1. Last Week’s Happenings…
Ms. Deming’s Weekly Newsletter
February 16, 2016
Last Week’s Happenings…
We Broke Our Goal!
Thank you to everyone who helped us reach our goal of 100 canned goods to donate to a local charity organization. We exceeded our goal and brought in 108 canned goods! Great job! 
And the Winners Are…
Great job to all the students who participated in the Valentine’s Day box competition. The winners were…
Best All Around: Kalea Richmond
Best Valentine’s Day Themed: Kaison Propst
Most Colorful: Jolie Matthews and Megan Thomas (Tied)
Most Creative: Garrett Baer
Valentine’s Day Math
On Friday we used Valentine’s Day hearts to collect class data and create a bar graph. The students then had to answer questions relating to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Just wanted to give a shout out for all of your generous cards, candy, flowers, and gifts. You all made me feel so special and appreciated. Thank you so much!

2. Happening This Week… Grammar
Math
This week we will be starting our fractions unit. This unit will have no pathways. The students will take a mini 5 question pre-test for each fraction standard. The students will then be placed into 2 groups based on how they did. One group is students who have already mastered the skill and another group is students who have not. The students who have not mastered will be taught the third grade standard. The students who got a 100% on their pretest will be taught a 4th or 5th grade level skill and/or be assigned an extension activity to complete. Students will have homework each night assigned.
Reading
This week we will finish our series books unit. The students will learn how to complete setting, plot, and theme in 2 books from a series. They will also be working on their series end of unit project. They will get some class time all this week to work on in class. The projects are due Tuesday, February 23, Whatever students do not finish in class, they must complete at home. Students will take their unit test on this Friday. They will then watch the movie “Series of Unfortunate” events on Monday. This was our read aloud series. They will compare the book to the movie.
Writing
Students will continue with their nonfiction magazine articles. Students are working on writing their paragraphs, creating subheadings for their paragraphs, including text features, a glossary, and a magazine cover for their illustration. This is similar to the project they did at home, just not as detailed.
Grammar
There will be no grammar this week as we are trying to finish up with our nonfiction writing articles.
Important Dates to know…
-Thursday 2/18 Spirit Night at Viva La Chicken on Elizabeth Ave. (a percentage of proceeds to go Irwin)
-2/19 Friday February Birthday Celebrations (Had to change the date to this date)
-Wednesday 3/2 Book Character Day (Come to school dressed as your favorite book character)
-3/18 Mother/Son Event
-3/31 End of third quarter
-3/25-4/3 No School Spring Break
Vocabulary Dates:
-List 8 words introduced Tuesday 2/16 and Wednesday 2/17
-List 8 test Friday 2/26
Spelling Homework & Test Dates:
This week only…
ALL spelling groups will test on Friday, February 19, All groups received their words Friday, February 12.
Upcoming Assignment Due Dates:
-Tuesday 2/23 Reading Series Project Due
-Vocabulary List 8 Assignment D & E in Wordly Wise book due
-Spelling homework (2 assignments due Friday, Feb. 19)
Upcoming Test & Quiz Dates:
-Friday 2/19 Series Reading Unit Test
-Wednesday 2/24 Social Studies Mid-Unit Quiz on Geography
-Friday 2/26 Science Unit Test on Earth’s Movement & Moon Phases
Science- This week the students will learn about the different phases of the moon. The students will participate in an experiment that involves OREO cookies. They will have to create the phases of the moon by carving the frosting and putting them in order.
Social Studies- This week the students will be learning about globes, latitude and longitude, as well as absolute and relative location.
Notes from Ms. Deming 
-Please note the new spelling test dates for this week. All groups will have their spelling test and homework due this Friday, February 19. It will go back to normal beginning next week.
-Also, please note the new dates for the science test. It has been postponed until next Friday. A study guide will be sent home for the science test and for the mid unit social studies quiz.
-For the fractions math unit, students will be coming home with assigned math homework each night. They will not get to choose what they do. Depending on what group they were in will depend on their math homework. Not all students will be receiving the same math homework. Please make sure students are completing it each night.
-Please help support Irwin by attending spirit night at Viva Chicken on Elizabeth Ave. this Thursday. A portion of the proceeds will go to Irwin! Students who attend will receive 3 OWL feathers!
Important Information and Reminders
Wish List:
In desperate need of items for the year:
-White 8x11” copy paper (Total of packs)
-Disinfectant wipes (Total of 10 containers)
Wish List Link: