AIG Parent Newsletter

1. Harper/Lluvia

2. Chandler

3. Nala

4. Addy

5. Walker, David, Jaxon

The main criteria for AIG identification is the ability of a student to perform consistently at above grade level standards. This consistent performance above grade level standards necessitates the need for differentiation, in terms of accelerated pacing, more challenging materials, pull out services, etc.

Unfortunately there are several students in our AIG program who are not demonstrating above grade level work in their core ELA and/or math classes at this time. A below 80 average in math and/or reading is not above grade level and does not indicate the need for differentiation. I can not justify providing advanced work and instruction for students who are not showing mastery on their grade level assignments. The instruction and workload in AIG math and reading is meant to be rigorous and if students are not able to keep up with the workload in their core classes, keeping up with the added AIG work will be impossible.

That being said, I want to do everything possible to keep your child in AIG class as much as possible. I have contacted the parents of affected students already, but I wanted to make everyone aware. If students fall below an 80% in ELA or math we are going to need to discuss a plan for improvement. Nothing decided will be permanent and will not affect their AIG identification.

Our fall Noetic math competition will be on Monday, November 25. If you know in advance that your child is NOT going to be here that day, please let me know as soon as possible as it is very important that we have everyone in attendance. If your child isn't going to be here that day, I will just simply need to change the date but I need as much time as possible to do that. 😀

The competition will be held at school in my classroom. It will be a regular day, students will just stay with me in math a little longer than usual. We will probably do something fun afterwards to celebrate.

In the meantime, please make sure your child is keeping up with Noetic math challenge assignments as these are the best way to practice and prepare for the competition. There are some students who have over 10 assignments done while others have only done 2. 😮

Our FIRST Battle of the Books practice will be this Thursday, Nov 7. Please make sure your child has someone to pick them up by 4:00 on that day. We will be waiting in the car rider dismissal area ouside so you do not have to enter the building. Don't forget to send an extra snack with your child that day and make sure they have the book they are currently reading.

I've received some disappointing news about the AIG Student Mentorship program. There are not quite as many high school mentors as I was led to believe, so not all of our Alderman students who expressed interest will be able to participate this year. We prioritized our fifth graders and a few 4th graders. The good news is, students who do not get to participate this year will be able to next year when they are in 5th grade! I will let you know by the end of this week who the 4th and 5th grade participants will be.

The start of the program will be Monday, Nov. 25. Just a reminder, this will start at approximately 2:15 and end at 3:00 so students who are typically car riders will need to be picked up slightly later than usual.

4th Grade Math-

This week students will investigate and use area and perimeter formulas. Students will also find factor pairs and identify factors as prime or composite. Students need to have at least 10 Noetic math challenge assignments complete by the end of this week. Some students have a LOT of catching up to do!

5th Grade Math-

This week students will learn how to multiply and divide with fractions. We will also begin a data and statistics project. Students need to have at least 10 Noetic math challenge assignments complete by Friday.

4th Grade ELA-

Students are continuing their novel study of The Witches this week. Please make sure your child is keeping up with daily reading assignments and bringing their book back to school each day.

5th Grade ELA-

Students are continuing their novel study of Rain Reign this week. Please make sure your child is keeping up with daily reading assignments and bringing their book back to school each day.