand
where their students are succeeding and where extra help or academic focus is needed. By having a
better understanding of a student’s skills, abilities, and knowledge, parents and teachers can determine
what students need to know to be successful in school in the future.

Students in Grades 4-8 will continue to take SCPASS for science and social studies. Schools have
the option of administering SCPASS as an online test or a paper and pencil test. Third-graders will
not take any state tests for science and social studies.

For more information on ACT Aspire, visit the Richland Two Assessment Web page or
the S.C. Department of Education’s ACT Web page.

Monday, March 9, 2015

This Week In Math...

Good afternoon students and parents,

I've been having issues with my blog this past week.  I do apologize for the inconvenience.  Well, for the most part we are finished with division.  There are a few students who need an alternate assessment for various reasons.  Hopefully by Friday everyone will have been assessed on division.  We are moving forward with fractions.  Here is information specifically for each math block:

Block 1 Math:
We will work more with fraction games and using manipulatives for fractions.  Homework incorporating what was learned in math will be sent home nightly. (However, not tonight)

Block 2 Math:
Today we focused on prime and composite numbers.  We have one more lesson before we dive into fractions specifically.  By Wednesday you should see fraction homework sent home.

Block 3 Math:
We focused on factors.  Keep practicing multiplication fluency as this will help with listing factors.  By Thursday we should have fraction homework being sent home.

Multiplication Masters:
Continue to study multiplication.  Every Tuesday and Thursday, I give multiplication fact timed drills.  Students know what facts have been passed.  We have tested on 2 through 5.  Tomorrow we will start with 6's and Thursday will be 7's.  Make up drills are to be done on Fridays.
 Here are some links to online resources that we use in class to study:

Front Row (click here for the log in page)
Front Row is a resource that I have been using in math for students.  It is very similar to Moby Max and Khan Academy.  If you saw your child's graded papers, you would have noticed a paper that had your child's name an a standard.  This is a weekly grade.  It is differentiated meaning every student working on this math strand are practicing skills on their individual level.  The level is set once the student takes the pre-test.  Your child can practice at home.  Last week students worked on Numbers and Operations in Base Ten.  This week students will be practicing with Numbers and Operations- Fractions.  The class code is 4y23j6. If you have any more questions about this please feel free to email me.

Math Projects
Block 1: Movie Marathon Division Project- due date is Friday (This is to be done entirely by the student.  Adults may guide students if necessary.  The goal is to have the student utilize the various strategies we learned in class since the 4th grade standard does not teach students to divide by 2 digit numbers.)  I know some students have been stressing about this so I am trying to meet with groups every day to guide them in using the strategies as well.  

Block 2: Division Kahoot- due date was last Friday.  Some students have not submitted this project.  The assignment is for students to create a Kahoot game including 10 questions.  I will extend this project to Wednesday for certain students.

My goal for every student to be independent and successful.  I set high but attainable standards and I believe every student can meet and/or exceed them.  Please continue to motivate your child and stay positive in these last few weeks before Spring Break.