CRCT Information Hi Parents, Please remember that CRCT week is in two weeks. Please remember to make sure your child gets plenty of rest and a good breakfast to start the day off well. I have attached a detailed PowerPoint presentation explaining CRCT vocabulary words that your child will see on the CRCT. Please take a few minutes and go over it with them. Thanks so much for your support.
Only in April…
Hello! As Spring break nears, I can feel the anticipation in the air as our class takes a well-deserved rest. The children have been working hard practicing for the upcoming CRCT test, and they continue to put forth great effort in their daily work.
At this time, I would like to congratulate Ana for taking First place in the district for her writing, Snow Wolf. It is a remarkable story and we are all proud of her!
Please read over the information that we will cover in the next few weeks, in addition to the CRCT test which takes place from Tuesday, April 21, 2009 to April 28t, 2009.
Math – The class has been working on dividing decimals by whole numbers. We will compare and contrast a cube and a rectangular prism. We will look at the shape of their faces, edges, and vertices. Also, we will examine a rectangular prism and describe its parallel and perpendicular lines. The children will construct models of solid geometric figures such as cubes, prisms, and cylinders, to name a few.
Please note: We will not have Math classes during the CRCT testing period.
Writing – The children are enjoying discovering the forms of persuasion seen in our society in the forms of advertisements, editorials, historical documents, speeches, and even photographs.
They are learning how to support a position with relevant evidence.
The students are also learning how identify and write a counterargument. (We have enjoyed some lively debate discussing various examples of opposing views in writing.) The class wills role play examples of persuasion. Additionally, they will pretend to be a famous author and try to persuade others to buy their book.
Reading
Social Studies – We are moving westward! Particular emphasis will be placed on the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the Alamo.
. Two other historical events that we will examine include a walk down the Oregon Trail , and the development of mining towns with the fever of the Gold Rush. We will look at several primary documents of these important events to “keep it real” for our class.If you Google the words Vanishing Georgia , you will discover a wonderful website that is great for finding primary documents.
At this time I would like to congratulate Ami for being the character education winner for commitment. Ami is a fine example in our class as she shows us each day her dedication to doing her best.
March has definitely come in like a lion…with the snow that our children enjoyed the first of the week (to my child’s strep throat and my cold/cough,) I know that we are all glad to see the return of spring.
To speak metaphorically, I am planning for March to come out like a lamb here in our classroom. Our class will be well-prepared for the tests which will be taken two weeks after spring break. We have begun CRCT practice, and we will continue to develop test –taking strategies until the arrival of CRCT testing in April.
Please read the following information that our class will cover over the next few weeks. Also note: Thursday, March 12th marks the end of the third nine weeks. Report cards will be sent home the following Thursday, March 19th.
Math We will be reviewing CRCT Math practice this week in homeroom. Later, we will begin the Fourth nine week Math standards. We will begin multiplying and dividing two digit decimal fractions by whole numbers. We will also review the distributive, associative, and commutative properties of multiplication.
Language Arts
Reading
In Writing the students have completed their informational text post writing samples. I am happy to report that our class has been able to use voice in their informational writing. I can’t wait to hear the children’s voices in the upcoming nine week’s genre. During the fourth nine weeks of school our class will work on the art of persuasive writing. Learning the art of persuasion has never been more important. Everywhere we turn in modern society, from political pundits to marketing schemes, we are bombarded with persuasive tactics. I truly believe that today’s students need to learn the art of persuasion both to use it themselves and to deal with it in their everyday lives.
We will look at how to (1) write an attention-getting introduction, (which includes information that leads into a strong argument, often called a thesis statement.) (2) We will look at how to add details to the thesis statement, and (3) we will learn how to write a conclusion which should leave the reader something to think about. The conclusion needs to tie up ideas into a nicely summarized little package.
Science We will soon begin a brief study of the solar system. Topics of discussion include: day and night, moon phases, earth tilt and axis, and the order of our planets in the galaxy.
