Week 26

Reminders:

• STAAR Math - Tuesday, 4/10
• STAAR Reading - Wednesday, 4/11

Math: We are continuing our review for the Math STAAR test, which is coming up next week. Your child has daily math review homework, any extra time can be well spent working on Imagine Math activities or reviewing Quizlet vocabulary online (see week 24 blog post for review options)

Reading: We are working on partner book club projects (flow chart/graphic organizer). Their completed jobs and bookmarks are due on Thursday, April 5th. We will also be reviewing reading skills and test taking strategies on several practice passages in preparation for the STAAR test next Wednesday. Spelling and Quizlet on Friday.

Science: This week we are discussing plant and animal adaptations. There are some great videos for review on Study Jams. Under the “Plant” tab, go to: Roots & Stems, Flowers, and Plants with Seeds.  Under the “Animals” tab, go to: Animal Life Cycles and Animal Adaptations.

Social Studies: Our focus will be on the differences between the Northern and Southern economies during the time of the Civil War. We will also cover slavery, the Underground Railroad, and a couple of key battles of the war. Civil War test on Monday, April 9th.

Week 25

Reminders:

• Lanier Open Houses - 3 locations on Tuesday and Wednesday, 3/27-28 (see flyer that went home on Friday for more information)
• Science mock STAAR test - Wednesday, 3/28
• Fun Run on Thursday, 3/29 - thank you to all who have contributed so far!!!
• Scholastic Book Fair - Wednesday, 3/28
• No School - Friday, 3/30
• STAAR Math - Tuesday, 4/10
• STAAR Reading - Wednesday, 4/11

Math - This week we are beginning our cumulative review in preparation for the STAAR test coming up in 2 weeks. First, we will cover decimals and fractions (converting, comparing, ordering, adding, & subtracting)

ELA - We will be finishing book clubs and starting our projects. Spelling and Quizlet on Thursday

Science - Invasive species & “Wanted” posted project. Mock STAAR on Wednesday.

Social Studies - Week 18 newspaper, "The Civil War"

Week 24

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful spring break!

Reminders:

• Fun Run - kickoff on Monday, 3/19, and the run will take place Thursday, 3/29
• Scholastic Book Fair - Wednesday, 3/28
• No School - Friday, 3/30
• STAAR Math - Tuesday, 4/10
• STAAR Reading - Wednesday, 4/11

Math: Finishing financial literacy - there will be a unit test on Thursday. On Friday we will begin our cumulative STAAR review. Each day we will be revisit an objective using games, task cards, and our math journals.

Reading: Continue historical fiction book clubs
Quizlet and spelling this week.  

Science: This week we are covering invasive species and plant/animal adaptations. Study Jams -> Roots & Stems, Flowers, Plants with Seeds, Animal Life Cycles

Social Studies: We will continue to learn about the causes of the Civil War, the differences between the Northern and Southern economies at that time, States' Rights, Slavery, the Underground Railroad, and a couple of key battles of the war.

With only a few short weeks until STAAR, we will need to make the most of our time as we revisit the topics we’ve covered this year. Listed below are a few supplemental options for at home review:

• Reading STAAR Quizlet
• Math STAAR Quizlet
• Financial Literacy Quizlet
• Science STAAR Quizlet
• Imagine Math & Imagine Reading
• Read aloud and summarize/inference

Grading Update for Re-takes from School Administration

After review of inconsistencies in our current policy for grading re-takes, the following change has been implemented for all grade levels:

When students have not been successful in meeting at least minimum standard on formal classroom assessments such as weekly, end of unit and cumulative assessment. Students can re-take the assessment for a higher grade; up to 70%. The re-take must be administered and completed in class under the direction of the classroom teacher.

Week 23

Reminders:

• Voting will take place on campus this Tuesday
• The fifth grade class picture will be taken this Thursday morning
• Spring break is March 10-18... yay!

Math: We will continue learning about the different types of graphs, then move on to financial literacy. Problem solving quiz on Friday.

ELA: Book club projects are due on Monday morning (8am). We will begin a new historical fiction book club (post-Revolutionary War) on Tuesday. This study of historical fiction novels works great with the class novel we just finished, Chains, and the sequel we began last week, Forge, by Laurie Halse Anderson. Quizlet and spelling on Friday.

Science: Life Science - ecosystems, habitats, and the interaction of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things. Study Jams Use the “Ecosystems” tab to watch the following videos: Ecosystems, Carbon Cycle, Population Growth, and Biomes.

Social Studies: The economy of the North vs. the South as one of the causes leading to the Civil War (week 15 newspaper).