Week of March 19 - March 23

IMPORTANT DATES
March 21st:  Spring Pictures
March 26th:  All Pro Dads Breakfast

March 31st - April 8th:  Spring Break!

A Message from Ms. Julie

Children's Author Mez Blume is coming soon to visit with 2nd-5th grade students at Rocky Branch Elementary School! If you weren't yet able to order Blume's bestselling mystery novel Katie Watson and the Painter's Plot, the pre-order deadline has been extended to Friday, March 23. Mez Blume will be personally signing all pre-ordered books for students on the day of her school visit (Friday, March 30). Mez is also an engaging speaker who connects with students and inspires young readers! To make sure your child gets an autographed copy, please send payment ($10 for each book) with your child, indicating your child's name, teacher's name, and amount enclosed on the envelope. Checks can be made payable to Mary Elizabeth Blume. Thank you.

YEARBOOKS

We have approximately 50-55 yearbooks left to sell.  At this point, yearbooks will be reserved in the order they are received until we sell out.  We expect them to go quickly, so please send in your order/money ASAP.  The cost is $27. 

**The ABSOLUTE deadline to order is Monday, March 26th.**   

MATH

Block 1

MD.1 - Relative units of measurement

MD.2 - Word problems using the four operations, to include distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, mass, money, with fractions and decimals; also represent measurement using diagrams

MD.3 - Area and perimeter of rectangles

MD.4 - Use line plots containing fractions to +/- the fractions

MD.8 - Area

*We continue to move through our unit on measurement. This week we will focus on line plots, as well as area and perimeter.

HOMEWORK:
IXL: BB.2 and BB.6 (Due Friday)

Block 2

NF.1 - Explain why two or more fractions are equivalent
NF.2- Fraction comparison with different denominators
NF.3 - Adding fractions greater than 1, decomposing fractions with same denominators

*We continue to move through our unit on fractions. This week we will focus on adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, as well as converting mixed numbers into improper fractions AND improper fractions into mixed numbers.

**Knowing multiplication facts is extremely important for this unit. Practice them nightly!!!**

**Wednesday, 3/21: Add/Sub Fractions Quiz**
HOMEWORK:

IXL REVIEW: Q.1, Q.2, Q.11, and Q.14 (Due Friday)

SCIENCE
Both Blocks

GSES4P1 - Nature of light, to include: Investigations to observe and record how light interacts with various materials to classify them as opaque, transparent, or translucent; Investigations on the path light travels from a light source to a mirror and how it is reflected by  the mirror using different angles; Investigations utilizing everyday materials to explore examples of when light is refracted (prisms, eyeglasses, and a glass of water).

*We continue to move through our unit on light. This week we will focus on how light travels from a light source to a mirror, as well as examples of how light refracts when hitting different surfaces/materials.

**Friday, 3/23: Light Quiz**

HOMEWORK:
Study Light Vocabulary (NIGHTLY)

Social Studies
BLOCK 2 ONLY

SS4H5 - Causes, major events, and consequences of Civil War, to include:

Impact of Uncle Tom’s Cabin  and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, Issues of states’ rights and slavery, Major battles, campaigns, and events – Fort Sumter, Gettysburg, the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Appomattox Court House, Roles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and William T. Sherman, and the Effects of the war on the North and the South.

SS4E1c - How specialization improves standards of living, ie: differences in the economies of the North and South.

*We continue to move through our unit on the Civil War. This week we will focus on the major battles of the war.

HOMEWORK:

Look over notes in SS journal (NIGHTLY)

Week of March 13 - March 16

YEARBOOKS

We have approximately 50-55 yearbooks left to sell.  At this point, yearbooks will be reserved in the order they are received until we sell out.  We expect them to go quickly, so please send in your order/money ASAP.  The cost is $27. 

**The ABSOLUTE deadline to order is Monday, March 26th.**   

RELAY SUPPORT

On March 16, for one day only, students will be able to buy green shamrock tattoos for $1 to support our Relay for Life team. Students can come to the "Tattoo Stand" next to the school store (during school store time) to buy a Shamrock tattoo from some of our second grade students.  Show your support for Relay for Life AND buy something green to wear on March 16!

IMPORTANT DATES
March 13th - 16th: Book Fair and Grandparent Lunches
March 13th: Family STEM Night
March 16th: Report cards go home
March 19th: iMoms Breakfast
March 3rd - 30th:  Relay for Life Bracelet Sales (7:15 - 7:45) 

MATH

Block 1

MD.1 - Relative units of measurement

MD.2 - Word problems using the four operations, to include distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, mass, money, with fractions and decimals; also represent measurement using diagrams

MD.3 - Area and perimeter of rectangles

MD.4 - Use line plots containing fractions to +/- the fractions

MD.8 - Area

*We continue to move through our unit on measurement. This week we will focus on converting units of measurement within the metric system, as well as converting time. We will also work with addition and subtraction of money.

