5-25 Savanna

Dear Parents:

         As you know, we finished our SOL testing yesterday.  The children all did a very good job over the past week.  Their positive attitude helped as they followed all the testing protocol and finally got down to answering the actual questions.  All in all, everything went well and the children are to be commended for the job they did.

         With the SOL’s behind us we can now turn our attention to the final units and projects of the year.  As I mentioned last week we will still have a couple of weeks of learning and homework before school ends on June 22^nd.  During these final weeks of school, I ask for your continued help and support to ensure your child is completing their work to the best of their ability and in a timely fashion. 

         When we return to school on Tuesday we will kick off Tuckahoe Town. This is an opportunity for the children to learn what it takes to begin and run a business.  We will dedicate a significant portion of our days next week forming and working as teams to brainstorm product ideas, create a business plan, advertising, and a budget.  If you have any questions about this, please drop me a note.

         On another housekeeping note, I would like to ask everyone to search bookcases and desks at home for any library books that may be at home.  This includes the ones from the school library as well as our classroom library.

         Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

                                             Sincerely,

                                                      Mrs. DiNardo

Calendar of Events

May 28- Memorial Day-No School

June 15- Tuckahoe Town- 10:30-11:30 am

June 19- 3^rd Grade End of Year Picnic

June 22- Last Day of School- Early Release

Magazines Needed

Good Morning-

We are doing a collage project in class tomorrow.  The children are being asked to bring in old magazines to look for pictures that depict "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."  If you could please look around the house for a couple of magazines your child could bring to school it would be most appreciated.

Thanks-

Mrs. D.

SOL Update 5-22-12

Good Afternoon Everyone-

As you are aware there have been technical problems throughout the county this week that have impacted our SOL testing schedule. 

Our revised testing schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, May 23rd- Math 9:00-10:30am

Thursday, May 24th- Science 9:15-10:30 am

If you have any questions about this revision, please let me know.

Mrs. D.

5-18-12 Savanna

Dear Parents:

            “Confident”, “Ready”, “Nervous but ok”, “Relaxed.”  These are some of the words that the children used to describe themselves moments before they began testing this morning.  Their positive attitude helped as they followed all the testing protocol and finally got down to answering the actual questions.  All in all, everything went well and the children are to be commended for the job they did. With the first test behind us I am confident that the children’s success will continue into next week as well. 

            I have been asked what can be done this weekend to make sure the kids are ready for Monday.   Please make sure your child stays on as regular a schedule as possible.  This includes getting plenty of exercise, sleep and a good breakfast each morning.  We will be testing in the morning so having a good breakfast will also be helpful for all the children.     As I noted above, I am confident that all the kids are prepared and will do their best.

            While the homework will be light next week please know that we are not done and students will be learning and working hard through the very last day.  I appreciate your continued support and reinforcement in encouraging them to keep up with their homework and school duties.  Certainly, there will be lots of fun coming up in the next month but we must not lose sight of our day-to-day responsibilities.   I am proud of them all and I have no doubt that we will end this year with enormous success!

            I hope everyone has a nice weekend.  

Mrs. D.

           

                                                

Calendar of Events

May 18-23- SOL Testing

May 19^th- House and Garden Tour

May 22- Rising 4^th Grade Orientation 7 pm Library

May 23- Volunteer Breakfast 8am Library

May 28- Memorial Day-No School

June 15- Tuckahoe Town (more information to follow)

June 19- 3^rd Grade End of Year Picnic (more information to follow)

June 22- Last Day of School- Early Release

SOL Update

Good Morning Everyone-


I want to bring you all up-to-date on a few items surrounding the SOL's.  As you know we will begin our official testing on Friday.  We are spending time each morning this week practicing procedures and protocol on the computers so there will be no surprises on Friday.  Yesterday's session went well and I expect the rest of the week will do so as well.


As you most likely heard last night, I will not be assigning homework this week, including reading journals.  As I told the children I want them to get a good night's sleep each evening so they are well rested Friday.  I will not be assigning homework Monday-Wednesday of next week either.


Please let me know if you have any questions about the schedule for the coming week.  


Mrs. D. 

Savanna 5-11

Dear Parents:

            Thank you all for the lovely acts of kindnesses that have come my way this week.  The school supplies (particularly the tissues!), flowers, song, cards, luncheon, and time off have all been such a treat.  It is truly a pleasure to work with your children each day and to have been a part of their growth this year.  Thanks again for all your help and support. 

As for our learning this week, the weather enabled us to get outside for our Soils Day activity on this morning.  The children moved through five stations to learn about what makes up soil, how soil is made, layers of soil and how we can protect our soil, and the nutrients in the soil.  It was a very fun and informative morning of learning. In addition to this program we continued learning about our government system of checks and balances, discussing three-dimensional objects in math, investigating forces and motion, and reviewing famous Americans. In addition, we found time to include some SOL review work.  We ended the week enjoying the talents the 5^th grade instrumental music and chorus students during their Spring Concert on Friday afternoon.  Overall it has been a good week.

