Download Firefox Link

In order to do some more advanced internet work we will need a more powerful internet browser (software that you use to access and read the internet) especially if you have a mac. Unfortunately the mac's default browser, Safari, does not support the kind of work we will be doing on the web so you can download firefox. Firefox is an open source software for free that is very easy to use, it is set up just like the most popular browsers, but it gives you the option to do more.

Download Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.7 for mac's click here

If you own a PC, as a side note, I strongly recommend giving firefox a try. I prefer firefox over window internet explorer.

Download Mozilla Firefox for PC's here

What are GLCE's?

GLCE's (pronounced "glicks") stands for Grade Level Content Expectations.
As part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the federal Dept of Ed called upon states to develop grade level assessments based on “rigorous academic standards.”

Here in Michigan we call these standards GLCE's and the state assessment that tests the mastery of these GLCE's is called the MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program). The MEAP is given every October and assesses the GLCE's from the year before. So this year in October, the students will be tested on 4th grade GLCE's.

It is important parents know and understand the grade level content expectations of their child so that they can:

-Learn what students need to know by the end of the school year
-Discuss student progress during Parent Teacher Conferences
-Support learning at home that is aligned with what is being taught in the classroom and tested on the MEAP
-Understand their child's MEAP score

More Information:

*Michigan Dept of Ed complete list of all GLCE's by grade click here

*Michigan Dept of Ed made more condensed and user friendly guide just for parents, click here

*Michigan Dept of Ed official MEAP page click here

*Ann Arbor put together a nice organized collection of all the 5th grade GLCE's click here

See Also:
Download Last Year's MEAP Test for Practice!

Top 100 5th Grade Math MEAP Vocabulary

Thanks to RW07 for going through our review packet and finding the top 100 words on the MEAP. Making flash cards and studying these words would be great preparation for the big test.

number line
expanded number

value
digit
how many
solve
multiplication sentence
factor
factor pairs
array
multiples
diagram
prime number
equation
mental math
total
altogether
multiplied
variable
divided
number sentence
expression
dividend
divisor
decimal
hundredths
tenths
thousandths
number line
symbols
decimal
greater than
represents
represented
portion
equivalent fraction
label
determine
compare
improper fraction
mixed number
estimate
pounds
accurate
add
subtract
multiply
combined
measure
length
square centimeter
square inch
millimeters
tri-3
quad-4
penta-5
hexa-6
hepta-7
octa-8
nona-9
deca-10
temperature
nearest
degree
ounces
difference
meters
feet
perimeter
area
shaded
portion
right angle
acute angle
obtuse angle
reflex angle
figure
perpendicular
parallel
intersecting
quadrangle
vertex
edges
faces
sides
symmetry
flip
slide
turn
reflection
parallelogram
rhombus
trapezoid
square
polygon
vertices

Download Last Year's MEAP Tests for Practice!

Many parents have been asking what they could do to help prep our students for the MEAP test. The best advice I can give is to click on this link to download the MEAP test that last year's 5th grade students actually took.

Video: Did You Know 2.0

Description:
Parents you must watch this video, it will give you insight into the world your kids (and their generation) are a part of.

Duration:
8:01 minutes

Video:


Author:
Karl Fisch

Additional Resources:Did You Know? 2.0 - Additional Quotes and Questions
To download an transcript of the video click PDF or Word

What do you think? I would really like to start a discussion in the comments about this.

How and Why to Comment on this Blog

Why

One of the major features of a blog is the ability to comment. Since blogs are published and organized in a chronological order, the latest news is always on top and commenting allows readers in a community to participate and have conversations around relevant issues sharing advice, opinions, or useful links. This makes blogs more social and interactive adding a forum or discussion board like feature to all content published versus the old traditional websites where it is one way discussion-the writer informing the reader.

How

To comment on this blog simply click on the comment link on the bottom of each post.

A screen will come up that looks like this :




Type your comment in the box

Then click on Anonymous.
(We are using Anonymous because, I don't want you giving out your name our your email address)

Finally click on "Publish Your Comment"


Note

Your comment will not be published immediately. There will be a delay since all comments need to be moderated by me, the administrator. I have put this setting on to censure all comments to ensure they are appropriate for our students.

Also remember our class Blogger's contract and the system we set up to protect our identies.

"Instead of using your name when writing posts or comments, use your first and last initials followed by the school year. Our class will know who we are, but strangers will not. (Example John Mike Smith from the 2007-8 school year would call himself JMS0708 )"

Parents you can type your full names or you can use the initials system above (Mrs. Jones= Mrs. J) on the bottom of the message but please don't use your child's full name in your message. Unfortunately I already had to decline 2 very nice comments because parents mentioned their child's first name and they signed with their last name. I know this may seem like a stretch but I want to make sure we do this with the utmost responsibility and safety to make sure this experience becomes positive and fun for everyone.

Go ahead and try to comment on this post, click on the link below. Let me know if you have any concerns or suggestions.

Additional Resources:

For more information about how to comment check out this great blog post How to comment like a king (or queen!)

The Blogger's Contract

I understand the power and responsibilities of publishing to a large global audience and participating in an educational dialogue online through blogs. There are some rules and codes of conduct to follow in order to keep our blog educational, fun, and safe.

Blog Rules

I will always write in a way that protects the identity of my classmates, my family, and myself.

I will always write in a way that brings respect and honor to my school, my family, and myself.

Blogger Code of Conduct

I will never use my name.
I will never give out my address.
I will never give out my email address.
I will never give out my phone number.

I will keep my writing educationally related.
I will be responsible for everything I publish; if I make a mistake I will fix it.
I will do my absolute best to write truthful and useful information.
I will not copy other people’s work.
I will never write to cause harm or to hurt the feelings of others.
I will set a good example for others.

Blogging Instructions

Remember all comments go straight to the blog administrator, your teacher, so there will be a delay in publishing your posts and comments. This is so that the teacher can screen all new content that is published to the blog.

Instead of using your name when writing posts or comments, use your first and last initials followed by the school year. Our class will know who we are, but strangers will not. (Example John Mike Smith would call himself JMS0708 )

When we sign into the blog to publish a post or comment, we will use the class email address. This is so we do not give our our personal information.
Our class email address is __________________
Our password is __________________

I have read, understood, and agree to follow the blogger's rules, code of conduct, and instructions.

Student Sign X____________________________
Parent Sign X____________________________
Date X ____________________________

Rules of Organization

ü
One of the big differences between 4th and 5th grade expectations is student organization. Parents, I am going to need your help with this, so here are the rules of organization that I will need your assistance in enforcing:

*Every paper has its place (no loose papers!)

ü
*Notes always stay in notebook unless directed to rip out (no lost papers!)

ü
*Use both sides of the notebook page (no wasted space!)

ü
*Save all handouts & HW until the after the unit test is over (you will be graded with the study tracker!)

ü
*HW folder has two pockets: Left side=Return and right side=Leave Home

Class Supply List

ü

1 x large three-ring binder that holds:

ü
6 x single-subject notebooks each labeled with name and: Journal, Math, SFA, ELA, Social Studies, Science

ü
6 x two-pocket folders each labeled with name and : HW, Math, SFA, ELA, Social Studies, Science

ü
3 x Pencils, 1 x pen, 1 x highlighter, 1 x dry erase marker, 1 x pencil sharpener