This Week...

October 21- October 25, 2013

Reading:  Distinguishing reality from fantasy was our main reading strategy this week.  Students worked on identifying fantasy elements, as well as reality elements with texts following our weekly theme: wolves.   Students read “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and Wolf!.  We continued working on generating questions, confirming predictions, and making relevant connections as we read.  At the end of the week, students studied point of view and determined the perspectives of various characters.  We read the classic fairytale The Three Little Pigs and an alternate version, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs to encourage students to analyze the varying perspectives of the pigs and the wolf.  Reading Logs are due Monday, October 28.  (100 minutes)

Math: At the beginning of the week, students reviewed how to find area with multiplication models.  We also explored diameter and circumference.  By measuring circular objects and recording measurements, students discovered the “3-times” rule to help remember the circumference of a circle is about 3 times the diameter.  Students also spent time reviewing how to measure to the nearest ¼ inch, and how to find the perimeter/area of a polygon.  Our unit 3 test will be Tuesday, October 29.  A review guide went home yesterday.  Students will begin math facts homework next week, using the XtraMath website.  An informational letter and student log-in information will be sent home on Monday.   Please let me know if you have any questions!

Science: Students began their short-research biome projects!  In the LMC, students used various websites and nonfiction books to explore their biomes (rainforest, forest, ocean, or desert).  They learned about the animals and plants that live there, in addition to the climate.  Students also identified physical and behavioral adaptations that help the animals and plants survive.  At the end of the week, students participated in a bird beak experiment that demonstrated the importance of different adaptations.

Writing:  Students continued to utilize and incorporate strong verbs in their writing.  Students practiced the skills of focus and showing to describe a moment of action.   In grammar, students learned how to change singular nouns into plural nouns.  We discussed special endings and rules.  Just a reminder, the October writing words test will be on Wednesday, October 30.

Cursive/Spelling:  Students took their week 8 spelling test.  We wrote the cursive “l”, “b”, and “k” in our cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Students participated in a variety of activities to celebrate Bullying Prevention month and Character Counts week!  Just a reminder, on Thursday, students should wear their costumes for the afternoon only.  The Halloween parade will begin around 1:15.   Our party will take place when we get back to the classroom.  Thank you to everyone who donated supplies, organized games, and volunteered to help us!  Have a fabulous weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

First Months of School

This Week...

October 16- October 18, 2013

Reading:  We focused on close reading strategies while using two different science texts: Home is an Oak Tree and The Cactus Hotel.  Students discovered which organisms use these plants to survive.  They also compared and contrasted how various organisms meet their needs in forests and deserts.  At the end of the week, students practiced the key aspects of good fluency: accuracy, expression, medium speed, and punctuation awareness. Reading Logs are due Monday, October 21.  (100 minutes)

Math: Students practiced measuring the perimeter of polygons.  We also created an experiment involving probability and pattern block shapes.  Students predicted and confirmed their guesses by collecting data on how many times a shape would fall on its edge.  We discussed line plots as a way to display data.  Finding the minimum, maximum, range, median, and mode were also practiced.  Students ended the week by determining the area of various polygons.  They learned that in order to find the area, they need to count the number of square units inside the shape.

Science: Students discussed the differences between “needs” and “wants”.  They learned that in order to survive, an organism’s basic needs must be met within its habitat.  Students brainstormed various ways that organisms meet their basic needs of food, water, air, protection, and space.  We also recorded drawings and observations of our plants.  Students discovered that the plants growing without light lacked the green pigment used in photosynthesis.

Writing:  Students learned how to incorporate “strong verbs” in their writing.  By being more precise, the students learned they can create better visualizations for the reader.

Cursive/Spelling:  There was no spelling due to the shortened week.  We wrote the cursive “l” and “h” in our cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Welcome back from the long, relaxing weekend!  October book orders went home this week and are due on October 30.  I am also excited to announce that we sent our Flat Stanleys on their way!  We look forward to hearing about their exciting adventures across the United States!  Thank you to all the families and friends who are helping support us in this project!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions…have a terrific weekend!

