Week of September 16

Week of September 16

Hello everyone,

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, got to enjoy the weather on Saturday and the nice fall-like Sunday we had (and the Bears win!)

5th Grade Math
5th Grade Math students continue to work on CCSS Math Standards 6NS1 (operations with fractions). We have been reviewing adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions (regular and mixed). We have begun to work on modeling (drawing pictures to represent) multiplication of fractions.  This will lead us to work on division of fractions later this week.

2nd Grade Thinking Skills
2nd Grade Thinking Skills students have been working on applying what we learned about problem solving using manipulatives (acting it out) or drawing a picture.  Last week's activity was done as a class and this week students were asked to work on their own.  This week they will work in small groups and share their strategies and solutions with the class.

1st Grade Thinking Skills
Students in first grade will be meeting my friend "DOT" this week. Dot goes on adventures and has some higher level thinking skills questions about the events and activities that are come across on the adventure.

That's all for now.  My schedule is pretty much done, so you may be hearing more about Thinking Skills and/or Packer Math and Reading as the weeks progress.

All my best,
Mr. Packer

Week of September 9

5th Grade Math

I hope you had a chance to enjoy the wonderful weekend.  Looks like it will be a warm one these first couple of days this week please make sure the kids are dressed appropriately for school and the weather, and water bottles are highly encouraged.  I do have two fans going in the room, so the air is circulating.

Last week we continued our work with operations with decimals (CCSS 6.NS.3-Common Core State Standard-Grade 6-Number Sense-Goal 3) and the kids took a formative assessment on Friday.  Today we are going to apply our computation skills with decimals and build the first order for the School Spirit Store which allows the kids to apply these skills to a real world situation.

This week we will begin reviewing operations with fractions and start our introduction of division of fractions. The kids will not only need to learn the standard algorithm for dividing fractions, but they will also have to draw models to demonstrate their understanding.

GTD Resource

I am still working on scheduling going into classrooms.  2nd Grade classes have begun working on solving problems by acting them out and drawing pictures.  We did a whole class activity about sharing candy equally and this week the kids will apply these strategies and solve problems on their own

ALL

Just a couple of reminders:  Open House is this Thursday from 6:30-8:30.  I am only able to be present from 6-7 and would love to see you.  If you are not able to make it at that time, I am always available to meet at a time convenient for us both.  Also, Friday is an Institute Day, no school for the kiddos.

Thanks and have a great week.

All my best,

Mr. Packer