Week of January 16

Middle School Website: This is the link for the middle school website.   
http://www.hamiltonschools.us/schools/hamilton-middle/      HOMEWORK:                                                                                                                                                      
MATH: Homework Lesson 4-11 All
                                                            
Book Report Project: This is due January 31st. Students have several options on how to present their projects which focus on character study.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------  MATH:    
 There are math tutorials and practice in the order of lessons in the MATH Tab
 This week we continued to review previous material. We began multiplying decimals times decimals. The test will likely be Tuesday January 31st. Working on accuracy when multiplying (45.3 x 23 for example) and multiplication patterns with decimals ( .01 x 45 for example) seem to be what students need to focus on the most. We are really working on not just memorizing the algorithm but the reasoning behind it which helps us retain what we learn.  We continue to review fraction operations and other past concepts.
  
  LANGUAGE ARTS 
Writing:  Students are writing a persuasive speech running for Fruit/Veggie of the Year! Each student chose a fruit or vegetable. They are researching nutritional facts and reasons their fruit/veggie should be voted for. We will also be discussing campaign slogans ans they will be creating slogans and posters. Students will present speeches later and are encouraged to bring in the fruit or vegetable to show the class - students are NOT expected to provide a sample to the class.
 
READING: This week we took the SRI and Dibels tests. I'll share results at conferences. We continue in our genre unit working in groups and as a class reading The Sign of the Beaver.

SCIENCE: 
Friday was the test over lessons 1-4. We will begin our study of the moon and its effects on on planet Earth.
    
Studies:- Mrs. Custer

This week we continued reading from chapter 9 in our textbook and discussed more details of the Triangular Trade Route, and the slave trade in particular.  We also read the story of Molly Bannaky, who became the grandmother of Benjamin Banneker.

A reminder of the website we have used for the Triangular Trade Route:  http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u3/index.html#top

Word Study 
I accidentally jumped ahead to Lesson 16 so we studied blends this week and took that test on Friday. So  next week we will go back to lesson 15 will focus on spelling diagraphs at the beginning and endings of words. (wh, th, sh, ch)