Math Enrichment and Free Math Apps

5th grade mathematicians have recently received a packet of Math Logic Puzzles. I've given them out in packs of 10 and they are to enrich, challenge and encourage students to think about different situations. I have let students know that at least ONE puzzle is due before Winter Break. However, I have made recommendations to students to challenge themselves with more puzzles if they are up to it.

Online math enrichment sites:

EM games site: https://www.everydaymathonline.com/student_login.html

http://nrich.maths.org/public/

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I also wanted to pass along a message from our Everyday Math provider about free downloads on December 20th for Math Apps.


Happy Holidays Everyday Math Users,
I just wanted to touch base and share a couple of things with you.
We are opening all the Everyday Math Apps for Free Download on December 20th.
All you have to do is go to the APP store and search for “Everyday Math” on your iPHONE, iPAD, or iPOD touch on December 20th and download them.
These are usually $1.99 each, and all 12 should be available for Free. You don’t even have to be an EDM user – they are fun for all!
Here are a couple of links that will further explain what EDM is about:

UCSMP site: http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/
EDM PD Videos: http://bit.ly/okjVxs
EDM Home Page: http://www.everydaymath.com/



Best Regards,

Bill Kearney
Sales Representative PreK-6
Phone: (319)-333-8627
Fax: (319)-538-0250
E-mail: william_kearney@mcgraw-hill.com
1580 Cook Circle
North Liberty, Iowa 52317


Customer Service and Orders Department
Phone: 1-800-334-7344
Fax: 1-800-953-8691
SEG_customerservice@mcgraw-hill.com
Online Ordering: Please Take the COAST tutorial!
www.mhecoast2coast.com

K-5 Technical and Online Support
Phone: 800-678-2747
E-Mail: epgtech@mcgraw-hill.com
Site: www.epgtech.com

Finishing touches on the dome!

Take a look at our dome - complete with the top portion - creating compression.

This is a favorite place in the room to read our choice texts and work on our novels!

Problem Solving and Constructing

The beauty of science is that like life, when things don't go according to planned - we learn from it. In the case of our geodesic dome, we have experienced buckling at it's finest - newspapers twisting and turning, bending and breaking. However, our geodesic dome is growing and we will soon brainstorm to see how we can best support the dead load. Currently we have some support ropes holding it so that we can reinforce with beams and create some beams for compression.

As students are building this geodesic dome, they are also rotating in stations this week, to:

-Design their dream home
-Build marshmallow structures with limited marshmallows and toothpicks
-Read about tall structures around the world
-Review different roles - architect, contractor, structural engineer and draftsperson

We were so fortunate to have Tony Nash, Jackson's dad, come in to share about what it is like to be an architect. He showed us some international structures, local structures and even some of his designs from work over the last few years. It was a joy to see how pertinent our learning is and to make sure a special connection with our structure knowledge.

If you would like to come in to share your knowledge, expertise or joy for learning in any way, please let me know. You can email me at: dobyns.lynn@iccsd.k12.ia.us

For your planning:

6th grade parents: SouthEast Junior High has set the meeting day/time for the parent meeting regarding registration for next year’s 7th graders.

The meeting for 6th grade parents is January 31, 2012 at 6:30 PM in our Large Group Room/Cafeteria on the lower level off the large parking lot.

End of a Great Week

With Friday approaching, we have many things to celebrate from the past week.

These straw structures, were created by both Science classes to withstand live load (washers) placed on the point and at the height of each group's choice. Now, having studied the different roles of engineers, architects, draftspeople and contractors, they will work together to keep building. They will use as little dead load as possible with the intent of placing more live load on their stable structure. We've discussed tension, compression, forces applied on buildings (shear force, etc.) They have discussed buildings and structures they are familiar with. With all of this knowledge, they will apply it to their constructions.

As we learn more about structures, please continue to encourage your students to bring in photos, drawings or magazine / internet pictures of structures. We will soon focus on bridges - so keep those pictures coming! Here are a few the students have shared already.

So many books...so many cans!!!!! Students and Hoover families have so generously donated great books and other texts to UIHC libraries and in-patient book carts. What a fantastic gift. Take a look at our FULL box of books! City High students came today to transport these books, and we will continue to collect more. Also, cans and other essential items have been donated to the Crisis Center.

Thank you very much!

Outside our room, we have student writing samples posted from this Fall's Heroes/Adversity Essays. I wanted to include just a few of the many wonderful and inspirational quotes the students have written.

HOMEWORK PLANNER FOR EACH DAY POSTED BELOW:

New things happening in Room 12

PAGES FOR PATIENTS!

