SHARED FACILITIES PARENT CURRICULUM COMMUNICATION
      3rd Quarter 2011

GRAPHIC LAB

Dear Parents,

During the 3rd quarter in computer graphics we will cover the following science/social studies topics through the use of CPS's Safari Video Programs. The Safari Video program allows a short clip about a current topic to be played for students. The clips are about 6-10 minutes each class. During that time students go over vocabulary associated with each topic.  The students watch the video. Each video topic lasts for about 3-4 weeks.  Each video includes vocabulary, discussions, examples, questions/answers, topic reviews, test quizzes and art projects. The topics are chosen from the science/social studies curriculum standards for each grade.

The 3rd quarter topics are: (k) Life Cycles of Animals, Life Cycles of Humans, Plant Structure and Growth.  (1st) Life Cycles of Humans, Weathering and Erosion, and Recycling. (2nd)  Lifecycles of Ladybugs and Fireflies, Water Ecosystems, and Magnetism. For the remaining time the students practice their basic skills using different computer games.  The current games we are using are Starfall.com, Cyberkidzgames.com and Study Island.  The code for Study Island is username:first.last@disney -password is disney.  All students K-8 have a study island code. So everyone can practice basic skills whenever they want to!  Cyberkidzgames.com has over 35 math games, 33 literacy games, 42 geography games, 9 art/music games, and 6 science games. Starfall.com is a basic skills and word recognition game for beginning readers.

The 3rd and 4th graders are using STMath.com  STMath codes went home through the student's teacher. The students are practicing their math at home as well as school. The topics included in the 3rd grade are: Place Value, Ordering and Comparing whole numbers, expanded notation, addition and subtraction,2D shapes,3D shapes, lines and angles, multiplication concepts, multiplication facts, division, algebraic expressions and equations, functional relationships, fraction concepts, and fraction and decimal equivalence, fraction addition and subtraction, multiplication of multi-digits, measurements, area, perimeter, and value of money, outcomes, using data and graphs and challenge games.  The 4th grade topics are:  Place value, expanded notation,  ordering and comparing whole numbers,  addition and subtraction, factorization, and prime numbers, variables and unknowns, lines and angles, shapes and attributes, fraction concepts, fraction addition and subtraction, decimal fraction relationships and equivalence, decimals and fractions, decimal operations and money, whole number multiplication and division, parenthesis, equations, integers, area and graphs, coordinate grids and ordered pairs, symmetry, median, mode, outcomes and challenge games. STMath.com offers so many topics that continued practice will contribute to increased knowledge and scores. I've found that it is fun to have your math book handy to use it as a reference.The students are so eager, and doing a fantastic job!