What's
Happening in Room 116?
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Looking Ahead... in Math
In January, we will be starting chapter 6. The focus of chapter 6 is multiplying 2,3, and 4 digit numbers by one digit.
Some examples are:
34 x 3 = 102, 458 x 7 = 3206, and 8976 x 9 = 80784
It is essential to have the basic multiplication tables (such as 4 x 5 = 20, 12 x 4 = 48, etc.) memorized to be successful with the concepts that will be taught in chapter 6. Not having the basic facts memorized will make the concepts taught in chapter 6 more challenging.
How can I tell if my child has a basic multiplication fact memorized or is still just learning it?
When a piece of information is memorized, you are
able to recall it in about 1-3 seconds.
Think About It ....When a child is learning the alphabet, we give them repeated exposure to each of the 26 letters to help them memorize the alphabet as a whole. We point letters out in books, have them search for items starting with a particular letter, play games, etc. As they are learning the letters, they often may take a while to process what the letter is and may make mistakes. They use strategies to determine the letter and may think: Where have I seen this letter before? Do I know someone whose name starts with this letter? After a child has mastered the knowledge of identifying the letter, we can say that it is now memorized (can recall in 1-3 seconds). If you are shown a letter in the alphabet today, you don't need to spend time really thinking about, you just know it.
Children who are in the process of learning multiplication tables do so in a similar manner in which they learned the letters of the alphabet. They start off by learning and using strategies, such as: drawing a picture, skip counting, etc. to solve an equation. Then, we repeatedly expose them to the examples so they can memorize them. This ensures that they will not forget the information. Think about it .... The reason why you don't forget the letters of the alphabet is because you are repeatedly exposed to them every day of your life.
You can practice repeated exposure with your child in many ways:
1. Study the multiplication tables with them for 10 minutes (more if necessary) each night before they go to bed.
Click here for 0-12 multiplication flash cards (Print them out and glue them on index cards so they are easier to use)
2. Ask them basic multiplication facts as you are driving in the car, or waiting on a long line at the grocery store.
3. When you are shopping at a store, ask them to figure out what the total cost will be.
Example: You are buying 3 boxes of cereal. Each box is $4.59 (round to $5.00 to make it easier for them). Ask them how much the three boxes of cereal will cost ($5.00 x 3 = $15.00). As adults, we do this in our everyday lives all the time. Children need to be given this guidance while they are with an adult so they will start doing it on their own. This also shows them how important it is to learn math and how frequently we use it in our everyday lives.
4. Get the whole family involved: Have a multiplication bee! Have younger children who have not yet learned basic multiplication facts be the judge. Give them a list of facts so they can ask the questions and check the answers. You may even find that your judge is learning them too!
Please continue to review basic multiplication facts on a daily basis with your child.
Over the winter vacation, have them view the lesson below and practice a few examples. This will pre-teach them the basic steps they will be learning in January. They are not yet required to be able to do this independently. However, exposing them to the concept prior to them learning it in chapter 6 will greatly help them with mastery and feeling confident.
Click here for a 2 minute mini-lesson on multiplying multi-digit numbers
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Looking Ahead... in English Language Arts (ELA)
Some of the reading skills we have done so far:
1. Making text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections
2. Identifying different genres
3. Identifying character traits
4. Using context clues (strategies to determine unknown words)
5. Making good predictions using text-based support
6. Identifying the setting, characters, and plot in a story (story elements)
7. Comparing and contrasting (characters, books, poems, articles)
8. Sequencing (putting events in order)
9. Recalling facts and details (Focus on asking:Who? What? When? Why? Where? How? questions)
*** Children must use text-based examples to support their answers. ***
There are two kinds of questions: open and closed-ended questions.
Think about asking more open ended questions that require more critical thinking and explanation.
Example: After reading the article, what is the best solution to the problem?
In order to answer this question, you would first have to state what the best solution was to the problem.
Then, you must follow your answer with multiple examples that support your opinion.
Closed-ended questions are also very important, but require little critical thinking and often just have a simple answer.
Example: What happens right after Mary opens the door? (reviews the skills of sequencing)
In order to answer this question, you simply have to go back to the text and find the event that happens next.
Possible answer: Right after Mary opens the door, everyone yells "Surprise."