Hoover Families and Friends - We are working with City High Ambassadors to collect as many PAGES as possible! Students are donating new and gently used books to the UIHC in-patient cart and library. Kids in the in-patient ward of the hospital will get to select a book from the cart to keep and enjoy. We are excited here at Hoover to over the special gift of passing meaningful texts from one person to another in our community.

If you have books - of all genres and for all ages - that you would like to donate, please give them to a 3-6 grader at Hoover or stop on by and drop them off in one of the boxes in our rooms. Thank you!

Inquiry Projects have been presented!

Students have culminated their research, collaborations and productions involved in solving their inquiry project questions:

What are musk deer? Do (and how do) animals truly adapt to new habitats? Do our pets prefer certain food and bedding? Why are meerkats fascinating? What is the life cycle of a chimpanzee? What are binturongs? What is interesting about an Arctic fox? Why are tarantulas so large? What is the environment of a panda like?

The PowerPoint presentations, diagrams, posters, models and research papers effectively answered the questions. Students also elaborated on their question to inquire further and take great ownership for their presentation of the information. Nice job 5/6 graders!

I've been so impressed with the positive collaborations students have had this year. Today, when students were coming up with their raps about design roles (structural engineers, architects, contractors and draftspeople), they showed such genuine interest in each others' ideas and suggestions. This has certainly been a Fall filled with great group work. Here is a group that worked together in science this Fall to present their Experiments with Plant study.

Conferences Coming Up!

Hoover parents, conferences are just around the corner!

I enjoy this time to share the great growth and learning students have experienced this Fall, with you. Each student has a colored index card coming home tonight with a conference reminder. This should have the date and time of your conference. Conferences are:
Thursday, November 10th
Friday, November 11th
Thursday, November 17th

Please email or call if you will be unable to attend.

Thanks!

What's New in Class?

5th Grade Math:

Without using a protractor, how could you find the sum of all angles in a quadrangle?

This is the homework challenge question for today for 5th grade mathematicians. Questions like the one above will guide discussions, investigations and analysis of angles, polygons, and polygon properties. Instead of just accepting that the sum of all angles in a triangle equal 180 degrees, students ripped off the edges of self-constructed triangles to visualize the 180 degrees. Then, using their knowledge, students will apply this to practice problems and engaging games.

The Chapter 3 Test will be next Wednesday, November 9th.

Science:

Structures are around us, over us, and among us. What makes them stand up?

Students are questioning how to support structures as they attempt to create the tallest structure they can using only 200 straws, 100 paper clips and scissors. These structures, partially constructed, are hanging from our ceiling in our classroom. Students will measure their structures, then reflect on what worked and what challenged their creations. Soon, we will build (pun intended ☺ ) on our knowledge to see what it feels like to BE a structure and what live load and dead load is.
We have some students who have great family connections to structure expertise. If you or someone you know would like to be a guest speaker for our unit, please let me know. We welcome architects, builders, engineers, interior decorators, etc. Stay tuned for updates on our structures unit!

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR Beginner band students: There will be no band on Monday 10/31/11.

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS! Our New Language Arts Unit

We are in the second full week of our Animal Encounter's themed Language Arts Unit. Students are applying their inquisitiveness and passion for animals to the learning in class so well.

We have discovered that giraffes' tongues can be as long as 21 inches. Mosquitos do, indeed have teeth! Many amphibian species are threatened. Cheetah's can run up to 70 mph!

Yes, animals amaze us and we are marveling at their size, speed, characteristics and habits. However, we are going much deeper to discover the ways in which humans and animals have an interdependent relationship as well as a layered relationship.

How are animals and their future changing because of human impacts?

How do we depend on animals in our lives?

How do animals depend on each other?

What responsibilities do humans have to take care of animals?

These are some of the questions that have guided and will continue to guide critical thinking discussions, debates and responses from students.

We will read some non-fiction pieces from our Houghton-Mifflon series, current news articles from a variety of sources and students will do mini-research projects using online media.

This will all build to provide them with the tools to start their own inquiry projects. Students will research the question of their choice and spend their time and literacy skills, creating a way to present the information and their research, to the class.

Iowa Tests This Week

Here at Hoover, there are pencils circling small strokes to fill in tiny dots, stacks of test booklets and tasty snacks asking to be eaten on the back table. Yes...it is Iowa Test time. In the morning, we focus on the Iowa Tests and in the afternoon, we fill the time with Math, Language Arts and smaller sessions of science and social studies.

Students finished their Heroes and Adversity persuasive essays last week and this week, they will be reading them to the class. I am proud of students' efforts and applaud their creativity, voice and detail within their writing. It is clear that students are feeling more comfortable giving rationale and specific examples for their opinions.

Starting next week, in Language Arts, we will begin our Animal Encounters / Pets unit.

