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!