Conference Forms

Conference forms are being sent home today!  Please fill out the sheet and return it with your preference as soon as possible.  Thank you!

This week...

October 7- October 11, 2013

Reading:  This week, students worked hard applying a summarizing strategy to various readings.  They practiced completing story maps for texts that focused on the weekly theme: putting on a performance.  The texts included “The Wind and the Sun”, and “The Strongest One”.  We also spent time working with antonyms.  The text feature of the week involved students analyzing the purpose of captions in nonfiction articles.  At the end of the week, students read various articles from National Geographic and completed an FQR chart (Fact, Question, Response).  We talked about the importance of “metacognition” while reading (thinking about our thinking).  Students identified important facts, developed questions related to the facts, and then shared their responses/thinking about the information presented in the article. Reading Logs are due Wednesday, October 16.  (100 minutes)

Math: We began unit 3!  An informational letter was sent home detailing important concepts of the unit.  Measurement was the main focus of the week!  We read the story How Big Is A Foot? to understand the importance of standard units of measure.  Students did a hands-on activity where we found our average class shoe size.  They also practiced measuring line segments to the nearest whole, half, and quarter inch.  At the end of the week, students measured the perimeter of polygons.  By measuring each side of a shape, students realized they could determine the perimeter.

Science: Students enjoyed planting their very own seeds!  Over the next few weeks, students will be monitoring plant growth and making careful observations.  Students sang the photosynthesis song to remember the important steps a plant takes in order to make its own food.  Students also participated in a hands-on paper cutting activity that demonstrated how the Illinois prairie is rapidly disappearing.  Students learned that development and farming are major factors that have contributed to the decrease in prairie acres.  We also finished our hermit crab research presentations!  All students learned valuable information from each other regarding the hermit crabs and their habitats.  Next week, we will be learning about various biomes!

Writing: Students worked on a new skill: showing!  Students learned to differentiate between telling and showing sentences.  Showing sentences give readers a clear visualization of what is happening at a certain moment.  In grammar, students discriminated between common and proper nouns.

Cursive/Spelling: Students took their week 7 spelling test.  We also wrote the cursive “v” and “e” in our cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  On Monday, students participated in a bus evacuation drill to review and practice important bus safety rules!  Just a reminder, there will be no school for students on Monday (Columbus Day) or Tuesday (School Improvement Day).  Enjoy the long weekend!

This Week, In 3-2...

September 30- October 4, 2013

Reading: This week, students enjoyed reviewing concepts and strategies from our first reading unit. They played vocabulary games to help them learn and apply our unit 1 words. Students also participated in close reading activities with nonfiction articles about hermit crabs. Students worked in teams to become experts on their topics and created posters to demonstrate their learning. Main idea and detail organizers were completed to help students choose the most important parts of the articles.

Reading Logs are due Monday, October 7. (100 minutes)

Math: Students worked on solving number stories with multiple addends. They also reviewed and practiced the main concepts from unit 2. We took our unit 2 test at the end of the week and we will begin unit 3 on Monday! A family letter will be going home detailing the upcoming measurement topics.

Science: In science, students enjoyed being scientists and exploring various soil samples. We also discussed characteristics of soil, which included terms such as loam, humus, and nutrients. We dissected lima beans to find important seed parts: the seed coat, stored sugars, and the embryo. We watched a seed germination time lapse video

clip to experience how a plant grows from a tiny seed.

Writing: Focus continues to be the target writing skill during WEX. Students worked on developing tiny details that focused on sound. They made careful observations to create interesting descriptions of various objects and moments. Students continue to share their work and respond to each other using targeted, positive feedback. In grammar, we reviewed key concepts from unit 1. Students also completed their first RA, or revision assignment, which asked them to turn one of their telling sentences into a showing sentence.

Cursive/Spelling: Students took their unit 1 review spelling test. Next week, normal spelling lists and homework will resume.

Miscellaneous: October writing words went home this week. Please keep this list in a safe spot…students will be tested on these words at the end of the month. Also, thank you to everyone who supported Dryden, Just Jump! The students were very excited to participate in this event! Have a wonderful weekend!