Simple post today...

We had our first MSA practice today (we've been working on BCRs and strategies for awhile now...).

These are coming home tonight so please take sometime to look them over with your child. We went over the correct answers in class while sharing strategies for how to solve specific problems. Elimination, reading aloud, and reading through each answer to see which ones may make the most sense are some of the things we talked about. I ask that these be signed and returned tomorrow so that I know every family has seen what's coming after Spring Break!

As always, questions/comments/concerns can be emailed to me at eric_m_vogel@mcpsmd.org

Math: Today we constructed three-dimensional figures with snap-cubes. In addition to actually building them and applying a strategy for determining their accuracy, we also began take it a step further by exploring the equation for volume...amazingly, I heard a lot of "oh, that's how you do it...it's just like algebra!" Tonight they are to build the final figure and record the number of faces, vertices, and edges for all six figures.

Tomorrow we are having our first, dress rehearsal for MSA reading...our purpose is to capture what good strategies look and feel like in an actual testing setting while affording our students an opportunity to get a sense of how the routine is somewhat different on MSA days. This is not graded, but we will go over some of the practice in class to highlight appropriate strategies going forward...

That's all for now! I have an afternoon of grading to do!

Extremely disjointed day today but we persevered...

Math: We briefly had math class today and reviewed our quizzes that are coming home tonight. Overall, we did pretty well with the exception of some simple clarifications regarding the "movement" of figures as it pertains to slides, flips, and turns. In addition, we explored how lines, line segments, rays, and points are indicated and labeled using symbols. Please look over the content tonight so you and your child are clear on what is expected on next Tuesday's unit assessment. This effort will go along way...thanks.

Language Arts gave way to a visit from a local dental health professional who spoke about "Dental Health Month." We also had a lesson from Mrs. Howard about being courageous which caused us to distinguish between demonstrating courage and simply making smart choices...

We finished the day by working on our 4-string harps in science.

The spell checker is back!

Math: We took our final quiz of unit 4 today in preparation of our unit assessment coming up. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to grade them all today so they will come home tomorrow - this means there is no homework tonight.

Language Arts:

Anna... We are moving into a Rosa Parks biography. Today they generated a list of things they "think they know" about her already. They should read the story tonight.

Sword... They should have already completed chapters 8 and 9, including the work associated with it in their novel folders (assigned on Thursday). Tonight they need to read chapter 10 and respond to the prompt written in their RRJ.

JGB... Shared Inquiry Discussion tomorrow so they should complete their focus question tonight.

William and Mary... Long group today! We discussed how we plan on reading our novel, Journey, between now and Spring Break. This schedule is in their folders so please look over it tonight - please know that your questions and concerns are welcomed but some of the answers we're looking for won't surface until we get into it. This is my first time organizing a novel unit this way. We also explored vocabulary webs using a variety of dictionaries.