Social Studies
The students will explain the Westward expansion between 1801 and 1861. They will describe territorial expansion of the Louisianna Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the acquisitions of Texas (the Alamo and independence), Oregon (Oregon Trail), California (Gold Rush and the development of mining towns.) Finally, we will describe the impact of the steamboat, the steam locomotive, and the telegraph on life in America.
Have a terrific spring and stay safe.
Hello,
With each passing day the weather is getting warmer, and my thoughts turn to spring! (And, of course, Spring break.) Our Fourth grade team has been busily preparing for the CRCT test which happens two weeks after Spring break. I passed out a pink paper during your conference which contained information on how to access the web site to begin preparing on line for the CRCT test.
It has been my experience as both a mom and as a teacher that it is not a good idea to BEGIN preparing for these tests a week before the actual test. Too little preparation too late can actually frustrate a child during test week. Please begin to look online now with your child. I will be sending home some practice papers with your child when they come back from the county’s print shop (They should be back in two weeks.) Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Please read over the curriculum I hope to cover over the next several weeks.
Math – We are working on decimals. Decimals are another way to write fractions. Your child knows that a decimal point separates a whole number from a fractional part. We have finished equivalent fractions and decimals, and we are currently learning how to round, add, and subtract decimals. It is extremely important that your child continue to practice his or her multiplication tables.
Reading/Writing - In Guided Reading, the children have begun their leveled chapter books based on the events of the Revolutionary War. In Writing, the class is learning about the life of famous women who changed the course of history. These women include Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Marian Anderson. After studying these women, the children are writing informational reports in class about them. The class has learned about the elements of informational writing, and how to include voice in expository (informational) writing.
Social Studies – We are studying the events which led up to the Revolutionary war. Important vocabulary words that we learned include the Stamp Act, the Townshed Act, ally, the French and Indian War, boycott, and Continental Congress (to name a few.) Important people from this time include Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and Paul Revere. The children are keeping important information about this war in their booklets. After we conclude our study of the Revolutionary War, we will begin the unit entitled “Birth of a Nation,” which discusses how our new government was formed.
Science - We will begin the unit on the Solar System after we conclude Social Studies.
Health – We had some lively and thought-provoking discussions during our unit on infectious and noninfectious diseases. The class and I loved the experiment on the digestive system. Please ask them about how long the small intestine is if this information has not been conveyed to you!
As always, if at any time, you have any questions for me, please let me know.
Hello and Welcome back to my blog. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. We have started off the new year here at Kincaid with a new nine weeks of school, new curriculum, and a new student. I would like to welcome Moises to our class. Moises has had a great first week and we are happy to have him in our classroom. Listed below is a description of the curriculum I plan to cover over the next several weeks.
Math: We have begun a unit on fractions and decimals. Terms to know include: proper fraction, improper fraction, mixed fraction, numerator, denominator, common denominator, and equivalent fraction, decimal fraction and decimal point. Over the next week or two, please look in your child’s Math Journal. These terms and examples of them should be found there. Also, please continue to have your child practice their basic multiplication facts to twelve. Practice in them with help reducing fractions to lowest terms (sometimes called simplest form) as well as finding equivalent fractions.
Writing: Our focus these nine weeks is Informational Writing. Each student wrote a pre-writing sample which included detailed information on how to play a game of their choice. We will look at writing examples from unknown students and analyze what makes a good piece of informational writing. As we view these samples, we will examine the State of Georgia’s writing rubric on Informational writing. In later weeks, we will compare/contrast informational writing and narrative writing. We will study how you can use voice in informational writing (so the reader will not get bored!)
In many instances, the fragment “no answer” would be incomplete but it makes perfect sense to use it in this example.
Science: We have all enjoyed the AIMS experiments on Light and Sound. I am looking forward to hearing the Thompson band play their homemade musical instruments. Watch out Mr. Bush! We may have to include this band in THE MUSIC MAN performance this spring!
A short quiz will take place at the end of the week. Please look over the study guide with your child which will be sent home.
Health: During conference week, we will study “digest” the digestive system.
Social Studies: We will begin the next unit on the Revolutionary War. This unit will cover the French and Indian War, the acts which led up to the revolution, and the aftermath of this war. (More details later.)
Other important news: We would like to congratulate Shrey on being selected as the character education winner for resilience. Way to go Shrey!
