Second Quarter Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Second quarter is here! Students are doing a great job of switching classes and staying organized with their materials and work.

Math: We begin the quarter with a focus on division. Many students will need additional practice since they will be expected to apply their skills relatively quickly in future math units. There are two methods of calculations, partial quotient and the traditional method. We will focus on the traditional method that you were most likely taught when you were in school.

Unit 5 moves us into the fractions, decimals and percents. This includes ordering fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions and decimals. We will also construct bar and circle graphs, then analyze the percents. Students will learn to use a calculator to convert fractions to percents. We will learn to organize and analyze data in Unit 6. Students will also continue with fractions by earning to add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators.

As always, please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts. It is important for students to know their facts in order learn more difficult concepts as the year progresses. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Science: Models and Designs was a great inventive study for many of the students. I think I have some budding engineers in my science classes! It’s always amazing to see what students come up with as they design their humdingers and go carts. Many minds encourage many unique designs!

This semester we will focus on the human body. Specific standards include the skeletal, muscular, and circulatory systems. We will begin with the skeletal system by dissecting owl pellets. Students will have the opportunity to piece together the skeleton found in the pellet. This leads us into a discussion comparing our skeletal system with a different animal’s skeletal system. Students will have an opportunity to see some human skulls during this unit, and I will also try to bring in an artificial heart from UMC. Note taking will be very important as we learn about each system of the human body. It’s a fascinating unit for many of the students, and it’s fun to see who may be our future medical professionals! 

After our human body study we will begin focusing on astronomy and space science. Look for further information about our star gazes. We will try to have one or two a quarter. These will take place on the large field. Student’s will have a chance to learn about the constellations and moon phases. Star gazes will be optional because they will be held at night. If you have a telescope, please consider bringing it to a star gaze. Our first star gaze is scheduled for November 24th at 7:00 pm. I hope to see you there.


Reading: We finished off the first quarter with animal fiction books. Students directed their own book clubs and spent time preparing for discussions by writing thick questions as discussion directors, finding powerful quotes to share, discovering interesting and important vocabulary words, and analyzing main characters.

This quarter in reading we will spend time focusing on nonfiction material. Students will read various magazines and complete activities with these magazines. They will also develop their own magazine activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. By teaching the students higher levels of thinking and questioning strategies they will become more critical readers. We will also read factual and biographical stories. This type of reading is more technical than fiction and requires more analytical thinking.

If you have any questions, please feel free to blog here, or email me at scook@amphi.com

Thank you,
Suzi Cook