Slide Show

This has a review of many of the pictures of the year with some new additions from the last week of school.

Summer!

Dear 6th Grade Parents, (I love saying that! WELCOME TO 6th GRADE!)

This will probably my last 'official' communication with you so I wanted to make a little sentimental note to you all.

I hope that you have the chance to continue visiting the BLOG over the summer, I will try to put up videos and pictures which I didn't have the chance to post during the year.

As probably all of you know by now, I am not returning to TMI next year, my wife and I are returning to Oklahoma to be near our grandchildren and children. As much as moving to be near children and grandchildren can bring such excitement, it also brings with it no small measure of sadness. I miss your kids already! This classroom, as I clean off the walls, pack away all my Star Trek Models, and load up my car with all the various memories, is so empty without your children in their seats.

I have had such a privilege to share this year with your kids, from children with parents overseas, to shy, reserved children that came out of their shells, they all made me so rich. I cherish the memories and the successes. I have had the joy of having a part in their lives, to help them grow, to watch them as they made new friends, to experience ups and downs and learn new things.

I have added the links to my family BLOG and my Model page BLOG on my Classroom BLOG now so you can see what is up with me. I would like to keep in touch and welcome emails and tidbits so look forward to hearing more from you.

Take care, know that you continue to be in my prayers and thoughts in the coming months and, in answer to a question from one dear student:

"Mr. A will NOT forget you, you are in my heart forever!"

God Bless,

Mr. A (J.A. Arroyo)

5th Grade Math & Science

Trinity Meadows Intermediate School

Keller, TX

2007-2008

http://tmis-mra.blogspot.com

email: jarroyo@arroyofamily.net

Mr. A's Homeroom End of the Year Party

TMIS Field Day

Here's To You! Thank you for your service

Three of Mr. A's students have fathers in Iraq serving our Country. Major Taylor is in the Army, Gunnery Sgt Chris Cobb is in the Marine Corps, and Mr. Don Hollis is a civillian contractor working in Iraq. Your daughters miss you and all of us benefit from your service to our country overseas.
Here's to YOU!

Mr. A's Morning Science Class WED Experiment

Weathering, Erosion and Deposition - Afternoon Class Video

The classes demonstrated Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition by using sidewalk chalk.

Memories Video Has Been Posted!

Here is the Memories Video that is on the DVD. I will post the other videos as well as some content that I was not able to post on the video later.

DVD's Almost Done!

Well, the year is winding down and there are just a few more weeks to go. Tell your kids to hang in there, I know it is tough but summer is not quite here yet! They still need to remain focused and enjoy these last few days!

I am in need of some cd or dvd sleeves or cases. If you have some hanging around, send them over. I need a total of about 55 for all the DVD's that I am sending home with your kiddos. I am proud of what we accomplished this year and hope the kids are too. I showed them the videos today so you can ask about them. I put a lot of work into them for you all to have some wonderful memories of this wonderful year!

Take care, I will send another message before the end of the year!

Mr. A

A Few Notes of Interest

Dear Parents;

I thought I would send this home in hard copy as well as email. The year is almost at an end and there is yet a few more things to accomplish. I have sent home a letter for you to sign and get back to me by tomorrow about the HIV/AIDS curriculum. This needs your immediate attention so we can begin the curriculum on Wednesday.

In the meantime, I have also sent home a checkbook Project for the kids’ Math project. The Income and Family needs to be filled out by the parent. I am NOT concerned about the amount in the income column, this is a teaching tool, not an income survey! The purpose of the exercise is to help with budgeting skills and to help the kids practice stretching an income. As you read through the document, you will see that the figures for house payments and car payments are very general so the income can be as well. Help your child with a realistic income figure so they may plan for a house and car that will be reasonable based on the income.

In the section marked Clothing, the complete outfits should be totaled and divided by 12 for budgeting purposes.

Finally, tomorrow is 50’s day and, also, we will be taking pictures of the School and the River. Students are asked to wear or bring their Green Mississippi River T-Shirts. Please also think about the end of the year party and whether you will be able to volunteer to participate or send something for the party. I will be contacting you within the next couple of weeks about this event. I am finishing up the DVD’s and will be sending those home in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for everything!

Mr. A.

