This Week...

November 12- November 15, 2013

Reading:  We enjoyed reading a variety of selections based on the “Becoming a Writer” theme!  Determining the author’s purpose through story clues was our main strategy.  We learned that when an author’s main purpose is to inform, he or she may include many facts.  Entertaining and persuading were other purposes we discussed.  We also read different nonfiction articles and provided evidence to support the purpose.  Next week will be our review and assessment week for unit 2.  Reading Logs are due Monday, November 18.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We practiced how to use multiplication and division fact triangles to make fact families.  There were many tips and tricks that we practiced in order to start learning our facts.  Students also reviewed how to solve multiplication and division number stories.  Our unit 4 test will be next Friday, November 22.  A review guide will be going home on Wednesday. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, November 18.

Social Studies:  We started the Midwest unit!  Students learned where the states and capitals are located.  A letter went home this week detailing the expectations for learning this information.  We also read about the landscape of the Midwest.  We discovered that the land was once covered with glaciers, which later formed many of our lakes.  Lewis and Clark’s expedition in the Louisiana territory was also discussed.

Writing:  At the beginning of the week, students edited their personal narratives with a checklist.  They checked for proper spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.  Then, they started to share their final pieces with the class!  In grammar, students learned how to combine sentences that have the same predicate or the same subject.

Cursive/Spelling:  Students took their week 11 spelling test.  Next week will be a review week for spelling, so there will be no homework.  We also finished our lowercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  The November writing words test will be on Thursday, November 21.  This test will be cumulative and cover the October words as well.  Please let me know if you need additional copies of the lists.  We had a wonderful week sharing some of our Flat Stanleys that arrived!  So far, we have learned about Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, and Georgia!  Thank you to everyone who has helped us during this project.  Have a terrific weekend!