This Week...

September 28- October 2, 2015

Reading:  Students learned strategies for staying focused and engaged in their independent reading books.  Rereading, creating a picture in his/her mind, and tracking the words on the page were just a few ways that helped students stay focused.  They also read a nonfiction article about snakes from National Geographic.  In order to pay attention to their thinking, students recorded information on post-its using a coding system.  Some of these ideas included connections, surprising facts, questions, and new information.  They applied the guidelines for having an effective book discussion when they shared their post-its with a partner.  Reading Logs are due Monday, October 5.  (100 minutes)

Math:  As we began unit 2, students discovered different kinds of fact families.  Students practiced using fact triangles to help them learn their basic facts.  They also analyzed various fact extensions by finding patterns.  Students completed function boxes by following various.  They worked on solving number stories with the problem solving steps and different diagrams.  Total-part-part, start-change-end, and quantity-quantity-difference were the diagrams students used. We continue to have 2 fact tests a week.  Please remind your child to be practicing their facts at home…thank you for your support!

Social Studies:  At the beginning of the week, students worked hard reviewing for their map skills unit test.  Students also shared their wonderful map projects!  It was very enjoyable to see all the interesting ideas and hard work students put into the projects.  Next week, we will begin our first science unit: habitats!

Writing:  Focus continues to be the target writing skill during WEX.  Students worked on developing tiny details that focused on sound.  They made careful observations to create interesting descriptions of various objects and moments.  Students continue to share their work and respond to each other using targeted, positive feedback.  In grammar, we worked on identifying the predicate in a sentence.

Spelling:  We took our week 4 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed a presentation on fire safety from Lt. Larson, who works with the Arlington Heights Fire Department.  As the weather gets cooler, please be sure your child has appropriate outerwear for recess time…thank you!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions!