This Week...

February 3- February 7, 2014

Reading:  We started unit 4!  While reading Cook-a-Doodle-Do, students used Venn diagrams to compare and contrast various characters in the story.  We discussed the importance of finding similarities and differences in stories to help us understand the main idea.  At the end of the week, students practiced the first comprehension signpost: contrasts & contradictions!  We read the book Chrysanthemum and students thought critically about the way characters changed and/or the way characters differed from each other.  The main question students asked themselves when they noticed this signpost was: Why is the character acting this way?  This question prompted very rich predictions and inferences from the students.  Students are also beginning to recognize this signpost in their own independent novels.  Reading Logs are due Monday, February 10. (100 minutes)

Math:  We reviewed how to solve equations that contain parentheses.  Students made sure to solve the numbers in parentheses first, before moving on to the rest of the equation.  Graphing coordinates was another concept students explored.  They practiced plotting points on the x and y axis.  Students also discovered the volume of a 3-D shape is calculated in cubic units.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, February 10. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, February 10.

Science:  We explored the idea of “refraction” by discovering that light can change directions when entering different materials.  We looked at pencils in water and observed that the pencil appeared bent, or broken in half.  We also discovered that a material’s thickness can affect how much light passes through the object, increasing its opaqueness.  The light unit test will be next Friday, February 14.

Writing:  In writing, students learned the details about their response to literature final piece! They reviewed their writing journals and selected a journal entry that showed a moment when Maria Isabel demonstrated a particular character trait.  In grammar, students applied various forms of be, have, and do to sentences.  They also learned the new writing words for February.  The list went home on Thursday and students will have their writing words test at the end of this month.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 19 test.  In cursive, students wrote the uppercase “F”, “T”, and “U”.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed the book fair this week!  It was great to see everyone picking out some wonderful books.  Students also enjoyed their field trip to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra!  Just a reminder, if your child is planning on bringing valentines, please be sure there is one for each student.  Valentine boxes are due on Wednesday, February 12.  Students took their Northeast states and capitals test this week.  Our next region will be the West!  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a fabulous weekend!