Thinking Ahead Thursday

Today we are taking our Winter MAPS math check in, and I am thinking about the spring test. Because the MAPS test is adaptive, many of our kids are seeing questions about concepts that are taught either at the very end of the year, after testing, or next year! To help introduce some of these concepts, I will be assigning some special Esparks quests that we will work on in class.

At home, students should be using IXL to give themselves a learning boost. Please focus on the following concepts: Geometry and Measurement.  Kids who are scoring above the 80th percentile will benefit from using the IXL 5th grade curriculum. I will be meeting with kids to discuss specific areas to target.


You may have noticed that last night's language homework was a writing revision. We are working on bumping up the depth and quality of our writing. Here is the message from school: If there are only three questions to answer, they should be answered completely! This means that I expect more! A one sentence answer is not enough.

In class we are talking about...

1. Make your claim or point. This might be restating the question. This first sentence should NOT contain the word because. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Save your examples and evidence for the sentences that will follow.
2. Cite your evidence. You may use short quotes or specific examples/events and actions. For example,____. On page___, ___________. The author describes_______________. The main character___________,
3. Explain your thinking. Make the connection between the claim and the evidence. This shows me that.........I think this means........This proves that.......

I hope that these tips will help you and your child understand the expectations. We will be working on turning good writers into great writers every week!

Today we.....

• warmed up with grammar, a math problem of the day, and some word work.
• did some ST Math
• went to Gym
• worked on building strong text dependent responses and worked with Earth Dragon Awakes
• began working on our Vocabulary Mind Map
• took the MAPS test
• ate lunch
• read!
• Worked on the next math lesson 5.6: Patterns and Sequencing

This evening at home...

• complete the comprehension activity we started in class. Most kids are almost finished.
• complete the Vocabulary Mind map activity. 1. Think about each word. How will you place them on the paper? Are there connections? Are there disconnections? How can they be related?2.Write a mini definition for each word. Use yesterday's vocab activity or the glossary. 3. Make the connection between the words. Draw a picture, write a sentence, add some word art, or create an example.
• complete the homework for lesson 5.6
• read! Feel free to read on MYON or on one of the information text tabs from the blog.

*If you have a mug, please bring it to school tomorrow. Let's make this cocoa party eco-friendly!