Posted by Ann Albertson on January 8, 2017 in Class News | ∞
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a nice break from school and enjoyed the holidays!
A couple reminders:
(1) The Solar System projects are due this coming Tuesday. A rubric was sent home before break (and is also given below in a previous post);
(2) We have our upcoming field trip to Henry Ford College’s Planetarium (in Dearborn) on Friday, January 20th at 9:30. We need parent chaperones and drivers. If you were already on the list as approved, please visit the school office to make sure everything is updated. If you are not already on the list (or unsure if you are on the list) but do wish to chaperone, please visit the school office to fill out the necessary paperwork to get approved in time. If we do not get enough drivers, we will have to cancel the field trip.
Thank you for Avery’s mom, Mrs. Nicole Miller, and Katya’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Salame for doing a great job with our holiday party before break! You all rock!
Posted by Ann Albertson on December 19, 2016 in Class News | ∞
Hi There – We are working very hard this week to get some loose ends tied up before Winter Break.
Math: We will have our Unit 5 Math test on Friday. It will cover adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with number sentences, pictures, and story problems.
Social Studies: We are finishing up material from Unit 4. However, we will not be finished before break. The test will be the week we return – either Thursday or Friday, January 12 or 13th.
We have Gingerbread House Decorating on Wednesday afternoon. The base needs to be sent in by tomorrow (Tuesday). All other materials should come in on Wednesday. (A note was sent home last week.)
The Holiday Party will be Friday afternoon. Avery’s mom and the other homeroom parents are taking care of it. However, each student/parent is being asked to contribute to the cost of the party. A note is being sent home today. Money will be collected starting tomorrow.
The Solar System Projects will be due on Tuesday, January 10th. A note/rubric was sent home last week.
I’m not sure if I have forgotten anything. If I did, I will post again. If I don’t get to see you before break, I hope you have an enjoyable time with your family and friends over Winter Break!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
Posted by Ann Albertson on December 13, 2016 in Class News | ∞
STAND students will be selling ice cream sundaes during lunch next Wednesday. One sundae per person. A sundae will cost $1.00. The money raised will be used to purchase fleece to make crate blankets for the Dearborn Animal Shelter.
Posted by Ann Albertson on December 13, 2016 in Class News | ∞
Prior to winter break, a gingerbread project is planned for the students. This project will cover the skill areas of math and science. Specific skills the students will work on are: measurement, predictions, outcomes, sequencing, and cooperative learning.
In order for all students to be actively involved, each student is asked to bring in the following items by Tuesday, December 20:
styrofoam base, cookie sheet or cardboard covered with foil(this only needs to be somewhat larger than the carton itself)
pint sized milk carton (students may bring one from home or use one from school lunch)
one container of ready-made frosting
plastic knife
at least one package of graham crackers
candy, cookies, and other edible items for decorating their house
Posted by Ann Albertson on December 5, 2016 in Class News | ∞
The “Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness” (MCSWA) was formed in 1991 to encourage Michigan residents to be prepared in the event severe weather. They are once again offering a contest for 4th and 5th graders. Please see the information on the forms and provided through the link.
Posted by Ann Albertson on November 29, 2016 in Class News | ∞
Four Dearborn Elementary School Students Awarded For Their Outstanding Writing at the 2016 Young Authors’ Festival
Four students from Dearborn elementary schools received awards for their writing at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library’s 4th annual Young Authors’ Festival. The half-day event was held in the Mardigian Library on Saturday, November 12. Around 120 young writers from grades 3 to 5, parents, and teachers listened as the award winners read their winning entries aloud. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell stopped by to congratulate award winners and encourage students to read and write. Winners received Barnes & Noble gift cards as awards.
3rd Grade, 2nd Prize: Owen Strieff (Lindbergh Elementary) for “Families,”
3rd Grade, 3rd Prize (tie): Hussein Mansour (William Ford Elementary) for “Family Memories,”
4th Grade, 3rd Prize: Nameh Sharif (Henry Ford Elementary) for “My Life, My Everything,”
5th Grade, 3rd Prize: Ali Beidoun (Howard Elementary) for “Big Dreams.”
The 2016 Young Authors’ Writing Contest received around 260 entries from children in grades 3 to 5. Entries were judged by UM-Dearborn pre-service teachers.
