The SOLARS!

Students had so much fun at the SOLARS award ceremony this week!  After researching each planet, students learned which planets won for various categories.  Some of these categories included: Wildest Temperature, Most Beautiful, and Fastest Planet!  Here are a few snapshots of the special event!

This Week...

December 12- December 16, 2016

Reading:  We talked about how good readers make inferences while they read.  Students learned how to access their background knowledge and utilize text details to develop a deeper understanding about the text.  We also read a collection of Zen shorts and found common themes throughout the stories.  Some of these themes included kindness and generosity.   Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 3.  (300 minutes)

Math:  Students continued working with large numbers!  They calculated their ages in terms of days and minutes.   Reading aloud large numbers was also a focus.  At the end of the week, students surveyed the class with a question about a winter topic.  Then, they collected data, analyzed it, and graphed it.  Students displayed their information using bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.  Please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic facts over winter break…thank you!

Social Studies:  We reviewed key ideas from the Midwest unit.  Students took their unit test on Wednesday.  When we come back from break, we will start our new social studies unit: Illinois!

Writing:  In writing, students worked on finding text evidence in My Name is Maria Isabel to support various character traits.  They also created sensory details to describe different experiences.  In grammar, students identified the correct form of present tense verbs.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 14 test.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed the SOLARS award ceremony which concluded our solar system research projects.  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 2017!

Coding!

Today, we had the chance to participate in The Hour of Code!  Below is a link to many of the coding websites that students may find interesting!

http://drydenlmc.weebly.com/coding.html

This Week...

December 5- December 9, 2016

Reading:  Students were excited to start our new fiction unit!  At the beginning of the week, we explored various types of fiction.  Some of these included fables, folktales, and historical fiction.  We also read Mirette on the High Wire, which was a story based in France over 100 years ago.  Students identified important story elements using an organizer.  We also read an Ashanti tale about Anansi the Spider.  We had a discussion about how folktales often use literary and cultural language to convey a story that has been passed down from generation to generation.  Reading Logs are due Monday, December 12.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 5 this week!  Students reviewed place value up to the hundred millions.  They also practiced writing large numbers from dictation, as well as saying numbers aloud.  We also learned a new game, “Number Top-It”, which helped us compare large numbers in a fun way!  Towards the end of the week, students discussed the U.S. census and applied their knowledge of large numbers to interpret city populations.  Pictographs were another focus.

Social Studies:  We had a great discussion about the Midwest economy.  We discovered that manufacturing and agriculture provide many jobs for people in the area.  Henry Ford and the assembly line were highlighted.  Students also experienced the culture of the Midwest by reading about Mt. Rushmore, Cahokia, the Hmong people, and many other interesting topics.  The Midwest test (including the Midwest states & capitals) will be on Wednesday, December 14.  A review guide went home on Wednesday.

Writing:  In writing, we continued working on character traits and supporting details.  Students analyzed excerpts from the book My Name is Maria Isabel and found interesting showing details.  Students also wrote different types of winter poetry.  These types of poems were Haikus and sensory poems.  In grammar, students worked on identifying action verbs in various sentences.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 13 test.

Miscellaneous:  “Secret Snowpal” names went home today!  Students need to create a homemade card with a special message for that particular classmate.  Snowpal cards are due Wednesday, December 14.  Shh…remember, it’s a secret!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…have a great weekend and stay warm!

Solar System Videos

We spent time researching each planet in the solar system!  Students worked together to compile the information they learned into a video!  Click on the link below...enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNPe6IPws6ZEEdg2Jfs1LbmXbufycdF1k

This Week...

November 28- December 2, 2016

Reading:  This week, we reviewed important skills from our nonfiction unit.  Students used context clues to figure out unknown words from various articles.  While reading a TFK article about buffalo, students determined the main idea and essential details.  They used this information to write an effective summary.  Going back into the text and highlighting details using key words was another skill students practiced.  At the end of the week, students took their nonfiction unit assessment.  We will be starting our fiction unit next week! Reading Logs are due Monday, December 5.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced reviewing major concepts from unit 4.  Using arrays and pictures, they represented various multiplication/division number stories.  Students took their unit 4 test today!  We will begin unit 5 next week.  Please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic facts…thank you!

Social Studies:  Transportation in the Midwest was a main focus this week.  We learned how flatboats, steamboats, bulk freighters, and trains helped people travel and transport goods.  We discussed how kids grew up in the Midwest during the late 1800s.  Students wrote pioneer letters written from the perspective of a child living at that time.  Students also worked on their state research projects!  Students applied various research skills with nonfiction books and articles to find out key information about their Midwest state.

Writing:  In writing, we began unit 2 in our WEX writing program!  Unit 2 focuses on a response to literature.  We started the book My Name is Maria Isabel and students identified showing details that helped develop the main character.  Students also took their November writing words test.  There will not be a list for December due to the shortened month.  In grammar, students reviewed key topics from unit 2.  Some of these topics included common & proper nouns, possessive nouns, and combining sentences.

Spelling:  Today, we had our unit 2 review test.  Next week, we will resume regular spelling and homework.

Miscellaneous:  I had a wonderful time meeting with each of you at conferences!  Thank you again for the commitment to your child’s learning experience!  I also hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving break.  Today, students celebrated their good character with a pajama party!  Have a fabulous weekend and please let me know if you have any questions.

Veteran's Day

We were very lucky to have Mr. Lange come and visit our classroom on Veteran's Day!  We thank him for sharing his experiences with us and for his service to our country!

Fall Learning & Fun!

Students discovered solar system distances using a hands-on activity!  They learned that the sun and the moon appear to be the same size because the sun is much farther away than the moon.

Students enjoyed the wonderful Halloween party!

This Week...

November 14- November 18, 2016

Reading:  This week, we focused on the compare/contrast and description text structures that are often found in nonfiction texts.  At the beginning of the week, students read an article about chimpanzees and humans.  They used key words and phrases to find similarities and differences between the two.  The information was recorded in a Venn diagram.  Students also worked on finding the main idea and details in an article that had a description text structure.  They used the headings, topic sentences, and ending sentences to determine the big idea and supporting details.  Reading Logs are due Monday, November 28.  (200 minutes)

Math:  We practiced how to use multiplication and division fact triangles to make fact families.  There were many tips and tricks that we practiced in order to start learning our facts.  Students reviewed how to solve multiplication and division number stories.  Our unit 4 test will be on Friday, December 2.

Social Studies:  At the beginning of the week, we started the Midwest unit!  Students learned where the states and capitals are located.  A letter went home this week detailing the expectations for learning this information.  We also read about the landscape of the Midwest.  We discovered that the land was once covered with glaciers, which later formed many of our lakes.  We also focused on Native American life in the early 1800s and how the buffalo was vital to their survival.  Lewis and Clark’s expedition in the Louisiana territory was discussed.  Students also began researching a state in the Midwest using various print and electronic resources!

Writing:  Students practiced writing special letters about the Thanksgiving season.  Just a reminder, the November writing words test will be on November 29.  This test will include October and November words.  In grammar, students worked on combining sentences with similar subjects or predicates.

Spelling:  Students took their week 11 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Progress reports were sent home today.  Please sign the front of the envelope and return the empty envelope to school.  I am looking forward to meeting with you at conferences next week!  Thank you for taking the time to discuss your child’s progress.  Students will return to school on Monday, November 28.  I hope you all have an enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving break!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…enjoy!