J.A. Arroyo
5th Math and Science

TAKS Testing Resources

Dear Parents;

I have been doing some work with getting some more materials online for our students to brush up and review material that we covered last semester. I will be sending out a series of emails over the next few days with links for you to view videos covering materials as well as some quizzes.

Here is the first:

There are two ways to get in, once in, just watch the assigned videos and follow any additional instructions I may have provided for a particular objective.
Students use the following Assignment Code: T8955-5536Your students will need to go to the Student Center and insert the code into the "Assignment Code" input box. Once a student logs in, he/she will need to input their student name and then complete and submit the assignment. I will receive an email when an assignment has been completed.
Provide students with the following URL:http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/studentCenter/index.cfm?cdCode=T8955-5536The student will go directly to the Student Center home page with the Assignment Code pre-populated. A student can input his/her name and then complete and submit the assignment. I will receive an email when an assignment has been completed.
Good luck! The kids did great for their TAKS testing on Wed. I know that it was a tough day but they did fantastic!

Mr. A.

Tutoring Offered By Mr. A.

Parents;

I am sorry I left this out of last night's email. Maybe this is better to be separate, however. I will offer tutoring before and after school to focus on Math starting next week. I will be available on Mon, Tues, and Thurs mornings from 7 AM to 7:35 for tutoring and after school on the same days from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM after school.

We will be working on TAKS Math skills. I will need a note from you so that I know that students will be able to attend (and I can know that they are not expected to get off the bus instead!). I will also need advance notice for those attending in the morning so I can give them a pass to attend.

Thank you!

A couple of things....

Well, flu season/Cold season seems to be here and we have torn through our stash of Kleenex! I am down to 1 box and Mrs. Schwartz is not doing any better! If you can send a box or two that would be fantastic! We need all the help we can get!

I have begun to keep a small stash of Composition books in my room, the first 8 went in a week! I was charging $1.00 for them but this next batch will have to cost $1.25. I am just breaking even (especially since 3 out of the 8 did not pay for their books.) This is for emergencies, I still encourage you to ask your children if they have their Science or Math Journals and when they need a replacement, catch them at WalMart or Dollar General.

I have also begun to carry pencils, and am selling them for a nickel. I limit them to ONE pencil per purchase (I am not running a store so stocking up is not an option. This is for emergencies).

TAKS test day is coming up next week, on the 5th! On that day, if parents want to provide snacks in the form of cookies and the like, something that is not going to create a mess in the classroom, can be sent and I can dispense as needed during the test day. Check with Mrs. Schwartz for particulars for her class. Any drinks HAVE to be Coke Products. Please make arrangements with me about these snacks and/or drinks.

I have sent this link so refer to the earlier emails but PLEASE encourage the kids to use the TAKS website link to practice. I am giving extra points for working the TAKS online, just have your child print out their score sheet and I will give them 5 points on any assignment in that subject (Science = Science, Math = Math). That site is:

TEXAS EDucation agency - Released tests: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/release/

That is enough for now, please encourage your child to keep working on their TAKS questions, online and off :)

Mr. A

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

Parents;

Well, the time is approaching and I have sent home a link for TAKS preparation. Some of the students are struggling and I would like to suggest some fun activities to try to prepare for the upcoming TAKS testing.

Use the link for the online tests and compete with your child. I would encourage using some incentive for them to work on beating your socks off! I am also attaching a link to an article by the Star Telegram.

http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news/story/479675.html

Here is the TAKS website I told you about earlier:
TEXAS EDucation agency - Released tests: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/release/

I hope this helps, thanks for all your help and we will make it to TAKS:

(Homeroom name: May the Force be with the Funky Monkeys
Afternoon: TAKsinators

GradeSpeed Information

Parents;

If you have not signed up for Gradespeed, I would like to encourage you to do so. A bit about it:

Gradespeed is a means by which you are able to access your child's grades via the internet. There are 2 forms that must be completed before you can access the Parent Connection.

1. Complete the Online Application:
go to https://kellergs.kellerisd.net/pc Click on the CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP link.
make certain you enter a accurate email address since all Gradespeed communication will be handled by email.
You will need your student's ID number to add them to your account

2. Complete the form from the office and return it to the campus with a PICTURE ID.

I hope that you find this helpful.

Have a great weekend.

Mr. A.

