Updates and announcements

I hope everyone had a restful weekend! I looked up some cloth mask patterns and tutorials, per the new CDC recommendation. While my work space is decently organized and functional, it looks like my next project will be organizing my sewing area.

This is our first week with Google Classroom live! It very much felt like a strange “Meet the Teacher Night” last week when we were getting it set up. Please let Ms. Vaughn or I know if you have any questions. I am so excited for the educational tools this program offers, and have the ability to comment on and return assignments.

The first assignment on Google Classroom is to upload scans of the two weeks of paper packets. Even if you emailed me scans, I will be reaching out and asking that you upload it to Google Classroom. Looking at the logistics, this will get your student the feedback they need better because the program lets Ms. Vaughn and I comment directly on the assignment. If you need help, let us know! There are also tutorial videos attached to the assignment and I go through how to turn in scans on my Google Tutorial, posted on the stream.

Zoom links to our two classroom meetings will be sent out today. Due to safety regulations, I will not be posting our meeting links on the blog. Instead, I will send an email and post it to our more secure Google Classroom stream.

As you have noticed, Ms. Vaughn and I have been sharing the email communication and question answering roles. If you need help, please email both of us. We have worked out a schedule where I answer most emails in the morning and Ms. Vaughn answers in the afternoons. This allows us to answer your questions quickly while we grade and plan lessons.

 Gustav helping from his favorite sunbeam

Miss Priss caught in an undignified sleeping position

Cosmo reclaiming his sunbeam napping spot

Cosmo with a Gustav in the doorway

Cosmo's first attempt at reclaiming his sunbeam napping spot (he succeeded)

Our week in learning

In Literature, students will continue reading “Wrinkle in Time”. Students will read through chapters 5 and 6. Students will answer the “Question of the Day” for Literature in Google Classroom.

In Grammar, students will also apply their knowledge of nonfiction texts and analyze informational texts, as well as review fictional texts.

This week in science will be lighter than normal to allow students and families time to become familiar with Google Classroom. On Thursday, students will read about the human spine and the different types of vertebrae that make it up. If your child wants more enrichment on this topic, this Google Expedition is a fun and interactive way to learn more about the skeleton!

This week in History, students will read about the three leading generals of the Civil War: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant. They will compare their similarities and differences, both in their military training and battle tendencies. You and your child may access our textbook online at https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CKHG_G5_U11_CW_SR.pdf

In math, students will review problems from our Singapore curriculum. On Thursday, students will have their first math lesson with video supplement on Mean, Median, and Mode.

Week of 3/30 Zoom Invitation Links

Show and Tell 3/31
1:30pm-2:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/755612419

Meeting ID: 755 612 419

Math Tutoring 4/2
1:30pm-2:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/173152126

Meeting ID: 173 152 126

Updates and announcements

I hope everyone had a productive week! Based off Ms. Vaughn’s and my conversations with you all, it sounds like packets are going smoothly. We will be doing packets for one more week, then moving to Google Classroom.

Packets can be turned in through Google Classroom once we get it up and running, so hold onto them for now.

Please have students sign in and complete Xtramath everyday. If you do not have their login information, I can get that to you. 

This week’s packets can be done almost completely on a separate sheet of paper. If your child is able to read the passages on a device, only a few pages need to be printed.

We are going to hold our first Zoom video meetings with the class! On Tuesday at 1:30, we will have a show and tell with the whole class. Students can share a pet, their garden, or something they’ve been working on (to give a few examples). Students can expect to meet Cosmo, Gustav, and Miss Priss as part of my show and tell. On Friday at 1:30, I will lead a math tutoring session. These Zoom meetings will be about a half hour in length. I will send the link invitations later today both through email and posted on my blog.

 Miss Priss supervising one of my Zoom meetings

Gustav supervising my work (he is unimpressed)

 Cosmo slacking on the job (he's a terrible supervisor)

 Gustav enjoying some freshly laundered towels (which now need another laundering...)

 Half of our beautifully landscaped yard (!!!) (the weeds have already started growing back)

 The other half of our yard...We are from the northwest and love seeing green things, so we let the little weeds go for a little too long.

My converted work space (usually our teaching studio and my practice room)

My violin and an alto trombone on the couch where parents usually sit during private lessons (I can't seem to get all the trombones we have out of my work space at the same time...)

Our week in learning

In Literature, students will continue reading “Wrinkle in Time”. Students will read through chapters 3 and 4, identify vocabulary words, write summaries, and complete journal entry #2 on Friday.

In Grammar, students will answer questions about historic texts and scientific and technical texts. Students will also apply their knowledge of nonfiction texts and analyze informational texts.

In science, we are continuing our study of the skeletal system. Students will read about the job of the skeleton and fill out a diagram to help them locate major bones. A fun and optional additional activity would be playing Simon Says using the bones (for example, Simon says touch your patella.) Students will also learn about the four different kinds of movable joints, as well the importance of healthy bones and what they can do to keep their bones strong as they grow. 

