And the fun continues...

This is our last week before end-of-the-year testing begins and we are heading into it extremely prepared!  If you have not checked already, I posted the testing schedule at the bottom of last week's blog.  I also had the students write the dates in their assignment notebooks.  But before we delve into the tests, here is what's happening this week in Room 25:

Math

Your students received their graded Chapter 7 tests back today (Monday) and I was pleased with the scores as a class (their teacher must really know what he is doing!).  This week we start Chapter 8: Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers.  This chapter will only last this week, and into next Monday.   I will give periodic quizzes throughout the week to check for understanding instead of a large chapter test at the end.

Tuesday/Wednesday Lesson

Thursday/Friday Lesson

In addition, throughout the next 4 weeks, I will be exposing the students to many Geometry and Measurement standards as well (during morning work and math workshop time).  I want to make sure that the students are exposed to all that is on the upcoming PARCC and MAP tests that has not been completely covered in our math curriculum yet.  So, if you see additional homework that is related to those two topics, don't be alarmed!

Social Studies/Science
Last week we were unable to start our new Social Studies Unit:  The West due to completing our Human Body Science Unit.  We are still working on finishing our body models in class and should be done by this Friday.  In addition, we are starting out Social Studies unit this week.  Monday we began our unit with the geographic maps with the capitals.  These will be sent home Wednesday for at-home studying.  The map below includes all the states except for Texas and Oklahoma (Austin and Oklahoma City are the capitals).

Language Arts

Word Study

This week's words focus on the prefixes of super-, semi-, uni-, dis-, and pre-.  The quiz will be next Monday, April 25th.  Here are the words for at-home practice.

Reading

This week we are focusing on primary and secondary sources within nonfiction texts.  There will be some homework on Monday and Wednesday regarding these topics.

Writing

We will be taking the District Writing Assessment this week on Thursday.  Until then, we will be reviewing what it takes to write an appropriate persuasive essay.

I will be sending home sign-up sheets on Tuesday for any parents that would like to provide healthy snacks on the days of PARCC testing for the class.  If you are interested, please fill out the slip and return it by Thursday.

The upcoming testing schedule:

• PARCC Test (state) - Weeks of April 25-May 16 (3 English/LA Tests, 4 Math Tests).  Due to the classes sharing Chromebooks, the test is spread out over 3 weeks in order for all 3rd-5th grade students to complete the test.  Here is the upcoming schedule:
• April 26 - ELA 1
• April 28 - ELA 2
• May 2 - ELA 3
• May 4 - MATH 1
• May 10 - MATH 2
• May 11 - MATH 3
• May 16 - MATH 4
• MAP Test - Math and Reading (district) - Week of May 23

Have a great week!