This Week...

January 13- January 17, 2014

Reading:  Our theme this week focused on the art of illustration!  Students practiced sequencing events throughout various nonfiction pieces.  We looked for key transition words, such as: “finally”, “next, and “after” to help us determine the order of events. We also were very excited to learn our first signpost!  There will be six signposts that we will learn this year to help us comprehend fiction stories.  Students learned that when you reach a signpost when you are reading, you must stop and think.  Contrasts and contradictions is a signpost that helps us understand why a character starts to act differently.  The students learned they must ask the question, “Why is the character acting this way?”  By asking this question, students can make strong inferences and predictions. Reading Logs are due Wednesday, January 22. (100 minutes)

Math:  At the beginning of the week, students discovered there are 360 degrees in a full turn.  They also took a quiz on the first half of the unit.  At the end of the week, students categorized various triangles.  They learned the difference between right triangles and equilateral triangles.  Isosceles and scalene triangles were also investigated.  They discovered that all triangles have three angles and three vertices.  At the end of the week, students learned how to name various polygons.  Xtra Math practice is due Wednesday, January 22. (3 sessions) If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Wednesday, January 22.

Science:  Students discovered many different light sources within our darkened classroom.  They learned that a light source must emit its own light.  They also learned that light travels in a straight line by shining a flashlight/laser pointer through a cloudy solution.  At the end of the week, we explored how light bounces off various objects and surfaces.  On smooth surfaces, the light bounces back up to the viewer.  On bumpy surfaces, the light scatters in various directions.

Writing:  In writing, students determined various character traits to describe Maria Isabel.  Based on Maria Isabel’s actions in the story, students developed journal entries about a particular character trait.  They also developed a continuum to show the subtle differences between various verbs.  In grammar, students combined sentences that had the same subject.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 17 test.  We also learned the cursive “A, C, and E”.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, January book orders are due January 24.  The January writing words test will be January 28 and will cover the last three lists (October, November, and January).   Also, there will be no school on Monday or Tuesday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy the 4-day weekend!