This week in History, students will read about the goal of the Union to capture the Confederacy’s capital, Richmond, as well as the tactics and shortcomings of General McClellan. Students will also learn about the Emancipation Proclamation and a shift in the northern mindset following the Proclamation. You and your child may access our textbook online at https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CKHG_G5_U11_CW_SR.pdf

In math, students will interpret line plots, calculate the volume of three-dimensional figures formed with visible cube units, and calculate the volume of three-dimensional figures with given dimension values.

Additional Resources

We request that students stay up to date on their Xtramath and continue to do this every day. If you need help logging in, let me know and I will send your personalized instructions sheet.

Students can also work on Khan Academy. Students should know their username and everyone's password is "chargers".

Students can also work on Typing Master: https://online3.typingmaster.com/login?id=pp8gsu2q7
If your child forgot their login, please email me and I can get that to you.

A Wrinkle in Time Resources

Accessibility

If your family does not have a copy of A Wrinkle in Time, please use the PDF linked below. All students are welcome to read along with the audiobook if they find that helpful.

Complete PDF 

Audiobook (does not include Foreword)

The book is also available for purchase as an eBook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Amazon

Audible Audiobook (does not include Foreword)

Barnes & Noble

If your family has a library card with any of the local public library systems, you have access to a large eLibrary! Digital versions of A Wrinkle in Time (text and/or audiobook) may be available for download (links below). 

Chandler Public Library

Greater Phoenix Digital Library

Maricopa County Public Library

Mesa Public Library

Phoenix Public Library

Tempe Public Library | Overdrive | CloudLibrary

Other Resources

Our Literature lessons in class rely heavily on discussions of the characters, events, themes, and virtues that appear in our books. We encourage you to read and discuss A Wrinkle in Time with your child to help support their learning and enjoyment! To that end, linked below is a Scholastic Reading Guide for A Wrinkle in Time. It includes discussion questions for each chapter as well as enrichment activities and general notes on the book’s plot, setting, themes, and characters.

A Wrinkle in Time BookFiles Reading Guide

Outside Reading Book Resources

One way to find reading levels of books is to use the website below. It allows you to put in the Lexile or reading score of a book and find books of similar difficulty in various subjects.

The Lexile score for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis is 970L.

This is the website where you can use that number to find books that your children would find interesting in that range: https://fab.lexile.com/

FAQ

FAQ

Q. Where and when should we turn in our child's packet?

A. In a few weeks, we will give directives for an online turn in or physical drop off. We are still working out that plan as a network.

Updates and announcements

Welcome to our first week of remote learning! In an effort to keep some normalcy, I will be posting my blog with similar updates at the same time every week. As promised, there are some cat pictures at the end of today’s post.

Expect a call from either Ms. Vaughn or I sometime this week. We will start calling tomorrow, Tuesday, in order to give families time to get acquainted with the packet.

Starting on Monday, all teachers will be available to answer your questions. You are welcome to reach out to any of the six teachers for help. We ask that if you reach out to your homeroom teacher, please email BOTH the lead and assistant. We will share the email thread and whichever teacher is “on duty”, they will get back to you quickly by replying to everyone in the thread. This will help us as teachers keep our ducks in a row. Ms. Vaughn and I will be available in shifts throughout the day between 7:30 and 4:00.

Please keep in mind that most of the packet can be completed on a separate sheet of paper. Examples of how to do this are on the answer keys in the pack of the packet. The packet contains all of the readings and worksheets, which is why it is lengthy. There are also many online resources for reading the history text (in the blurb below) and some PDF versions of “A Wrinkle in Time” (links in the packet).

Our week in learning

In Literature, students will start reading “Wrinkle in Time”. Students will read through chapters 1 and 2, identify vocabulary words, write summaries, and complete journal entry #1 on Friday.

In Grammar, students will answer questions about articles, persuasive text, and historical texts.

In science, we are beginning our unit on the human body and its major systems. Tuesday’s work will be focused on the major systems and a very brief overview of what each system does. Thursday’s work will be an introduction to the skeletal system and a deep look at the function of the bones.

This week in History, we will continue our unit on the American Civil War and learn how the War began with the battles of Fort Sumter and Bull Run. We will discuss the Union’s strategy, put forth by General Scott, and its attempted execution in the east by General McClellan. We will discuss figures such as General Robert E. Lee and the different goals of the Union and Confederacy that determined many of their actions early in the War. You and your child may access our textbook online at https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CKHG_G5_U11_CW_SR.pdf

In math, students will review dividing fractions in word problems. Students will also review line plots, which were covered in fourth grade. This will serve as a short introduction to our unit on Data Analysis.

Miss Priss helping with a conference call

Cosmo <3

Gustav enjoying some belly rubs

Cosmo cuddling with his tail

Miss Priss and Gustav getting along (and judging me for the picture)

Please RSVP for our volunteer appreciation breakfast!

http://evite.me/PQQPHKMPDu