This Week...

October 19- October 23, 2015

Reading:  Nonfiction text features were a key focus this week.  Students learned how to identify, locate, and utilize these features in a variety of nonfiction books.  They also discussed the purpose of each feature and how it helps the reader comprehend the text.  We also read A Butterfly is Patient.  Students worked on activating their prior knowledge about butterflies and recording their wonderings about the topic.  To practice engagement in our books, students worked on FQR (Fact, Question, Response) charts during independent reading time in order to record their thinking about the topics.  Reading Logs are due Monday, October 26.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced measuring line segments to the nearest whole, half, and quarter inch.  Finding personal references for the U.S. customary system and the metric system was a main focus.  Students practiced measuring the perimeter of polygons.  We also created an experiment involving probability and pattern block shapes.  Students predicted and confirmed their guesses by collecting data on how many times a shape would fall on its edge.  We discussed line plots as a way to display data.  Finding the minimum, maximum, range, median, and mode were also practiced.

Science:  Students investigated why birds have different beaks.  They used hands-on models to demonstrate why certain beaks are better for eating specific foods.  We also reviewed various physical and behavioral characteristics that animals have to survive in their environments.  At the end of the week, we read Cactus Hotel.  Students learned how various organisms use the cactus to meet their needs.  In the LMC, students learned the “sketch and label” note-taking strategy.  They utilized this method while reading about various habitats.  Next week, we will be dissecting owl pellets.  An informational letter went home explaining details.  If your child would like to bring their pellet home, he/she can bring in a small container on Monday.

Writing:  Students continued to incorporate strong verbs in their writing to show the reader what was happening at a particular moment.  In grammar, students discriminated between common and proper nouns.  Just a reminder, the October writing words test will be on Thursday, October 29.

Spelling:  Students took their week 7 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Students began celebrating Bullying Prevention month and Character Counts week!  Just a reminder, on Friday, students should wear their costumes for the afternoon only.  The Halloween parade will begin around 1:15.   Our party will take place when we get back to the classroom.  Thank you to everyone who donated supplies, organized games, and volunteered to help us!  Have a fabulous weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!