This Week...

December 14- December 18, 2015

Reading:  At the beginning of the week, we read a Time for Kids article about people who have exotic animals as pets.  We practiced writing an effective summary by starting with a topic sentence, stating the big idea, providing supporting details, and writing a closing sentence.  We also talked about how good readers make inferences while they read.  We read a collection of Zen shorts and found common themes throughout the stories.  Some of these themes included kindness and generosity.  At the end of the week, we read various fables.  We analyzed the characters’ actions to determine appropriate character traits.  Reading Logs are due Monday, January 4.  (300 minutes)

Math:  We explored decimals and fractions using base-10 blocks.  By using a flat, students learned how to shade in a certain number of blocks to represent a decimal.  During this investigation, we discussed 2 new place values: tenths and hundredths.  At the end of the week, students surveyed the class with a question about a winter activity.  Then, they collected data, analyzed it, and graphed it.  Students displayed their information using bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.  Our unit 5 test will be on Friday, January 8.  A review guide will be going home once we return from break.

Social Studies:  We reviewed key ideas from the Midwest unit.  Students took their unit test on Thursday.  When we come back from break, we will start our new science unit: the solar system!

Writing:  In writing, students worked on revision assignments.  They utilized excerpts from the book My Name is Maria Isabel and found interesting showing details to add to their journal entries.  In grammar, students identified the correct form of present tense verbs.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 14 test.

Miscellaneous:  Students really enjoyed the various coding activities they have been doing during our time in the LMC!  On our blog, many of the coding websites are listed.  This is a great opportunity for students to participate in over winter break if they are interested.  We also reviewed open and closed questions in order to prepare for our upcoming personalized learning research experience.  Students will be recording at least 3 “I Wonder” questions a week.  I will check these on Mondays when I collect their reading logs.  These questions will serve as a great starting point for research.  The “I Wonder” sheet can be found in your child’s take home folder.  Today, we exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  They worked very hard on creating these special gifts.  I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  See you back in 2016!