This Week...

January 24- January 27, 2017

Reading:  In the beginning of the week, we focused on how dialogue is used in fiction stories.  We learned that characters’ words can show us a lot about their personalities.  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. Reading Logs are due Monday, January 30.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced drawing and manipulating various angles with straws!  They learned that there are 360 degrees in a full turn.   Students created an angle measuring tool to help determine the size of angles.  Today, students took a quiz on the first half of the unit.  Next week, we will focus on various polygons and three-dimensional figures.  Just a reminder, please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic facts…thank you!

Social Studies:  Branches of government was our main focus in social studies this week!  We discussed how each branch of the government has a specific job, which helps the power stay balanced in our country and our state.  Students learned that the legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws.

Writing:  We discussed cause and effect relationships while reading My Name is Maria Isabel.  Students also completed revision assignments for a character trait prompt.  They looked back in the text to find important showing details to better describe a particular moment.  In grammar, students reviewed key topics from unit 3.  Just a reminder, the January writing words test will be on Tuesday, January 31.

Spelling:  Students took their unit 3 review test.  We will resume regular spelling homework next week.

Miscellaneous:  Our class will be visiting the book fair on Thursday, 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 Thursday…thank you!  I hope you have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!