This Friday is a regular schedule. However, if your student missed a day or more this week, this will be a day for them to make up some Iowa Tests.


**A big THANK YOU to parents for providing snacks for students to enjoy! They look forward to the time they can enjoy a treat and visit with each other before concentrating on a new test.

***NOTE ABOUT HOMEWORK: During Iowa Test week, there is no homework assigned. Of course, students are welcome to embrace their choice reading books, creative writing stories and other challenges, but nothing is assigned. So...if planners seem to be a bit blank, don't fret! :)

Have a wonderful week.

Go Hoover Hawks!

~Ms. Dobyns

Iowa Tests next week

Iowa Tests are administered starting next week. Students will take the tests Monday, October 10th - Thursday, October 14th.

Today, in class we had a wonderful discussion about our feelings about the tests. Students expressed excitement, concern, worry, hesitation and motivation.

From these opinions, students elaborated about what causes them to feel this way about tests. By sharing our own opinions and feelings, students were able to find that they had common questions and concerns. We discussed how these tests are but one piece of a large puzzle - that many assessments are given over the course of their year and during their life and that none of them define them as learners or people.

Tomorrow (Thursday), Students and I will go over a mini-practice version of the test just so they can feel comfortable with the format. This will be given only to assuage concerns and go over any questions they may have. I like to equip students with strategies for taking breaks, staying calm and comfortable, problem solving, re-reading and other comprehension advice.

The expectations we have for them are the same that we have every day at school. That they bring an open mind, energy and spirit to do their best and put their best foot forward.

Let me know if you have any questions. Since our schedule changes for a week, I've included changes below in case you have any conflicts, questions about snacks, etc.






Schedule for Room 12 – Ms. Dobyns

Monday
8:45 Set up test booklets
9:15 Reading Part I 30 Min
9:45 Reading Part II 30 Min
10:15 Snack
10:30 Language Arts
11:05 Lunch/Recess
11:40 Math
12:40 Social Studies
1:20 Science
2:05 P.E. / Music
3:00 Dismiss

Tuesday
8:45 Written Expression 40 Min
9:30 Math Part I 30 Min
10:00 Snack
10:20 Math Part II 30 min
11:00 Lunch/Recess
11:40 Math
12:40 Language Arts
2:05 Guidance
2:30 Media
3:00 Dismiss

Wednesday
8:45 Science 35 min.
9:20 Social Studies 35 min
10:00 Snack
10:20 Tryout Testing
11:00 Lunch/Recess
11:40 Math
12:25 PE
12:50 Language Arts
2:05 Art
3:00 Dismis

Thursday
(Early Release at 2:00)
8:45 Misc. LA-Vocab,
Spelling, Punctuation,
Capitalization 45 Min
9:30 Math Comp. 20 Min 10:00 Snack
10:20 Language Arts
11:00 Lunch/Recess
11:40 Math
12:15 PE
12:40 Language Arts
2:00 Dismiss

Friday (IA Makeup Day)

Regular class schedule applies. Students who were absent during the week will be pulled from class to take make up tests.

FIELD TRIP - TORCH RUN! Send In Permission Forms

All fifth and sixth graders at Hoover will be joining Longfellow in a torch run.

Hoover students are doing a torch run with Longfellow students before the Run for the Schools event on Wednesday, Oct. 5th. Their 5th/6th graders will run/walk a torch to Creekside park where they will hand off to us. We are hoping to do a quick activity with them as well before heading the torch back to Hoover. We would leave here at 1:15. It will take close to an hour and we will be back to Hoover around 2:15.

Parents are welcome to join in the run! Please email me if you are thinking of attending and I will let you know how you can help students.

***Please sign the permission form if you will allow your student to participate, and send it back with them tomorrow. Thank you!

Curriculum Night - Thursday, September 22, 2011

All parents are invited to attend Curriculum Night, this Thursday, September 22, from 7:00pm -8:30pm. We will gather in the gym as Mrs. Bradford introduces some news and highlights for the year. Then, from 7:30-8:00, all parents will join the homeroom teachers back in the classrooms. The last half hour is available for the Book Fair (media center) and to sign up for volunteering / conferences.

Hope to see you all!

University Learning Connections - Things to explore

In One Week:
John Dilg on the Legacy of Tom Aprile



Labyrinths and Other Daily Exits: The Art of Tom Aprile,
Second Floor North Reading Room, UI Main Library

John Dilg, Professor of Art at the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, will present a gallery talk on "Retracing the Path of the Labyrinth - A Close Look at Tom Aprile's Real and Mythic Daily Exits" on Wednesday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Second Floor North Reading Room, UI Main Library.