**Friday, 3/16: Conversion Quiz #2**

HOMEWORK:
IXL: N.11, N.15, N.16, and N.17 (Due Friday)

Block 2

NF.1 - Explain why two or more fractions are equivalent
NF.2- Fraction comparison with different denominators
NF.3 - Adding fractions greater than 1, decomposing fractions with same denominators

*This week we will review (daily) equivalent fractions and comparing fractions. We will also introduce adding fractions.

**Knowing multiplication facts is extremely important for this unit. Practice them nightly!!!**
HOMEWORK:

IXL REVIEW: A.1, A.2, A.7, A.8, and A.12 (Due Friday)

SCIENCE

GSES4P1 - Nature of light, to include: Investigations to observe and record how light interacts with various materials to classify them as opaque, transparent, or translucent, Investigations on the path light travels from a light source to a mirror and how it is reflected by  the mirror using different angles, and Investigations utilizing everyday materials to explore examples of when light is refracted (prisms, eyeglasses, and a glass of water).

*This week we will begin our investigation of light.

HOMEWORK:
None

Social Studies
BLOCK 2 ONLY!!

SS4H5 - Causes, major events, and consequences of Civil War, to include:

Impact of Uncle Tom’s Cabin  and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, Issues of states’ rights and slavery, Major battles, campaigns, and events – Fort Sumter, Gettysburg, the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Appomattox Court House, Roles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and William T. Sherman, and the Effects of the war on the North and the South.

SS4E1c - How specialization improves standards of living, ie: differences in the economies of the North and South.

*This week we will begin learning about the Civil War.

HOMEWORK:

None

Week of March 5 - March 9

Important Dates
March 7th and 8th: Kindergarten Registration
March 8th - 16th: Book Fair and Grandparent Lunches
March 9th: End of 3rd 9 Weeks!!!
March 12th:  Teacher Workday
March 13th: Family STEM Night
March 16th: Report cards go home
March 19th: iMoms Breakfast
March 3rd - 30th:  Relay for Life Bracelet Sales (7:15 - 7:45) 

MATH

Block 1

MD.1 - Relative units of measurement

MD.2 - Word problems using the four operations, to include distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, mass, money, with fractions and decimals; also represent measurement using diagrams

MD.3 - Area and perimeter of rectangles

MD.4 - Use line plots containing fractions to +/- the fractions

MD.8 - Area

*We continue to move through our unit on measurement. This week we will focus on converting units of measurement within the metric system.
**Friday, 3/9: Conversion Quiz**

HOMEWORK:
IXL: N.6, N.7, and N.9 (Due Friday)

Block 2

NF.1 - Explain why two or more fractions are equivalent
NF.2- Fraction comparison with different denominators

*We continue to work on comparing fractions using a benchmark of 1/2 and the LCM.

**Knowing multiplication facts is extremely important for this unit. Practice them nightly!!!**

**Friday, 3/9: Comparing Fraction Quiz**
HOMEWORK:

IXL: P.16, P.17, and P.18 (Due Friday)

SCIENCE

GSES4P2 - Sound, to include: Investigations utilizing everyday objects to produce sound and predict the effects of changing the strength or speed of vibrations; Design and construction of a device to communicate across a distance using light and/or sound.

*Last week we learned about sound and how it travels by creating string telephones. This week we will continue learning about sound through the use of tuning forks and water, reading in our science books, and experimenting with rubber bands.

**Friday, 3/9: Sound Quiz**

HOMEWORK:
Study vocabulary (Nightly)

Social Studies
BLOCK 2 ONLY!!

SS4H4 - Abolitionist and suffrage movements to include contributions of and challenges faced by Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner  Truth, and Harriet Tubman

HOMEWORK:

None

Relay for Life T-Shirts

Friday, March 2nd is the deadline to order Relay for Life t-shirts to support our school team.  We are looking to make a donation to the American Cancer Society April 20th from the fundraisers that we have had thus far.  We have been able to donate around $12,000 the past few years.  We are trying to donate $13,000 this year.  In order to help us meet our goal, please consider buying a t-shirt to show your spirit as we fill the track April 20th to support those who have battled cancer.  A picture of this year's t-shirt design is in the link below.  We will not be ordering extra t-shirts, so please get your order in ASAP!  Thank you!

