The Unit 6 Review Packet is tentatively due on: April 7, 2014
The Unit 6 Test is tentatively scheduled for: April 8, 2014
The Unit 6 Test is tentatively scheduled for: April 8, 2014
What's going on in Mr. Solarz' Class? |
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The Unit 6 Review Packet is tentatively due on: April 7, 2014
The Unit 6 Test is tentatively scheduled for: April 8, 2014 Due to snow/cold days school will be in session on Thursday, March 20th and Friday, March 21st. Absent students will need to be reported to the office (847 506-6999 x7400)
Spring Break March 24th to March 28th Register here: https://docs.google.com/a/sd25.org/forms/d/1pJ7oV-6uQ7A4Rqk1U7ueGZw4G_3pxct7SONrrJ4z6eQ/viewform
Good afternoon District 25 Staff, I would like to share with you an opportunity for your students to participate in Teachnology 2014. Could you please take a moment to talk with your students this week about the opportunity? Your encouragement would be much appreciated by the PTA and myself. This is a great opportunity for your students to show-off their technology skills! Kids of all ages can participate and there are 4 ways to participate from individual and group presentations, creating a PowerPoint slide and being a Tech Volunteer. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me directly. The new deadline for registering is Monday, February 24th. Thanks! Brian Kaye Principal at Thomas Middle School I share this information in an effort to help parents avoid scheduling doctor/dentist appointments during these times. I definitely understand if there are conflicts, however:
Hello Parents!
Our class has earned its first 100 Degree Party of the year and have asked to celebrate it on Valentine's Day this time around. So we will be watching Despicable Me 2 from 12:35-2:20 and having donuts (and a healthy alternative) while we do so. Students are allowed to bring in hand-held devices (at their own risk) to play quietly while the movie is on. At 2:20, we will start the parent-organized Valentine's Day party. I did not send home permission slips since everyone signed one at the beginning of the year, but If you have any questions or concerns, please email me. If you'd rather your child not eat donuts or watch the film, please tell them and email me. Thank you! Students are finishing up our Hands-On Algebra Unit that teaches them all of the skills they need to be prepared for Algebra in middle school! This program teaches students in a fun, hands-on style that keeps them actively learning and practicing skills every lesson!
Hands-On Equations is a supplementary program that can be used with any math curriculum to provide students with a concrete foundation for algebra. It uses the visual and kinesthetic instructional approach developed by Dr. Henry Borenson to demystify abstract algebraic concepts. This hands-on, intuitive approach enhances student self-esteem and interest in mathematics. What are the benefits of using Hands-On Equations? (click on "Read More" to continue...) Robert Crown dates:
Wednesday, February 19th MONDAY SCHEDULE
Valentine’s Day Parties
Valentine's Day Parties... Friday, February 14, 2014 . Parties should last only about an hour. Everyone should be respectful of other classes that are in session while their parties are going on. Consider having games inside of the classroom. Food lists should be available to parents 48 hours in advance. Home prepared foods are not allowed! Questions about the district's food policy can be directed to Caz or Sue. The office needs the time of the parties so they know when parents will be coming in. It’s OK to have your party when you want it to be! Grade level team should send party start times to the office. OPEN HOUSE REMINDER Open House is this week: Thursday, January 30th from 7:00-8:00 pm. The Book Fair will also be open from 6:00-8:30 pm in the Commons. Upcoming Dates:
Since we are past the halfway point of fifth grade, I thought it would be a good time to go over some points made at Parent Night some five months ago, remind you about grading and report cards, and give you a heads-up about some upcoming classroom events/dates!
First of all, I sincerely hope that you and your child are enjoying your 5th grade experience so far this year. I want you to know that I am working hard to make this year a positive one for your child. I know that my methods can be quite different from other teachers and other grade levels, but I assure you that they are based on sound research and philosophy. The main differences might include:
I imagine that many of you who are trusting in the system are seeing your child grow and improve, enjoy learning, and be more independent. If you are not seeing these things, please consider reflecting on the importance of letting your child experience fifth grade with a little less support. In my 15 years of teaching fifth grade, I've found that students are most successful in my class when parents do the following:
If you feel that your child needs a little additional support, I suggest you create a checklist for your child that you help them follow for the first couple weeks during homework time, and gradually release the responsibility to them. The checklist should have:
I recommend that ALL parents do the following about once per month:
Approximately 5-6 weeks prior to report cards going home, students will receive a Missing Assignment printout. They will have 2 weeks to get all assignments turned in, or the assignments become zeroes and they will still need to be made up. Students will be required to stay in during one Homework Club each day during the second week if they are not caught up by then, but they get to choose if it's morning, lunch recess, or after school when they serve it. This is to prepare them for middle school when they give detentions for missing work. Due to the nature of how we "grade" in our class, missing assignment lists cannot be generated any earlier than that. I used to send these reports home via email, but I received too many angry emails blaming me for their child's missing work, so that won't happen again! (I believe strongly in the importance of letting children make mistakes and find ways of fixing those mistakes - you can't fix what isn't broke! We have three trimesters to help them learn how to become responsible for their work!) Students are reminded each day during this two week period to use Homework Club as a time to catch up on missing work and get questions answered by me. Your child will receive their missing assignment printout on 2/7/14. How you choose to handle it from there is your call, but I think if you are doing everything above, you will see that their list will be minimal each trimester! Because checking in late assignments can be very time-consuming with 27 students, plus math kids, I ask that your child use Homework Club to check in their assignments when they are finished with everything on the printout. I really appreciate your understanding with all of this! I know that we both want what's best for your child - so many parents have told me that this style of learning has made a tremendous impact on their child's progress through middle school! (Here are some statements.) I hope you find the same is true for your child! Science Fair Everything on the Tentative Schedule for the Science Fair has been moved back one month. I have recruited 2-3 other classes to participate with us and they need the time to catch up. That gives us more time for the experiment stage. I will be scheduling students for various Homework Clubs to work 1-on-1 with them to complete their experiments. There is a chance that your child will not be schedule for quite a while, please understand that that's ok! We'll get it all done - this is my 8th Science Fair! :) I hope that clarifies things for you all. I am loving working with your child and it's been an outstanding year so far! I hope you have all been enjoying the extra time with your kid with all these Snow Days we've been having! Upcoming Dates
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Parents!This is where information will be posted as it comes up. Please check this page often! Thank you! Archives
September 2014
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