Mrs. Curtis

What are APEX students doing in APEX class? This page will contain a very
general overview of what each grade level is doing. As in all areas of life,
"the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." There are
times that we will deviate from my plans due to special circumstances. If you
have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

1. For 3rd grade:
2. For 4th grade:
3. For 5th grade:

For 3rd grade:

To be announced when classes begin

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For 4th grade:

My 4th grade class will begin a novel study, Among the Hidden, by Margaret
Peterson Haddix within the next several weeks. They will continue to sharpen
their skills in language mechanics with a Daily Oral Language selection each
time class meets. Additionally, they will continue to work on mastering
analogies, which promote critical thinking skills. Also, in the area of
language arts, they will begin studying several different writing techniques
as well as writing to given prompts. This is in preparation for the 5th grade
TCAP Writing Assessment in February of 5th grade. 

Before beginning the first level of "Hands-On Equations," students will take
several pre-tests to see where they are in having fully mastered addition,
subtraction, and multiplication, which are prerequisites to studying algebra.
Additionally, they will practice each class period on real-world problem
solving, beginning with fairly simple problems and moving toward more complex,
multi-step problem solving. 

In their "spare time," students will work on logic puzzles, mysteries, Sudoku,
and a variety of critical thinking and problem-solving activities. Finally,
they will undertake a study of severe weather, which they studied somewhat in
their 3rd grade APEX class through the novel, Night of the Twisters. In this
science unit, they will study all the different forms of severe weather, from
tornadoes, to hurricanes, to tsunami's, to typhoons and more.

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For 5th grade:

My 5th grade APEX class will focus on several novel studies throughout the
year. I am in the final stages of deciding which novels they will study this
year. From the novel studies will come studies in vocabulary, historical
perspectives, and connections to math and science. Also, there will be
multiple writing opportunities, with both focused lessons on writing
techniques and skills, and also practice on writing to specific prompts. This
is in preparation for the 5th grade TCAP Writing Assessment in 2/10. 

In 4th grade APEX class, students studied and mastered Level One of "Hands-On
Equations." They will review each of the seven lessons they had last year
before beginning Level Two, lessons 8 through 16. Additionally, they will
spend a great deal of time working increasingly complex, multi-step real world
problems. This intense study of math will be a part of every APEX class.

In whatever time they have left, 5th grade APEX will engage in a variety of
activities designed to promote increased critical thinking and problem-solving
activities. 

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