Newsletter3

Mr. Martin's Classroom 119** Newsletter 3, October 18, 2007
 * The Fifth Grade Expedition

MEAP Ends Tomorrow You may have noticed that there has not been much in our student planners in the last two weeks. Do not worry, because MEAP is finishing up this week. For the last two weeks we have been focusing on these state assessments and will be returning to normal schedule. During these two weeks, our regular schedule is switched around to provide optimal testing conditions. What this has meant for us at school is providing time for tests and some for instruction. We will be welcoming a return to our regular routines next Monday, so expect regular homework assignments in Spelling, ELA, and Math to resume at that time.

Math News Unit 2 is finishing up on Friday. Expect a study guide to go home on Friday, with a Unit test on Monday. Unit 3 will begin early next week.

In other news, I just found a cool web resource. Everyday Mathematics has a web page, and it contains resources for parents and students. The address is [|http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/.] One really cool feature is that the parent letters are online here at [|http://www.wrightgroup.com/index.php/home/everydaymathematics/emsecondupdate/familyletters/46?SID=2148.]

AR points The end of the marking period is approaching fast (11/2), and students are working toward completing their Accelerated Reader Goals (AR). AR is a program where students read books and take reading quizzes on our computers at school. Specific books are marked with an AR sticker on them. They also list the grade level of the book along with how many points the book is worth on the cover. Early in the marking period, students set AR goals, which is the amount of points that the student can get if they earn 100% on the quiz. I encouraged students to aim for 10 points as a good goal for this marking period, since it is the first one and we have some interruptions in our daily schedule due to testing. Students in fifth grade who read 60 minutes a day can score 20 or more points in a six week period.

Fundraiser We just kicked off the fifth grade camp fundraiser on Tuesday. The fundraiser and camp letter went home that day. Students are selling cookie dough and similar products in order to offset some of their camp costs. For every dollar raised, students will receive $0.50 in their camp fund. This is a great way to reduce the cost of this wonderful camp experience. Please contact me with any questions.

Social Studies I really love the new social studies curriculum! The geography unit just ended. Results are on Webgrader, and expect the tests to come home early next week. We are currently studying economics, and will also have an economics test by the end of next week.