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Welcome to December!

by | Dec 6, 2020 |

We can’t thank you all enough for your continued support from home and the many ways our classrooms have become a community. The smiles and kind words we see and hear from students each day are an authentic example of the strong connections we all need right now. And the ways so many of you have lifted our spirits with a thoughtful note or gesture have meant so much to us. We are excited and energized to dive into this next trimester and implement any changes we may have discussed during conferences. Thank you all for your partnership – we truly couldn’t do this without you!!
 
ELA News: In ELA, we will take our final multiple choice test on Esperanza Rising and The Orphan of Ellis Island on Monday. Students were working on their Book Club Slides 7 and 8 last week and scores from these slides – a possible 10 points – will be added to their final test grade. The reading passages sent home, “The Perfect Candidate” and “The Komodo Dragon” focus on making inferences from both fiction and non-fiction text. We will continue to practice this skill through this week and both of the reading packets should be sent back to school this Friday, December 11th for the materials pick-up and drop-off. Spelling activities are due on Wednesday and a test for Week 2 will also be given that day.
 
Social Studies News: In social studies, we are wrapping up our unit on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War and our test will be on Wednesday. Study guides were posted in Google Classroom last Friday and they should be completed and turned in before the test. After this unit, we will begin studying the creation of the Constitution and the formation of our government.
 

Psimaras Math News: Students are continuing their study of decimals. They worked on the following concepts: Base 10 place values, reading and writing decimal word names, and rounding to the nearest one, tenth, and hundredth. Students saw how decimals are displayed on a decimal grid to compare 1/10, 1/100, 1/1000, 1/10,000 visually. They learned the decimal equivalence to those fractions as well. They added decimals using a number line in their decimals packet. Students played a Kahoot, completed Student Book and Home Connection pages, and ended the week by correcting their digital Unit 3 Decimals Pretest Part 1 questions. Mark the calendar: A Decimals Test is Thursday this week during math class. If your child prefers to take this test as a printed copy, please look for an additional email with the attached test to print at home and return to school during Friday’s Materials Day Pick up. A digital copy of this test will also be an option. Students are strongly encouraged to practice specific math skills on IXL.com at least 10 minutes per day to solidify their understanding of the concepts.

Shin Math News: Look for communication from Mr. Shin.

Science News: Students completed the unit on sustainability. They compared how their ranch plans differed from a California ranch versus a ranch in an arid climate. Students made connections among the rancher’s goals, the animals’ needs to thrive, and the land’s resources. Students moved from learning about ranch planning to urban planning. Our study of sustainable practices will continue throughout the year and be integrated into the different subject areas and EE classes. We began an overview of biomes, our next unit. Please return the two science packets: Energy/Sustainability Packet and the Biome Packet on Friday’s Materials Day Pick up.

EE News: Our environmental education time last week was spent completing an informative chart about various Illinois pollinators and how they survive the winter. We also talked about the plants that they are most attracted to and other interesting facts. With collaboration, the two classes created a five page document of notes! We plan to continue this research and eventually publish our findings for you and other members of the community to enjoy.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 – Classroom visit from Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Gernady for Social/Emotional Learning

Friday, December 11, 2020 – Materials Pick Up 3:00-4:00 pm

Thursday, December 17, 2020 – December Natural Leader Assembly

Friday, December 18, 2020 – Early Release, 1:00 pm

Monday, December 21, 2020 – Friday, January 1, 2021 – Winter Break

Monday, January, 4, 2021 – School Resumes

Thursday, January 14, 2021 – Materials Pick Up 3:00-4:00 pm