This Week...

April 20- April 24, 2015

Reading:  This week, students listened to their inner voices during while reading the book, Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson.  They recorded their connections, predictions, and questions on sticky notes to document tracks of thinking.  They did a wonderful job thinking deeply about the text and discovering big ideas, such as: bullying, kindness, and friendship.  We also read various Time for Kids articles that focused on Earth day topics, like pollution and water shortages around the world. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 27.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students dove right into unit 9!  They solved various story problems that required multiplication and division fact extensions.  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, April 27. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

Science:  Students took their moon quiz on Wednesday.  They continued working hard on their planet research projects!  Students created scripts based on their research.  Next week, they will record newscasts, interviews, and/or travel commercials with their group members to teach others about why their planet is unique.  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.

Writing:  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 WEX, students created their introductions and problems for their short fiction piece.  The April writing words test will be on Wednesday, April 29.  A cumulative list of the words was sent home on Thursday.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 30 review spelling test.  Next week, we will resume regular spelling homework.  Students wrote the letters “X” and “W”.

Miscellaneous:  On April 29, the district will be emailing you a letter that contains your child’s individual passcode to register for next school year.  The letter will no longer be sent in the regular mail, so please be on the lookout for this email.  Every student needs to “re-register” every year.  The online registration window is May 1-June 1.  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!

Solar System Relative Size Lesson!

Students conducted an experiment to see how distance affects how we perceive the size of various objects.  We concluded that the sun is much larger than the moon!  They appear to be similar sizes because the sun is so far away from Earth!

This Week...

April 13- April 17, 2015

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.  Students used context clues to figure out unknown vocabulary in classic Earth Day book, The Lorax. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 20.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to write improper fractions and mixed numbers.  They also reviewed equivalent fractions, fraction number lines, and various fraction word problems.  Today, students took their unit 8 test.  We will begin unit 9 next week! Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 20. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

Science:  The moon was our main focus for the week!  We were able to engage in rich discussions about the moon’s movement, its composition, and its phases.  We also spent time in the LMC researching our planets!  Students found important facts that answered the essential question (What makes your planet unique?).  They researched details for various categories including weather, size, location, and atmosphere.

Writing:  In WEX, students identified nouns and verbs within their writing.  We also read The Secret Shortcut and identified parts of the story’s structure: introduction, problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution.  In grammar, we focused on the difference between possessive pronouns and contractions.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 29 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “G” and “Q”.

Miscellaneous:  Our April writing words test will be on April 29.  This test will be cumulative.  In conjunction with Dryden’s “Comfort Boxes” service project, students made thoughtful cards for America’s service members.  It was wonderful to see the beautiful notes which thanked troops for their bravery and commitment.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions…have a fabulous weekend!

This Week...

April 6- April 10, 2015

Reading:  Creating and confirming predictions was our target skill for the week.  Students learned how active readers make predictions and check 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, April 13.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Equivalent fractions were a main focus for the week!  Students learned to create equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.  They also wrote equivalent fractions during a fraction sundae project!  Fractional parts of a number line were investigated in order to compare fractions.  The unit 8 math test will be next Friday, April 17.  A review guide will be going home on Wednesday. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 13. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

Science:  We learned that the sun is the center of our solar system.  Students discovered that the earth rotates while orbiting the sun.  When the earth moves, it appears that the sun is moving.  Today, students took a science quiz over the first half of our solar system unit.  In the LMC, students began a planet research project!  Next week, we will begin our study of the moon!

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, we focused on verb and pronoun agreement.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 28 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “U” and “Y”.

Miscellaneous:  Students continued sharing their wonderful Personalized Learning projects!  You can find these posted on our blog under the Personalized Learning tab.  On Thursday, students enjoyed a presentation by author Candace Fleming!  She taught students about the writing process and how she looks for writing “seeds” in her life to inspire her stories.  Since the Chicago area weather is always changing, please be sure your child has appropriate attire for outdoor recess…thank you!  April book orders are due on Thursday, April 30.  This week, 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 Monday.  The South test will be on May 14.    Please let me know if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

This Week...

March 30- April 2, 2015

Reading:  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 various Time for Kids and National Geographic articles.  They utilized various nonfiction text features to gain important understandings about the texts. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 6.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We started unit 8 this week!  Fractions will be the main focus.  Students worked on figuring out fractional parts of a number with counters.  They learned that the denominator stands for the number of equal groups and the numerator stands for the number of groups to consider.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 6. (6 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

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:  In writing, students wrote spring list poems that focused on descriptive words and imagery.  Students also continued working on persuasive writing.  They read an article about bringing birthday treats to school.  They took notes for each side of the argument.  Then, they wrote a persuasive essay to either support the ban of treats or keep birthday treats in schools.  They used evidence from the text to support their claim.  In grammar, we focused on possessive pronouns.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 27 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “F” and “T”.

Miscellaneous:  Welcome back!  I hope you all had an enjoyable spring break.  This week, students began sharing their PL projects with their classmates!  We are learning so much about various topics and have really enjoyed the presentations.  Just a reminder, there will be no school on Friday, April 3.  The cumulative writing words test will be on Monday, April 6.  A packet containing all the word lists went home this week.  Have a wonderful weekend!