From the Desk of Ms. Jackson

September 2008 

Math:  We have started unit 2 and it should be working on that unit for about another week or two.  Two of the main skills that we are working on are addition and subtraction of two and three digit numbers with and without decimals.  I know that often your child comes home and does the math in a way that you are not used to.  I am attaching some examples to help explain the math to you.  The examples I am providing to you is how I am teaching it in class.  Also if you received the packet from curriculum night some of theses techniques are in there. 

Please take a look at the other methods for solving the math problems.  There are some good points about them.  They were designed for many different reasons.  Many do have a benefit with helping the kids understand math.  I think that some of these alternative methods are especially good with multiplication and subtraction.  Not every child understands math in the same way so I think it is helpful for them to be able to pick a method that works best for them.

I told the students that they can do the math one of the two methods as long as it is neat and accurate for them.  It might also be helpful to buy a package of graph paper for them to use to show their work.  One of the biggest mistakes that students make is not lining up the number correctly. The graph paper helps alleviate that problem and keeps their work neater.  You can buy a small pack of graph paper at Target or Wal-Mart.

Ameritowne: The fieldtrip will be November 3rd. More information will be coming home soon about helping out with job training, interviews and the Ameritowne fieldtrip.

Science:  We have been collecting data to prepare to plant tulip bulbs around the school.  The students have been learning about microclimates and how to read a thermometer in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. They are also learning that the lines on a thermometer are not always worth one degree.  For more information you can look at the webpage Journey North and then click on the Tulip icon. (http://www.learner.org/jnorth/)  We will continue to work on this project in the spring when the tulips bloom.

Spelling lists:  For unit 4 the students will be studying the first 20 words from their spelling books plus 5 additional individualized words. The five additional words will come from words that I notice students need to work on from their writing or other class work. For example if a student is consistently spelling a word wrong then that word will be added to their list.  I might also add words that we are using regularly during math, science or social studies.  The additional words for the week will be written in their planners under the section called spelling word lists.

Literacy:  We are currently typing a personal narrative in the tech lab.  The students are working hard on the revision and editing process.  We are also working on giving and receiving constructive feedback about writing.  The revision process is often the step that kids want to rush through because it feels tedious.  Our focus for a few weeks will be on the organization of our writing.

In reading we will soon be starting to read historical fiction books about Native Americans.  This will give the class a chance to practice discussing books during our book “chit chat” sessions.  It will also give them a chance to practice skills like predicting and summarizing.  I am finding that the kids do not always fully understand their book at a higher level.  These discussions will give the students a chance to further practice these skills and improve their understanding of what they are reading.  These books also tie into our next social studies unit on Native Americans that will be started after our Ameritowne fieldtrip.

Book orders:  Scholastic book orders are a fun optional program for kids.  I place orders as soon as I get $20 worth of orders. If I have less then $20 then I have to pay extra for shipping.

Pictures:

Check out more Balaret pictures at the bottom of the page, there are some really fun ones.

Also look for SPREE pictures from our up-coming September 29th field trip to be posted soon. 

The kids watching the sunrise at Balart

Please e-mail me if you have any questions, Heather_Jackson@dpsk12.org

Thanks

Heather Jackson