Friday, April 14, 2017

April 10th through 14th












Keenoy Koala News                                                     4-14-17

Dear Families,

The Blues won the first of many hockey games this Wednesday!  I explained to the students how hockey fans and players often grow playoff beards to show support for their team.  For the last couple of years, I’ve done the same thing.  I’m not sure how excited Jessi is about this idea, but I think it’s fun:)  Anyway, thanks for supporting your child and my teaching.  Have a wonderful weekend and week!

MAP Testing
Again, my apologies for the MAP scheduling confusion last week.  On Monday we begin MAP testing first thing in the morning. It will be important that students (car riders) are on time and ready to go. Any student that is late to school and not a bus rider will have to wait in the office if testing has started for the day. Once our testing session is completed, then the student will be allowed into the room.
    
Next week, students must have a book to read when finished with a testing session. Students will finish at various times and reading a book (not electronically) will be the only option available if a student finishes before others.
    
With MAP testing taking up a portion of each day, students will not have homework the next two weeks (as long as the student has utilized his/her class time wisely).  Hopefully, this means students will be able to go to bed at a decent hour so that a good night’s rest is achieved each night. Students should also eat breakfast (at home or at school) each day. :)

Monday, April 17              8:30-11:00 (Communication Arts)
Tuesday, April 18              8:30-11:00 (Communication Arts)
Wednesday, April 19         8:30-11:00 (Communication Arts)
Thursday, April 20             8:30-11:00 (Math)
Friday, April 21                 8:30-11:00 (Math
Thursday, April 27             8:30-10:00 (Science)
Friday, April 28                 8:30-9:30 (Science)

*These are estimated times. Since none of the sessions are timed, students will have the time they need (as long as they are making forward progress) to complete each session.

Economy
As we get closer and closer to our field trip to JA BizTown we have been focusing more and more on how businesses operate. This week as a class we looked at what different aspects it takes to run a business. We also dove into how and why businesses price certain goods and services the way they do. We will be traveling to St. Louis for our JA BizTown field trip on Tuesday, April 25th.

Writing
Hopefully students shared information with you about their IMovie creation. This project set the stage for creating an argumentative essay.  Students are working on choosing and developing supportive reasons for a reasonable argument with two sides. We will continue looking at and depicting different characteristics of the argumentative essay rubric. Next week we will also practice the format of our argumentative essays by developing well-written beginnings and body paragraphs.  They will learn and turn thesis statements into effective 6th grade writing beginnings!

Reading
We completed the book, Tuck Everlasting.  Students really seemed to enjoy this story and how the ending solved all of the major problems that hung out there for so long.  Instead of starting a new read aloud book right away, I am using the extra time to meet with three different groups and individual students (while they independent read).

Math/Science
We continued to review concepts in preparation for the MAP test coming up.  We have completed our Measurement Unit in math.

Upcoming Dates
April 17-28th   MAP Testing
April 25           Biztown Field Trip (Chesterfield, MO)
April 28           PK Color Run
May 1              Middle School Orientation Night (Smithton 5-6:30; all other middle schools 6-7:30)
May 12             Field trip to Rock Bridge State Park
May 19            5th Grade Party at the Arc
May 23            5th Grade Talent Show
May 25            5th Grade Graduation @ 9:00 am in the Paxton Keeley Gym
                                                                                   

Sincerely,

                                                                                    Dan Keenoy

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