Relay for Life T-Shirt Order Form

Week of February 26 - March 2

Important Dates
March 2nd: Mother/Son Event (6-8pm)
March 7th and 8th: Kindergarten Registration
March 8th - 16th: Book Fair and Grandparent Lunches
March 9th: End of 3rd 9 Weeks!!!
March 12th:  Teacher Workday
March 13th: Family STEM Night
March 16th: Report cards go home
March 19th: iMoms Breakfast
March 3rd - 30th:  Relay for Life Bracelet Sales (7:15 - 7:45) 

MATH

Block 1

MD.1 - Relative units of measurement

MD.2 - Word problems using the four operations, to include distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, mass, money, with fractions and decimals; also represent measurement using diagrams

MD.3 - Area and perimeter of rectangles

MD.4 - Use line plots containing fractions to +/- the fractions

MD.8 - Area

*We will present Science Fair projects on Monday. Tuesday we will be discussing our findings from our Decimal Olympics! We will being our new unit on measurement on Wednesday. Our focus will be on different units of measurement.

HOMEWORK:
NIGHTLY - 20 mins of Khan Academy

Block 2

NF.1 - Explain why two or more fractions are equivalent
NF.2- Fraction comparison with different denominators

*We will review equivalent fractions daily, as well as work on comparing fractions to a benchmark of 1/2.

**Knowing multiplication facts is extremely important for this unit. Practice them nightly!!!**

**Wednesday, 2/28: EQUIVALENT FRACTION QUIZ**
HOMEWORK:

IXL: P.12 and P.14 (Due Friday)

SCIENCE
We have finished our Ecosystems unit for this nine weeks. Our next Unit is light and sound. We will begin that next nine weeks. We will use this time in science to focus on math and do STEM projects.
HOMEWORK:
None

Social Studies
BLOCK 2 ONLY!!!

*We will be presenting Science projects Monday - Wednesday during Social Studies and/or Science.

SS4H4 - Abolitionist and suffrage movements to include contributions of and challenges faced by Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner  Truth, and Harriet Tubman

HOMEWORK:

None

STEAM NIGHT

Calling All STEAMists! Tuesday, March 13 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, Rocky Branch will be hosting  our STEAM Night, Book Fair, and Ice Cream Social.   For this event, we would like to get members of our community and/or our parents to share his/her Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Mathematical expertise with our students.   It is our goal to have you  (or students under your direction) set up a station with a short activity that students and parents can rotate to throughout the night. This may be an activity from your profession or a STEAM activity that interests you. You may bring in STEAM materials from your profession to have students use, plan a short STEAM activity for students to complete, or show a short 5 minute STEAM demonstration for students.

If you are willing to participate in our STEAM night, please complete the form below.   Feel free to email Angela Harris, aharris@oconeeschools.org, with any questions. We look forward to having you volunteer and support STEAM education!

Calling All STEAMists!

Week of February 19 - 23

Important Dates:
February 22 - Your Pie Spirit Night
February 26 - All Pro Dad's Breakfast
March 2 - Relay for Life Mother/Son Event (6-8pm)

MATH

Block 1

NF.1 - Explain why two or more fractions are equivalent
NF.2 - fraction comparison with different denominators
NF.3 - Adding fractions greater than 1, decomposing fractions with same denominators
NF.4 - Fractions multiplied by whole numbers; includes word problems
NF.5 - Denominators of 10 and 100 as equivalent fractions
NF.6 - Decimal notations for fractions with denominators of 10 or 100

NF.7 - Compare two decimals to the 100ths by size

*We will review fractions and decimals on Monday and Tuesday. We will also play Olympic style games in order to review for the summative.

**Wednesday, 2/21 - Fraction and Decimal Summative**

HOMEWORK:
NIGHTLY - 20 mins of Khan Academy

Block 2

NF.1 - Explain why two or more fractions are equivalent

*We are beginning a new unit this week...FRACTIONS!!! Knowing multiplication facts is extremely important for this unit. Practice them nightly!!!

HOMEWORK:
IXL:  P.5-P.7 and P.9 (Due Friday)

SCIENCE
We have finished our Ecosystems unit for this nine weeks. Our next Unit is light and sound. We will begin that next nine weeks. We will use this time in science to focus on math and do STEM projects.

HOMEWORK:
**NIGHTLY - Science Projects (Due Feb.26)**

Social Studies
BLOCK 2 ONLY!!!

SS4H3 Westward expansion, to include: Causes of War of 1812, Impact on American Indians, specifically the Trail of Tears, Battle of Little Bighorn, and forced relocation to the reservations, Territorial expansion including the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the acquisitions of Texas, Oregon, and California.

SS4G2b Physical barriers and gateways that hindered or benefited expansion.

SS4E1a.d. opportunity cost and its relationship to westward expansion and how voluntary exchange helps both buyers and sellers (Gold Rush).

SS4E1d.e.f. Basic economic concepts to include: Voluntary exchange helps both buyers and sellers, Trade promotes economic activity, Examples of technological advances and their impact, ie: cotton gin, steamboat, steam locomotive, and telegraph.

*We are finishing up this unit and will be reviewing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

**Thursday, February 22 - Expansion Unit Summative**

HOMEWORK:
Nightly - Look over "Expansion" study guide.