This Week...

January 25- January 29, 2016

Reading:  Students enjoyed reading the fable, The Bad Kangaroo.  They used the characters’ actions and dialogue to determine their point of view on the story’s events.  We also talked about the difference between first person, second person, and third person.  The way an author chooses to write a story can impact our perspective of what occurs.  Making text-to-text connections was another main topic this week.  We read two different mysteries by the same author and compared them using the key story elements.  We had a great discussion about book series and how you can make connections between the same characters.  When you make these connections, they deepen your understanding of the story.  At the end of the week, we learned the important terminology used in dramatic plays. Reading Logs are due Monday, February 1.  (100 minutes)

Math:  At the beginning of the week, students focused on symmetry.  Students learned how to draw the mirror image of an object from the line of symmetry.  Congruent and similar shapes were discussed and investigated.  Students also studied various characteristics of 3-D shapes.  Vertices, faces, bases, and edges were identified on the shapes.  The unit 6 test will be on Wednesday, February 3.  A review guide will be going home on Monday. **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, February 1.

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.  Students wrote down their prior knowledge and questions using a KWL chart.  They also created physical models of how the sun, moon, and Earth interact with each other.  Next week, we will spend time in the LMC researching the planets!

Writing:  Students chose a character trait and moment for their response to literature essay!  They also developed interesting leads to hook the reader.  Some of these leads included questions or interesting details.  They learned that leads need to include the title of the book and the author.  On Thursday, students took their January writing words test.  Next week, students will receive the list for February.  In grammar, we combined sentences that had the same subject or predicate.

Spelling:  We had our week 17 test.

Miscellaneous:  The Northeast states and capitals test will be on Wednesday, February 3.  Please let me know if your child needs additional practice sheets.  Our class will be visiting the book fair on Tuesday, February 2!  Flyers will be going home today along with a wish list.  Please have your child fill out the wish list and bring it back to school on Tuesday…thank you!  I hope you have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

Upcoming Dates!

Dryden's First Family Reading Night!  
Thursday, February 4  (6:30-8:00)
**The whole family is invited...wear your pajamas!

The book fair will also be open from 6:30-8:30 on Thursday, February 4th.

Since the book fair is during the month of February, we will not have book orders.  We will resume our regular book orders in March.

This Week...

January 20- January 22, 2016

Reading:  Determining the moral of a story was a main focus this week.  We learned that a moral is a lesson that the author is trying to portray through the story’s main elements.  We read various fables and figured out how the elements help form the moral.  Students did an excellent job making inferences to determine the moral of the story.  In the fable, The Camel Dances, students came up with some of the following themes: follow your heart, don’t give up on your dreams, and believe in yourself.  At the end of the week, students learned the importance of different text connections.  Some of these connections include text-to-self, text-to-self, and text-to-world.  When readers make connections, they can gain a deeper understanding of the text. Reading Logs are due Monday, January 25.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced drawing and manipulating various angles with straws!  In addition, they categorized various triangles.  They learned the difference between right triangles and equilateral triangles.  Isosceles and scalene triangles were also investigated.  Students learned how to name various polygons and that there are 360 degrees in a full turn.  Yesterday, students took a quiz on the first half of the unit.   **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, January 25.

Science:  Students participated in an engaging, hands-on activity about the relative size of bodies in our solar system.  We talked about how scientists use scale models to demonstrate an idea that may be much larger in real life.  If the moon is a grain of sand, the earth would be a mustard seed, and the sun would be a basketball!  We discovered that the moon and sun appear to be similar in size because the sun is 93 million miles from us.  Students also took their sun quiz today.  Next week, we will begin our study of the moon.

Writing:  We discussed the importance of sequencing details in our writing.  If we do not put key events in order, the reader can become confused.  Students also reviewed all chapters in the book and determined important character traits for Maria Isabel.  They provided text support to show why they chose those particular traits.  Next week, we will resume grammar.

Spelling:  We did not have spelling due to the short week.  We will resume regular spelling next week.

Miscellaneous:  I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend!  Just a couple of reminders…January 28 will be the January writing words test and book orders are due January 27.  3 “I Wonder” questions are due every Monday.  As always, thank you for your support at home…I truly appreciate it!  Have a wonderful weekend!

A Reminder from the Office...