Next week we will begin our practice for the SOL tests that begin on Friday.  Each morning we will work on the computers getting familiar with the test procedures and tools.  The first actual test will be on Friday morning and will continue Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the following week.  Should your child miss any of the testing days there will be make-up sessions on Thursday, May 31st and Friday June 1st.  The content review and paper practices the children have been doing in class have helped to calm much of the apprehension and gain confidence about what will be asked of them. To be ready for the tests each day, I would like to ask your help to make sure the children get a good night sleep, and to eat a good breakfast each morning.  The children are ready and I am confident all will go well.

If you have any additional questions about anything I touched on in this note, please drop me an email or note.  Let’s hope that the sun will shine so that all the games can be played this weekend!  On a final note, I would like to wish all the moms a lovely Mother’s Day.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                        Mrs. DiNardo

Calendar of Events

May 12^th- Family Fitness Day

May 18-23- SOL Testing

May 19^th- House and Garden Tour

May 22nd- Rising 4th Grade Orientation

May 23- Volunteer Breakfast

May 28- Memorial Day-No School

Fractions Math Test 5-8

Dear Students/Parents:

Your test on fractions will be tomorrow, May 7th.  Please use this information, your textbook and all returned worksheets and quizzes to prepare for this test.  Additionally, the Chapter test and practice pages included at the end of Chapter 11, pages 393- 460, are other valuable resources that can be used to prepare for the test.

1.    You will need to know the definitions for all the words included on the back of this paper.  These words include numerator, denominator, fraction, unit fraction, improper fraction, equivalent fraction, and mixed fraction. 

2.    Given a model or picture, you will need to identify the represented fraction. 

Example problems can be found in your text on pages 393-396.

3.    Given two fractions, with or without models, you will need to compare and order them from least to greatest.

4.    Given a mixed or improper fraction, you will need to draw a picture that represents this same fraction..

5.    Given two fractions with like (or the same) denominators, you will need to add or subtract them.

6.    Given a fraction, with or without models, you will need to find an equivalent fraction. 

7.    You will need to use problem solving strategies to solve for simple word problems.

As always, if you have been doing your homework and paying attention in class, you should have no difficulty with this test.  Please do your best and I will be proud of your performance.

Mrs. DiNardo

Fraction Vocabulary

A FRACTION represents equal parts of a whole or a set.

A NUMERATOR represents the selected parts of a whole or a set.  It is also the number on the top of a fraction.

A DENOMINATOR represents the total parts of a whole or a set.  It is also the number on the bottom of a fraction.

A UNIT FRACTION is one in which “1” is the numerator (for example:  ½ or ¼ )

An EQUIVALENT FRACTION names the same part of a whole or a set (for example: 1/4 = 2/8).

An IMPROPER FRACTION is one in which the numerator is greater than the denominator (for example:  5/2).

A MIXED FRACTION OR NUMBER is one that is made up of a whole number and a fraction (for example:  5 ¼).

In a fraction, if the numerator stays the same but the denominator gets larger, the size of fraction gets SMALLER.

In a fraction, if the denominator stays the same but the numerator gets larger, the size of fraction gets BIGGER.

5-4 Savanna

Dear Parents:

         We have had a good week.  The children have finished their unit on the Explorers and the exploration of the New World.  We now move on to a review of Economics.  In Math we are finishing up our study of Fractions and Decimals.  We will test out this unit on Tuesday of next week.  In Language Arts the children continue to work in their Literature Circles, practicing the reading strategies we have been working on all year.  In addition as part of our Poetry Unit, the children have been writing various forms of poetry.  I do believe we have some budding poets in our midst!  In Science we have been discussing energy and heat and how these relate to force and motion.          

        

         As we continue to move forward in all academic areas, and the weather outside is getting nicer, I would like to remind everyone about the importance of keeping up with school work.  The children have done a very good job this year learning how to take responsibility for their work.  At this time each year, I like to remind everyone that our learning will continue into June and that the children will have homework responsibilities for several more weeks.  It is for that reason I would also like to ask all of you, to continue reviewing assignments with your child, and to check that the work has been completed. 

         As you know our SOL testing dates have been set for Friday, May 18- Wednesday, May 23^rd.  The children have been working on review packets in class and computer practice will be provided as well.  So far the children have told me they are enjoying the practice and are pleased with their results.  If you have any further questions about these tests, please let me know.

         I know that that kids have all started to have their various games, and I would like to thank those of you who have forwarded me your child’s sports schedule.  I look forward to getting to the games over the next several weeks.  If you have not been able to send me a schedule yet, it is not too late to do so.

         The coming weeks are full of various events.  Below are just a few to put on your calendar.

        

May 9- 4^th Grade Spring Concert- 7:00 pm

May 11- 5^th Grade Spring Concert- 7:00 pm

May 12^th- Family Fitness Day

May 18th-23rd- SOL Testing

May 19th- House and Garden Tour
 May 23rd- Volunteer Breakfast

May 28th- Memorial Day-No School

         Enjoy the weekend!