E-News on the Lane
Highlights from the week at Indian Lane
December 7-11, 2015
Message from our Principal, Mr. Barry
As I reflect on these past few months, I feel that I have been in
Fantasy Land - too good to be true! Indian Lane is indeed an awesome
place to work and play. The children represent all that is good in life raised by the most caring and supportive parents on earth. As they
grow, mature, and progress on the educational ladder, may all their
hopes, dreams, and aspirations be attained. Goodbye and thank you for
the experience of a lifetime.
From our Classrooms
Kindergarten
The kindergartners were talking about some of the superheroes and
their super powers. This discussion kicked off our newest unit in
Reading Workshop. Super Readers is about super reading powers and
how we can become super readers. The children have learned to look at
the cover and title of a book, take a picture walk through the book,
make predictions and check their predictions, and point to the words as
they read.
The students began sorting this week in math. The students are
classifying animals and placing them into categories of
animals that fly and don’t fly, have hair or don’t have hair, have four
legs or don’t have four legs, have stripes or are all one color. Then they
learned how to make a chart of the categories.
First Grade
This week we are finishing our non-fiction reading unit. The students
have really enjoyed learning from all our interesting books. To finish
our unit we talked about how reading causes you to think more.
Reading about these interesting topics causes us to ask questions. We
learned that authors write for a purpose.
Second Grade
In Reading Workshop, we made inferences about our characters by
using our schema and observing the actions made by our characters.
We determined the personality traits of our characters this way. We
can also learn about our characters by observing how they react to
other characters’ actions, by paying attention to what they say, and
also by noticing how they handle challenges.
In Writing Workshop, the children wrote letters about their reading.
The focus of each letter was forming and supporting an opinion. After
identifying a favorite part of their book, the children tried to convince
their audience that their identified favorite part was indeed, worthy
of being deemed a favorite scene. The children also used their
observations about a character to form and support an opinion about
the character.
In Math, the children were introduced to adding two 2-digit numbers
using a strategy called ​
partial sums. This strategy works just like the
name implies; the children solve the problem by obtaining two partial
sums, which are used as addends to find the final sum. After practicing
this strategy, we later progressed to using the algorithm for
regrouping. This was followed by adding more than two 2-digit numbers.
In Social Studies, we continued to practice and enhance our mapping
skills. We examined a globe to discover more about our world. We
created a playground map along with a map key and used this map to
practice our grid skills using letter and number coordinates. We also
used a compass rose to navigate various maps.
Third Grade
Third graders finished Topic 4 in math this week and started to
explore the multiplication chart as a strategy to solve multiplication
equations in Topic 5. In Reader’s Workshop, students focused primarily
on finding the main idea and supporting ideas within text then
determined the most convenient way for them to organize this
information on paper. In Writer’s Workshop, students began publishing
their non-fiction books this week and they are looking forward to
sharing their books with the class later this month. In Science, we
learned about the heart and the brain this week.
Fourth Grade
In Math, fourth graders have been learning different strategies for
doing multiplication. These include the algorithm, partial products,
area models, and the distributive property (or breaking apart). It is
still apparent that students need to know their multiplication facts.
So, when you are riding in the car with your student, practice those 12s
and 8s and 9s.
Fourth graders are continuing to learn about the different forces that
affect the movement of objects. Recently, they were introduced to
potential energy (stored energy) and kinetic energy (the energy of
motion). Students are using rubber bands to power their vehicles and
understanding that the more potential energy a vehicle has the further
it will travel.
Fifth Grade
In math class all students have done or are preparing to do their first
quarterly assessment.These new math programs offer this assessment
to see the status of the class and how they are retaining the material
that has been taught.
In writing we have begun lessons on writing an argument essay. We
have been reading articles on white milk vs. chocolate milk. The
students are taking notes and making choices as to whether they think
white milk or chocolate milk is better for them.
In reader’s workshop we are working in historical fiction book clubs.
We are using ​
Fever 1793,​
as a read aloud and a book to discuss lessons
taught in the unit.
We are looking forward to performing at the holiday concert next
week. From the sounds we are hearing it will not disappoint anyone!
From our Specialists:
Art
First graders are learning to identify a still life. Second graders are
learning about art in Central America. Third graders know how to
identify an ionic, doric and corinthian column. Fourth graders can relate
Pop Art to the real world. Fifth graders are studying the art of Jim
Dine.
Gym
Fifth grade continues Volleyball. Third and fourth grade continues the
net games unit. First and Second grade continues the jump rope unit.
Library
Hour of Code: This week in library, students in first through fifth
grades participated in the Hour of Code in recognition of Computer
Science Education Week. The kids were all very excited to learn more
about computer coding while completing puzzles featuring some of
their favorite characters and games (Minecraft, Frozen, Flappy Bird,
Angry Birds, and more). To learn more and participate at home, visit
hourofcode.com. It’s quite fun for moms and dads too! ​
See photo
above.
Check out the next IL Night at MFL on December 18th at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Jason will be popping some popcorn & showing the movie Minions.
It will be a relaxing family night so we hope to see you there.
If you would like to volunteer in the library, please visit Mrs. Hatton’s
website or click here to sign up. Thank you!
Music
We are definitely in concert mode in the music room! Last night our
Fifth Dimension singers gave a wonderful concert on the Media
Courthouse steps. Next Friday, all Indian Lane students will have their
chance to sing for you. Every grade level is busy practicing and
memorizing their pieces. All songs are on my website if your child
th
would like to give you a sneak preview. Hope to see you December 18​
in the gym. The concert begins at 2:00! #ILHoliday2015
From our Guidance Counselor
Thanks again to everyone who took an ornament from our Holiday
Giving Tree. Please have all gifts (wrapped with ornaments attached)
to Mrs. Hilden by Thursday, December 17th. The gift can be left in
the office if Mrs. Hilden is not available to take it.
From our PTG
The Holiday Extravaganza was a huge success. The photos are posted
on the IL website for your enjoyment.
Box Tops for Education - Don’t forget to continue collecting Box Tops
this winter. The December Collection Sheet is now available on our
website.
The next PTG meeting is ​
Tuesday, December 15th​
at 7:00 p.m. in the
library. We hope to see you all there.
From our Student Council
Thank you to everyone who came out to Chick-fil-A Thursday night.
Indian Lane broke the spirit night attendance record and, as a result,
our Student Council will receive a check for $550 from Chick-fil-A.
Indian Lane families are amazing.
Upcoming Events and Reminders
● Monday, 12/14 - Mr. Reid’s official first day
● Tuesday, 12/15 - PTG meeting, 7:00 p.m., Library
● Wednesday, 12/16 - Band Concert, 7:00 p.m., ILES
● Wednesday, 12/16 - Strings Concert, 7:00 p.m., SLMS
● Thursday, 12/17 - Wrapped gifts & ornaments from our Holiday
Giving Tree are due to Mrs. Hilden
● Thursday, 12/17 - Featured Artist Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Mr.
Reid’s office
● Thursday, 12/17 - IL Night at MFL, 6:00 p.m.
● Friday, 12/18 - All-school Holiday Assembly, 2:00 p.m., Gym
● Wednesday, 12/23 - Classroom Holiday Parties (times on website)
● Thursday, 12/24 through Sunday, 1/3 - NO SCHOOL for Winter
Break
● Monday, 1/4/2016 - School resumes