Lakewood Div 3

In Science we have been studying rocks!  Students have now completed their mini study of an individual rock or mineral and presented their information to the class.  Earlier in the unit we looked at the three major types of rocks and how they can move through the rock cycle as a result of different processes. This coming week we will be looking at rock samples and will try to identify which types of rocks they are.  I have asked students try to bring in at least one rock sample that is palm sized or bigger.  Beach rocks would work well as they provide a fairly smooth surface for the art project that we will complete with he rock after we have identified it.   I will have some extras for those who might not be able to find the time to go rock hunting, but I find that it is always fun for students to bring in a rock of their choosing.

Thanks for your support with this project!

Students will have a quiz about the rock cycle and uses of rocks and minerals on Thursday.  They should hopefully have brought their science duo-tangs home over their long weekend to begin preparing for this.

Reflex math is a web based program designed to help students build their math fact fluency.  I was lucky this year to have had a teacher-friend of mine secure a grant for the program for a year and when she offered me the spot she had for a second class I jumped at the opportunity.  I have used the program in the past with previous students who found it to be an engaging way to practice their multiplication facts.

Here is a bit about how it works:

• It is a game based website where students can unlock new games the more facts that they solve, they can also earn points with which they can buy items for or make changes to the avatar that they create in the program. (Ipad app is available)
• Students are encouraged to get to the green light (top right hand corner of the screen) a minimum of three times per week in order to maximize their progress. Students can achieve one green light per day.  If a student starts the program and has to log off without having reached the green light they are still able to log on within the same day and finish to the green light from where they left off.
• Ideally they will complete to green light 4-5 days per week to maximize their access to the program.
• As students master certain facts the program will largely drop them from the games in order ensure that students are focused largely on the facts that they need to practice the most.

Logging in:

• Access the website at reflexmath.com
• click the login link (top right hand corner)
• type bouvier62
• select div 3
• select student name
• type in individual student password

My goal is to give students one computer lab a week so that one of their three minimum green lights is done at school.  I ask that parents support their son or daughter in completing at least another two green lights per week at home (a few more is even better).  I am also open to providing computer access to students who wish to complete some reflex time at school due to time or technology constraints outside of school hours.  I am hoping that students will generally be reaching the green light within half an hour of starting a session; if you are finding that your son or daughter is consistently spending more time than this please let me know.  It is not meant to be stressful, super time consuming, or to increase their screen time drastically.

Hopefully you have already seen the program, but if you haven’t I encourage you to get your son or daughter to log on and have them show you around the program.

Ms. Bouvier

Mr. Stephenson and Ms. Bouvier are learning how to make a website on WordPress.  We are very new at this so please be patient with us as we figure this out. 🙂

The goal of this website is to use it as a place to post information about homework and to provide updates about general classroom events and happenings.