This Week...

April 21- April 25, 2014

Reading:  Transportation was the theme for the week!  Differentiating between fact and opinion was the main skill.  Students used a two-column organizer to help separate information that could be proven and people’s beliefs.  They also determined the meaning of important vocabulary by utilizing context clues.  In addition, students read two National Geographic articles about sloths and feeding the world’s population.  They utilized various nonfiction text features to gain important understandings about the texts. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 28. (100 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to write improper fractions and mixed numbers.  They also reviewed writing equivalent fractions during a fraction sundae project!  At the end of the week, students solved various word problems using fractions.  Today, students completed a review guide for unit 8.  Our unit 8 test will be next Wednesday, April 30. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 28. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 28.

Science:  We continued working hard on our UbD solar system research projects!  Students created scripts based on their research.  Then, they recorded newscasts with their group members to teach others about why their planet is unique.  They did a wonderful job working together!  We also learned about the relative size of objects in the solar system.  Students learned about the size of the sun in relation to the other planets with a hands-on activity.  Today, students completed a review guide about the moon.  We will be having a moon quiz on Monday, April 28.

Writing:  In WEX, students worked on creating their first and second rising actions for their short fiction piece.  They developed showing details and incorporated strong verbs to show how the character’s problem gets worse.  In celebration of Earth Day, students created projects based on Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.  They were each able to “speak for” something in nature that needs protection.  In grammar, we focused on possessive pronouns.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 27 spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Our April writing words test will be next Wednesday, April 30.  This test will be cumulative.  A complete list of the words went home this week.   Just a reminder, spring MAP testing will be next week for our class.  We will be taking the math MAP test on Wednesday afternoon and the reading MAP test on Thursday morning.  Please be sure your child gets adequate rest and eats a nutritious breakfast.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a fantastic weekend!