This Week...

December 15- December 19, 2014

Reading:  Students analyzed the text structure of various Time for Kids selections in order to discover cause and effect relationships.  Students looked for key phrases and words, such as “as a result” and “because” to help figure out the cause behind certain occurrences.  Students also enjoyed a “shades of meaning” activity where they analyzed the subtle differences between similar words.  They created a continuum ranging from hot temperature words to cold temperature words.  Some of these words included sweltering, toasty, and bitter. Reading Logs are due Monday, January 5.  (300 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing major concepts from unit 5.  Students practiced reading aloud large numbers and decimals.  They also worked on comparing numbers and putting them in correct number sequences.  Place value was also reviewed up to the millions and down to the thousandths place.  Students took their unit 5 test on Wednesday.  The test consisted of a written portion, as well as an oral test where students read numbers.   At the end of the week, students created questions about winter topics and surveyed their classmates.  Then, they graphed their data using bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.  After break, we will begin unit 6!

Social Studies:  We reviewed key ideas from the Midwest unit.  Students also finished researching their Midwest states!  They completed a thoughtful reflection about how the research process went and what they learned during the project.  When we come back from break, we will start our new science unit: light!

Writing:  In writing, students learned more about Maria Isabel by analyzing her actions.  They wrote about a time in the book where they liked or disliked something that Maria Isabel did.  They supported their opinions with details from the text.  In grammar, students identified the past tense form of various verbs.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we had our week 15 test.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed the holiday musical performed by the Dryden fourth graders!  We also had our second questioning lesson where students differentiated between open, green light questions and closed, red light questions.  They learned that many “I Wonder” questions can make great green light questions because they require a more complex answer.  Today, we exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  They worked very hard on creating these special gifts.  I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  See you back in 2015!

This Week...

December 8- December 12, 2014

Reading:  The weekly theme focused on riddles!  Students practiced using clues in the story to help them figure out the setting.  The setting includes when and where the story takes place.  One Riddle, One Answer was the main story selection for the week.  Students learned about Persia, currently Iran, in a fairy tale setting.  Students also generated red light questions (close-ended) and green light questions (open-ended) about various nonfiction texts. Reading Logs are due Monday, December 15.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We explored decimals and fractions using base-10 blocks.  By using a flat, students learned how to shade in a certain number of blocks to represent a decimal.  During this investigation, we discussed 3 new place values: tenths, hundredths, and thousandths.  They also made a place value book.  Students can continue practicing these small numbers by reading them aloud at home using the book.  Our unit 5 math test will be Wednesday, December 17.

Social Studies:  We had a great discussion about the Midwest economy.  We discovered that manufacturing and agriculture provide many jobs for people in the area.  Henry Ford and the assembly line were highlighted.  At the end of the week, students experienced the culture of the Midwest by reading about Mt. Rushmore, Cahokia, the Hmong people, and many other interesting topics.  Students continued using various research skills to find out important information about their states.  The Midwest test (including the Midwest states & capitals) will be on Thursday, December 18.  A review guide will be going home on Monday.

Writing:  In writing, we continued working on character traits and supporting details.  Students analyzed excerpts from the book My Name is Maria Isabel and found interesting showing details.  In grammar, students identified the correct form of present tense verbs.  They also wrote an expository piece on building a snowman.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we had our week 14 test.

Miscellaneous:  “Secret Snowpal” names went home this week!  Students need to create a homemade card with a special message for that particular classmate.  Snowpal cards are due Wednesday, December 17.  Shh…remember, it’s a secret!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

This Week...

December 1- December 5, 2014

Reading:  Students practiced making inferences with a variety of texts, including Stone Soup.  We learned how important it is to use text clues and our own background knowledge when creating an inference.  Synonyms were another important topic.  Students learned there are often synonyms within context clues, which can help when figuring out unknown words. Reading Logs are due Monday, December 8.  (200 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 5 this week!  Students reviewed place value up to the hundred millions.  They also practiced writing large numbers from dictation, as well as saying numbers aloud.  We also learned a new game, “Number Top-It”, which helped us compare large numbers in a fun way!  Towards the end of the week, students discussed the U.S. census and applied their knowledge of large numbers to interpret city populations.  Pictographs were another focus.

