March

March 1 B Day Start of Trimester 3


 * || In Class || Practice at Home ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Students simulated being in a monastery and took notes about monasteries. Vocabulary 18 is now available. || V18 due Friday. Shields (coats of arms) due Thursday. ||
 * Writing || We are using picture books as a fun way to go over important elements in writing. Today we focused on character development and looking for clues in the text to determine characters with //Dr. De Soto// and //The Sneetches.// || Most students completed there character development worksheet in class ||
 * Reading || I spent time meeting with students who have been absent to catch them up, and meeting with students who needed some extra coaching on the questioning strategy. Other students were given the okay to work on the assessment for questioning-which involves finishing //Number the Stars// and doing a question and answer sheet for the end of the text. || Questioning strategy assessment due Monday. Students should be on independent book #21 to be on track to finish 30 this year. ||
 * Math || I gave students time today to clean out their math binders/folders, since it's the start of the third trimester. Students then worked on the problem Linden's Algorithm, where they were to determine how another student found the algorithm for multiplying fractions. || Complete questions #1-3 of Linden's Algorithm packet; pages 122-123. ||
 * Advanced Math || I gave students time today to clean out their math binders/folders, since it's the start of the third trimester. Students then worked on three different problems from a sheet titled Fraction Situations. Students are to develop several different questions to answer from the information given. They are to use a diagram to help them find the solution to their questioning. || Work on Fraction Solutions problems. ||

March 2 A Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Reviewed past material with Jeopardy. Took check-up quiz. || Shields (coats of arms) are due tomorrow. V18 due Friday. ||
 * Writing || Today we took a final look at our reviews with rubrics before handing them in. || If students have //any// missing work, it must be turned in tomorrow to get it into the gradebook. ||
 * Reading || See March 1st information. || Finish assessment for Monday. Be reading book 21 this week. ||
 * Math || Students finished Linden's Algorithm packet with partners, which I collected at the end of class. || None. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students finished the Fraction Situations sheet and posted solutions to certain problems. I collected the problems at the end of class. || None. ||

March 3 B Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we got notes on Crusades and started to review material for the test next week. || Vocabulary 18 due tomorrow. ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || See March 1st information. || Finish assessment for Monday. Be reading book 21 this week. ||
 * Math || Students were introduced to the idea of dividing fractions. They worked problems that dealt with using fractional parts of bars of cheese to make pizzas. || Problem 4.1, page 50, A-C. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students got their books for our new unit, Bits and Pieces 3. We will be adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals in this unit, as well as calculating tax, tips, and percentage discounts. Students worked on estimating sums or differences of decimal numbers. || Problem 1.1, page 6, A-C. ||

March 4 A Day Be finishing book 21 this week. ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we are preparing for a Crusades competition on Monday. We also discussed V18. || Students who are representing their manors should study their maps. Others, just start preparing the for assessment next Friday. ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || See March 1st information. || Finish assessment for Monday.
 * Math || Continued to develop ideas about dividing fractions. We're working towards establishing an algorithm to use to divide fractions and mixed numbers. || Finish Problem 4.2, page 51, A-C. ||
 * Advanced Math || Started to actually add and subtract decimal numbers. || Finish Problem 1.2, page 9, A-B. ||

March 7 B Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Today we did a Crusades activity. || None. Test on Friday over the Middle Ages learning goals and success criteria. ||
 * Writing || Students decided on plot and characters for the picture books they are writing, and started writing rough drafts. || If you haven't gotten approximately 8 story squares done yet, you should work on it at home before tomorrow. ||
 * Reading || Mrs. Huch was absent, so students got an extra day to finish //Number the Stars.// ||  ||
 * Math || We worked on dividing fractions by fractions and are still developing an algorithm for dividing fractions. || Problem 4.3, page 52-53, A-D. Due Wednesday. Quiz over multiplying fractions Tuesday. ||
 * Advanced Math || We continued to add and subtract decimals today. || Problem 1.3, page 10-11, A-C; AND Ace Problems, page 13-14, #7-21: Due Wednesday. ||

