Parents -
The countdown is on! Last week before our break. It will be a busy one for us. Last week was busy too as we wrapped up our Science unit (Electricity and Magnetism). We'll finish up our WWI, Jazz Age, and the Great Depression unit this week (test tomorrow). I've noticed a pattern that the kids do well with connections and hands-on information on tests, but they're having trouble with vocabulary. We usually complete those activities first so they're familiar with it and we use it in our discussions, but that's the biggest area of weakness overall. I'm reminding the kids to go over that before our next test.
Last week, we completed the national Hour of Code. The kids loved it! I have links on our website under "Class Links" > "Great Links" if your child wants to continue what we started (
http://brazile.education/#class).
I sent home the info sheets for your child's gift exchange partner on Friday. Our class holiday party is Thursday, December 17 at 1:00pm.
My goal for this week: survive. Academically, we'll be working on finishing Gathering Blue. Impressed with their inferencing skills. I like our discussions about the book and the hidden meanings found throughout. In Social Studies, we have our unit test Tuesday and all projects are due. We're not having spelling or math tests this week. We're taking Touchstone tests for Reading (Monday) and Math (Tuesday), which give us an idea of how well your child is progressing compared to others in the class, the school, and the district. They do not factor into grades, yet they're incredibly important because of the data they provide me.
It is a lighter workload for them this week, but I'll keep them busy. We also have holiday related activities (Tuesday, time with Mrs. Kale, Thursday, hot chocolate in the media center and then our holiday party, Friday, sing along and holiday rotations with 5th grade teachers).
I hope to catch up on grading this week. I get a little bogged down at the end of the quarter. I'll be entering grades all day, each day this week. All late work gets pushed back while I get all the on-time assignments entered.
Have a great week!
Shane Brazile
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