Dilg's gallery talk will give an in-depth look into Labyrinths and Other Daily Exits: The Art of Tom Aprile, the exhibition currently in the UI Main Library. As a colleague and friend, Dilg curated the exhibit, which showcases the late Aprile's drawings and wood works. Dilg will discuss Aprile's unique labyrinth motif and how it transformed throughout his artistic career.


Tom Aprile, who passed away in September 2010, was a passionate artist and sculpture professor at the University of Iowa for over fifteen years. It is an honor to share his presence with the University of Iowa and visitors.

This event is free and open to the public.

Labyrinths and Other Daily Exits: The Art of Tom Aprile will be open for enjoyment and studying during library hours through the fall semester: Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m.-2:00 a.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.; closed Monday.

Guest Speaker -Nancy Porter

As students have been full of wonder about their plants in the science unit, we were able to expand our view of what it means to have wonder in many areas of scientific exploration. Today, Nancy Porter, a retired ICCSD teacher and advocate, came to speak about her daughter, Tracy Gregg, a former City High student. Tracy is a volcanologist. She, and several other scientists took a month-long research cruise on a research vessel, Atlantis,to the Galapagos Spreading Center to investigate exactly how lava erupts at an intermediate spreading rate mid-ocean ridge. The goals included trying to figure out how big, how fast, and how long the eruptions are. Nancy shared some of her literature published, research, photos of the crew and mission, and the Galapagos area.

You can access the GRUVEE (Galapagos Ridge Underseas Volcanic Eruptions Expedition) site at:

http://www.gruveecruise.org/GRUVEEeducation/Home.html

What's New in Language Arts?

What makes a hero? How do we define heroes and what do they mean to us?

These are a few questions that have guided our discussions and new theme in Language Arts (Heroes). These questions have been a springboard for debate and further questions as we read, write and listen to each other.

-Students have been reading about different people who share many qualities that some define as heroic.

-They practiced mini-essays that include a thesis statement with reasons to support their opinion.

-We focused on using spelling strategies to self-identify which words are invented and which words were spelled correctly in our writing.

-A fishbowl discussion was held, in which 4 students gather in the middle to debate their own questions about literature we've read. Students gather in a circle around the group of 4 and "tap in" and "tap out" to share their opinions.


Questions that we will consider this upcoming week: What is adversity? How does it shape our ideas and actions?

-Students will continue to read literature and focus on the ways that we can comprehend and make meaning from text. A term that your student will become familiar is a "think aloud." A "think aloud" is just my term to ask them to stop and reflect on the text through connections, inferences, predictions, opinions and feeling.

-We will work on vivid imagery in the descriptions in our writing. How can we use all 5 senses to guide our reader?

- Students will continue to work on spelling (Tuesday and Thursday) and Spanish mini lessons (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

- We will watch a clip of Erik Weihenmayer, the first person (who is blind) to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on May 25, 2001. He says that people succeed, not in spite of adversity, but because of adversity. Students will use this quote (and others) to reflect on their own feelings of the difficult moments in our life. Then, they will start to draft an essay about their opinions of adversity. This essay will build on their practice with vivid imagery, paragraphs that include details and peer conferencing in the writing process.



OTHER NOTES / REMINDERS

-5th grade MATH test on Tuesday. ALl students received (and started) a Ch. 1 math review in class on Friday. We will go over this review on Monday.

-Curriculum Night for 3rd-6th grade classrooms on September 22nd.

A few reminders and inquiries

-Early release today at 1:00 due to weather concerns.

-School photo day Friday. If you don't have a form or have misplaced it, let us know and we will send a new one home with your child.

EXPERIMENTS WITH PLANTS!

We have started planning our controlled experiments for our science unit. Students are grouped by the variable they are changing: Water, Light, Pollination, Fertilizer, and Space. They have thought through their question and have begun to think about materials they will need to accomplish their experiment accurately, completely and creatively. Some students will be coming home and looking for resources (such as food coloring, salt, recycled cardboard) to use for their experiment.

I want to invite anyone who may have experience, passion or a background in the following areas to consider coming in to be a guest speaker. I love having other people share their experiences and perspectives with the students.

I am looking for:

-Beekeeper
-Botonist
-Garden enthusiasts

If you know of any people that would like to be a special guest for our class, feel welcome to ask them and let me know! Thank you.

Answers to your questions!

Thank you for filling out the questionnaires about your child. It was very helpful to hear important things about your children and what excites them about learning. If you would like another copy or did not receive a questionnaire, let me know and I will send one home.

Many of you had some great questions for me. I wanted to answer them on this blog to provide all parents with some information they may be wondering about as well. If you have more questions, keep them coming!


Are you going to be co-teaching with another teacher?