March 8 A Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing || Today we learned about nouns and finished our rough drafts for picture books. || If you didn't get your rough draft done in class, you need to complete it at home before tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be editing our rough draft and starting on illustrations. ||
 * Reading || We discussed the end of //Number the Stars// and handed in the questioning sheets for the final assessment. || Please ask your student if he or she had their assignment done for today. Students were given extended time, and many reminders, to get their questions done, but a number of students were not finished for class today. ||
 * Math || Students took a quiz over multiplying fractions. || Work on purple Unit Review Packet; Due Friday. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students worked on adding and subtracting decimals and reviewed adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. || Skill: Adding and Subtracting Decimals practice sheet; AND yellow Riddle Sheet, page 76 and AA-50. ||

March 9 B Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Independent reading. || Next book check is March 30th=23 books to be on track for 30 books for the year (B-). ||
 * Math || Discussed dividing fractions. Students developed two different strategies to divide fractions. || Skill: Dividing Fractions sheet, page 57, odd numbers. Purple Bits&Pieces2 Unit Review Packet due Friday. ||
 * Advanced Math || Summarized adding and subtracting decimals. || Problem 1.4, page 12, A and C. Yellow Riddle Sheet, page 76 and AA-50, due Thursday. ||

March 10 A Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Math || Students determined an algorithm that worked best for them and then practiced dividing fractions. || Problem 4.4, page 54, A1(bottom row only), A4, B, and D. Bits and Pieces 2 Unit Review Packet due TOMORROW!! ||
 * Advanced Math || Introduced multiplying decimals by relating decimal multiplication to fraction multiplication. || Problem 2.1, page 22, A & C. ||

March 11 B Day Students picked up practice problems that they felt they needed more practice on, so some students took all 3 sheets, while others //maybe// took 1. They don't have to fully complete the practice sheets; however, they are to work problems from them to help them review for the test. || Finish Unit Review Packet and study from it over break. Review for upcoming test by doing problems from practice sheets. ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || My goal today is to get books into kids' hands before break. || March 30th is the next book count. Students must have 23 books done, if they would like to get a B-. Spring break is a great time to get caught up or ahead. ||
 * Math || We updated our flipbooks, so students have them to use as a resource when studying for the upcoming test. We worked a few problems together from the review packet.
 * Advanced Math || We discussed multiplying decimals by using fractions and then played "What's My Rule?", where students were given the starting and final values and had to figure out what mathematical rule I used to determine the final value. They did a nice job with this activity. || Have a great spring break!! ||


 * March 14-19-Spring Break **

March 21 A Day Vocab.: literal Week 1 conferences || Week 2 letters March 30th: 23 books for a B- ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies ||  ||   ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Learning Target: Recognize the differences between literal and figurative language.
 * Math || Reviewed adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions for the unit test tomorrow. || Students are to review for Bits and Pieces 2 Unit Test. They are to finish the review packet, if not already done and turned-in. They can study their flip-books and work on the extra practice sheets to help them review. ||
 * Advanced Math || Continued working on multiplying decimals. || Problem 2.2, page 24, A-C; and Problem 2.3, page 24-25, A-B. ||

March 22 B Day Vocab.: simile Week 1 conferences ||  || Week 2 letters March 30th: 23 books for a B-
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Mini-project work || V19 due Friday ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Learning Target: Recognize similes and metaphors in context.