Social Studies:  Transportation in the Midwest was a main focus this week.  We learned how flatboats, steamboats, bulk freighters, and trains helped people travel and transport goods.  We discussed how kids grew up in the Midwest during the late 1800s.  Students wrote pioneer letters written from the perspective of a child living at that time.  Students began their state research projects!  Students applied various research skills with books and online resources to find out key information about their Midwest state.

Writing:  In writing, we began unit 2 in our WEX writing program!  Unit 2 focuses on a response to literature.  We started the book My Name is Maria Isabel and students identified showing details that helped develop the main character.  In grammar, students worked on identifying action verbs in various sentences.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we had our week 13 test.  In cursive, we wrote “k” and “f”.

Miscellaneous:  I had a wonderful time meeting with each of you at conferences!  Thank you again for the commitment to your child’s learning experience!  I also hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving break.  This week, students started exploring various wonders using the website Wonderopolis!  They created a hypothesis, took notes, and developed more wonders about the topic.  We will continue to work on developing wonders, or questions, about our world.  December book orders are due December 11.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

This Week...

November 17- November 21, 2014

Reading:  Students had the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of unit vocabulary and reading strategies in a variety of ways.  By responding to multiple choice questions and extended response prompts, students were able to show what they had learned from unit 2.  They also practiced close reading strategies to locate important information in nonfiction texts.  By skimming and looking for key words, students were able to find details efficiently.  We will begin unit 3 when we return from Thanksgiving break! Reading Logs are due Monday, December 1.  (200 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced reviewing major concepts from unit 4.  Using arrays and pictures, they represented various multiplication/division number stories.  Students took their unit 4 test on Thursday!  We will begin unit 5 after break.

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:  Students took their November writing words test today.  Next month, there will not be a December list due to the shortened month.  In grammar, students reviewed major concepts from unit 2:  common & proper nouns, possessive nouns, and sentence combinations with similar subjects & predicates.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we had our unit 2 review test.  After break, we will resume regular spelling and homework.

Miscellaneous:  This week, we enjoyed a great Art Appreciation session about Georges Seurat from Nicky’s mom…thank you!  Progress reports were sent home today.  Please sign the front of the envelope and return the empty envelope to school.  I am looking forward to meeting with you at conferences next week!  Thank you for taking the time to discuss your child’s progress.  Students will return to school on Monday, December 1.  I hope you all have an enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving break!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…enjoy!

This Week...

November 10- November 14, 2014

Reading:  We enjoyed reading Helen Lester’s autobiography: Author: A True Story!  Determining the author’s purpose through story clues was our main skill.  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.  Similes and metaphors were discussed through various poems. Reading Logs are due Monday, November 17.  (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.  Baseball multiplication was a new game that students really enjoyed!  They also reviewed how to solve multiplication and division number stories.  Our unit 4 test will be next Thursday, November 20.  A review guide will be going home on Tuesday.

Science:  We spent the week reviewing major concepts from our habitat unit.  The unit test was on Thursday.  In the LMC, students began their biome research project using various note-taking strategies.  They used nonfiction books to find information about the climate and animal adaptations.  Next week, we will begin our new social studies unit: The Midwest!

Writing:  At the beginning of the week, students worked on their personal narrative final copies.  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.

Spelling/Cursive:  Students took their week 11 spelling test.  Next week will be a review week for spelling, so there will be no homework.  We continued to work in our cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  The November writing words test will be on Friday, 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.  Just a reminder, November book orders are also due on November 21.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

Owl Pellet Dissection!

Halloween Pictures!