Catching up after the Holidays

Dear Parents;

By the way, we Need GERM-X and Dry Erase Markers! Also, the TOY DRIVE is going on and some kids are counting on our classes to provide a new, unwrapped toy for Christmas. Please help out. My homeroom goal is 26 Toys. I will keep you up to date on the progress toward that goal.

I wanted to commend you all for your hard work over the holiday break. I know that you have studied hard with your children as they taught you about all the "M and M's" (Matter, Mass, Median, Mode, Means, etc.). Great job on the test results!

For a bit of seriousness, we have some new students over the past few weeks to welcome to the Mustang Family! In the next few weeks, we will be working hard to cover some Geometry in Math and new concepts in Science. I want to remind you to keep up to date by going to the website at http://campus.kellerisd.net/tmis and going to Faculty Contacts and clicking on my page, Mr. J.A. Arroyo's page and keeping up to date on the News page. This information is also on the BLOG page, http://tmis-mra.blogspot.com/ . For parents that are new to my emails, my past news is on these pages.

There will be some more "Parent Homework" to come, so stay tuned.

I also wish to commend your students. We started a new behavioral sheet that goes home every week (I will be sending mine home tomorrow, I am sorry for the delay). They MUST be signed and returned the next day. Students that do not return them will end up trading their recess for a "Study Hall" so it is important for your student to remember. We have seen TREMENDOUS progress since starting this just 4 weeks ago! I look forward to celebrating in some way the progress soon.

Well, I have a PTA meeting to go to, I hope that I will see some of you there!

Take care!


J.A. Arroyo
5th Math and Science

Parent Homework - Thanksgiving

Dear Parents:

By now, you have probably, hopefully, heard that I have sent home "Parent Homework" again!

The response was so encouraging and exciting from the last time. I will post some of your incredible answers from the last time on the web site during the course of this week. Studies have shown that retention increases up to 90% when a student teaches the information that they are required to learn. Your child will be teaching you throughout the week and will be giving you a four question 'test' which they will make up on, or about, Thursday.

The assignment for this week is for your child to teach you about Math and Science! You and your child will have a choice of which class to test from. In Science, your child will be teaching about Matter and it's states. In Math, they will be teaching you about Median, Mode, Mean, and Range. In this letter, I will be giving you an outline of what you can expect to learn as well as some links to information to suppliment your child's teaching.

Math Vocabulary

• median - The middle value of an ordered set of values.


• mode - In a set of numbers, the one that occurs the most.


• range - The difference between the largest and smallest numbers in a set of data.


• mean - the average number in a range of values


• Dividend The number to be divided


• Divisor The number used to divide another number


• Quotient The answer to a division problem


• Divisible A number is divisible by another number if the remainder is 0 after dividing


• Remainder The number that is left after dividing


• Division Sharing equally, making or finding equal groups from a single group.
  

Science Vocabulary

• matter anything that has mass and takes up space


• solid the state of matter that has a definite shape and definite volume


• liquid the state of matter that has a definite volume but no definite shape


• gas the state of matter that has no definite volume or shape


• mass amount of matter in an object


• volume the amount of space an object takes up


• density concentration of matter in an object


• weight measure of the pull of gravity on an object


• melting/ freezing point the temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid or a liquid to a solid


• boiling point the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas


• mixture - combination of two or more different kinds of matter, each of which maintains its own physical properties


• solubility ability of a substance to be dissolved


• solution a type of mixture in which one substance dissolves in another

classify matter based on its physical properties including magnetism, physical state, and the ability to conduct or insulate heat, electricity, and sound;

• Including: Physical Properties - Color, Shape, Texture, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density (relate to buoyancy - does it float?)

Here are some examples of questions that your student may use:

• What did you serve on Thanksgiving that was a solid, became a liquid, and gave off gas?


• Was there a part of dinner that had the most volume inside?


• Is weight and mass the same?


• What was soluble? Explain.


• Was anything served that was 0 Celsius?


• Was anything served that was 100 Celcius?


• Did anything served start at 0 Celcius and go to 100 Celcius?


• What solids were combined with Liquids?


• What did it make?


• What Mixtures were served?


• How were ingredients measured?


• 
  
  Did you measure Mass, Volume, or weight?

Here are some ideas for Math problems:

• How many people came to the Thanksgiving celebration of your family? What was the Range of their ages? What was the Median age? What was the Mean age? What was the Mode?


• How far did they travel? What was the Range of the distance traveled? What was the Median? the Mode? the Mean??