So far, I am the only classroom teacher who has been teaching Science, Language Arts and Math to 5th graders. Lorraine Whittington teaches 6th grade math and Social Studies.
Michelle Haren, a special education teacher at Hoover, will be co-teaching sometimes with me for Langauge Arts. So far, we have not co-taught this year. Some of her students from her homeroom will join my homeroom and we will have the benefit of multiple instructors. We are excited to start planning several approaches to reaching more students in meaningful ways.


How do you plan to encourage a need to know math facts?


Each day, students start the morning will mental math reflexes. These reflexes, along with math facts assessments will give both the student and I a clear idea of what to work on. We will use these to guide us when making goals for the year. The student will sign a goal sheet complete with specific objectives and plans for accomplishing their goals. I will have them take this home for you to sign next week. I believe students should be encouraged to use math in inquisitive situations and math facts should not be a barrier. I realize that there are students who will not need to focus on math facts. However, I also realize that it is not just a trivial matter, as students' confidence can grow leaps and bounds when they have a hold on basic computation.


What do you recommend to 5th and 6th graders who really want to excel in math?


I recommend that they clearly communicate both their concerns and expectations with either Mrs. Whittington and myself. The more they can volunteer to be peer helpers, accept extension challenge activities and volunteer their ideas in class, the better. Both Mrs. Whittington and I send all chapter tests home to be signed by you so that you have updates of their progress.


What's the most important thing we should know about you?

I am invigorated by new ideas, people and experiences. I aim to have learning be personable, reflective and joyous. I also can eat 10 ears of corn in a sitting. :)

It's a new school year!

Greetings 5/6 Hoover Families!

I am looking forward to the first day of school tomorrow! Welcome back 6th grade families, new 5th and 6th grade families and new families to Hoover! Below are a few items I want to address to ease into the new school year. If you have additional questions, please let me know.

-I've sent out an email with this information. If you did not receive an email, let me know and I will add you to the list.

-At the Ice Cream Social last night, there were papers available to pick up: A letter from me (including a little bit about our classroom this year), a class schedule, lunch assistance and a parent-student questionnaire. If you did not receive some or any of these sheets, let me know and today I will slip them in your child's take home folder for Thursday.

-The questionnaires are a great way to learn more about your child and for you to share your input with me. You are welcome to send these questionnaires back with your child on Friday or Monday of next week.

-Planners have not yet arrived to Hoover, but students will receive identical planner pages in a packet. You can expect these to come home every night starting Thursday with notes, assignments or messages.

-Parent volunteers: Students are fortunate to have many people teach them about their experiences as well as share their time and talents. If you would like to be a part of field trips, class celebrations, you can email me your preferences. Additionally, if you would like to share your ideas or services as a guest speaker, class reading guest, or in other areas, please email me as well.


May this be a year filled with joy and learning celebrations!

Go Hoover Hawks!

~Ms. Dobyns

Last day -6th grade reception - Families welcome!

On Thursday, June 2nd, all 6th graders and their families are invited to attend the 6th grade Reception in our gym. This Reception will start following the awards and recognition assembly in the morning. This should be around 10:30. We are looking forward to celebrating the year, each other and the wonderful adventures ahead!


Morning activities on the last day:

Awards Recognition Assembly 9:00 am - Intermediate and Upper Units 9:45 Upper units only.

Reception for 6th graders and their families - Following assembly - Gym

COME ONE COME ALL! Tuesday, May 17th

Hoover 5th and 6th graders will be throwing, jumping, and running tomorrow at the 5/6 Track and Field Meet. The Meet will be held at City High from 12:00-2:30. Come and cheer on your Hoover Hawks!

Other schools that will be participating Tuesday are: Van Allen, Penn, Horn, Kirkwood and Roosevelt

Parking will be available at Our Redeemer Church on the corner of First and Court Street as well as side streets.

Looking forward to a great day Tuesday!

Display outside Room 12!

Last Thursday, the inventors of room 12 shared their inventions and the journey they took to produce their invention. All inventions, inventor bios and persuasive essays will be displayed in front of our room in the hallway. Please feel welcome to come and take a look!

The 5/6 team of Hoover is looking for a PARENT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR for the last day of school. On the last day, students will enjoy a reception with their families. The volunteer coordinator would find other parents to help with the reception snacks and cake, decorate the library and help with clean up afterwards. If you are interested, please email me at: dobyns.lynn@iccsd.k12.ia.us.

Thank you!

Inventions!

What do cell phone holders, soda, catapults, and rockets have in common? They are just a selection of the myriad of the inventions that our students are creating in our Inventions unit.

Students have finished their inventions that have been created in order to solve a problem. Now, they are planning their persuasive essays to defend the importance and significance of their invention. We are studying in great detail the elements of an effective persuasive essay.

