Friday, January 11th

SKILL REVIEW FRIDAY!!!

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• We started the day with a portfolio day.  We passed out items to file in portfolios and added our STAR Reading and STAR Math results from December to our portfolios.  Students had an opportunity to look at comments and suggestions from recent work and reflect on what they need to improve.
• Math Friz
• Friday Math Quiz - The new cycle focuses on equivalent fractions, patters, writing equations, reading and understanding multi-step word problems with addition, subtraction, multiplication and DIVISION.  Students are having problems SLOWING DOWN and reading the directions fully.  They answer parts of the question, but not the entire question so they are losing points.   The FRIZ is not timed so no need to rush. Take your time, do your best!  CHECK YOUR WORK!
• Skill Review
• We practiced making equivalent fractions by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the same number.  We also practiced simplifying fractions by dividing the numerator and denominator by the Greatest Common Factor (doing factor trees for each number and finding the greatest factor in common).  We did multiple samples, did factoring together, practiced, asked each student to come up with the GCF for a fraction, and then do the dividing.  If you have time, please work with your child on long division using partial quotients or the standard algorithm. 
• 3rd - Reading Block
• The focus today was using evidence to support your claim.  This is a review of the writing lesson used yesterday.  We read chapters 11 and 12 from The Tiger Rising and then talked about it using the pause to synthesize and retell.  Then I put a sentence starter on the board for them to prove.  
• In the story The Tiger Rising, the main characters Rob and Sistine are starting to become friends.  
• They had to go back into chapter 11 and find text evidence to support this statement.  They had to use conversational transitions like "in the text it says"  or for example.  They have to copy the evidence directly from the text.  NO PARAPHRASING!  Then they have to explain how that text supports the claim that the two characters are becoming friends.  They must have 2 pieces of text evidence and two explanations.  They must end their claim with a summation sentence that wraps up their thoughts.   I call this the RACE format and this is how they get full credit on the short response questions on the ELA State Test!  

• 4th/5th - Skill Review: Reading Comprehension in Fiction 
• Students had guided practice with reading comprehension strategies through a series of stories and guided lessons that slowly released them to practice the skill on their own with two texts to compare.  It is a I do, We do,  YOU DO method.  The packet starts with a guided experience, then a shared experience, and then a solo experience where you show what you learned.  They started the packet with Mr. Nunez and finished it with Ms. Young (I had to go to a meeting at another school). 
• 6th - Lunch
• Silent Lunch with Ms. Young because of behaviors during her time with them 5th period.
• 7th - PE with Mr. Hoffman

Homework:

• Math Practice Sheet - Equivalent Fractions and Simplest Form (2 sided) 
• Writing - finding and punctuating RUN ON SENTENCES 
• Reading - Reading Log, Practice Retelling
• FYI - I had students put all homework away in their backpack before I left. If they claim they don't have it, it is because they didn't want to bring it home!

Please be checking Teacherease for student performance progress.  I don't want you to be shocked when your child receives a promotion in doubt letter because they are not doing work or homework or not performing well in class or on assessments.  We need to work together to ensure your child's progress and success.