 * Math || Bits and Pieces 2 Unit Test Today!! || None. ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed strategies to multiply decimals. || Problem 2.4, page 26-27, A-C. ||

March 23 A Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Mini-Project Work || V19 due Friday ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading ||  ||   ||
 * Math || Finished Bits and Pieces 2 Unit Test. || None. ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed algorithms for multiplying decimals numbers. We looked at the success criteria for Bits and Pieces 3, the current unit. || None. ||

March 24 B Day Mini-projects due tomorrow. || Metaphor & Simile assessment Week 1 Conferences || Week 2 conferences next week Read! ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Mini-project work and Middle Ages retake tests if needed. || V19 due tomorrow.
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Learning Target: Categorize similes & metaphors.
 * Math || Started our next unit, Bits and Pieces 3, and discussed the success criteria (the skills they are to learn) for this unit. We started discussing the relationship between fractions and decimals and how to estimate decimals. || ACE problem, page 13, #1-7. ||
 * Advanced Math || Made flipbooks for this unit and took notes on how to add, subtract, and multiply decimal numbers. Practiced multiplying decimals. || Additional Practice sheet, page 84-85, Investigation 2. ||

March 25 A Day
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Share mini-projects and turn in. || None ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || We spent today discussing the metaphors and similes worksheet from yesterday. We focused on how to determine what two things were being compared. ||  ||
 * Math || Practiced estimating sums and differences with decimals. || Problem 1.1, page 6-7, A. ||
 * Advanced Math || Students took a quiz over investigations 1 and 2. || None. ||

March 28 B Day Voc.: Personification Lesson: Personification in Dickensons's "A Thunder-Storm", create a color personality. || Week 3 letters due next week. Wed.=Mar. book count (23 for a B-) ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Finish Middle Ages mini-project presentations. Begin presentation on Peace Corps and Namibia. || None ||
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Target: Identify & apply different types of figurative language.
 * Math || Discussed estimating decimals and started finding actual sums and differences of decimals. || Problem 1.2, page 9, A-B. ||
 * Advanced Math || Introduced dividing with decimal numbers. Students are to relate what they know about fraction division with decimal division. || Problem 3.1, page 36-37, A-B. ||

March 29 A Day Vocabulary #20 available, due Friday. || None. ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Continue Peace Corps / Namibia presentation.
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Onomtopoeia lesson || Book count tomorrow ||
 * Math || Related decimals to fractions and how decimal addition and subtraction is similar to fraction addition and subtraction. || Problem 1.3, page 10-11, A-C. ||
 * Advanced Math || Converted decimals to fractions with common denominators and related how decimal division is similar to fraction division. || Problem 3.2, page 39, A-C. ||

March 30 B Day Also, I talked to students about a summer enrichment opportunity that will be at the school here in Tiffin. Hopefully if they're interested, they've brought home a sheet for you to look at. || Vocabulary #20 due Friday. || MAP testing will be next week on **Thursday** and **Friday.** Please discuss with students to take their time on the test and do their best! ||
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Discussed Learning Goals and Success Criteria for our upcoming unit (Renaissance, Reformation & Exploration).
 * Writing ||  ||   ||
 * Reading || Book count for March. || Week 3 letters due next week.
 * Math || Practiced adding and subtracting decimal numbers. || Skill: Adding and Subtracting Decimals sheet, page 82-83, both sides, pink sheet.

MAP testing for Math will be next week on **Tuesday** and **Wednesday**. Please discuss with students to take their time on the test and to do their best! ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed how to use fractions to divide decimal numbers. || None. ||

March 31 A Day Success Criteria: I can identify the words used in pun examples. || Week 3 Letters due next week. || MAP testing will be next week on**Thursday** and **Friday.** Please discuss with students to take their time on the test and do their best!
 * Science ||  ||   ||
 * Social Studies || Notes on Renaissance. || Vocabulary #20 due tomorrow. ||
 * Writing || We are starting a chapter on "voice" as a writing trait and will be incorporating the student's writing examples in their writing portfolio. The students have begun to write a five paragraph essay on something that really bugs them. In grammar we are focusing on pronouns. ||  ||
 * Reading || Learning Target: Identify different types of figurative language.


 * Math || Wrote and discussed algorithms for adding and subtracting decimals. || Problem 1.4, page 12, B-C. (A was completed in class.) ||
 * Advanced Math || Discussed different strategies for dividing decimals. || Problem 3.3, page 40, A-B. ||