The Meanest Math Teacher Ever!

I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Mrs. Lynch.  I've always thought of myself as a fun, hard working teacher that wants her students to be successful and excited about learning.  Turns out that I'm not.  I'm the meanest Math teacher ever.  I had no idea until recently.  All this time I've been lying to myself about the type of teacher I am.

So by now you're probably confused.  Why would I say this about myself?  Well, as it turns out the worst thing that you can do to a class is make them show their work on a Math test.  That's right.  Actually working through the math to solve a (sometimes multi-step) word problem and not accept their test as complete until they've worked out the problem is the worst thing I can expect a child to do.  I did this last week on the Chapter 5 Test and it earned me the title of The Meanest Math Teacher Ever!  Who knew?!  This whole time I thought showing your work was the way to correctly solve Math problems.  Nope!  It's a way to make children unhappy.

I tried desperately to convince them otherwise.  I told them a funny story about the 4th graders at Fall Forest Elementary School, with their teacher Mrs. Lunch and principal Dr. Big.  They got it.  They laughed.  They all think I'm crazy.  :)  However, they still think it's ridiculous that I won't accept a test when they haven't shown their work!

I'm sorry to say that they're going to have to deal with The Meanest Math Teacher Ever, for 18 more weeks.  She's not going anywhere.  They will be expected to try their hardest and show their work. I'm simply not going to give in.

I need your help!  When they share with you their woeful tales, remind them that I'm only doing it because I want them to succeed!

Sincerely,
The Meanest Math Teacher Ever

*This post is, of course, written in jest.  Well, almost.  The students are frustrated that I insist that they work out each problem, and I refuse to let them fail.  Especially over something so silly.*

Weekly Update 12/15

Hello!

• This is our last week of school for 2015.  Students will have full, regular school days on Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday - Friday school will end at 12:20pm.  
• Class parties will be held on Wednesday.  Thank you for sending in the items we asked for!
• Students return from the winter break on Tuesday, January 6th.
• We have almost reached the end of the grading period.  Friday is the last day of the 2nd 9 weeks.  Report cards will go home on January 14th.

Congratulations!!

The AR deadline is Tuesday, and the following students have already met their goal:

Kaylee
Jordan
Samariya
Arionna
Reagan
Jereal
Charles
Jaden
Christopher
Nathan
Mariah
Collin
Latavia
Ariel
Deshawn
Ryan
Au'Libria
Alvin
Carly
Ember
Carolina
Shaloni
Jennifer
Rayahna
Alayna
Xavier
Corron

I'm so proud of them!!  They have at least 100% of their points AND a minimum average of 85% correct on their quizzes!!  Way to go!!

Reading/Spelling Tests and AR deadline

Students will take the Unit 2, Week 5 tests on Tuesday, December 16th.
The AR deadline is December 16th.
Party- Wednesday, December 17th

Checking on students' AR status

The last day to check out a library book for the semester is December 16th.  Currently, students should have at least 75% of their goal met with an average of 85 % or higher correct.  100% of points should be earned with a minimum of 85% correct by December 17th!!!

The only students currently on track are:

Kaylee
Jordan
Arionna
Jereal
Jaden
Taniah
Mariah
Collin
Latavia
Deshawn
Ryan
Carly
Ember
Carolina
Shaloni
Rayahna
Xavier
Corron

If your child's name is not on this list, please encourage them to complete their AR requirement ASAP! Ample opportunity is provided in class, and at home for homework.  The library is open before school and students have an opportunity almost DAILY to check out a book.  Students not currently on track will be gifted with study hall in order to increase their time to read. They will also need to complete an additional homework assignment since many of them are not completing their reading at home. Please support our efforts!  Thanks in advance for all that you do!

Chapter 5 Math Notes

The Chapter 5 Math test will be given on Monday.  Students were given a study guide (that's due Monday) and a review test on Thursday.  Friday will be spent reviewing!  

What are Factors and Multiples?

Divisibility Rules help you find factors and decide if a number is prime or composite. 

Prime and Composite Numbers

Spirit Night!

Weekly Update 12/2

Happy December!

• The PTO meets tonight at 6:00pm in the Media Center.  This is an important one to attend.  Cocoa, Cookies and Curriculum Workshop is tonight!  You will learn ways to help with Math!
• Chapter 5 Mid-Chapter Quiz is scheduled for Wednesday.  We will take the end of Chapter 5 test on Friday or Monday.  Check your child's agenda book for the exact date.  Be on the lookout for a study guide.  
• Reading Logs are due on Friday this week.
• Keep up to date on your child's grade by logging into Pinpoint.  (Check the "Stay Informed" tab for more information.)

