Mrs. Maples

Happy March!

There is a lot going on in the month of March! Please continue to look in the Tuesday folder for updates.

Math- Students will continue working on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals.

Science- We have just started cells and microorganisms. Ask your students about using microscopes and the differences between single celled and multi celled organisms.

Language Arts- Students are working on revising and editing procedures. Please continue to monitor student writing homework nightly.

Reading- Students are finishing up their novels. We will begin working on a performance task to show an understanding of the book.

Edmodo- Students continue to have homework nightly in Edmodo. Scootpad is great practice for CRCT and is not limited to the amount I assign.

Dates to Remember

March 6- Writing Exam

March 15- End of the 9 weeks

March 22- Report Cards

March 29- Birmingham trip (more info to follow)

Happy January!

Welcome back to a new year! Here are a few things we will be covering over the next few weeks. Also, please check important dates.

Math- We are currently working on multiplying fractions. We will also be covering division of fractions (with models only) and multiplication/division of decimals. If your student comes home with models please refer to their math notes for help. They should bring home their math journal nightly for help.

Science- We are covering electricity. This includes static electricity, conductors and insulators, circuits (series and parallel), and electromagnets.

Writing- We are working on writing narratives. The writing homework is a key element to building up those writing skills. The main focus this quarter is to build ideas, have lots of detail, and have strong introductions and conclusions.

Reading- We are starting novels! Students will be reading novels in class and working on literature circles with their group. Ask your student about their novels.

PLEASE NOTE: Birmingham field trip forms are due by 2/1/13. Please make sure to turn these in as quickly as possible.

Important Dates:

1/16- FOLIO writing

1/24- Healthwise Preview

2/4-2/5 Healthwise (info to come)

2/6- Middle School Field Trip (info to come)

Happy November!

I hope everyone is gearing up for the holidays! Here are a few reminders and helpful information for the month of November.

Math- We are currently working on volume of rectangular prisms and cubes. We will be starting fractions soon. Students will need to know basic fraction concepts, equivalent fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions.

Science- Students are currently studying physical and chemical changes. This is a super fun unit with many hands-on activities.

Writing- Students are working on a research project about Germany to practice informational writing. They will also be working on an opinion piece. Students should be writing for homework every night. Encourage your children to share!

Reading- We are working on nonfiction by reading biographies. A big concept for this 9 weeks is being able to use text evidence to support an answer. Make sure students are reading to reach their AR goals!

 

Important Dates

Friends and Family Lunch- 11/14 at 12:20

Thanksgiving Break- 11/19-11/23

Performing Arts Field Trip- 12/5

Great Video

Here is a link to a video that we watched about 10 minutes in class. It goes through many different aspects of a volcano. Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/channels/flots/27407450

 

Happy October!

Math- Students are currently working on multiplying and dividing by 2, 3, and 4 digits. If you see your student struggling with these concepts please continue practicing at home. Students will also be starting measurement and conversions soon. An example would be convert 5cm to __m. (Answer 0.05m)

Science- Students are finishing up constructive and destructive forces. We have been focusing on erosion, deposition, and weathering. Students will also be learning about ways we use technology to learn about disasters and help control them.

Reading- Students are working on the theme and main idea of different stories. We have been working on comparing different books on the same story. When your child reads at night make sure to ask them questions about what they read or ask them to give you a summary, this will help with comprehension.

Language Arts- Students will continue working on an opinion writing piece. We have been going through the writing process and working on publishing our piece.

Upcoming dates: 10/3- Folio Practice writing exam

10/12- End of the grading period

10/15- Character Assembly 9:10

10/18- Science Night and Math Parent Night (more info to come)

10/22-10/26- Conference week

10/26- Scholastic order due

Look at our Volcanoes!

I just wanted to share some pictures of our volcanoes we made in class. Ask your child about how volcanoes and earthquakes can be constructive and destrutive forces on the Earth's surface.

Welcome to Mrs. Maples' Blog

   Welcome to Mrs. Maples’ Class blog. It has been a wonderful first two weeks of school. Look to the blog for upcoming events and current class topics. 

Math- Students are working on place value, comparing and ordering decimals, exponents, and how to write numbers in expanded form, word form, standard form, and base ten. We will begin covering multiplying decimals and order of operations in the upcoming weeks.

Science- Students are currently covering constructive and destructive forces. Volcanoes and earthquakes are a huge topic in this unit.

Reading- Students will be working on becoming a better reader, building stamina, and how to really understand an author’s writing.

Writing- Students will be covering the 7 types of writing: informative/explanatory, opinion, narrative, research connection, reflection, book review/response, and poetry.

Scholastic book orders are due by September 28th. Please visit Scholastic . The code for our class is GMHFX

Important dates

9/3 Labor Day- No School

9/5 Open House 6-8pm ( Look for info on PINNACLE at open house)

9/7-9/13 ITBS Testing ( Eat breakfast! )

Blog is finally up and running! Thank you parents and students for your patience.

 Housekeeping

 Engrade- Parents, make sure that you take the time to view your child’s grades through www.engrade.com . The access code is located in the front of your child’s agenda. This is a great way to keep up with your student and make them accountable. If you have any problems please let me know.

Scholastic Book Orders- September book orders are due by the 30th. This is a great opportunity to get cheap books and we earn books for class. Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Our class activation code is GMHFX . If you have any trouble getting in let me know.

Dates to Remember

Academic alerts – Sept 20th

Chick-fil-a night – Sept 27th

Book orders due- Sept 30th

Atlanta History Museum Field Trip- Sept 30th

ITBS- Week of Oct 10th- 14th

Math- Students are currently working on multiplying decimals with and without models. Practice placing the decimal after completing the problem.

Science- Students are still studying constructive and destructive forces. This week we will be focusing on tsunamis and erosion.

Health- Students are working on nutrition. We will be practicing how to read the nutrition facts on the label and the ingredients.

Language Arts- Students are currently studying the types of sentences. Declaritive, Imperative, Interrogative, and Exclamatory.

Reading- Students are practicing main idea this week. Please make sure to study DLR (Daily Language Review) and Spelling each week