Mrs. Hansen's Class                5th, 6th, 7th

  

Math

        Math I :   multiplying and dividing fractions, customary and metric measurement

        Math II :  ratios, rates, and proportion

Students like the idea of participating in a simulation of dealing with money and finances.  Mirroring the popular trend of "reality television, we are planning a "reality" segment in math in which students "earn" money and engage in decisions they will need to make in real life as they get older.  In addition, some students will be "buying" Northwest stock and taking a look at how that aspect of our economy works.  

Homework:  

The majority of homework assigned this year will be in Math.  I would really appreciate your support in this area.  If you could take a quick look to see that homework is completed, I would be very grateful.  Strong school-home partnerships are important to me.

Please encourage your child to keep practicing their facts.  I cannot emphasize enough the important of automaticity and retention of facts as we move on to math concepts that are more difficult and rely on knowing these facts well.  Fifteen to twenty minutes a day will make a huge difference in your child's achievement and help them avoid the frustration that comes with getting "bogged down" when recall of facts isn't automatic.  Have your child practice on this website:       http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/

*We continue to use a great website - http://www.internet4classrooms.com/k12links.htm   I encourage you to take a look.  These activities have been invaluable as we seek to reinforce learning in many modalities in math class.

Science

Earth Day, April 22.

We have embarked on a study of fossil fuels and alternative energy forms.  We will be looking at global warming and possible remedies.  The students will be interviewing parents in order to determine their household's carbon footprint.  Currently studying: coal, hydroelectricity, and geothermal energy.

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Earlier in the year, our class brainstormed possible units of study to be encompassed in our school-wide theme "Going Global."  

       Ideas include:  

• fossil fuels, hydropower, natural gas and alternative energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen, bioenergy, tidal power, and fusion
• endangered species around the world
• global warming
• resources (renewable and non-renewable) and consumption
• what it means to "go green"
• climate in other regions of the world

Social Studies

Don't forget to send in your 2010 Census!  

We are currently studying the continent of Africa, focusing on the Countries of South Africa and             .  We are learning about the contributions of Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and others.

Our class brainstormed possible units of study to be encompassed in our school-wide theme "Going Global."

    Ideas include:

• culture study of countries in each continent including geography, language, customs, beliefs, celebrations, food!!!
• world economy
• focus on similarities instead of differences
• world relations--war and peace
• economy and standard of living
• human rights, prejudice, and discrimination

The 5-6-7 class gets together with the students in Ms. Carol's class once a week for discussion, lessons, and projects that will take us around the world.  We have recently moved on to Africa and are looking at Culture Grams from the country of South Africa as we learn about the impact of Nelson Mandela's life in the context of world history.  

If you would like to see what we are looking at, go to the Sno-Isle Library website and click on Research Tools then Culture Grams.  We use both the Kids Edition and the World Edition.  We also continue to use many current National Geographic articles in our global studies. If you know of anyone who has traveled to China or Africa or our upcoming destinations (          ) and would like to speak to our students, please contact me through the school website or call me at school.  

P.E.

We are currently learning basketball skills including passing, dribbling, pivoting, shooting, and defensive skills while encouraging cooperation, teamwork, and sportsmanship--our main goals in P. E.

We have been playing "horse" (and "pig" and "iguana") as well as actual games.  The students are becoming more confident and are looking forward to challenging the staff to a game.  

We are happily using the new basketballs so generously provided by the Assistance  League of Everett, Kitty Young Auxiliary.  It is wonderful to have basketballs that bounce well and are easy to grip.  Thank you, Assistance League members!

Please help your child remember to wear sturdy lace-up tennis shoes on Tuesdays and Thursdays--our P.E. days.  

Music

Mrs. Sample returned to make the Winter Program a reality and it was wonderful.  We will to be participating under Karen's tutelage in the Spring Program. 

Our class brainstormed possible units of study to be encompassed in our school-wide theme "Going Global."

        Ideas include:  

• research music from different countries around they world and find samples we can listen to
• research musicians from different countries around the world
• research and possibly construct instruments from different countries around the world