At the festival, young writers learned tips on what it takes to be an author from Newbery Medal-winning author and special guest speaker, Christopher Paul Curtis. Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan and is a graduate of UM-Flint. Curtis is the author of the highly acclaimed books, “Bud Not Buddy,” “Elijah of Buxton,” and “The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.”
He told the eager audience to be observant and listen, and encouraged them to use what they see and hear in their everyday lives in their stories. He gave an example about how writing can be a collaborative process through the challenges he faced when writing a book from a girl’s perspective. He got a lot of advice from the girls and women in his life to help him shape his character’s personality and voice. Curtis also took time to autograph books and have pictures taken with the children attending the event.
Children also participated in 11 fun, educational writing workshops conducted by UM-Dearborn pre-service teachers. While the children were in workshops, their parents were getting tips on how to inspire their children to continue writing and reading. Workshop topics included: collaborative group writing, how to create a picture book, creating a story to accompany a piece of music, a bookmaking workshop, and more.
This event is sponsored by the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the Mardigian Library; the Salloum Family in honor of Abdallah & Leila Salloum; Mrs. Judith Smith; the Metro Detroit Book and Author Society; the Hub for Teaching & Learning Resources; the Office of Metropolitan Impact; and the UM-Dearborn Barnes & Noble College Bookstore.
The PBIS committee has determined that teachers will no longer flip cards/change lights for homework. In reviewing our data over the last few years, we realize that an extraordinary amount of students are being flipped for not completing homework assignments. There has been little change in the behavior as a result of the practice of flipping the cards (changing the light), so we have abolished the practice. PBIS endorses the teaching and reteaching of expectations, reflection on and correction of undesired behaviors, and a 4 to 1 positive to corrective feedback interaction. The PBIS model also promotes NATURAL consequences for chronic, undesirable behaviors. The natural consequences for not completing homework assignments are lower homework grade and losing certain privileges because that time is spent completing homework. This is what students can expect to see in middle and high school.
The teachers have discussed and understand that homework is for PRACTICE, so that students are able reinforce the learning from that day ON THEIR OWN. They may also be asked to complete classwork at home if they were unable during the time allotted. Please email me with any questions.
-Mrs. Burch
*Keep in mind that homework WILL be a homework grade now. Most of the homework in here is practicing our math and/or reviewing for quizzes or tests. If your child does not complete the homework, it will result in a “zero” for that assignment, thus affecting their grade. They will not get a 2nd chance to make it up. Addtionally, if a child does not finish a specific classwork assignment, i.e. weekly Spelling, they are still responsible for taking it home and finishing it on their own. It will result in a card flip if it is not finished. Not reviewing for quizzes and tests is not a good choice ever.
Posted by Ann Albertson on November 10, 2016 in Class News | ∞
Conferences begin tonight and continue next Wednesday and Thursday. Parents and guardians – please make certain your child is with you, as the conference is to share ideas and information to help themin class.
Posted by WebGuy on November 6, 2016 in Class News | ∞
School districts in Wayne County have placed a proposal on the November 8th ballot to provide added funding for our schools. It is the “Regional Enhancement Millage Proposal.”
If approved by the entire county, the 2 mil proposal will generate approximately $6.2 million from Dearborn but the District will receive $7.8 million in additional funding for our schools. Money would go to local schools starting this year and the millage expires after six years. Read more…
Adaptation Webquest
A web quest where you learn about adaptations through reading and answering questions.
Amazing Animal Adaptations and Facts
Here are some examples of how some animals sense the outside world and the anatomical structures that allow them to do so.
Modern Causes of Species Extinctions: Habitat Destruction
Habitat destruction is an important cause of known extinctions. As deforestation proceeds in tropical forests, this promises to become THE cause of mass extinctions caused by human activity.
Structural and Behavioral Adaptations
All organisms have adaptations that help them survive and thrive. Some adaptations are structural. Other adaptations are behavioral.
Free Internet Access
If your family needs internet access, have your parents follow the directions on this link.
LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems
Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks.
The Boston Tea Party Historical Society
The Boston Tea Party Historical Society shares information on the volatile relationship between the colonists and Great Britain.
Digit Whiz (Math)
DigitWhiz is a free online, games-based program aligned to the Common Core that guides kids ages 8+ to master key math foundational skills
International Children's Digital Library (Reading)
This is a great site for extension activities when learning about different regions of the world and can be used effectively into the middle school grades.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
