This Week...

March 10- March 14, 2014

Reading:  Our main story this week was, Here’s My Dollar.  Students learned about the importance of getting involved in the community and how individuals can make a huge difference.  In this story, students practiced finding the author’s purpose.  They also worked on figuring out the meaning of key vocabulary words through sentence clues.  We also read a Time for Kids article about the future of libraries.  Students found evidence in the article to support claims made by the author. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 17. (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 7!  Students discovered that square products are formed by multiplying two identical factors.  A family letter also went home highlighting the major concepts from unit 7.  Students also made multiplication/division fact triangles.  Please encourage your child to be practicing these at home. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, March 17. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, March 17.

Social Studies:  Agriculture and Illinois industries were a main area of focus this week.  Students explored how farm products are turned into food and how it reaches consumers.  We also had a rich discussion about various industries, such as manufacturing and business.  Students identified adults they knew and where their jobs fit in the various industry categories.  Our Illinois unit test will be next Tuesday, March 18.  A review guide went home today.  The West states and capitals test will be Wednesday, March 19.

Writing:  In writing, students continued to practice homophones.  They also identified the differences between contractions and possessive nouns.  Students participated in creative writing opportunities using writing prompts about the month of March.

Cursive/Spelling:  Next week, we will resume regular spelling and homework.

Miscellaneous:  This week, students worked very hard on ISAT testing, which concluded on Wednesday!  Today, progress reports went home.  Student work from the trimester was included with the report.  Please sign and return the envelope as soon as possible…thank you!  Just a reminder, book orders are due on March 21.  Have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!