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Hello and welcome back to school! I hope you had an incredible Summer filled with fun and adventures. My name is Mrs. Schiff and I am delighted to write to you as your child’s Math, Science and Social Studies teacher. We're going to learn, explore, and grow together in our wonderful classroom.
A little about myself: I have been married for 22 years and have lived in Libertyville for 24 years. I have four children: Amanda, who has been married for almost two years now; Olivia, who is a Sophomore at Indiana University Kelley School of Business; Ty, who is a Senior at LHS; and Audrina, who is in 5th grade here at SJCS.
Throughout my 13 years at St. Joseph Catholic School, I have been furthering my education. I earned my Education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019. Last year, I assumed the role of 5th - 8th grade Middle School Resource Teacher and worked with students who hold ISP’s and 504 plans. I am currently working towards earning my Special Education credential as well.
As this new school year starts, I will be working closely with each student to ensure their success. During my time as the 5-8 Resource Teacher, I gained a strong understanding of the Middle School Math, Science, and Social Studies curriculum. I will continue to work closely with these teachers to ensure the 5th graders are prepared for 6th grade.
I am grateful for your trust and support as their teacher, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Many Blessings!
Also...I have created a new Amazon wish list of items that will help grow our library of knowledge and also improve my new way of teaching math and ensuring that each student continues to grow and learn in many different ways. We will also be learning study skills and I need supplies from my wish list to make this happen as well. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Link is here or under Amazon tab on the side... thank you!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share
Posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Homework
January 7 to January 10, 2025 Week at a Glance
Math: Chapter 7 (one lesson per day)
All Volume 2 Math Books will be passed out to them on Tuesday
- Tuesday - Chapter 7, Lesson 1 - Numerical Expressions (Learning Objective: Write and evaluate numerical expressions)
- Wednesday- Chapter 7, Lesson 2 - Order of Operations (Learning Objective: Use the order of operations to evaluate expressions)
- Thursday - Chapter 7, Lesson 3 - Write Numerical Expressions (Learning objective: Use numbers and operation symbols to write verbal phrases as numerical expressions)
- Friday - Check My Progress (Learning objective: see how the students are doing this far)
Science: Chapter 3 - Growth and Survival (one lesson per week)
- Tuesday/Wednesday - Lesson 1 and answer the central question: What are some physical structures in living things?
- How do plants and animals grow and change?
- Learning Objective:
- Students will compare and contrast the structures and functions of parts of plants and animals
- Thursday - They will do a Plant Escape Room (they love this)
- Friday - Lesson 1 Check Quiz and a Function of Plants packet
Social Studies: What was the Holocaust?... this is to prepare them before they read the book “A Night Divided” in Reading class
Pass out Holocaust books and comprehension packets on Tuesday
- Tuesday - Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4 in Holocaust books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Wednesday - Read Chapters 5, 6, & 7 in Holocaust books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Thursday - Read Chapters 8, 9, 10 & 11 in Holocaust books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Friday - We will work on a packet on Martin Luther King to honor him before we have his day of celebration off on January 15th
Learning Objectives:
Informational Text:
- Anchor Standard 1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
- Anchor Standard 2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
- Anchor Standard 4: Interpret words and phrases used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
- Anchor Standard 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media, and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
- Anchor Standard 10: Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
Writing:
-Anchor Standard 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Anchor Standard 9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we specifically did in class that day.*
Friday, December 20, 2024 Homework
Thursday, December 18, 2024 Homework
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Homework
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Homework
Monday, December 16, 2024 Homework
12/16/24 to 12/20/24 Week at a Glance
Math: Chapter 5 - Add and Subtract Decimals & Chapter 6 - Multiply and Divide Decimals (one lesson per day)
- Monday - Chapter 5 differentiated practice test (also sent home for extra support if needed)
- Tuesday- Chapter 5 Differentiated Test
- Wednesday - Chapter 6, Lesson 1 & 3 - Estimate Products of Whole Numbers and Decimals (learning objective: estimate products of whole numbers and decimals) AND Multiply Decimals by Whole Numbers (learning objective: multiply decimals by whole numbers)
- Thursday - Chapter 6, Lesson 5 & 6 - Multiply Decimals (learning objective: multiply decimals by decimals) AND Multiply Decimals by Powers of Ten (learning objective: multiply decimals by powers of ten)
- Friday - No Math due to early dismissal
- All Volume 1 textbooks are to go home today - we are done with them
Science: Chapter 2 - Forces and Motion (one lesson per week)
- Monday/Tuesday - I will lecture the test, and students will take notes on what I say.
- Wednesday - Chapter 2 Test - They will be able to use their notes from my lecture on the test
- Thursday - Physical & Chemical Change Ugly Sweater packet
- Friday - Christmas Animals packet, if time allows, due to early dismissal
Social Studies: The Vietnam War finished, and the Christmas Around the World packet
- Monday - Vietnam War & End of Vietnam War packet
- Tuesday - America joins Vietnam and Key Figures packet
- Wednesday - End of Vietnam War Informational Packet
- Thursday - Christmas Around the World packet
- Friday - No Social Studies due to early dismissal
Learning Objectives of finishing Vietnam War & Christmas Around the World
- Analyze how Indochina's history impacted the Vietnam War
- Explain Ho Chi Minh's role in Vietnam
- Compare the positions of various American presidents
- Explain how the Vietnam War began
- Know the roles of various countries in the Vietnam War
- Learn about different traditions of Christmas’ around the world
Friday, December 13, 2024 Homework
Thursday, December 12, 2024 Homework
Wednesday, December 11, 2025 Homework
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Homework
Monday, December 9, 2025 Homework
12/9/24 to 12/13/24 Week at a Glance
Math: Chapter 5 - Add and Subtract Decimals (one lesson per day)
- Monday - Chapter 5, Lesson 7 - Addition Properties (learning objective: use the Associative, Commutative, and Identity Properties to add whole numbers and decimals mentally)
- Tuesday- Check My Progress thus far in class
- Wednesday - Chapter 5, Lesson 10 - Subtract Decimals (learning objective: Subtracting decimals)
- Thursday - Concept Check for understanding
- Friday - Practice Test #1 in class to prepare for our test on December 17, 2024…we will do it again on Monday, December 16th, for extra practice too
Science: Chapter 2 - Forces and Motion (one lesson per week)
- Chapter 2 - Lesson 4 = Answering the essential question: How are shadows formed?
- Learning Objective:
- Students will investigate how shadows form and will communicate the results of their investigation.
- Key Vocabulary this week: light, shadow, and waves
- Wednesday - Physics of Amusement Parks packet
- Thursday - Wood vs Steel Roller Coasters packet
- Friday - Lesson 4 Quiz Check
Social Studies: The Vietnam War
- Monday - Read Chapters 1 & 2 in Vietnam War books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Tuesday - Read Chapters 3, 4, & 5 in Vietnam War books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Wednesday - Read Chapters 6, 7, & 8 in Vietnam War books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Thursday - Read Chapters 9, 10, & 11 in Vietnam War books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters
- Friday - Read Chapters 12, 13, & 14 in Vietnam War books and answer comprehension questions for these chapters ~ turning in our books and packets because we finished today
- Learning Objectives:
- Analyze how Indochina's history impacted the Vietnam War
- Explain Ho Chi Minh's role in Vietnam
- Compare the positions of various American presidents
- Explain how the Vietnam War began
- Know the roles of various countries in the Vietnam War
*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we did in class that day.*