This Week...

March 31- April 4, 2014

Reading:  This week, students reviewed important skills from unit 4: making predictions, comparing & contrasting, and making inferences.  They also reviewed important vocabulary from the unit.  Students read a biography about Susan B. Anthony and learned about her participation in helping women get the right to vote.  “Beware of Dragons” was a National Geographic article that we read at the end of the week.  Students found evidence to support the author’s claim that dragonflies are tough predators.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 7. (100 minutes)

Math:  Students continued solving multiplication and division fact extensions.  They used their knowledge of basic facts to solve various puzzles.  They also reviewed how to estimate costs by rounding.  Today, students completed a review guide for unit 7.  The unit 7 math test will be on Wednesday, April 9.   Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 7. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 7.

Science:  We started our new science unit: the solar system!  Students explored their own ideas about what causes daytime and nighttime.  They also tracked the shadow of a basketball hoop throughout the day.  They learned that the sun plays a part in creating shadows.  When the sun “appears” to move over time, it affects where the shadow moves on the pavement.

Writing:  We began unit 3 in our WEX program!  Students enjoyed learning about how to develop a fictional character.  By analyzing photographs, students described what their character would be thinking, feeling, and saying in various settings.   In grammar, students reviewed verbs in the present and past tense.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 24 review spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Welcome back!  I hope you all had an enjoyable spring break.  April book orders went home this week and are due on April 25.  On Thursday, we had our spring bus evacuation drill.  Students reviewed important bus safety rules.  Students were also introduced to the South states and capitals.  An informational letter and practice materials went home on Wednesday.  The South test will be on May 14.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!