Finally, I want to thank the class for the cards, hugs, balloon, beautiful flowers, and bird feeder I received for my birthday. This is the first time a class has celebrated my birthday with me (since it is over the Christmas holiday.) It was a special day! Special thanks to Kanan Nagnur for the brownie treats and Kathy Kimbrell for all your hard work in organizing a memorable party.
OOPS! In my recent post, I did not mention our two Spelling Bee participants from our class. Benjamin and Ana represented our class during the Bee last Friday. We were so proud ot them and gave them a big round of applause for their efforts. We know how nerve-wracking being up on the stage can be, and it is definitely easier to spell a word as you sit in the audience!
Congratulations - you made us proud Ana and Ben.
Happy Holidays! Yes, it's that time of the year where families are preparing and celebrating! Here in our classroom we are winding down the end of the second nine weeks of school. The children have worked very hard to complete the standards presented before them, and I am confident that they are well -prepared to take the upcoming benchmark online tests in Math and Language Arts.
In Math: This week we will review for the post test which will be given this Thursday, December 11th. After the class has taken the Math test online, a Math project will be assigned in school where students will become architects and create geometric cities.
If you child is having trouble using a protractor, here is a web site that you may want to take a look at. Click on the word ↓
In Science: The class has enjoyed the AIMS Science experiments on Simple Machines and Force and Motion. The students should use their Simple Machine flip books they created to study for the Science test which will be this Thursday, December 11th.
In Language Arts: We will complete our discussion on how to effectively write a response to literature. We will look at how to write closure (ending sentences.) We will complete a final review of subjects and predicates and continue to look for simple and compound sentences in Reading and writing. The children did a beautiful job on their snowflake similies. We will display them through January so you will have time to come by and see them.
Our class is looking forward to attending the field trip to the Cobb County Youth Museum this Friday. If you have not sent in the permission form, please do so now so that your son or daughter will be able to attend this great, no cost, trip.
Also, special thanks to Ms. Kimbrell and Ms. Duncan for planning our holiday party.
Finally, congratulations goes to Jaylen for being named our class's character education winner for compassion. When he was given this award, Jaylen said he has received this compassion award by each of his former teachers. Wow! Good for you Jaylen for continuing to be an example for others to follow.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Thompson
The month of November brings a celebration of thanks for our many blessings. Before we can celebrate however, our class is busy working on many of the standards before the close of the nine week period. Here is some information on what we are currently studying in class.
Math - Geometry is the focus for the next few weeks. We are currently working on learning how to use a protractor to measure angles. We will study rotations. A rotation can be measured as 360, 270, 180, or 90 degrees. The students will determine the degree of rotation of figures pictured. We will also look at the different kinds of triangles. Children will discover that the three angles of an equilateral triangle are the same. Perpendicular and parallel lines will be compared. All Geometry terms should be defined and illustrated in the Math journals.
Social Studies - Our class is learning about the thirteen colonies. The colonies are divided into three categories. They are the New England Colonies, the Mid - Atlantic Colonies (often referred to as the Middle Colonies, ) and the Southern Colonies. The children will learn to compare and contrast these three types of colonies.
Reading/Writing - The class will continue to examine elements of traditional literature. They will answer the essential question "How do I identify foreshadowing clues?" through reading a folktale. We will continue to discuss and write a response to literature. One way to do this is to write a judgment. A judgment may be interpretative, evaluative, or reflective (personal opinion). Students should revise their response to literature to include a judgment with supporting evidence drawn from references to the text, other authors, or references to personal knowledge.
Grammar - Multiple meanings of words will be examined through the use of reference materials.
Science - We will be discussing force and motion soon!
Hope you all stay well and safe.
As we begin to turn the page on the calendar, our hard-working class has been very busy. Here are some of the areas we are currently studying and this post also includes some information on what we will be covering in class soon.
Language Arts - Our class has begun the study of Traditional Literature in Reading. We will read several of Aesop's fables, discuss them, and then write a response to literature. (This is what we will be covering in writing this nine weeks.) We will also examine tall tales and folk tales soon. This is always fun and enjoyable to explore.
