March 1, 2016 Newsletter

Reading:

We will be learning about text structure. Students will learn about how sentences and paragraphs are logically connected. We will be looking at cause and effect, sequence, comparing and contrasting.

Language/Writing:

Students selected from a list their top 3 choices for biography research. This week they were assigned one of their choices. They are using Discovery Education to access websites, articles and videos about their person. Students also will be using books to gather information. They are using an organizer to collect and organize research notes. Students will write a biography report sharing their information.

Math:

We began our fraction unit last week. Students will be using area models and number lines to explore fractions. For more information on the fraction unit, please refer to the “Math at a Glance” on my website under “Helpful Documents”.

Science: We are learning about the first inhabitants of North Carolina. Students have been watching videos and reading articles about the Tuscarora Indians. They made posters to share information learned. We will begin learning about the early settlers and their impact on these Native Americans.

Raz Kids Homework - Please remind your child to read each night a book on the Raz Kids website for our class. Mrs. Emerson's Class Login

A great way to keep up with your child’s reading comprehension skills is to follow your child's progress on the website. You can see which books have been read, send messages, and review activity using the Parent Access area. Simply log in as your student, click the "Parents" link in the upper right, register, then follow the log-in instructions emailed to you.

Science Fair - Anyone wanting to participate in the Science Fair that will be super fun still has time to get in their form. Mrs. Brinchek has extra forms outside of her classroom.

Important Dates:

March 1 - Interims come home

March 1 - Milton’s Spirit Night (Six Forks location) 5:00-10:00

March 2 - Mordecai Historic Park Field Trip

March 4 - Early Release Day 1:15

Dr. Seuss Spirit Week Starts Tomorrow!

Wear your favorite hat day as part of Dr. Seuss Spirit Week. Do you have a Dr. Seuss inspired hat? See Mr. Hamilton's website for more information on spirit week. 

Mr. Hamilton's Weebly      

February 17, 2016 Newsletter

Thank you for all the thoughtful goodies for Valentine’s Day. We all had a great time. Thank you to Mrs. Sandburn for organizing and to the families that sent in the snack items.

Reading:

We are reviewing point of view in a text and how to distinguish our own point of view from the  characters or the narrator. We will be examining text structure in nonfiction text. Students will be able to identify text structures such as: cause and effect, sequence, and problem solving.

Language/Writing:

The class is finishing up their mysteries. They were given organizers for all the different elements of mystery writing to help them plan their mysteries. We have conferenced and learned to edit and revise with a partner. Some students have even been typing up their final drafts. Next week we will begin researching and writing biographies.  

Math:

We are finishing up our unit this week on area and perimeter. We will begin our fraction unit by understanding fractions using number lines and area models. Students will then explore equivalent fractions and compare fractions. For more information on the fraction unit, please refer to the “Math at a Glance” on my website under “Helpful Documents”.

Science: Students are finishing up their Changes in Matter unit with Ms. Peck. They will be completing a study guide and have a test on Friday. We will begin our social studies unit next week on the history of Wake County.

Important Dates:

March 1 - Milton’s Spirit Night (Six Forks location) 5:00-10:00

March 2 - Mordecai Historic Park Field Trip

March 4 - Early Release Day 1:15

Note from Ms. Brinchek

February at home challenge:

What can you do with..... an aluminum can?

To participate in this home challenge, you will need to create something (anything) using an aluminum can! You can use any additional  materials in your creation! The only rule is to BE CREATIVE!

I am more than willing to come up to 4th & 5th grade classrooms any day except Thursdays during the time of 3-3:45 to participate in your presentations! Just let me know! 

Thanks for helping create future scientists & engineers!

ps. SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ABBOTTS CREEK SCIENCE FAIR- APRIL 13TH 6-8PM, IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME!!!! MORE DETAILS COMING SOON 

We Earned 200 Gators - Time to Celebrate

In order to celebrate the students' wonderful ACES behavior, the class voted on having a Pajama Day (optional...not every one loves to wear pjs to school). Also, the class will be given special permission to chew gum. I will have sugar free options to chew. If you would like to help contribute to the gum supply, please send some in this week. Our Pajama/Gum day will be this Friday.

January 25, 2016 Newsletter

I hope your kiddos have enjoyed the winter fun weekend we had! 

Report cards will be sent home when we return to school. Please keep the report cards at home but return the envelope signed.

Reading:

We are beginning a mystery genre unit. We will be learning about the elements of a mystery. Students will continue to analyze character actions and traits and how they contribute to the development of the story. We will also learn how illustrations contribute to the mood of a story and give meaning to the words by conveying things about the characters.

Language/Writing:

Students are taking what we learn about elements of the mystery genre to create their own mystery. We are using graphic organizers to help plan our mysteries. Also, students are studying a mentor text to see how a mystery is developed.

Math:

Students will understand the meaning of area and perimeter and be able to solve real world problems involving area and perimeter. We are learning how to find the area and perimeter of rectangular shapes. They will also learn how to decompose a rectilinear shape to find its area and perimeter. I have added TenMarks assignments online if students need extra practice at home.

Science: Our class is working with Mrs. Peck (Mrs. Croy’s sub) to learn about changes in matter. They will be doing great experiments involving solids, liquids and gases.

Please return field trip permission slips for our trip March 2 to Mordecai Historic Park. It is important to have a lunch count for the cafeteria several weeks before our trip. Attached to the blue permission form, there was a white sheet asking if your child would need a bagged lunch from the cafeteria or be bringing one from home. We will be eating lunch when we return.

Important Dates:

Jan. 29 - Cereal Box Book Project Due

Jan. 29 -  Principal Chat 8:00 AM (note to be sent home)

Feb. 12 - Early Release 1:15

March 2 - Mordecai Historic Park Field Trip

Newsletter 1-6-16

January 6, 2016 Newsletter

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

Thursday, January 7, your child will be getting a yellow school assignment slip. It will be the “official” notice of your child’s school assignment for the 2016-17 school year.

Reading:

Students are using a “box and bullet” strategy to identify the key details in an informational passage and use those details to determine the main idea. I am doing mCLASS assessments with the students to assess their reading level midyear. You will get a report to see your child's progress in a few weeks.

Language/Writing:

After researching their planet,  students organized their facts into categories. They are now writing rough drafts,conferencing with me, revising, editing and will soon publish the final copy.

Math:

We are using data to create picture graphs or bar graphs. Students are also answering questions to show understanding of graphs. We will begin area and perimeter next week.  

Science: We are finishing up our science unit with research on constellations.

Please see below the message from Ms. Brinchek.

This month's at home challenge:

What can you do with..... a pencil!

To participate in this home challenge, you will need to create something (anything) using a pencil! You can use any additional  materials in your creation! The only rule is to BE CREATIVE!

I am more than willing to come up to 4th & 5th grade classrooms any day except Thursdays during the time of 3-3:45 to participate in your presentations! Just let me know!

Thanks for helping create future scientists & engineers!

Important Dates:

Jan. 15 - End of 2nd quarter and EARLY RELEASE 1:15

Jan. 18  Holiday/MLK Day- No School

Jan. 19 - Teacher Workday- No School

Jan. 22- Report Cards Sent Home