I hope that helps. The idea of this exercise is for you and your child to enjoy each other's company. I know that the children really enjoy the "Parent Homework" and it has the added benefit of helping them to learn the material and enjoy learning it! I hope that this exercise will be something that helps you enjoy this holiday break even more.

From my family to yours, Have a wonderful break and Thanksgiving Holiday! Your child is a big part of why I am so thankful this Thanksgiving!

Mr. J.A. Arroyo

5th Grade Math and Science
Trinity Meadows Intermediate School

Toy Drive

I would like to pass this information along about our 'competition' between classes:

Students and Teachers,
TMI Student Council and the Leadership Squad are holding a Toy Drive at our school to help families in Keller who may struggle to have a nice holiday otherwise. We are looking for new, unwrapped toys, specifically ones that our age level would like if possible. Any new and unwrapped toys will be accepted.
Okay....let the competition begin.....the class who brings the most toys will earn a pizza party in their class on the day before we get out for our Winter Holidays! Start bringing in those toys! We want everyone to be able to celebrate the gift of the season with joy! You can make a difference!

We have been given so many blessings and there are those around us that suffer for lack of those blessings we take for granted. If you have the means, please try to provide something for a child that may, otherwise, not have anything under their tree this Holiday season.

Mr. A

Composition Books

Parents;

Please check with your children and inquire about their Composition books. Especially when it comes to their Science Journals, if they are torn up and/or lost, it will seriously impact their ability to complete assignments in Science Class!

Some of the students have shown me composition books that are in tatters, some almost literally a stack of papers. These will need to be replaced. I cannot stress, however, the importance of keeping their old journals. Students are beginning a 'library' of what they have learned.

Data that is entered into their journals will be called upon throughout the year so throwing them away is Not an option!

Oh, almost forgot! We are still (always) in need of GermX so if you happen to be at Sam's or WalMart, if you could pick up one for the students it would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Mr. A
5th Math and Science
Trinity Meadows Intermediate School, Room 2109

Report Cards and More

Well, Parents, the day has come, that first 9 weeks' report cards. Mrs. Schwartz and I have sent home the report cards and, also in this packet, the first of the Behavior Report cards that your child has filled out.

On the subject of the report cards, nothing is set in stone. On one hand, most of the kids received pretty high, and good marks. Some are used to making "A's", some may have been in for a surprise. 5th Grade is different from their previous experiences in the previous grades. It should be a bit tougher.

For those children that are struggling, things are not too late to work on those problem areas in Math, Science, Language Arts or Social Studies. For those children that are not bringing their work home, I will continue to send these newsletters so you may question them about their work.

This Tuesday, they have their Report Card that has to be signed by the parent and returned, they will bring home a Green report card when I have their white copy returned. They also have a Behavior report, they are to have you sign and Return it as well. It will show their progress over the 9 weeks as they give themselves their Behavior grades (A-D) and we will Agree or Disagree with their assessment of their grade. We hope this will help them, not only to exhibit appropriate behavior during the school day, but also for them become more aware of their actions during the week.

Well, parents, now for your questions:

The children are working on some basic definitions in the classroom for science:

• Instead of just defining Mass, Weight, Solid, Liquid, Gas, etc, they are asked to Describe these terms and explain them. Ask them, at dinner throughout the week, to identify and describe characteristics of dinner, for example. Does it have "Mass", is it "Solid", "Liquid", "Matter", etc.


• In Math, we are dividing as well as continuing multiplication tables. Working on Multiplication as well as giving your child an opportunity to divide and estimate would help them in class.


• The next time you go to the store, take paper and pencil with you and have your child add up what you are purchasing and estimate how much it will cost using rounding skills. See if they can estimate how much it will cost after taxes? If they are able to round over the amount of the purchase, they have done a good job, if they round UNDER, then they need to try again.

I hope this finds you all well. This Friday we will be celebrating Veteran's Day. For those families that have made this incredible sacrifice of a mother, father, uncle, son, etc., Thank you so much for this sacrifice. Our nation owes you a debt of gratitude for what you have gone through and continue to go through by giving up your loved one during our time of need. I continue to hope they return home safely.

That is all for now....

Mr. A.

J.A. Arroyo

5th Math and Science

Trinity Meadows Intermediate School, Room 2109
jaarroyo@kellerisd.net