Mr. C's Blog

The first quiz in Math was taken on Friday, September 4. The students understood the concepts well. If mistakes were made, they were in multiplication and addition errors.
Please help your child by asking them to answer "times table" problems. Do this informally.

Continue to look at your fifth grader's notebook and assignment book. The notebook is the key to a successful year. Make sure they know the number properties on page 6 and the algebra properties on page 12. There will be a test on Friday, September 11.

This week we will study "critical thinking" via number patterns, word problem solving, and deciding when to estimate in word problems. This material covers pages 14 to 21. Chapter one will have been completed. The "wrap up" section on page 22 is a great test prep.

We did not have social studies last Friday, because of a half day. However, in the "introductory" chapter, we already covered four standards as mandated by the office of Catholic Schools.

Tuesday's class will cover "History and Culture," pages 12 and 13. In this section, we talk about the difference between primary and secondary sources in writing history. We will also see how "artifacts" can help in understanding the past.

I like to collect antiques (cheap ones!). I am going to show a once-used common household item to the students. I want them to figure out what it was used for. You can help too, since the students will sketch it and show it to you. Good luck. It is fun, once they learn what it is.

On Wednesday, students will complete the chapter review on pages 14 and 15 (although, I think the kids will probably want to bring their own family artifact for "antique show and tell!"). Actually, I hope this will be a popular learning experience- please, nothing expensive or irreplaceable though.

On Wednesday, the students will also receive a packet explaining their first project. Thursday will be a review day. Friday will be dedicated to the events of 911.

The fifth graders are beginning to move faster now that they are becoming more comfortable with the contents of the book. On Monday, we will review for the chapter test on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, we begin chapter 2 on place value: whole numbers and decimals (page 28). Students will learn how to write numbers in standard form and expanded form. I will have plenty of notes on definitions and demonstrations for the students to copy in their Math notebook. Please continue to examine your child's daily notes and homework assignments.

On Thursday, we will cover pages 32-33 on camparing and ordering whole numbers. Friday's lesson will cover rounding whole numbers on pages 34-35. Each new section in the chapter will be reinforced by homework assignments from the book as well as worksheets,

Last week went well. On Friday, September 11, the students told about their "heroes" in their families who fought for our freedom. I want my students to know how great our country is and to be proud to be an American. We may have differences, but if a crisis developes, there are no "White Sox vs Cubs" fans. We all stick together and never give up until we succeed.

This week we will cover pages 20 to 27. We will learn about the earliest setters, early North American cultures, and understand parallel time lines. In addition to reading and studying the text, I will provide extra information to help reinforce their new knowledge.

Last week's chapter one math test went very well- many high scores. The social studies scrapbooks, hanging for open house, were well done and showed serious effort. They were taken down the next day and will be graded according to the 85 point rubric.

Note: every returned math test has to be signed. I want the parents to know about the high grades as well as the not-so-high grades. Besides, grandma and grandpa might reward the good score with a little cash!

In social studies this week, the students will take a quiz on Tuesday. On Monday, we will review the notes and a review sheet will also be given to help review for the quiz.

For the rest of the week, the students will map the geographical areas in which the Native Americans lived long ago; learn how the cultures of the West adapted to their environments; and learn the ways in which the Indians of the Pacific Northwest developed. This material is found on pages 28-31 in the textbook.

In Math this week, the students will learn: comparing and ordering whole numbers; rounding whole numbers; learning how to sketch pictures to help visualize a word problem; and exploring algebra variables and expressions. Assignments for homework will be from the textbook and the accompaning "teacher manual" workbook. A quiz on this material, pages 32 and 39, will be given Friday, Sept. 25. Please keep checking your child's Math notebook and assignment book.

Oh, by the way, Liechtenstein, a tiny European nation located between Switzerland and Austria, is the world's largest exporter of false teeth.

I was very imppressed with the fifth graders when I wrote on the board the study guide for the social studies quiz last week. Immediately, they began to make their own flash cards. Their former teachers sure taught them well how to prepare for a test.

I tutor high school math after school. One student, a football player for Brother Rice, also began making his own flash cards for a geometry quiz. I told the fifth graders what a great study habit they have. They were so proud.

Also, a reminder, parents to oversee your fifth grader to work on their Accelerated Math assignments, at home during the week, to accumulate objectives. The goal is two objectives per week.

Thank you Mrs. Erickson, Mrs. Glynn, and Mr. O'Connor for volunteering to be chaperones for my homeroom (203) on our field trip to Navy Pier. I do need one more volunteer.

This week in Math, we will cover decimals: place value in tenths, hundredths, and thousandths; comparing and ordering; rounding; and more word problems. Chapter two will culminate with a test on Friday. The above topics will cover pages 40 to 55 in the textbook.

This week in social studies, the students will be using the right side of their brains (the left side of the brain is used for math) to learn about early Indians of the Pacific Northwest, and the Plains. The textbook pages are 8 and 9. A Paragraph on how the Indians used every part of the bison is due Friday. Also on Friday, there will be a test covering units 2, 3, and 4.