This Week...

January 26- January 30, 2015

Reading:  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.  We also analyzed idioms and how they can make stories more interesting.  At the end of the week, students participated in a lesson on how to monitor their comprehension.  We identified factors that could break down our comprehension and determined different “fix-up” strategies that we can use when we need help.  Rereading, reading on, accessing background knowledge, and asking questions were just a few of the strategies we discussed and practiced. Reading Logs are due Monday, February 2.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students reviewed major concepts from unit 6!  Polygons, polyhedrons, rays, lines, and line segments were the main focus.  Students took their unit 6 test on Thursday.  Please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic facts.  Unit 7 will be focusing on multiplication and division fact extensions, so your child’s knowledge of the basic facts will be extremely important…thank you for your help!

Science:  Per the students’ request, I sent home directions for making homemade periscopes!  I know many students were excited to try this and to experiment with how light bounces in a periscope.  Students also experimented with various materials to see what happens when light hits objects.  We learned that opaque objects allow no light to get through, translucent materials let some light through, and transparent materials let most light through.

Writing:  Students determined character traits to describe Maria Isabel in various situations.  They were thrilled with the ending as we finished the last chapter of the book!   In grammar, students continued to review verb tenses.  They also took the January writing words test.

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

Miscellaneous:  The Dryden Book Fair begins next week!  We will be touring the book fair on Tuesday, February 3.  Since we will be having the fair, there will not be February book orders.  The Northeast states and capitals test will be next Thursday, February 5.  Please let me know if you would like additional practice sheets and/or maps.  Also, thank you to Alex’s mom for a wonderful art appreciation session on Henri Matisse!  Our class enjoyed making collages based on Matisse’s unique style.  Finally, a Valentine’s Day information letter will be going home early next week.  Please let me know if you have any questions!  Have a great weekend!