If your child has a younger sibling, or you know a neighbor eligible for kindergarten next year, (The child must be five before September 1, 2016.) please call the office now to request a registration packet. Kindergarten registration day is February 9.

Spelling and Grammar Update

We will not have spelling or grammar next week due to the 3-day schedule...please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week...

January 11- January 15, 2016

Reading:  At the beginning of the week, we talked about the difference between literal and figurative language.  Students discovered that authors use literal language when they mean exactly what they write on the page.  Figurative language, on the other hand, is when the words on the page do not mean exactly what they say.  We discussed examples of similes, metaphors, and idioms.  We also read a short fiction piece entitled “The Claw”.  Students were able to identify examples of personification, where the author gives human like qualities to something that is not human.  At the end of the week, we revisited Zen Shorts to talk about tone and mood.  Students learned that the tone is the author and illustrator’s attitude toward the subject.  The mood is what feelings the reader has as he or she reads.  We also determined how the illustrations contribute to the overall mood and tone of a story. Reading Logs are due Wednesday, January 20.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 6!  A family letter went home this week outlining the major concepts.  Rays, lines, and line segments were a main focus.  Students practiced labeling them, as well as finding examples in the real world.  Intersecting lines and parallel line segments were also discovered.  Students practiced drawing and manipulating various angles with straws!  They learned that a square corner is also called a right angle. **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Wednesday, January 20.

Science:  We learned that the sun is the center of our solar system.  Students discovered that the earth rotates while orbiting the sun.  When the earth moves, it appears that the sun is moving.  Students also created models to explain why we have daytime and nighttime.  Next week, we will have a short quiz over the key aspects of the sun.  A review guide will be going home on Wednesday.

Writing:  We continued our work with My Name is Maria Isabel.  We developed a verb continuum, starting with slow moving verbs and ending with quick moving verbs.  Students incorporated these verbs when writing about a moment when Maria Isabel demonstrated a particular character trait.  In grammar, students identified the future tense of various verbs and applied quotation marks.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 16 test.

Miscellaneous:  This week, we enjoyed a wonderful art appreciation session by Eli’s mom!  Students learned about Georges Seurat and pointillism.   Just a reminder, January book orders are due January 27.  Also, there will be no school on Monday or Tuesday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy the 4-day weekend!

This Week...

January 4- January 8, 2016

 

Reading:  At the beginning of the week, we talked about how authors use sensory details to evoke a certain mood from the reader.  We practiced identifying positive and negative moods conveyed by the author of various fables.  Students also read a Chinese folktale about two different characters.  They analyzed the characters’ actions, words, feelings, and thoughts to determine appropriate character traits.  Another major focus was developing theories for mystery stories.  We talked about the importance of citing text evidence and our background knowledge to support our theories.  Students were very engaged and interested in our main mystery about the Mary Celeste, a mysterious ship from the 1800s whose crew went missing.  They did a wonderful job sharing their ideas and thoughts! Reading Logs are due Monday, January 11.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing major concepts from unit 5.  Students practiced reading aloud large numbers and decimals.  They also worked on comparing numbers and putting them in correct number sequences.  Place value was also reviewed up to the millions and down to the thousandths place.  Students took their unit 5 test on Friday.  The test consisted of a written portion, as well as an oral test where students read numbers.  Next week, we will begin unit 6!

Science:  We started our new science unit: the solar system!  Students explored their own ideas about what causes daytime and nighttime.  They also tracked the shadow of a basketball hoop throughout the day.  They learned that the sun plays a part in creating shadows.  When the sun “appears” to move over time, it affects where the shadow moves on the pavement.

Writing:  Students worked on a New Year’s Resolution writing project!  They developed various resolutions based on four aspects of their lives: home, school, personal, and character.  Students received their January writing words list.  In WEX, students worked on using sensory details to describe moments.  In grammar, students identified the past tense of various verbs and applied commas to sentences that included a series of things.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 15 test.

Miscellaneous:  Happy New Year and welcome back!  I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing break with family and friends.  Just a reminder, January book orders went home this week.    During our LMC time, students reviewed important information about Destiny Quest.  They practiced how to search for books and reserve them with their account information.  Three “I Wonder” questions are due on Monday, January 11.  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a great weekend!