This Week...

December 18- December 22, 2017

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, January 8.  (300 minutes)

Math:  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.  They also started unit 7!  Students used their knowledge of basic multiplication facts to solve fact extensions.  A family letter went home on Thursday, which details the important concepts from the unit.

Social Studies:  Students were very excited to start our next social studies unit: Illinois!  We started off discussing the land of Illinois, including bordering rivers and states.  They also had the opportunity to study the climate of certain cities across the state: Springfield, Rockford, and Cairo.  After graphing the average monthly temperatures for each city, students discovered that the colder cities are in the northern part of the state, while the warmer cities are in southern Illinois.

Writing:  Students continued working on winter poetry.  They read poems about the likes and dislikes of winter.  Then, they created their own poems about winter.  In grammar, students combined sentences with similar subjects or predicates.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on singular and plural nouns.  They focused on nouns that end in f, lf, or fe.  They learned that they need to drop the endings and add –ves.  We also discussed the proper abbreviations for various words.

Miscellaneous:  This week, Officer Veenstra visited our class to discuss important safety topics.  He talked about stranger danger, how to stay safe on the internet, and what to do if bullying occurs.  We also had a great time sharing our cardboard challenge projects with other Dryden classes.  Today, we exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  Just a reminder, optional winter math packets are due on January 8…this is a great way to help your child practice various skills.  I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  See you back in 2018!

Officer Veenstra Visit!

Officer Veenstra came to visit our classroom today!  He taught us important information about stranger danger, internet safety, and bullying.  We learned a lot!

Cardboard Challenge Sharing Time!

Students displayed their projects in the gym so that other classes could view their work!  They explained how they made their projects and even had other students play their games!  When students weren't sharing their own work, they were visiting other classrooms' projects!  It was a great experience for all!

This Week...

December 11- December 15, 2017

Reading:  This week, we reviewed how to find the main idea of nonfiction articles.  Students used the title, headings, and topic sentences to figure out the most important information.  Then, they created an effective summary.  Students also took their nonfiction unit assessment.  Next week, we will begin our new reading unit: fiction! Reading Logs are due Monday, December 18.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We focused on division story problems and how to draw pictures of equal groups.  Students worked on missing factor equations and reviewed for their unit 6 test, which they took today.  Please remind your child to practice his/her basic multiplication facts.  Next week, we will begin unit 7!

Social Studies:  We spent the week reviewing important concepts from our Midwest unit.  Students enjoyed playing Kahoot to see how well they knew their states and capitals.  Today, they took their Midwest unit test.  Students also finished the research for their state scrapbook projects.  Next week, we will begin our new social studies unit: Illinois!

Writing:  Students worked on winter poetry!  They wrote sensory poems and haikus.  They brainstormed descriptive words that described various winter activities.

Word Study:  Students differentiated between antonyms, synonyms, and homophones.  They also worked on how to create plural nouns.  We focused on special endings and nouns that end in the letter “y”.

Miscellaneous:  Students built their cardboard challenge projects!  They worked as teams to bring their sketches to life.  In the LMC, students had another important lesson about digital citizenship.  We also had Mrs. Beane come to our classroom to teach us about coding!  “Secret Snowpal” names went home on Wednesday!  Students need to create a homemade card with a special message for that particular classmate.  Snowpal cards are due Wednesday, December 20.  Shh…remember, it’s a secret!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…have a great weekend and stay warm!

Coding!

This week, Mrs. Beane came in to our classroom to teach us about coding!  We learned how to be computer programmers!

The Cardboard Challenge

Students were so excited to begin building their cardboard projects!  

This Week...

December 4- December 8, 2017

Reading:  This week, we focused on being word detectives.  We revisited the nonfiction article “New Hope for Beauty”.  Students practiced using context clues and the topic of the article to figure out the meaning of unknown words.  They also reviewed how to determine the main idea and details of an article.  At the end of the week, students focused on author’s purpose.   Reading Logs are due Monday, December 11.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We continued working on unit 6.  Students focused on their 6, 7, 8, and 9 multiplication facts.  They practiced using the “use a fact you already know” strategy.  Using arrays, number lines, multiple addition, and pictures was also practiced throughout the week.

Social Studies:  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.  They also learned about the economy of the Midwest.  Henry Ford and his use of the assembly line was a main focus.  The Midwest unit test will be next Friday, December 15th.  A review guide and flashcards will be going home on Tuesday.  This test will cover concepts from the Midwest as well as the states & capitals.

Writing:  Students did an expository writing project focused on how to build a snowman.  They used transition words to describe the steps in an organized manner.  In grammar, students focused on possessive nouns.

Word Study:  Students continued working on homophones, synonyms, and antonyms.  They read a poem and identified pairs of synonyms and antonyms.  They also illustrated pairs of homophones to show the different meanings.

Miscellaneous:  Students were so excited to begin the Cardboard Challenge this week!  Thank you to all the families who generously donated cardboard to our classroom…we greatly appreciate it!  Students learned about Caine, a nine-year old boy who was the inspiration for this global challenge.  Then, they met in pairs to brainstorm ways to use their cardboard.  After sketching out ideas and choosing their favorites, the groups met with other groups to receive/give feedback.  Next week, students will use the feedback to make changes to their designs and begin building their projects!  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a great weekend!