Roxbury Elementary School

Welcome to Room 505!

Our page is constantly changing so be sure to check back often.

What we are working on:

Math: 

Unit 10:

In Unit 10, students will be introduced to prealgebra concepts and skills.  They will concentrate on solving problems using a pan-balance model, which means making sure that a change to one side must be compensated with a  change to the other side.  Students will also represent relationships as algebraic expressions that will help them generate input-output tables.  Linking the data in the tables to corresponding points on a coordinate grid will help students better understand and interpret the data.  Unit 10 has four main areas of focus:

• to solve equations using a pan-balance model
• to represent relationships as algebraic expressions
• to generate input-output
• to link data in tables to corresponding points on coordinate grids  

 **Please be sure to practice multiplication and division facts with your child nightly.  For furture practice with different math concepts students can go on Study Island, Everyday Math games, or Sumdog.**

Reader's Workshop:

   Reader's Workshop is divided up into three sections; the opening, work period, and the closing.  During the opening, students gather in the meeting area and are taught a new skill or review a previously taught skill that they will practice during the work period.  These lessons can be taught through a read aloud with teacher modeling the skill or by group discussion. 

    During the work period, each student is working on a different assignment  Students might be practicing a skill taught during the opening lesson, a guided reading assignment, individual reading goals, or reading independently.  While the students are working on these things, the teacher is conferencing with each individual student.  During these conferences, the teacher listens to the student read, asks questions about the book the student is reading, and discusses with the student areas of concern.  At the end of the conference, a personal goal is established by the student and teacher. 

    The workshop ends with the closing.  Student come back to the meeting area and reflect on how the day went for them.  Students may discuss a success they had while working on a particular skill or difficulties they may have experienced.

This unit we are focusing on poetry.  The unit is focusing on building reading fluency, oral presentation skills and response.  Response will take the form of discussion.  Discussion Groups and their structures will be established in this unit.  

Writer's Workshop:

    In the Writer's Workshop, the writing lessons focus on the structures and forms of poetry.  Students will explore elements of poetry, poetic styles and literary devices.  As students continue to notice the different characteristics of poems, they will try them out in their own writing.  Students will author and publish a poetry collection.  

Science:

    Our last science unit is on Models and Designs.  The four investigations in the Models and Designs Module provide experiences that develop the concept of a scientific model and engage students in design and construction. The atmosphere generated by this module is one of open discussion, free exchange of ideas, and development of ideas into products.

Students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Manipulate objects and materials.
• Design and construct conceptual and physical models.
• Look for relationships between structure and function of materials and systems.
• Organize and analyze data from investigations with physical objects and systems.
• Apply mathematics in the context of science.
• Acquire vocabulary associated with engineering and technology.
• Gain confidence in their abilities to solve problems.
• Learn that there is often more than one solution to a problem.
• Communicate ideas to peers and work in a collaborative scientific manner.
• Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, organizing, and relating.

Here is a fun game to try that goes along with our black box activity.

http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/ModelsandDesigns/activities/blackbox.html

Social Studies:

State Report websites:

Approved websites for state research

http://www.infoplease.com/states.html

http://www.netstate.com/states/index.html

http://www.theus50.com/

http://library.educationworld.net/statefacts/

http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/US_States

http://www.ipl.org/div/stateknow/

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/index.php

http://www.50states.com/

http://www.classbrain.com/artstate/publish/

http://www.factmonster.com/states.html

Homework:

Important Dates:

Wednesday, May 16th 2012- Early Release Professional Development

May 22-24th-  Book Fair

Thursday, May 24th, 2012- Author Day

Thursday, May 24th, 2012-  Field Trip to see Children's Choir at Westhill

Monday, May 28th, 2012- Memorial Day, No School

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012- Civil War Presentation

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012- Cloonan Ambassador visit

Thursday, May 31, 2012- Field Day (Rain Date June 1st)

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012-State Reports Due

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012- Instrumental Spring Concert

Wednesday June 7th, 2012-  Western Day

Monday, June 11th, 2012- 5th Grade Field Trip to Hall of Science, Queens, NY

Friday, June 15th, 2012-  Pizza Party and Social

Tuesday, June 19th , 2012-  5th Grade Graduation at 10:00 AM

Parents Wanted!!

We are in need of parent volunteers to help during the writing block from 2:30-3:00.  Volunteers will be assisting with editing student pieces and helping students clarify their work.  If you are interested in volunteering please send an email stating availability.

Helpful Websites

www.sumdog.com

Math review concept game.

https://www.everydaymathonline.com/student_login.html

This gives you access to the everyday math games that we play in the classroom.  You will need your username and password to log in.

www.lexile.com

Helps students to determine the lexile level of the book that they are reading.

www.studyisland.com

This website helps prepare students for the CMTs.  It provides them with practice questions.  You will need username and password to log in.

http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/index.html

Allows students to get a deeper understanding of concepts taught in class through interactive activities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CBTZfqYz8&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Here is the video that some of the teachers made to encourage the students to work hard and do well on this coming CMTs.

How to contact Mrs. Jaeger:

Mrs. Jaeger can be contacted by calling the schools main office (203) 977-4287 or emailing her at ajaeger@ci.stamford.ct.us .