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.

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:

 Flash Cards

Math Trainer

Math Magician 1

Math Magician 2

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.

Tonight's Homework

Good afternoon,

Here are some upcoming dates to remember for this month:
Feb. 17- CiCi's Spirit Night
Feb. 20- Interim Reports Go Home
Feb. 27- Dear Edwina Jr and Silent Auction 

Tonight's homework is for students to complete a sheet. They also must create 2 extra problems on their own. 

Example problem:(there is no division sign on the keyboard so I will say "divided be")

 9,000 divided by 3 

1. Underline the basic fact and rewrite the division problem using the basic fact.

9,000 divided by 3

9 divided by 3

2. If they cannot give the correct answer, write the problem as a related fact.

3 x ____=9 

Well 3 times 3 equals 9 so...

9 divided by 3 is 3

3. Go to original problem and solve the underlined basic fact.

9,000 divided by 3 = 3

4. Count the number of zeros not underlined in the problem and add to the quotient.

9,000 divided by 3= 3,000

I hope this helps anyone tonight with homework!

Division Anchor Chart

Here is the anchor chart that we use in the classroom to help with division.  I hope this helps you...

Tomorrow

Parents please remember that tomorrow is no school.  I do want students to finish up their blogs (mainly my homeroom students).  To get to the blog have them go through their Edmodo accounts.  If there are any questions, feel free to email me.

Thank you and have a restful long weekend.  See you on Tuesday (yes, Tuesday because their is no school on Monday either)!!!

This Week & Homework 2/9

Good afternoon,

This is going to be a busy week for us.  We can do this if we stay focused!

Dates to Remember:
Feb. 9th- Field Trip to State Museum
Feb. 12- Half Day
Feb 13- No School

Field Trip:
Please bring lunch if you checked on the permission slip that you are bring your own personal lunch and not buying one from the cafeteria.

Wear ORANGE field trip shirts.  If you cant find it wear something that is Forest Lake.

We are not bringing in treats for Valentines Day since Valentines Day is on Saturday. Sorry :(

Tonight's Homework
Block 1 Math: Create and solve 5 division problems.  They must be 3 digit dividend by 1 digit divisor.  Use the area model strategy.

Block 2 and 3 Math: Create and solve 5 division problems.  They must be 2 digit dividend by 1 digit divisor.  Use the area model strategy.

I need to make a correction.  The multiplication bowl was actually won by Aidan Canzater.  Congrats Aidan!!! Parents please help your child learn multiplication facts.  This is one of the set backs we are having with learning division.

Horrible Division 2/5

Yes parents, we are well into division.  I know together we can get over the DIVISION DEMON! Fret not, there will be ample practice for students before I give a test on this.  Here is a VIDEO to help both you and your child for using the area model for division.

Parents, I'm not crazy.  I know you want your child to learn long division.  But I promise this will help them understand.  If your child has a difficult time with this, I will give them another strategy to help them through this trying time.  

Tonight's homework

Block 1 Math: Create 5 division problems (can be up to 4-digit dividends) and solve using the area model.

Block 2 and 3 Math: Complete AT LEAST 3 division problems using the area model strategy.

I will upload pictures of our anchor charts for you to reinforce at home.

Again, parents, TOGETHER WE CAN!