In writing our class will also learn how to write a judgement that they then can include in their response to literature. This will be accomplished using supporting evidence from the text, looking at the writings of other authors, and your child's own personal knowledge (connections.)
Math - We will continue to work on long division skills in class using the formula DMSCB. This stands for divide, multiply,, subtract, compare, and bring down. Overall, my Math students are doing well and we will begin dividing 2-digit divisors into three and four digit dividends this week. Please remember to look over your child's Math journals for information/guides to assist them. We will begin geometry in the next few weeks.
Social Studies -We have been learning about early European explorers and their settlement of areas in North America. Explorers we have studied about include Balboa, Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Ponce de Leon, and John Cabot. This week's explorers include Cartier, Cortez, and Hudson. Please review the explorer chart which will be sent home for your child to study. A quiz will be coming soon.
After our look at explorers, we will begin to focus on the settlement of Jamestown, and how the early settlers learned to cope in the colonies.
Science - After our study of colonialism, we will begin to look at force and motion in Science. Here are the directions to access the Science books on line. I had difficulty accessing the site a few weeks ago, but I believe it may be working now. Please let me know if you are abot to get in.
Login to www.thinkcentral.com The students' user name is their CCSD ID number. The password is their date of birth in this format: YYYYMMDD format.
Health - We were very blessed to have firefighter Ed speak to our class the last three weeks about fire safety. Ed was a natural teacher and the children and I learned alot from him. I was so proud of the children's test scores on the safety postest. Way to go!
Congratulations to Chris who was our character education winner for responsibility. We are so proud of you!
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to let me know.
Mrs. Thompson
October is here!
As I am writing my blog, I can't believe the September page needs to be turned as October has arrived. Time sure flies when you are busy and having fun! We are quickly approaching the end of the first nine weeks of school. Our class has been working hard to complete the goals (based on the GPS standards.) Please review the curriculum we will cover over the next couple of weeks, and note that we will test soon in Math. We will also complete another narrative and I am confident I will see growth from the first writing sample obtained at the start of the year.
Math In Math we will continue to work on multiplication. The Math Blasters look great and if you would like additional sheets to practice, please let me know. Frequent practice is especially important now as we are multiplying 2 digit by 2 digit numbers. It is very important that students know their basic multiplication and division facts. After we conclude the different ways to multiply, i.e., using regrouping method and the partial product method (referred to as the distributive property) we will work on dividing numbers. The Math postest is in two weeks.
Writing In writing, the students will fill out a graphic organizer to make sure their narratives contain a plot, setting, conflict and/or a significant series of events. The children have done a great job understanding sensory details and they will need to apply this information when another narrative assignment is given before the end of the nine weeks.
Reading The class has been making inferences from several read aloud books in class. We will continue to work on how to make judgments and inferences about the characters of a story. Students will need to support their thinking with evidence from the text in their guided reading leveled books. This skill will be continued to be developed throughout the school year. Students will also pair up and use punctuation marks to monitor how their reading sounds to each other.
Science We will conclude our unit on the water cycle and weather. We will look at weather data and learn about all the instruments and tools that meteorologists use to study and predict the weather. A study guide will be sent home this week. Please assist your child with this material as a test will be given Monday, October 6th.
Health We will discuss how the importance of rest, food choices, exercise, sleep, and recreation plays in our well being. Your child will set a personal health goal based on their own health assessment. Each student will examine how their health goal can be achieved.
Noteworthy News
Congratulations to Hayley! She was named the character education winner for integrity. Way to go Hayley! We are proud of you.
Oct. 6 Eat at Stevi B's - Kincaid Night
Oct 7- Oct 9 Penny Wars (This is a very fun and worthwhile Relay for Life event!)
Oct. 15 EARLY RELEASE 12:20 P.M.
Oct. 16 Curriculum Night (Play Math games with your child :) 6:30-7:30P.M.)
Oct. 17 Reprort cards are sent home
Oct. 20-24 Book Fair
Oct. 21 Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Oct. 23 Picture retake day
Oct. 31 This is the last day to order a Kincaid yearbook for $18.00.