The students discussed how the introductory paragraph is like a funnel, starting in a larger general shape and focusing down to the thin focused tip. Students are coming up with ways to grab the reader's attention, introduce the topic and present their thesis statement. I want this to be an opportunity for the 5th/6th graders to blow everyone out of the water with their writing skills and critical thinking.

Next week (by Friday April 29th), the Inventions, Inventor bios and essays will be displayed outside our room. Be sure to come look at them when you are in the building!

What's been happening in our class?

Some highlights from the past week:

Language Arts

~For our word work lessons, students have been using our new Time for Kids magazines to make meaningful vocabulary connections and use our critical thinking with pertinent information to our lives. The students have been reading about how natural disasters have affected Japan, National Conferences about Bullying held at the White house and Civil War history.

-In Language Arts, the students have built on their knowledge of inventors and inventions from the past week and started to create their own inventions. Students have been brainstorming ways to tweak and refine an invention to improve the lives of others or to solve a problem. They will continue to build, conference, refine and challenge themselves this week and the week following the "School of the Wild" week. Then, they will write persuasive essays to defend the importance of their creation. I have seen the students motivate each other and themselves so well this week and it is incredible what students can do when they invest in a project that they find interesting. Please ask your child about their invention, what they are doing to challenge themselves, and what they are enjoying about the project!

~Science: We are wrapping up our Microworlds unit. Students have presented their projects and I will soon post a sideshow of the work that went into preparing for the presentations and the finished products as well. In one week, we will begin our "Mysterious Powders" unit.

~5th grade math: Students are working with fractions. Here are some important skills we are expecting them to learn and eventually master:

-Convert among fractions, decimals and percents
-Find common denominators
-Order and compare fractions
-Use an algorithm to subtract mixed numbers with like denominators
-Use an algorithm to multiply fractions with mixed numbers

Tonight, students did not have homework, but most nights they should continue to come home with a study link, or their math journal.

The chapter 8 test will be next week, either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

**Students were outstanding performers at the music performance this Thursday. Well done Hoover hawks!

NEXT WEEK: School of the Wild at McBride.

Students will relieve their group rotation schedule and journal on FRIDAY APRIL 8th.

They will keep these at school to use each day from April 11-15th.

Please read the informational packet that was sent home and if you have any other questions, please feel free to email me!

Go Hoover Hawks!

~Ms. Dobyns

April Reminders

School of the Wild is quickly approaching! Fifth grade field trips are also happening the week of April 11 - 15.

*All 6th grade students should have come home with an Informational Packet about School of the wild with a list of WHAT TO BRING and WHAT NOT TO BRING, as well as some details about the week.

Thank you to the many parent volunteers who will spend the week with us at McBride!


*If you have not send back to school a signed permission form for you child, please send it back by Wednesday April 6th. Thank you!

*This Wednesday and Thursday (April 6th and 7th), students will need to bring their sack lunches or choose from a school sack lunch. Because hot lunch will not be prepared in the cafeteria these days, students have notified teachers if they will be eating the school sack lunch. This is just a reminder that hot lunch will NOT be prepared for these two days.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE COMING UP!

Share the Music Day!

Grades 3-6 will perform in the gym at 9 AM-9:30AM Thursday, April 7

PICTURE DAY WEDNESDAY!

Spring Pictures will be taken the afternoon of this Wednesday, April 6th! No need to send money until photos are taken and packaged at a later date. Thanks.

Important Upcoming Dates and Class Updates

Thursday, March 24th: Dinner and Show!

The PTA and Hoover Student Council are providing Hoover families with a great opportunity! 5:30 - 7:00 this Thursday, Carlos O'Kellys meals will be served and starting at 7:00pm, the Hoover talent show will commence.

April 11-15th School of the Wild!

During this week, Ms. Whittington and Ms. Brownlee will teach the 5th grade students and have several special lessons. The 6th graders will go with Mr. Kosier and me to McBride Nature Center for a week of learning in nature. This is a special opportunity where students rotate through several themed nature lessons each day.

If you are interested in being a parent volunteer, please email me at dobyns.lynn@iccsd.k12.ia.us. Parent volunteers will accompany one group each day (For example, if their child is in the wetlands group on Wednesday, they will do Wetlands this one day). Thanks for considering this opportunity!

Soon, 6th graders will be coming home with materials and permission forms for this event.

What a great week!

Hello Hoover families!

It has been a wonderful week at Hoover. I have witnessed so many shining moments from our 5/6 students this week. Some moments are highlighted below:

Language Arts: WOW! What impressive final papers students have created. The past two weeks, we have been working on research methods and writing devices that will enhance a formal essay on the students' chosen topics. Yesterday, students began to share their topic and read their final essay in front of the class. They included such clear details, relevant information, and their own voice as an author to make this essay be the best it could be. I am so proud of their efforts and thoughtful writing choices.