Have a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving and keep on reading!

Students should be bringing home an AR chapter book on their level to read over the break.  Completed reading logs are due Dec. 1st.  In the event your child loses his/her sheet, they can summarize their reading daily and log it on notebook paper instead.  

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Rodriguez

Example of response earning a 4

It's not perfect, but this response earned a 4 according to the rubric.

* The student understands the question/prompt and responds suitably using the appropriate text evidence from the selection or selections.

* The response is an acceptably complete answer to the question/prompt.

* The organization of the response is meaningful.

* The response stays on-topic; ideas are linked to one another with effective transitions.

* The response has correct spelling, grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Why is Math Different Now?

Want to know why Math is taught is so differently than the way we learned?  Watch this video!

Click here

Congratulations to our great spellers!

We'd like to congratulate the following students for their efforts in our class spelling bee contests:

Rodriguez- First place- Reagan Hunter; Runner up- Nadjari Suggs
Lynch- First place- Rayahna Scott; Runner up- Landon Bruce

Today, Reagan and Rayahna participated in the school contest and they both did a great job!  Well done, ladies!

Chapter 4 Math Test

Today, after going over the study guide and last night's homework, students began their Chapter 4 Math test.  It will be completed tomorrow.  Some strange things happened, from students saying they "forgot to show work," "just guessed," and multiplying when we've been working on only division.  They have been VERY RELUCTANT to show their work.  We have shown work on EVERY problem that has been done in class, so I'm confused!

Please talk with and help your child by using the resources available to them....Think Central tutorials (extra credit given if completed by Friday), chapter 4 pretest, study guide, review test, and their math notebook.

Read, Springwood!

We have one more month until the semester is over!  Wow, how time flies!  We need your help to encourage your child to do like Nike says and "Just do it!"  Do what?  READ!!  Children who read regularly have broader vocabularies and perform better in school than non-readers.  Currently, out of the 47 students that Mrs. Lynch and I teach, only 19 are on track to reach their AR goal with a minimum percentage of 85%.  Today, students were given their due date for the next reading log.  The completed log is due on December 1st.  This will allow for plenty of time over the Thanksgiving holiday for completion.  Students have been instructed to check out an AR chapter book on their level before next Tuesday.  Please oversee this endeavor and get your child to read, read, read!

Mrs. Rodriguez

Dialysis Awareness and Health Fair

WHO: Springwood students, staff, and parents

WHAT: Walkathon-"Wealth for Health" 

WHEN: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 after the Health Fair

WHERE: Mileage Club  

WHY: Dialysis Awareness

Our school wide goal is $1 per student/staff.  The money will be used to make a donation to an association that supports dialysis patients and their needs.

(The Health Fair is from 9:00-11:30.)

Parent Workshop

Join us on December 2nd! 

Reading is Important!

Reasons why students should AR read: 

                  

1.    Reading is fundamental to function in today's society.   Even following a map becomes a chore. Day-to-day activities that many people take for granted become a source of frustration, anger and fear.

2.    Reading is a vital skill in finding a good job

3.     Reading is important because it develops the mind. Teaching young children to read helps them develop their language skills. It also helps them learn to listen. Everybody wants to talk, but few can really listen. Lack of listening skills can result in major misunderstandings which can lead to job loss, marriage breakup, and other disasters - small and great. Reading helps children [and adults] focus on what someone else is communicating.

4.    A person who knows how to read can educate themselves in any area of life they are interested in. We live in an age where we overflow with information, but reading is the main way to take advantage of it.

5.     Reading develops the imagination.

6.    Finally, why is reading important? Reading is important because words - spoken and written - are the building blocks of life. 

Weekly Update 11/17

Good morning!

• We have hit the half way point of the 2nd 9 weeks!  Students will come home with a Progress Alert on Wednesday.  Please sign and return it the following day. 
• Students should have earned half of their AR points for the grading period to be considered on track with their goal.
• The Chapter 4 Math test will be given on Thursday.  Students should prepare by using the study guide that's going home today.  Three extra credit assignments can be found in Think Central.  Students should complete the tutorial videos by Friday.  These will help them prepare for their test on Thursday.
• Field Trip on Tuesday - Students attending should bring a sack lunch.  They will be eating while sitting in the stands and watching the game.  Students will not be allowed to go to the concession stand.  We ask that chaperones follow this procedure as well. 
• The canned food drive is still going on!  Please send in non-parishable items this week.  
• Be on the look out for information regarding our upcoming Parent Workshop.
• The Candy Fundraiser ends on Friday.
• You're invited to our Health Fair on November 25th from 9:00-11:30.
• There is no school on 11/26-11/28 due to Thanksgiving.
• Read over the information below about our new state test that the students will take in the spring. (This replaces FCAT.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

