Classroom Update - Week of November 11th
Upcoming Events / Reminders:
I will be holding Fall Conferences this week and next. Please visit the Signup Genius link to choose a time that works best for your schedule. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA62FA13-fall6 I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Make-up Days for last quarter's inclement weather will be as follows:
Thursday, 9/5 – Make up day THIS Saturday, November 16
Friday, 9/6 – Make up day Saturday, December 7
On these days, the building will open at 8:45am, instruction begins at 9:15am and dismissal starts at 12:45pm. Breakfast will be served on these days, but not lunch. Please make sure to provide your child with a snack or two on these days.
There will be no school Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving Break. I'll see everyone back at school on Monday, December 2nd!
Readvolution has started again in Wake County! Just like in previous years, there is a school wide goal and an individual goal. We have met our goal of reading 2020 books. As of Friday, we have read 2,620 books and are 17th place in the county. Keep encouraging your child to read and log those books and minutes!
The Kids Heart Challenge continues! Go to heart.org/kidsheartchallenge or search “Kids Heart Challenge” in your app store to download the app to register.
The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to MES December 2nd - 13th. More details will follow soon!
MES scientists and mathematicians, start planning your projects for the MES Annual Science Fair scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th from 6-8 pm! All students in K – 5 are welcome to participate in the non-competitive portion of the MES Science Fair. Students in grades 3 – 5 have the option to compete in the competitive portion of the MES Science Fair. All projects should be registered by December 1st using the following link, https://forms.gle/DBoFqFFBCpi2WLMn9. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Bonani Langan (bonani.langan@gmail.com) or Janis Gould (jgould@wcpss.net).
E.L. Education:
This week the students will immerse themselves in researching animal defense mechanisms. Last week, the students all chose an "expert animal group" and will collaborate this week to learn more about one of the following four animals: three banded armadillo, monarch butterfly, springbok gazelle, or ostrich. This week they will be reading a variety of texts both in printed and online formats. The students will learn strategies to research online safely and will start their planning page for their Unit 2 informational essay on their animal.
How to Help Your Child at Home:
Take your child to the library to check out or learn more about defense mechanisms of the animals that they chose to research.
Have your child share with you more about the animal that they have chosen to research.
Have your child share with you some of the ways that they can determine if an internet site is safe and trustworthy to use.
Math:
This week in math the students will continue to work on long division. They will be focusing on the area model for long division and the expanded notation form. Please take some time to watch the long division videos on my website with your child to familiarize yourself with the new models for long division that they will be learning. An emphasis will also be placed on solving word problems and learning what to do with remainders. The long division assessment is tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving break. Please continue to practice both multiplication and division facts at home with your child.
How to Help Your Child at Home:
Does your child know their multiplication facts? If not, they should be practicing them each night to improve their math accuracy and fluency. There are great sites like multiplication.com or arcademicskillbuilders.com that have fun games and strategies that your child can use at home. There are also many other fun apps and sites that your child can visit, in addition to flash cards.
Watch the video lessons on my website or look back through your child's student notes together. Have them show you some of the new ways to divide numbers that they are learning.
Science:
In science, the class will be reviewing how animals adapt to and change environments. Their test will be on Thursday, November 14th. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, parents can help students to continue studying by reviewing their notes. Examples are more important than definitions. Students should review the definitions, but students should practice giving examples of: populations, changes in an environment which can affect populations, how humans can affect an environment, animal physical adaptations, animal behavioral adaptations, and human adaptations.