Harper McCaughan Elementary School
Instructional Newsletter
February 2017
We had an outstanding turnout for our third Parents-as-Partners
event. We welcomed over 100 families for our curriculum night.
The event featured a "Social Studies Museum" with student
work, the Giant Traveling Map exhibit from National Geographic,
Scholastic Book Fair and a PTO Meeting.
Here is an engaging
website for learning
and fun.
https://www.khanaca
demy.org/
4th Grade Social Studies
4th grade is learning about the Civil War and
Reconstruction. We have the MS traveling map here this month
which gives the students a hands on experience of the state
map.
4th Grade ELA
In January, students in 4th grade ELA have been focusing on
determining themes in a story, describing story elements, using
context clues to determine the meaning of words, and using
writing prompts from passages to determine comprehension.
Students have been analyzing novel studies like Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory to make connections and ask questions.
Students have also been working hard to meet their AR goals.
They spend up to a hour each week working on iReady Reading
skills on the computer.
Khan Academy offers
practice exercises,
instructional videos,
and a personalized
learning dashboard
that empower learners
to study at their own
pace in and outside of
the classroom. Khan
Academy will tackle
math, science,
computer
programming, history,
art history, economics,
and more. The math
missions guide learners
from kindergarten to
calculus using state-ofthe-art, adaptive
technology that
identifies strengths and
learning gaps. Khan
Academy also has
partnered with
institutions like NASA,
The Museum of
Modern Art, The
California Academy of
Sciences, and MIT to
offer specialized
content. Check it out!
4th Grade Science
RESOURCES
FOR
PARENTS
In Science, classes finished up studying their units on weather
and moved on to studying Earth and space. Classes focused on
how Earth’s movement cause day/night and the seasons. Most
classes will be finishing up studying the phases of the moon,
stars, and constellations. Students have enjoyed being able
to look at the sky and name the moon phase as well as knowing
what is causing the weather around us to change.
Please take the "Parent
Involvement Survey" for
Harper McCaughan.
The survey link can be
found on the LBSD
website, HMES
homepage or by
following the link
below.
Survey results will be
used to plan parent
and community
activities for the 20172018 school year.
https://www.surveymo
nkey.com/r/YCX79LT
Thank you for your
feedback!
Kathryn Standish,
Principal
We are asking that each
student bring a set of
headphones WITH
volume control to prepare
for state testing. Your
child will use the
headphones for
instructional purposes
throughout each week as
well. The headphones
must be kept at school in
a Ziploc bag. Your child
will get them back to take
home after state testing
in May. Thank you for
your help.
4th Grade Math
During January, 4th grade started learning about fractions in
math. Students used models and other methods to determine if
fractions were equivalent. Students then moved on to comparing
fractions. Students learned to use number lines, benchmark
fractions, mental math, and common denominators to compare
fractions.
Upcoming Events
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January 30th-Febraruy 3rdh: Standards Based Mastery for
ELA and Math
January 30th-February 24th: Supply Drive for Petal, MS
February 3rd: Progress Reports
February 6th-10th: Petals for Petal, Flower sale-$1 each
February 10th: 5th & 6th grade Valentine Dance 6-8 p.m.
February 13th: PTO meeting @ 6 p.m.
February 14th: Valentine’s Day class parties (upcoming
note from your child’s teacher)
February 27th & 28th: Mardi Gras Holiday
5th
Grade
Happenings
Science
We have been investigating the properties of matter using
our FOSS kits. The students have separated mixtures and
solutions using appropriate means, such as screens, filters,
magnets, and evaporation. These hands-on lessons have
really enhanced and deepened their understanding of the
objectives.
Language Arts
Math
In January we have been
multiplying fractions and
learning how it relates to
scaling. The students used
models and number lines
in order to master the
objective. We are moving
on to dividing fractions,
which will conclude our
operations with fractions.
Coming up: measurement.
In ELA we are finishing up memoir writing with writing an
autobiography or a narrative story. We are continuing
our weekly reading skills and making connections with
our text. New AR goals are in place for the 3rd 9 weeks.
Social Studies
We are researching Native American tribes in social
studies and creating folder reports. We are also
continuing with our study of, History of US.
