This Week...

October 24- October 28, 2016

Reading:  Students focused on the various nonfiction text structures that authors use while writing nonfiction.  Description, chronological, comparison, problem/solution, and cause/effect were the main structures that students looked for while reading different texts.  They searched for key signal words and phrases to help them determine the structure.  Students also became word detectives!  We discussed how many nonfiction texts have challenging, content-specific vocabulary.  Students learned three strategies to use when coming across an unknown word: using context clues, accessing prior knowledge, and using the glossary.    Reading Logs are due Monday, October 31.  (100 minutes)

Math:  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.  At the end of the week, students determined the area of various polygons.  They learned that in order to find the area, they need to count the number of square units inside the shape.  They also used number models to figure out the area by multiplying the amount of rows by the amount of squares in each row.  The unit 3 test will be on Thursday, November 3.  A review guide will be going home next week.

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:  In writing, we began our personal narratives!  Students learned the characteristics of this writing genre and wrote about an important moment in their lives.  They started by identifying a strong section and adding more showing details.   They also took their October writing words test.  In grammar, students learned how to change singular nouns into plural nouns.  We discussed special endings and rules.

Spelling:  Students took their week 8 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Students celebrated Bullying Prevention month and Character Counts week!  Just a reminder, on Monday, students should wear their costumes for the afternoon only.  The Halloween parade will begin around 1:30.   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 wonderful weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!