Parents Place Blog

Fourth Quarter Newletter 2010

2010-04-04T16:39:00.000-07:00

Reading:

This final quarter in my reading class, we will focus on science-fiction and mystery. Students will read City of Ember, People of Sparks, or Running Out of Time for our science-fiction unit. We will finish the quarter with a classic “who done it” entitled The Westing Game. This book is full of plot twists, red herrings, and interesting dialogue. It encourages analysis and discussion through out this tale. Reading strategies also include vocabulary development, inference in text, main idea and character development, along with setting and plot development.

Finally, students will have the opportunity to utilize their reading skills during the AIMS test as well as the year-end MAP test. These tests will be important for reading/language placement next year.

Math:

We begin the quarter with a focus on Coordinates, Area, Volume and Capacity. Students will complete a unit on Algebra Concepts and Skills that fits in nicely with Hands-on-Equations, which they worked on third quarter..

Unit 11 moves us back into volume by adding cylinders, cones, and pyramids. Students will also use the displacement method to find the volume of an irregular 3-D object. They will move into Probability, Ratios, and Rates in Unit 12. Finally, we will study a discrete math, which includes multiplication principles, vertex edge graphs and Euler’s circuits.

As with reading, students will have the opportunity to utilize their math and problem-solving skills during the AIMS test, MAP test and Orleans Hanna Algebra Placement test. These tests will be important for math placement next year.

Science:

Science is full of mystery this quarter, from the vast to the minute. We will focus on Physical Science including Mixtures & Solutions, Powders & Crystals, and Cabbages & Chemistry (acid/base identification) .. Students began the quarter focusing on powders and crystals. We will look at their unique properties and see how they react and interact with various liquids and heat. Students will begin to learn the differences between mixtures, compounds, and solutions. They will also be able to identify physical vs. chemical changes in substances.

Our final science adventure will be a culminating Mystery Festival in which students will use all of their science knowledge to solve a simulated murder mystery. We will take it from the crime scene to the courtroom! It will be interesting to see “who done it!”

I have enjoyed your children this year, and look forward to a wonderful fourth and final quarter. They have grown so much and are becoming responsible citizens. I will miss them next year.

If you have any questions please blog here or email me.

Suzi Cook
scook@amphi.com

Third Quarter Newsletter

2010-01-05T06:25:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year - 2010!

Joining us this semester is Taryn Hoffman, student teacher from the University of Arizona. We look forward to having her work with the students. An overview of what we will be learning this quarter is listed below

Reading:

This quarter in reading we will focus on books that have been banned or challenged in libraries. However, all books included in our study are not banned at the Painted Sky Library. Other book studies genres will include biographies, fantasy, and fiction. We will continue to read excerpts from The Reading Detective, to hone our reading skills. Jr. Great Books will be included to practice our interpretation and group discussion skills. Reading strategies also include vocabulary development, inference in text, main idea and character development, along with setting and plot development.

Math:

We begin the quarter finishing up fractions, decimals and percents, or completing a pre-algebra unit; Hands-on-Equations. This hands-on pre-algebra manipulative unit helps students understand the basics of algebra. The last quarter students will take an algebra readiness test to help place them in 6th grade math. Students will also complete Exponents and Negative numbers.

Unit 8 moves us back into fractions, but will also include ratios. This unit includes adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators, which they learned last quarter. Students will also learn how to multiply fractions and mixed numbers. Finally, we will complete a unit on coordinates, area, volume and capacity.

Science:

Science is full of adventures this quarter, from the vast to the minute. We will finish us the human body study and then focus on astronomy and space science. Our first star gaze was a success and we look forward to another one this quarter. The Painted Sky Science Fair coming up in February. Students will be encouraged to complete a project at home for the Science Fair. All information is on-line.

Along with astronomy and the science fair we will focus on Mixture and Solutions, which involves physical science standards. This is always a fun unit because students love to do experiments. We have quite a few planned and will carry this unit of study into the fourth quarter.

Suzi Cook
scook@amphi.com

Second Quarter Newsletter

2009-10-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

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

August News

2008-08-17T10:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Parents,

We have gotten off to a very nice beginning this year. The students have been positive and enthusiastic about this new year so far. This makes my job so much fun! So, thank you for instilling that love of learning in your child.

This newsletter will provide you with some information regarding the curriculum your children will be learning this year. My goal is to update information on a monthly basis. This is also a place to help you guide discussion with your child in regards to school. As a parent myself, I know that sometimes the answers we get from our inquiries is one word at best! I'm sure you can fill in the questions to these detailed answers. "Yes." "Fine." "Nothing." :-)

Therefore, the students and I will be providing a few questions each week to help you discuss what your child is learning in class.

My reading group is beginning the year with a brief introductory study of Greek & Roman Myths. Students are learning about nature and hero tales. We will soon move into legends, folktales, and fables. Our objective is to learn a bit about the beginnings of story and discuss the lessons that are to be learned from these tales. We are also working on new vocabulary and fluency. Students are reading these stories independently, followed by whole class discussions.

Math began with a analyzing a variety of data including chocolate, birthdays and raisins in a box. Our first unit of study is analyzing number patterns. Concepts include; rectangular arrays, prime and composite numbers, square numbers, and prime factorization. We will move into estimation and computation later this month. Students will take timed tests a few times a week for a while. Please 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 class began with brainstorming and identifying safety rules that we will follow throughout the year. Students will be learning the scientific process through a variety of experiments. Some of the experiments involve Newton's three laws. We will then move into a Models and Design Unit of study, which will incorporate Newton's Laws. However, the main science focus this quarter includes inquiry, hypothesis, testing, and analysis. Each student is also building science vocabulary within their notebook. The notes students take in science class can always be used on tests & quizzes, so I am encouraging good note-taking skills.

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

Regards,
Suzi Cook