Monday, October 26, 2015

Headlines 10/26

After fall break, half days and a shortened week we have had our first full Monday in quite some time!  The students came to school ready to work and we had a very productive Monday.  I am looking forward to an excellent week ahead.


Math: We began our unit on fractions last week by reviewing mixed numbers, equivalent fractions, and improper fractions.  This week we will be spending our time focusing on adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators.  Math groups will resume this week as well.

Writing/Grammar:  Last week we learned about transitions in our writing and this week we will be putting our skills into practice by writing a descriptive paragraph about a favorite pet or place.


Science:  We finished our chemistry unit last week by focusing on chemical and physical reactions.  We completed the study guide over the unit today and we will be taking a test over the unit on Thursday.  Please help your child study daily for this exam!

History:  We are continuing our study of the Renaissance this week by looking closely at the Medici family and the role of the popes. 
 Announcements

 
  • Tutoring has changed formats.  Monday will now be grammar and writing. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be Math.
  • The Read-A-Thon is on Friday.  Students are welcome to dress up as a literary character or historical figure of their choice, they may also bring a pillow to school for our reading time.  If you are unsure if your child's costume is appropriate please check in with me!  You should have received an email with a link to sign up to either read or send in a donation for this fun day.
  • Join me Thursday, October 29 for Fifth Grade Coffee Shop Conversations in the library from 8-9 am.
  • As of Monday, November 2, the winter uniform guidelines go into effect.  Boys will be required to wear long pants, girls may wear pants or skirts with knee socks or tight
 
  • The book fair is here, details are as listed:
The Archway Arete book fair will run from Monday, October 26th through Friday, October 30th in the resource room. We look forward to providing this exciting opportunity for students and parents to purchase books for their personal and classroom libraries. The class that purchases the most books from the week-long book fair will be awarded a pizza party. Profits from the book fair will go directly to children's books for the Arete library. The book fair will be open for parents at specific times during the school day, so please plan to attend. There are prizes to be won for participating!
Details for the event:
  • The fair is open to students all day.
  • The fair is open to parents at the following times: 7:30-8:00am,  11:00am-12:30am, 2:30pm-4:30pm, and 2:30pm-5:00pm.
  • Do not check-in at the front office.  The entrance to the book fair is through the most southwest gate of the Archway building. 
  • A purchase of four books or more enters your child into a raffle to win a basket of books. One basket will be drawn every single day of the fair!
All proceeds from the book fair will go towards  Arete's Library.
 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Headlines, 10/19

It was wonderful to have the chance to sit down with all of you last week.  Conferences are always educational for me and I am so appreciative of your willingness to partner with our school in your child's education.  I really enjoy learning about your families, hobbies, and what makes your kiddo tick.  Also, a HUGE thank you for all the amazing meals you so generously provided; we were truly spoiled!



Math: The Unit 2 tests were graded over the weekend and I am happy to say that our math grades are improving.  We will be handing back tests tomorrow to go home for corrections. I will be holding a special tutoring session directly after school tomorrow for those students who would like to stay for some extra help.  If you aren't sure if your child should stay, feel free to shoot me an email tomorrow and I will let you know.  We are now working on fractions, so please keep practicing those math facts at home.  The better they know those, the easier fractions are!

Grammar: This week we will be using our Grammar time to focus on the elements of a descriptive paragraph and the writing process.


Science:  We have spent quite a bit of time discussing different types of chemical reactions.  This week we will be reviewing these and will take an open note quiz on Friday.

History:  We began our unit on The Renaissance today by looking at the location of the papal states.  This is a meaty and interesting unit.  I encourage the class to bring home their folders daily and review the notes from the day! 
 Announcements


  • Be on the lookout for more information regarding the Read-A-Thon on Oct. 30th. Students have the opportunity to dress up as a character from a classic text or from history and we will spend a few hours reading and snacking together....More info to come!
  • Tutoring has changed formats.  Monday will now be grammar and writing. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be Math.



Monday, October 12, 2015

Headlines, 10/12

I hope everyone had a great fall break and enjoyed some much needed R & R!  It was great to see our scholars today.  They appeared to be well rested and ready to begin the second quarter.

Because we have half days this week, our schedule will be modified.  We are taking a break from Spalding and will start our new Literature unit next week.

Math: Right before break we took a quiz over the material we have covered thus far in Unit 2.  We will finish up the this unit with long division this week and will take a Unit 2 test on Thursday.  We will be having math groups on Wednesday, so please let me know if you would like to help with these. 

Grammar: We are continuing our study of diagramming sentences with prepositional phrases this week.  There will be a short quiz on Wednesday to assess our knowledge.  Students should not need to study for this, as we have spent a large amount of class time on this.


Science:  The class did a great job on their element projects.  This week we will be learning how elements bond.  Tomorrow we will be assigning the class to make flash cards for the 30 most common elements, there will be a quiz over the element and it's symbol next Tuesday.

History:  We will be finishing our Ancient Civilizations unit this week.  A study guide went home today for homework and we will be going over this in class tomorrow.  The test will be on Thursday.  Next week we will begin our new unit on the Renaissance.
 
 
 
Announcements
 
There are few new clubs starting! 
  • Is your child interested in learning a new instrument? Does your child already play an instrument? The Arete Prep Beginning Orchestra, Beginning Band and Intermediate Orchestra clubs are excited to invite your students to join us! Students have the unique opportunity to meet twice per week with the teacher: once as a full group and again with similar instruments to work on more specific technical aspects of playing. Students will also have the opportunity to perform several times throughout the year. The fee is $40 and this pays for their music, books, and other miscellaneous communal supplies. Students will need to rent or purchase their own instruments (Milano’s in Mesa is an excellent resource). The clubs will start back up after Parent-Teacher conferences on October 19th.     Please contact Mrs. Lynch  if you are interested or have any questions!


Arete Preparatory Academy Instrumental Music Schedule Room 111

Time

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

3:45-4:45

Beginning Violin/Viola

Beginning Band

Beginning orchestra

Intermediate Orchestra

Beginning Woodwinds

4:45-5:45

Beginning Cello/Bass

Intermediate Violin/Viola

Intermediate Cello/Bass

Beginning Brass

Office Hours (By Appointment)
 

  • Thank you for all of your generous donations for the playground expansion; our class raised a total of $157.85! Construction has already begun and we are looking forward to using our new space.

  • Our next book will be Where the Red Fern Grows.  Please be sure to send this book to school by Thursday.  If you are unable to purchase the text for your students please let us know as soon as possible.

  • There will be no tutoring this week.
Important Dates
  • Thursday, October 15: Ancient Civilizations Test
  • Friday, October 16: Unit 2 Math Test

 



Sunday, October 4, 2015

Coference Sign-Ups

Thank you to those of you who have already signed up for conferences, if you have not had the chance to do so, please be sure to my  Sign-Up Genius page and do so soon!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4eaaaf29a75-mrs


If you would like a conference with one of the specials teachers, you can do that here:

Art, Ms. Arce-Lindsay
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0948AAAB28A7F85-quarter1

PE, Ms. Rubino
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0C4DAFAD29A6F49-quarter2 

Music, Ms. Kaye
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0C4EA8A92AA7FE3-quarter1

French, Ms. Gebara
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4bafa72aa2f85-quarter


Enjoy your fall break and I will see everyone Monday!