Students also read news articles and non-fiction texts in their small groups this week. They used several "think aloud" reading strategies to gain greater depth in their understanding of these texts and shared reflections with their peers. We also have been watching clips of Channel One News to gain awareness of the situations in our world. Then, students debate their viewpoints and practice backing up their opinions with details and a strong rationale.

Science- Oh the many wonders of Microworlds! We have used our journals to continue learning more about magnifiers and the amazing things they magnify. We discussed the field of view, characteristics of magnifiers and even used microscopes this week. Students have also continued to understand the difference between opinions, inferences and observations as it applies in our scientific contexts.

This week, students observed the small primary colored dots that exist to form printed letters and images. We connected this to Pointillism artwork and started created our own Pointillism art pieces.

Math: 5th graders took their chapter 6 test. This was a nice chapter to review concepts that students have been building on since 3rd grade: graphs, landmark data sets and fractions. We are now beginning with positive and negative exponents in chapter 7. Each students should have come home with a parent letter. If you did not receive one, let me know and I will send more home! 6th graders are continuing in their probability unit.

THANK YOU!

A big thank you to families for sending in supplies for soldier kits these past two weeks! It is such a wonderful reminder of how the wonderful ways families give to others here at Hoover!

Also, thank you to the parents who are providing treats and materials for the party next Monday. It means so much to the students and to me!


Reminders:

Valentine's Day is next Monday. All 5/6 classes will be celebrating from 1:30-2:00. Students are welcome to bring valentines for their peers. It is of course optional to bring valentines, but if students choose to bring cards and treats, have them bring enough for all students. Today, the students had some great questions and we clarified expectations for Monday. If you have any questions about the party, feel welcome to email me!


Ms. Dobyns’ and Ms. Haren’s classes:

Michael Berg
Angela Briggs
Grace Brown
Jonah Dancer
Aedan Kaduma
Audrey Kersbergen
Ashley Kuennen
Wyatt Kuhns
Will McIntire
JC Meardon
Louis Craig
Matthew Dodge
Bryce Frantz
Anna Hilgenberg
Joey Kim
Julianne Maxwell
Nancy Ordenana
Oscar Parra
Rose Sadewasser
Skye Spencer
Anna Swanson
Cyan Vanderhoef
Stephanie Verdinez
Amber Wells
Ben Quelle
Alex Zhang
Michael Blair

Week of January 31st - February 4th

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR 6th GRADE FAMILIES:

A message from Deb Wretman, SEJH principal:

Attention 6th grade Parents/Guardians: Due to the anticipated snow coming, we are moving the Tuesday, Feb. 1st sixth grade parent meeting to Thursday Feb. 3 at 6:30 PM. We apologize for the change but hope that it will mean that more parents can attend. Thank you for your flexibility!


New things happening in Room 12:

~Students are hard at work researching and writing their reports on historical and scientific mysteries of our planet. Papers are due this Friday by the end of the day. Between today and Friday, we will organize information, discuss key elements in a report, create a bibliography, and go through editing and revision processes with peers.

Because the students are very excited about their topics, I am encouraging them to create alternative visuals, materials and ideas to show off what they've learned. Some will present PowerPoint presentations, others will show pictures while they read their essay. Each day, students will come home with homework tasks to complete to enhance their paper. At the end of each day, I will offer a small study hall to get the ball rolling on these tasks.

~Our new mystery object is in the box! Ask your student this week what the hints are, and see which new words are giving them the biggest hint!

~Science quizzes from our short Circulatory System unit will be passed back Tuesday of this week. Students will be bringing them home. I have made copies so they can keep these at home. Overall, students did an excellent job identifying heart parts and ways to keep our bodies healthy.

~We've started a new science unit: Microworlds! Today, we differentiated between observations, inferences and opinions. Students' careful observations will guide them as they use microscopes, magnifying lenses and more!

Have a wonderful week! Stay warm in this snow that is headed our way!

~Ms. Dobyns

Our News Flash sent home January 21, 2011

Greetings Hoover families!

As we have just gotten back into school after a long weekend, we’ve delved into a new Language Arts theme: Historical and Scientific Mysteries! As a whole class, we have been reading about Amelia Earhart and using strategies to expand our vocabulary and comprehension. Then, students selected individual choice-books to respond to. In groups, they share their reflections, and practice using reading skills independently.

I am looking forward the week ahead where students will come prepared on Monday with the topic for their next essay project. Students will research topics, like Stonehenge, Easter Island structures, The Sphinx, Robin Hood and Atlantis, in order to put together a comprehensive essay about their findings. We will practice research skills, putting together an accurate bibliography, and work on organizing our thoughts. Most of all, we will enjoy learning about some pretty incredible historical and scientific mysteries! Students will be coming home with revising, proofreading and editing tasks next week. In class, we will be conferencing with peers and growing as writers.