You're Invited

Partial Quotient Notes

AR progress

Next week marks the mid point in the 9 week grading period.  At that point, students should have earned at least 50 % of their AR points with a minimum average of 85%.  Congratulations to the following students who have already met that milestone:

Latavia
Deshawn
Shaloni
Rayahna
Alayna
Kaylee
Jordan
Christopher

Many students are far, far behind in earning their quarterly AR points!  With only AR reading being assigned for Language Arts homework, the expectation is that ALL students would be on track to meet his/her goal.  Students have an opportunity daily to go to the library and should always have a chapter book and a picture book checked out.  Students can earn at least half a point daily for passing picture book tests, and if they read and test on a chapter book every 2 weeks, they should have ample  points earned by December.  It looks like we may need to reintroduce our students to AR study hall instead of recess.  We can offer them the "gift" of time  to take care of necessary reading!

Partial Quotients Homework

Need help with using Partial Quotients?  Here's an example and short video to help!  

Click here to watch the video.

Can I go on the FSU basketball field trip?

The form for our FSU Women's Basketball trip is coming home today.  We know the form says the money is due tomorrow, but it's actually due on Monday.  We apologize for this error.  

As stated before on the blog, students must have satisfactory behavior and work/study skills.  This means they must participate during class, turn in assignments, have presented a speech last week and have not received a behavior referral or had other behavior concerns. 

Student will be told tomorrow, after Reading Logs and Florida Studies are turn in, if they meet the requirements to go on the field trip.

Please send in the $3.00 for this trip as soon as possible.  

Canned Food Drive

The Student Council is sponsoring a canned food drive for families in need starting today, through November 19th.  Please send in non-parishable items to help support this effort.

Permission slip

Dear Parents,

The fourth and fifth grades will be going to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center to see the FSU Women’s Basketball Game on Tuesday, November 18th.

The cost of the trip is $3.00 for students.  Chaperones are free! 

Please remember, Springwood no longer accepts checks.  Please pay with cash or money order.  Fees are due by Thursday, November 13th. 

Students should bring a lunch from home to eat during the game.  Students are not permitted to go to concessions.  Also, students must have satisfactory behavior, AND work/study habits to attend.  Students who do not present a speech on November 7^th will not be allowed to attend!

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        The Fourth Grade Teachers

I give my child, ____________________, permission to attend the field trip.

I have enclosed $3.00, along with this permission slip inside a labeled envelope.

I can_____   I cannot ________ chaperone this field trip.

Please note, depending on room, some parents may need to drive separately. 

FSU field trip

Students have been informed of the behavior and work/study requirements to attend the Nov. 18th field trip, and reminded to write it down in their agenda book.   Students must present their speech in class, and have satisfactory behavior and work/study habits in order to be eligible to attend the field trip.

Math Chapter 4 Notes

Here's what we've been learning in Chapter 4 of Math!

Estimating Division with Compatible Numbers:

Using the Distributive Property to Divide

Using Repeated Subtraction to Divide

Communication Survey Feedback

THANK YOU to the parents that filled out and returned our Communication Survey on time!  (It's not too late to send it in.  We want to hear from you!)  We want to do our best to give you all of the information you need to help your child in a clear and easy way.  We want to answer some of your feedback:

Social Studies/Florida Studies Weekly:

• Sent home each Thursday. 
• Assignments are due back the following Thursday.
• Required assignments: All "Think and Review Questions" answered in complete sentences.  Crossword puzzle completed.  (Worth 300 points in the grade book)
• On a week that there isn't a crossword puzzle on the newspaper, check your child's agenda-book for that week's assignment. 
• A quiz will be given in class on the Thursday the work is due.
• Students may use their answers to the "Think and Review Questions" and crossword puzzle, as well as the newspaper to answer the quiz questions.
• We do not have extra copies of the newspaper. 

Reading Log:

• Students choose an AR book from the Media Center.
• Students may check out books from the Media Center once a day.
• Students must log a minimum of 100 minutes each week and have 5 entries completed.
• Parents should sign after each reading session. 
• Reading Logs are due on Thursday each week.  
• New Reading Logs are given out on Thursdays. 

Emails vs the blog:

• We do not send regular emails.  Information is posted to the blog, often many times a week.
• You can sign up to have the blog send you emails when we post.  There is a delay and you may not receive it until later that day.  We cannot control this.
• We use the blog instead of emails because it provides one place for everything and it's easy to look back at past information.
• The blog can be accessed from a phone!
• We are happy to respond to parent questions via email.  Please note that we cannot always respond immediately. 

