Welcome Back!

Looking forward to a great week of meaningful learning!

Just a reminder that we have Case 21 testing for  reading on Tuesday, April 5 and math on Wednesday, April 6. Please make sure your student is rested and arrives to school on time. We will begin testing at 9:30.

March 17, 2016 Newsletter

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather. Have a safe and happy Spring Break.

Reading:

Students will be presenting their Biography in a Bag reports next week. When we return from Spring Break we will be reviewing previously taught concepts and skills to practice in EOG style format. Test-taking strategies will also be taught using the RUNNERS strategies. Students have been exposed to this strategy in class and during TEAM Time. Context clues will be reviewed each week with both narrative and informational texts along with vocabulary lessons. Asking and answering questions for both types of texts will also be practiced.

Language/Writing:

We are finishing up our biographies. It is my hope that the students will be able to type up and publish their biographies as a Google Document. When we return we will be revisiting all genres of writing.

Math:

I’m really impressed with how well the students have been doing with fractions. One of the more difficult things for some of them has been partitioning shapes and number lines into equal parts. Today we played a fun game in pairs practicing fractions and using what we’ve learned about equivalent fractions. We will continue comparing fractions next week and when we return from break. Students are being assessed throughout this unit on their understanding of concepts taught. Again, I recommend students completing Tenmarks.com assignments at home for practice on fraction standards taught in class. It is not required but it is encouraged. Here are some links to videos showing some concepts taught.

Comparing Fractions Using Number Lines

Comparing Fractions With a Number Line, Fraction Bar and Fraction Strips

Social Studies:

We will be working on a study guide for our History of NC and Wake County unit tomorrow and reviewing it Monday. We will have an assessment Tuesday on the unit. The study guide will come home to review Monday night.  

Important Dates:

March 25-April 1 - Spring Break

April 5-6 - Case 21 Reading and Math on Q3

April 8 - Report Cards Come Home

April 13 - Science Fair 6-8

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.