Hi parents,
I am continuing to focus on topics mandated by the Office of Catholic Education. The current topics are not in the textbooks, but I enjoy writing up study guides for the students. By breaking it down to their reading level, the students favor these guides and are understanding very well.
Please continue to sign all of the tests brought home. I include the high "refrigerator" papers because I want my students to feel good about themselves.
Mr. C.
Mid-term averages and grades tend to be lower than the final grades because:
- Final homework achievement grade is not yet averaged in.
- Accelerated Math grade is not yet averaged in.
- An increase in the number of quizzes and tests yet to be taken allows for the two lowest test/quiz scores to be dropped.
- Effort (notebook score) and showing of willingness to learn will raise (or lower) the final average. Good discipline is a must.
A reminder that students are responsible for copying the Math notes from a reliable peer and completing the accompaning worksheets and book assignments for days they are absent from class. If, upon adhering to the above procedure, a student is still unsure, the student must request to meet with me after school. Parents must know of the after school help to arrange for the student arriving home safely. As a dad myself, this is important to me.
The 5th graders will continue this week in geometry (area and volume) and customary units (requires memorization- please help at home with drilling).
The 6th graders will continue this week with percents.
My 95 neon hit 210,000 miles over the weekend. It still looks great and runs quick. I'm trying for 214,000 miles to beat a previous high mileage of 213,418 miles (Oldsmobile).
Mr. C.
Hi parents,
Thank you to all who came to visit me at open house last Sunday. I enjoyed talking to you. It's easy to see why my students are so nice and genuinely respectful. It starts at home. You are doing a great job moms and dads.
I started the 5th graders on geometry last week. Besides teaching the students how to take good notes (a great learning skill), I have also made self-learning worksheets which the students said were very clear, and they were able to learn this way also. I wish I had the time to write a Math book. I like to teach step by step.
Please keep practicing those times tables and division facts if you see incorrect quiz/test answers due to this. Most 5th graders know them very well. It makes a world of difference.
The 6th graders are now into percents, a very important Math topic. Steadfast notetaking will insure high test scores.
Do you remember signing the "1894" worksheet? I told the 6th graders that Pearl Flanagan, the 5th grader who studied from the book I found, had it rough. Poor Pearl had to walk 5 miles each way without shoes, through snow (even in May) and uphill both ways. There were several boys whose eyes got watery. Talk to you soon.
I'm Mr. Ciezadlo, and I approve his message.
Hi parents,
I still notice that there is a small number of 5th graders who continue to be weak in times tables and division tables. You will see this on the corrected quizzes I send home for parent signatures.
The 6th graders are doing well. They had similar problems with multiplying last year, and everything eventually worked out.
The 5th and 6th graders I have this year are terrific. They are polite, respectful and want to learn. You are doing a great job parents. Thank you. More later.
Mr. C.
First, a word about retests: this matter was discussed at our first major faculty meeting before school began. It was decided not to give retests. Allowing retests implies that a student would not have to prepare as much. If a high grade is scored, it was done with minimal preparation. If a low grade is scored, the student now has to put in greater effort to score higher on a retest. Besides, God doesn't give a "relife" to get into heaven.
The first quiz for the 5th graders went rather well. Very few scores were low. The low scores indicated a weakness in times and division tables. Please practice (on a casual basis) with your children. Proficiency in times tables and division tables makes all the difference.
The first quiz for the 6th graders was terrific- an abundance of A's.
I am also guiding the students on taking notes. (Remember, each student is to have a seperate notebook for Math).
Good notetaking is a skill. It makes test preparation easier. The best way to prepare for a Math test is to do a few problems from the corrected homework assignments. The student notes remind and explain what to do better than the textbooks explanations.
PENCILS, PENCILS, PENCILS!
Hi Parents,
This week both 5th and 6th grades are in review (a.k.a. "Get the rust out") mode. It's early, but I like what I see. I expect another, progressive school year in math. More information is in my parent letter handed out on Friday.
The 5th and 6th grade teachers are dedicated, experienced professionals. Your children are in good hands. Hope to meet many parents at Open House on September 21.
Sincerely,
Mr. C
P.S. Pencils, Pencils, Pencils!
The 6th graders continue to learn “enrichment” Geometry and are doing very well. One student excitedly told me she answered a question about Geometry that her 8th grade brother (who attends a magnet school) was asking their Dad for help. Her brother just stared at her. On Friday, after correcting a homework assignment, a 6th grade boy told the class that his sister in High School just took a test on the “same stuff.” Isn’t that great!!
The 5th graders recently learned about improper fractions and mixed numbers. It’s nice to see their faces light up when they understand a new Math concept.
MR.CIEZADLO
**NO TURKEYS WERE HARMED CREATING THIS BLOG.**
Thursday, November 8th, was “Crunch Time” in Accelerated Math class for the 5th graders. My Accelerate Math Mom, Mrs. Janozik, came to school for an extra day this week so that students, who were behind, could meet the goal of 12 Math Objectives for the trimester. It was a great success. Many students (over 30) were able to get caught up. THANKS MRS. JANOZIK!!
The first test on fractions (reducing to lowest terms), which the 5th graders took on Wednesday, November 7th, went well – many high grades. Only a few students are still weak in division and time tables. Please keep drilling. On Friday, November 9th, the 5th graders will begin to learn how to add and subtract fractions.
The 6th graders tested this week on “perimeter” and “area” of Polygons. (Polygons are not “dead parrots,” but many-sided Geometric figures.) I’m not finished correcting the tests. Many of the concepts they learned will be useful in high school. Do you know what the “supplement” of a 25 degree angle is? Ask your 6th grader.
The 6th graders seem to be learning Geometry very well. Do any parents know how many sides a Polygon called a Pentadecagon has? Ask your 6th grader. By the way a Polygon is NOT a “dead parrot!!!” On Thursday, November 8th, there will be a test on perimeter. On Friday, November 9th, there will be a test on area.
The 5th graders will take a test covering reducing Fractions on Wednesday, November 7th. A few students have not yet mastered division tables, and are unable to reduce some fractions correctly because of this. Please check and drill.
P.S. On Monday one of the fifth grade boys asked to go to the office, because he wasn’t feeling well. He said he thinks it’s because he ate an under cooked “BOOGER.” He meant to say “Burger.” True Story.
Mr. Ciezadlo
The 6th grade is finishing their study of working with fractions. I am pleased with the results. We will be getting into geometry. I have many concepts to teach them.
The 5th grade will soon begin learning fractions. They will do just as well.
Some students have begun coming to me after school for help. Their confusion was cleared up quickly. Students must request the extra help. I do not make them come. I don’t want it to appear as an after school punishment.
Mr. Ciezadlo