Text Messages:

• These are sent using an app called Remind 101.  You cannot respond back to the messages we send.
• We send reminders of things such as report cards, project due dates and field trips.  It is not used for communication about daily homework assignments.

Conferences:

• You may request a conference at any time.  Please send us an email or a note (please tell your child about the note, sometimes they don't give it to us).
• Our typical availability for conference is as follows.  Please always confirm with us, as we may already have something scheduled.
• 8:00am  Monday, Thursday and Friday
• 12:50pm  Monday-Friday
• We can also do a phone conference if that fits your schedule better.  Just ask!  

Pinpoint (our gradebooks):

• This is the fastest way to know how your child is doing!  If you have misplaced your child's log-in information, just ask us.

Agenda-books:

• Students should be using their agenda-books to keep track of assignments.  We both have our own agenda-books and display the assignments on the board for the students to copy.  
• Please check them nightly.

Internet Access:

• If you're struggling with internet access, we have a Parent Resource Room in the Media Center that is open during school hours for you!
• Also, the new Public Library on Fred George Road is a beautiful facility.

Going on a Field Trip

We will be going on a district sponsored field trip on Monday.  We will tour the Old Capitol and visit the Riley House Museum.  This is a free field trip!  Please be sure you have signed and returned the form.  Students will need to wear comfortable shoes (we'll be doing a lot of walking) and will need to bring a sack lunch (disposable containers are preferred).

If you wish to chaperone this, or any other field trips this year please be sure you have filled out the volunteer form.  It can be found here.

Tropicana Speeches

It is time to get geared up for the Tropicana Public Speaking Contest (speech contest)!  You may want to visit www.florida4h.org for more information, sample comments from judges and other great speech information!  Speeches will be given on Friday, November 7th.  Each student is required to give a speech.  Students will not be invited to the FSU Women's Basketball field trip (on November 18th) if they do not have a speech prepared.  

We suggest using 3x5 index cards to write pointers on.  Students may not have any other assistance.  Remember to practice so you're not reading off of your notecards!

Speech Examples

http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=Y2p5SOD1zA0

Check out the winners from last year's district competition.  Your child will watch these at school this week to see examples of great speeches! 

Weekly Update 11/3

Happy November!

• We have a busy month ahead!  Keep these dates in mind:
• Tuesday, November 4th - Election Day, students will do kids voting at school
• Tuesday, November 4th - Picture Retake Day
• Wednesday, November 5th - Grandparent's Day
• Friday, November 7th - Tropicana Speeches will be given (Bring your judging sheet!)
• Monday, November 10th - Blended Lives Field Trip (form coming home today)
• Monday, November 10th - WATCH DOG breakfast at 7:45am
• Tuesday, November 11th - Veteran's Day, No School
• Wednesday, November 13th - Spelling Bee
• Thursday, November 13th - Spirit Night at McDonalds
• Tuesday, November 18th - FSU Women's Basketball Field Trip
• Wednesday, November 19th - Progress Alerts go home
• We understand that there is a delay in when the email is received from our blog.  Unfortunately, we do not have control over this so we suggest that you check the blog at least 3 times a week.  
• Thank you for all of your donations to the party we had on Friday.  The students had a great time!
• Please make sure you're logging into Pinpoint regularly.  It is the fastest way to see how your child is doing in school.
• Check agenda books nightly for homework assignments. 

Example of written response

Here is an example of what we are looking for on the written portion of the test:

Unit 2, Week 1-

Explain the messages that are presented in these passages.  Support your answer with clear text evidence from the passages.

Example of student response:

         There was a different message presented in each passage.  In Help, Please! the message was you can’t expect a reward if you do not help.  An example from the passage that supports this is found on page 61 in the fifth paragraph.  The Raccoon, who is trying to pick apples for a baked apple dessert, asks Bear to help her pick a juicy apple from the apple tree.  The Bear says, “I’d be glad to, Raccoon, but I need to save my energy for my long winter nap.”  Later, Bear watched hungrily as Raccoon and Bee ate the delicious baked apple with honey. Bear and the other animals made excuses for not helping, but they still wanted to eat the apple dessert.  If you are not willing to help, you should not expect to get anything. 

         In Visitors in the Woods, the message was people should resect the animals that live in nature.  In this passage, people were walking on a nature path, enjoying watching a deer and her fawn when a loud family came along.  An example from the text that supports the theme is found on page 67, in the last paragraph.  After telling the loud family to be quiet, Gwen’s father tells the father and son that they are the visitors because it’s the animals that live there.  They should walk quietly to be respectful of the animals.