Math: I sent the quizzes home on Friday so if you haven't seen them yet, ask your child about it tonight. In fact, this particular quiz is the definition of "applying" what you understand. As you'll see, I likely took the application aspect a bit too far when I asked them to order a combination of mixed numbers and improper fractions with "unlike" denominators. I know - big mistake! Since it was a classwide struggle I take full responsibility for it and thus, it didn't count last week but will certainly count this week considering the additional time we'll continue to put in. With that said, decimals are on our horizon and it is essential that your child understands how to create equivalent fractions using multiplication, reduce fractions to simplest form using division, and can determine the "like" or "common" denominators BEFORE adding or subtracting.

Tonight's homework is to complete the "choose the operation" page - numbers 1-10.

Language Arts: I met with each group today, albeit briefly, to hit the ground running this week. One thing to look for as we move forward in our small groups is the time we spend with each book/rrj response. After meeting with some colleagues last week we discussed that the best strategy to foster the skill of applying feedback to their own work is to provide explicit opportunities with their own writing. For instance, rather than respond, get you grade, and move on to a different story and prompt we'll now be spending more time with each story to revise our work...wordy I know but it'll make sense when you see it.

Each group has homework tonight and it should be written in their planners!

Don't forget we have our paper bag book reports due on the 22nd!

Writing/Social Studies: As you know, we've been researching a city to learn about its landforms, climate, tourist attractions, and culture. Almost everyone is converting their notes into paragraphs for the actual brochure that is being created using Publisher.