This Week...

May 19- May 22, 2014

Reading:  Community helpers was the topic for the week!  Students read the story A Castle on Viola Street, which they used to explore the concept of “theme”.  As a class, we located clues from the text to help support the theme of the story.  We learned the theme of the story is usually the author’s message.  Some themes that we derived from the story included “If you help someone, you will be helped in return” and “Never give up on your dreams”.  Reading Logs are due Tuesday, May 27. (100 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing major concepts from unit 9!  Students took their unit 9 test on Wednesday.  Xtra Math practice is due Tuesday, May 27. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Tuesday, May 27.

Social Studies:  We finished up our Chicago unit!  Students used edmodo to review key ideas and share their learning with each other.  They also played a landmark game to identify important locations around Chicago.  Students took their Chicago test on Wednesday.

Writing:  In WEX, students completed their short fiction final pieces!  Students should be very proud of all their hard work in constructing these stories.  In grammar, students identified adjectives.  They also applied articles to various sentences.  Students took their final writing words test of the year on Monday!

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 31 spelling test.  Next week will be our last week for spelling.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, there will be no school for students on Friday or Monday (Memorial Day).  Next Thursday is our Chicago field trip!  An informational letter went home today explaining the details of the trip.  Please let me know if you have any questions!  Have a terrific weekend and enjoy the warm weather!

This Week...

May 12- May 16, 2014

Reading:  This week, we reviewed major skills from unit 5.  Students focused on cause & effect relationships using a nonfiction article about the disappearance of frogs in South America.  They looked for signal words such as “as a result”, “due to”, and “because” to recognize these relationships.  They also learned two more signposts: “Words of the Wiser” and “Tough Questions”.  While reading the story Pinduli, students identified parts of the story where the main character receives advice from a wiser character.  They also identified parts where the main character asked herself tough questions.  We had a discussion about how these signposts help us make inferences about the story’s theme and moral. Reading Logs are due Monday, May 19. (100 minutes)

Math:  At the beginning of the week, students learned how to divide money between people.  They learned that if the amount does not divide equally, they need to exchange dollars for cents.   Students also identified factors for various numbers and played factor bingo.  At the end of the week, students practiced using the partial-products algorithm to solve double-digit x double digit-multiplication problems.  Students also explored another multiplication method: lattice!  A review guide went home on Friday.  The unit 9 test will be on Wednesday, May 21.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, May 19. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, May 19.

Social Studies:  Students analyzed and discussed pictures of artifacts that were found in the city after the Great Chicago Fire.  Chicago’s rich culture was investigated by studying the various ethnic neighborhoods in the city.  After discussing the world’s fairs that took place in Chicago, we voted on our favorite Chicago chairs…congratulations to             Leslie,  Ashlyn, Shelby, and Ben for their creative designs!  Everyone did a wonderful job.  Jane Addams, one of the most influential women from Illinois, was also a main topic of discussion this week.  Students learned how she made a difference through social change and the Hull House.  Just a reminder, our Chicago test will be on Wednesday, May 21.  A review guide and flashcards will go home on Monday.

Writing:  In WEX, students created dialogue for certain parts of their stories.  They incorporated interesting verbs to demonstrate how the characters were talking.  Students also completed their short fiction rough drafts.  After making revisions and completing the editing process, students started working on their final copies.  In grammar, we reviewed major concepts from unit 5.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 30 review spelling test.  Next week, we will resume regular spelling homework.

Miscellaneous:  On May 19, we will have our final writing words test of the year!  A sheet with all the words went home on Thursday.  Today, students enjoyed a wonderful art appreciation lesson from Shelby’s mom ...thank you!  I hope you all have a great weekend!

This Week...

May 5- May 9, 2014

Reading:  This week, our skill focus was main idea and details.  Students read a nonfiction piece about the solar system and found details to support the main ideas.  They also participated in a close reading activity with a Time for Kids article about crowdfunding.  Students used context clues to figure out unknown vocabulary. Reading Logs are due Monday, May 12. (100 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to use the partial products algorithm to solve double-digit multiplication problems.  Please remind your child to be practicing his or her basic multiplication facts, as these are vital in carrying out this new method.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, May 12. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, May 12.

Social Studies:  We discussed the history behind the settlement of Chicago, including Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, our city’s founder.  Students also read a real diary account, preserved from the Chicago Historical Society, written by a woman living at Fort Dearborn back in the 1800s.  Students discovered interesting problems Chicago had when it was first formed and how transportation transformed the city of in the late 1800s.  Students also learned interesting details about The Great Chicago Fire.

Writing:  In WEX, students worked on revision assignments for each part of their short fiction story.  They developed 2-3 more showing details to make their piece stronger.  May writing words also went home this week.  In grammar, we focused on contractions.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 29 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  May book orders went home this week and will be due Thursday, May 15.  This will be the last book order of the year.  On Tuesday, students enjoyed the SOLAR awards and learned which planets won the various categories.  Students were happy to applaud all of our fabulous volunteers at the Volunteer Breakfast on Thursday.  Thank you for helping make Dryden such a special place!  We have been so excited to be using the iPads each day!  Students are exploring new ways to use them for various learning experiences.  We also started an online learning group using “edmodo”!  Students signed up in class and are now able to respond to questions about what we are learning in class.  A parent letter was also sent home with an individualized parent password.  At the end of the week, we read a book entitled Each Kindness.  We had a great discussion about the importance of being kind to others and showing good character.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a fantastic weekend!

This Week...

April 28- May 2, 2014

Reading:  Creating and confirming predictions was our target skill for the week.  Students learned how active readers make predictions and check back to their original predictions in order to comprehend the story.  They also explored figurative language through our main selection: The Printer.  Students learned how authors use figurative language to emphasize a point. Reading Logs are due Monday, May 5. (100 minutes)

Math:  Students took their unit 8 test on Wednesday.  Later in the week, students dove right into unit 9!  They solved various story problems that required multiplication and division fact extensions.  The family letter for unit 9 went home today.  Please remind your child to be practicing their basic multiplication facts, as they are vital in this new unit.  Thank you for your support! Xtra Math practice is due Monday, May 5. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, May 5.

Science:  Students took their moon quiz on Monday.  They also viewed their solar system videos, which demonstrated their planet research.  The students really enjoyed learning more about each planet and voting for their favorites.  The videos are posted on our blog!  On Tuesday, we will be having our SOLARS award ceremony, where students will learn which planet won each category.  Students may dress up in formal attire if they wish.  We also started our Chicago unit!  Students learned what the symbols on the Chicago flag stand for and why it’s an important part of our city’s history.

Writing:  In WEX, students wrote their turning points and resolutions for their short fiction pieces.  Students used strong verbs and showing details to help their character solve his/her problem.  They also wrapped up their stories with a conclusion.  Next week, we will work on completing various revision assignments to further develop the stories.  In grammar, we focused on subject pronouns and verb agreement.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 28 spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, field trip forms for our upcoming Chicago field trip are due next week.  As the weather continues to change, please be sure your child has appropriate attire for outdoor recess…thank you!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful weekend!