********The ELA state test will have open and closed-ended questions so it is important to practice both. ********
10. Determining the main idea (What is the book mostly about? Think about the big idea.) (1-2 sentences)
Some of the reading skills we will be doing:
1. Using and interpreting figurative language
2. Making inferences
3. Fact Vs. Opinion
4. Identifying cause and effect relationships
Question: Why did the boy run home from school? Answer: The boy ran home from school because it was raining.)
***The underlined part of the sentence is the effect. The part that is not underlined is the cause.***
5. Determining the author's purpose (to persuade, inform, or entertain)
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Math
Connects 
Current Chapter: 5
Click here for chapter 5 resources!
Access Code: F822D2CE1D
Fact Dash (Multiplication and Division Flash Cards)
Multiplication Properties and Division Rules
How to Add and Subtract Two Digit Numbers
Math
Songs to Help You Study:
| Multiplication Association |
| Factor Fiction |
Games:
1. Fact Dash (Multiplication and Division Flash Cards)
2. Robo Works - Rounding (Chapter 1)
3. Mount Frost - Ordering #s (Chapter 1)
4. Robo Works - Estimate Adding Multidigit Numbers (Chapter 2)
5. Robo Works - Estimate Subtracting Multidigit Numbers (Chapter 2)
6. Number Voyage - Adding Whole Numbers (Chapter 2)
7. Number Voyage - Subtract Whole Numbers (Chapter 2)
8. Number Voyage - Subtracting Across Zeros (Chapter 2)
9. Mount Frost - Multiplying 0-5 (Chapter 4)
10. Mount Frost - Multiplying 6-9 (Chapter 4)
11. Mount Frost - Multiplying 10-12 (Chapter 4)
12. Mount Frost - Multiplying Across Zeros (Chapter 4)
13. Roboworks - Multiplication Review 0-12 (Chapter 4)
14. Number Voyage - Multiplying 3 factors (Chapter 4)
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HOMEWORK
Homework is an extremely important part of your child's education. It allows them the opportunity to practice further with the concepts learned in class. Please be sure to check your child's planner every night. When they are done with their written homework assignments, please ask to see the assignments and check to see that they are complete and your child has done his or her best. If your child needs help with an assignment it is o.k. to give them assistance. All of the homework your child will receive will be something they have learned already. However, please remember that they are just starting to learn many of these concepts and would benefit greatly with some assistance if it is needed.
Remember: Studying is homework too!!! There are many different ways you can study with your child. Try some of the ways below and find a few that work for you!
1. create and practice flash cards together (including picture on the index cards may help to make it easier to learn and retain the information)
2. make up your own practice quiz for your child and have them complete it
3. create and play a jeopardy game together
4. verbally ask your child questions
5. watch and discuss a video that explains a concept they are learning about it class
6. have your child be the "teacher" and explain the concept to you
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Extra Help
Extra
help is
offered on Thursday afternoons from 2:55-3:30 by invitation.
If your child has another after school activity scheduled on Thursday
afternoons, they may join us on the day they were invited or wait until another
Thursday when they are available. If
your child receives an invitation to come to extra help on Thursday, please
have your child return the invitation response as soon as possible so I can
plan accordingly for the extra help session.
Thank you
as always for your continued support!
Great Behavior Popping
Up Everywhere!!!
In our classroom, we are always working together
as a team. We know what is expected of us, and we work hard to encourage
each other to make good choices. When Ms. Hudson, Mrs. Pernick, or other teachers in our building, see us doing a
great job as a class, they often give us a compliment. When that happens,
we get really excited because that means we get to add another popcorn piece to
our bucket! When we reach our goal of 30 pieces of popcorn, we get to
enjoy a compliment party. Each time the bucket is filled, we take a vote
on what we would like our next compliment party to be.
Our compliment party that we are currently working
towards is a school slumber party when we get to watch a movie in our
P.J.s!
Each day, we add more and more popcorn pieces to
the bucket! Please ask us how we are doing because we are super excited
to share with you how well we do each day! When we reach our goal, be sure to
check out the "Photo Gallery" for some pictures of our compliment
party!
Thank you for all your support !!!
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***Please do not start using Study Island for practice until you see that your child has already completed the pre-test in school.***
Check out
the website and see if you make it to the high score board!
Happy Studying
on Study Island !!!