News from 6th Grade!
“The beautiful thing about LEARNING is that no one can take it away from you.”–BB King
Social Studies: We just wrapped up our community service projects this week. The students have been
learning about different issues that affect our community. For example, people who are suffering from
hunger, homelessness, or drug/alcohol addiction. They worked in groups researching their topic, writing a
formal paper, and putting together a tri fold display board. All of the projects were displayed Tuesday at
curriculum night for parents and staff to see. Thank you Ms. Warren for the great idea!
Math: We started out the month of January with Lesson 18, Understanding Solutions to Equations, which
prepared the students for the upcoming lesson 19, Solving Equations. After learning about equations, we
moved right into inequalities. Finishing out the month of January, we completed a study on dependent and
independent variables. This ended our 7 week study on “Expressions and Equations.” We have two units
left: Geometry and Statistics & Probability.
Science: This month students are breaking new ground by Team 1 (Ms. Steiner’s classes) studying
Diversity of Life in all aspects. Students will study plants and animals and how they can co-exist in
nature. Mrs. Ragon’s class will be studying our weather, planet earth and our natural water systems. Our
first annual Science Fair will be taking place in the month of February. Projects are due February 16.
Language Arts: In January, ELA students are exploring several pieces of literary texts that are being
implemented through novel studies, literature circles, and read alouds. The students viewed the movie
Hidden Figures which was a great segway as we explore civil rights throughout our literature studies. The
students will also focus on narrative writing. Students will take a standards mastery test at the end of
January.
P.E.: Students have been working on Four Square and playing in groups without close
teacher monitoring. They have had the opportunity to practice positive communication
skills as well as sportsmanship throughout the year. I was very impressed with their
ability to follow rules, cooperate as a group, and problem solve when a disagreement
occurred. - - Coach Baker
Music: 4th Grade - We have been learning and reinforcing various musical skills through
"Wintery" music. We have also begun focusing on a few correct singing techniques such
as proper singing stance and breathing correctly.
5th Grade - We have been focused on basic music skills such as the musical alphabet,
counting and clapping notes, and have begun learning how to play the recorder.
6th Grade - We have been focused on basic music skills as well and have begun a series
called "Mallet Madness" that we play on barred keyboard (xylophone) like instruments. - Rachel Mangum, Music Teacher
Library: Classes have been learning to respond to text and continue to learn about
proper organization of the library. The students were able to purchase items during our
Scholastic Book Fair. Thank you to everyone that helped support this wonderful
opportunity for our students! -- Ashleigh Seal, Media Specialist
4th
Mrs. Parkerson’s fourth grade Discovery students at Harper McCaughan Elementary
have started the year with a bang! They wasted no time at all with their study of Ancient
Rome. The students have spent this month researching information about daily life,
government, communication, entertainment, and famous people of the ancient region.
They have worked diligently with team members to create a lesson that will be taught to their peers.
They researched the learning styles of their classmates, and they also had to consider the process
skills that guide the Discovery curriculum. The students created many products and activities to
present and teach. They have also been working very hard on their STEM presentations. They have
completed the STEM challenge and are preparing to teach and guide their homeroom classmates
during the week of Valentine’s Day. They are working hard to share their experiences with their
homeroom teachers and classmates and encourage an interest in STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics). Other areas of study this month have been: logical thinking skills,
creative design, art history, independent study, coding, and leadership opportunities through Box
Tops and Crayola ColorCycle. This group of Discovery students is definitely making their mark at
HME!
5
th
It's been a busy month! We completed our Logic Puzzle study and will be moving on to
learning the Creative Problem Solving Process.
Students have been learning about the 7 Habits of a Leader. Through this study they created
personal mission statements. They are working on figuring out how to organize their day by putting
important things first. We also started discussing our Leadership Projects. They have come up with
several ideas which we will be expanding on over the next month.
Students have started their Renaissance Art History portfolios with a practice in the technique of
perspective and their Modern Day Mona Lisa.
We started CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Students have reviewed the basics in Crime Scene and
completed sketches of wanted criminals. :) We will be moving forward with fingerprinting.
6
th