Principal's Message

A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that adequate sleep on a regular basis leads to improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.

It is recommended that children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9-12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health and that teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8-10 hours per 24 hours.

Here are three tips to keep technology from being a distraction to adequate nightly sleep:

Establish a Storage Location
The AAP recommends that screens not be allowed in children's bedrooms. Create an expectation for when and where technology will be stored overnight in the home. Utilize a common space to store and charge devices such as the kitchen counter or the adult's bedroom.

Create a Bedtime Routine without Technology
The AAP suggests that screens be turned off 30 minutes before bedtime. Set a timer to signal 30 minutes until bedtime. Come up with alternate options for your child prior to bedtime such as reading a book, playing a board game, or having a conversation.

Turn Off Network Access at Bedtime
Disabling internet access at bedtime can reduce the temptation to jump back online during the night. Routers can be unplugged each night manually or owners can set an auto timer on their routers (read through your user manual for directions). Purchasing a mechanical outlet timer is another less technical solution for putting this nightly routine in place.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are available only at Jostens. Order now through February 22 and get your book for $33.00 and personalization for $6.00 (see details on the website). After that, books will be $35.00. No orders will be accepted after May 18.

Please save a printed/electronic copy of your receipt in case questions arise. For more information, or if you are not sure you ordered one yet, please contact Terri Bostrom.

Math

What We've Been Working On

• The students recently completed their second test on probability. They needed to know the difference between independent and dependent probability. They also need to know how to make tree diagrams and tables to help them answer questions.  

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

•  How do you solve dependent probability problems?

What We're Working on Next

• We have recently moved onto the various ways to multiply fractions and decimals. This includes multiplying mixed fractions too.
• The students are able to choose their favorite way that best supports their learning!

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What's the most difficult thing about multiplying fractions? Decimals?

Accelerated Math

What We've Been Working On

• The students completed a test on transformations, scaling, including finding both perimeter and area, unit rate, order of operations, and the 5D process, which they could have solved using algebra.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Where is your understanding of transformations at? 

What We're Working on Next

• We're now back into algebra! We are using algebra tiles to help compare expressions on an algebra mat. They are also learning the "legal moves" that they can do to help solve the expressions! This should, ideally, help them with their future, harder algebra.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• Are you able to explain the "legal moves" in algebra to your parents? Give an example!

Language Arts

What We've Been Working On

• For the last two weeks, we have finished the book Tangerine by having and fishbowl discussion and a test.
• We have started our Collections Unit 3: Natural Disasters. The students started a research presentation on a Natural Disaster. 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What did you think about the book Tangerine?
• What disaster are you researching?

What We're Working on Next

• Students will learn about informational text and how to comprehend the text using the 3 big questions: What surprised me? What did the author already think I know? What challenged, changed, or confirmed my thinking?
  
• Students will present to their classmates about their natural disasters research. 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What is something that surprised you when reading Mammoth Shakes?
  
• How did your natural disaster presentation go?

Science

What We've Been Working On

• We have just finished our Motion, Force and Energy Unit. By the time you have read this, the students will have taken 2 Assessments to end the unit.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What was your favorite form of energy that we studied in class?

What We're Working on Next

• We will begin the Waves portion of our Waves, Sound and Light Unit. Be looking for Waves notes and an Assignment, too.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

Notes

• Please look at report cards. Please check Skyward for missing work and have your child finish it.

Social Studies

What We've Been Working On

• We have been researching a prominent African American to present to the class. Presentations started this week.
• We have been reading Soldiers Heart which is a historical fiction story about Charley Goddard, a Minnesotan Soldier, during the Civil War. 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Which prominent African American did you research?
  
• Who is Charley Goddard?
  
• What were some Minnesotan Views of the Civil War?

What We're Working on Next

• We are finishing up the Civil War unit and beginning the US - Dakota War of 1862.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What were some things you learning about the US - Dakota War?
  
• How were people of Minnesota on both sides affected? 

Phy. Ed.

What We've Been Working On

• Mozey- Heart Rate information and Cardio workouts

• DeVoe- Muscles and Lifting 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Mozey- How do you find your target heart rate zone?

• DeVoe- What are the 12 major muscles you are learning? 

What We're Working on Next

• Mozey- Muscles and Lifting

• DeVoe- Heart Rate Information and Cardio workouts 

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• DeVoe- How do you find your target heart rate zone?

• Mozey- What are the 12 major muscles you are learning 

Notes

•  Make sure you stay up to date on Assignments! 

Choir

What We've Been Working On

• We began writing in solfege for our Semester 2 music to sight read on our own.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• How do you find "do" in new music?

What We're Working on Next

• Students will continue to strengthen their music reading skills by connecting our sight reading skills to their music score.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What part do you sing for each song? 

Band

What We've Been Working On

• Concert Music and performance etiquette
  
• Counting

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Were you excited to finally have your concert?

What We're Working on Next

• Work on a Solo they will perform
  
• Study new notes and rhythms

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• Are you excited to be moving on to new material?

Orchestra

What We've Been Working On

• Concert music reflection
  
• Twinkle Twinkle Playing test

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What area of your playing needs the greatest improvement, and how are you going to improve it?

What We're Working on Next

• Eighth Note Rhythms

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• How does your bowing have to change as the rhythms change?

Tech Ed

What We've Been Working On

• TinkerCAD basics and creating 3D print design
  
• Production Lab General and Machine Safety
  
• Technical Reading

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Can you explain and show me how you made your design in TinkerCAD?

What We're Working on Next

• Working on project side and front/back pieces
  
• Machines used: Band and scroll saw, spindle and belt sander and pad sander

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What impact do you feel correct measurement has on your project?

Spanish

What We've Been Working On

• We covered the following topics: greetings, farewells, numbers and feelings.
• We have begun to talk about likes & dislikes.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What vocabulary from elementary has helped you be successful so far?

What We're Working on Next

• We will talk about what we do in our free time and begin describing ourselves.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What activities do you know how to say in Spanish that you like to do?

Gifted & Talented

What We've Been Working On

• Bad weather has gotten the best of us these past couple of weeks. We are still completing our passion research and self awareness "I Am" poems.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• What is your main line in your "I Am" poem?

What We're Working on Next

• We will look at MAP scores from this winter and set SMART goals.

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What is your SMART goal?

Young Scholars

What We've Been Working On

• I have not seen the kids in awhile - too many snow days!

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned

• Are you caught up on your school work?

What We're Working on Next

• I will be meeting with the Young Scholars to review MAP scores from this winter and write SMART goals

Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material

• What is your SMART goal?

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12000 Ridgemount Avenue, Plymouth, MN 55441 | 763-745-6200