Speaking of mysteries….a mysterious object is hiding in our mystery box! In order to revive the joy for expanding vocabulary as well as motivate students to use the reference materials, I’ve started a mystery box that will have an object placed in it each week. I will give the class several clues (new adjectives, phrases, metaphors, etc.) to describe the object in the box. The first correct answer submitted will determine the winner, who gets to take home the object. The object may be silly, tasty, interesting or strange. If you would like to add objects at any time of the year, I am always looking for something new and exciting! It should be clean, cheep and fun, like a brownie, a colorful pen, or a used stuffed animal. If you would like to send something, you can conceal it and send it marked, mystery object. Thank you!

In Science, we continue to learn about the circulatory system. Students have used stethoscopes to listen to their heartbeats and learned about the path blood takes to become oxygenated. They have also learned about the symptoms, treatments and causes of heart disease. Today, we even looked at an animal heart up close! You can ask your student what part of the heart they noticed and what function it serves!

Reminder:

***Send in 6th grade South East Junior High forms! White sheet is due back Monday if it hasn’t been turned in, and the orange sheet is due back by February 4th.




Have a wonderful weekend!

Go Hoover Hawks!

Sincerely,


Ms. Dobyns

Welcome Back!

    What a nice break we've had and now we have exciting things to look forward to in January as we return to school.

     Last Friday, we celebrated our 15th team PBIS ticket with a pizza party luncheon.  It was a great chance to spend time together as we celebrated the respectful learning we've done as a team.  Starting this week, January 10th-January 14th, we have some great learning experiences ahead of us.  Here are some important events and dates for students:



~Monday, January 10th:  SouthEast Junior High counselors will be visiting to talk to 6th graders about what they expect as they arrive at SouthEast for 7th grade.  They will be coming after lunch to give a presentation.  You can talk to your student about what they found interesting, surprising or exciting from the presentation. As a former SouthEast teacher, I have wonderful memories of my time with the staff and students who make learning a positive experience.  Students at Hoover have much to bring to SouthEast and will be a big part of sharing their ideas and experiences with other students next year.

**6th grade students will be bringing home registration forms and a course guide. There will be a parent meeting on February 1st and forms need to be returned to Hoover by February 4th.


~Science presentations continue!   Students have wrapped up their inquiry projects and some groups have already presented their projects.  Mrs. Brownlee's and Mr. Kosier's classes have been sharing their projects with Mrs. Whittington and Ms. Dobyns' classes and have traded roles being audience members and presenters.  Some students have used PowerPoint presentations to display content. Others have used posters, skits, or demonstrations to communicate findings.  I am impressed with the interest level in these projects and am looking forward to more presentations this week!

~ 5th grade math test - Students will take the Chapter 5 math test this Thursday. You can expect your student to come home with a review this week to prepare for the test.

~6th grade math (from Mrs. Whittington's blog):

One item that needs to be completed is the Math placement. Students may be in one of 5 different levels of math. Your sixth grade student will be taking a math placement test tomorrow and Wednesday to help assess which placement might be best. Whatever recommendation is made, does NOT mean that is the placement you must choose. Our recommendation is based on how past students have fared based on particular scores. Every student is different and other placements can be made. The recommendations and the criteria for the recommendations will be provided to you in the next week to 10 days. 




Sixth graders have begun a new unit on number systems and algebra concepts. Things like dividing fractions, equivalent equations, positive and negative numbers as well as order of operations will be studied. Students seemed to have the most growth opportunity as a class in the area of dividing fractions and order of operations. Last wee your student should have brought home the family letter with an overview of the unit.

Tomorrow and Wednesday are the annual 6th grade math placement tests. These tests are administered over two days and provide a useful guideline for parents and teachers as you decide what kind of math placement to take in junior high.


~A special visitor:  Our Peace Corps Pal, Eliza, will be visiting this week!  Eliza, or Ms. Stemmler, is a teacher in La Pavana, Nicaragua. She is also a certified ELL and elementary teacher in Iowa and will be a visiting teacher on Wednesday and Thursday.  We will be incorporating Nicaraguan culture, language and geography into our literacy activities in the afternoon this week.

A look ahead at homework (the day it will be assigned):

Mon.:  Math homework, RRJ (Reader's response journal) response,  Grammar worksheet

Tues.:  Math review, homework, RRJ response, Spanish worksheet

Wed.:   Math review, RRJ response, grammar worksheet, writing response

Thurs.:  writing assignment, Spanish or grammar worksheet

Fri.:  Reading assignment, 5th grade parent letter