Curriculum September 7th - 9th

MAP TESTING this WEEK!
Students will be taking MAPS each day from Noon to 1:30 pm.  Please make sure your child is well rested and ready for school in the morning.  THANK YOU! 

enVision Math
Please notify me if you haven't receive the parent letter for enVision with your child's user name and password.  I have sent it home twice now so I'm hoping it has made it to you at least once.  =)  Each lesson that your child views in class is also online so you are able to see what we complete in class.  Please do let me know if you have any questions at all.  (Math has changed A LOT since we've been in school.)  The login site is as follows:  https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp 

The students took an online test and a hard copy test (both were exactly the same) last week over Topic 1.  Most students performed better on the hard copy test; however, we are trying to help prepare the students for the computerized testing they will have to take in the Spring.  I will plan on going forward with both forms of testing at the moment and will average their scores for you.  The students completed a survey about their performance and have brought it home over the weekend for you to sign.  Please take some time to go through the test with your child.  I was very proud of how the students did given this was the first time they had something other than Saxon.  They are doing a great job!

The current topic is Number Sense: Addition and Subtraction.  This week we will cover Using Mental Math to Subtract, Rounding and Estimating Sums.  We will begin using an Estimation Jar soon to help us with our estimating skills.

Rigby Reading
We will continue focusing on Making Connections. After reading, you can ask your child how they are able to relate to the text, relate it to another text, or relate it to the world.  We will also focus on Asking Questions as we read to help us better understand the text.
*We will begin reading logs this week. They are due the Tuesday of the following week.  Due to the extended holiday weekend, students are to return their reading logs on Wednesday.
*Grammar-We will continue to focus on identifying nouns and verbs.

Spelling
No spelling this week due to the short week and MAP testing.

Science
We will continue our solar energy unit.  The students will test earth materials and create solar heat collectors.  Please note that we will have our Solar Energy Cook-Out on Friday, September 16.  We will need parent volunteers to help throughout the day.  Students will also have their own Solar Houses due at the beginning of October.  Look for more detailed information regarding both events very soon.

Social Studies
We will continue our communities unit.  This week we will be covering the history of Shawnee, recreation and city services in Shawnee.
 
Writing
Last week we began a draft on the topic, "My Lost Tooth" after reading Trevor's Wiggly, Wobbly Tooth by Lester Laminack.  This week we will focus on voice, strong beginnings and strong conclusions in our tooth narratives.
 
Have a great week!