Reading!

We were very excited to receive our new bean bag chairs!  

Building Magnetic Devices!

This week, students worked as engineers to design magnetic devices that solved problems.  They worked in teams to identify a problem, design a device that used at least two magnets, and build the device using classroom materials.  After receiving peer feedback, students revised their devices.  Then, each group demonstrated how to use their devices!  There were many creative ideas!

This Week...

March 20-March 23, 2017

Reading:  This week, we read a poetry book about forces.  Students learned to identify scientific concepts that were being described through the poets’ descriptive language.  They also focused on how the poets used italics, shape, and color to demonstrate science terms.  We also revisited a reference nonfiction book about roller coasters.  Students learned the importance of using the index and table of contents to locate important information.  We discussed how these tools can be a starting point for further research about a topic. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 3.  (200 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to write improper fractions and mixed numbers.  They also focused on equivalent fractions, fraction number lines, and various fraction word problems.  They used fraction cards to compare fractions to ½.  Our unit 8 test will be on Friday, April 7.  A review guide will be going home after spring break. **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 3.

Science:  Students worked in pairs to design and build a magnetic device that solved a problem of their choice.  They acted as engineers who used peer feedback to revise their original design.  After making changes, students retested their devices.  Then, they presented their devices to the class.  They explained how their device acted as a system and how each part was used.  We enjoyed seeing how students used magnets in a creative way!

Writing:  Students completed their final persuasive essay!  They developed their own ideas and used facts from a Time for Kids article about school bake sales.  Each student decided if schools should have bake sales.  Students looked at the pros and cons as they built their own cases.  The March writing words test was given on Tuesday.

Spelling:  We did not have spelling due to spring break starting on Friday.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed celebrating Crazy Hair Day!  We loved seeing the creative hairstyles!  Also, author Peter Brown is coming to visit Dryden after spring break.  We are currently reading his book The Wild Robot in class.  Please feel free to visit the LMC link to learn more…http://drydenlmc.weebly.com/peter-brown-visit.html.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  I hope everyone has a relaxing spring break!

This Week...

March 13- March 17, 2017

Reading:  This week, we read and discussed a reference nonfiction book about magnetism.  We discussed how scientists ask questions as they read to deepen their learning.  Students learned the importance of skimming and scanning to locate important information.  They also learned that their questions can be answered explicitly, implicitly, or not at all within the text.  At the end of the week, students practiced writing questions for their own nonfiction books and figuring out if the answers were explicit or implicit. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 20.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We started unit 8 this week!  Fractions will be the main focus.  Students worked on figuring out fractional parts of a number with counters.  They learned that the denominator stands for the number of equal groups and the numerator stands for the number of groups to consider.  **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, March 20.

Science:  Students participated in the magnet challenge where they created a question to test using two magnets.  They gathered materials, made predictions, and recorded observations.  They learned that the strength of the repelling or attracting force depends on the distance between the magnets.

Writing:  Students continued working on persuasive writing.   We read an article about whether or not kids should keep all their Halloween candy.  Students chose supporting evidence from the article to support his/her chosen side.  Then, they used details from the text to complete an organizer.  They used this organizer to write a cohesive essay.   In grammar, students learned how to apply correct pronouns to various sentences.

Spelling:  We had our week 25 test.  Next week, we will not have spelling due to spring break starting on Friday.

Miscellaneous:  Today marks the last day of PARCC testing.  Thank you for your continued support over the past couple weeks!  Students took their West states and capitals test on Thursday.  We will learn our last region after spring break: The South!  The March writing words test will be on March 21.  This test will cover all the lists we have learned so far…a cumulative word list was sent home on Tuesday.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

Donations Needed!

Donations Needed for Dryden STEAM Night

Your donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated! They will be used as a part of the various activities and stations for STEAM Night. Please drop them off in our school office for Advanced Learning Facilitator, Laurie Wasik.  Thank you!

• Cardboard rolls from paper towels, toilet paper and wrapping paper
• Newspaper
• Cardboard boxes that have NOT contained food items, such as boxes from Amazon, or others similar

A Reminder from the Office...

If your child is going to be absent, please call the Dryden Absence Voicemail:

Dryden Absence Voicemail 

Dial (847) 506-6999 Extension 7100

Leave a message if your child will be absent, late, or leaving early. The office will share that information with the classroom teacher. 

This Week...

March 6- March 10, 2017

Reading:  We continued reading different books about force and motion.  We used a reference nonfiction book about roller coasters to investigate how visualize aids help our understanding.  We learned that visualize aids can provide us with examples, context, background, and additional information about the topic. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 13.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students reviewed key concepts from unit 7.  Fact extensions, in and out boxes, and puzzles were some of the main topics.  We took our unit 7 test on Thursday.  Next week, we will begin unit 8.  A family letter will be going home to explain the details of the upcoming fraction unit. **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, March 13.

Science:  Students investigated magnets!  They tested out various materials to see if they were pulled by a magnetic force.  Students also investigated if magnetic forces could travel through different materials.  They learned that the donut magnets could attract objects through water, wool cloth, and paper.

Writing:  Persuasive writing was our focus this week.  Students learned that persuasive writing should convince the reader to believe his/her side.  We read an article about cursive writing being taught in schools.  Students chose supporting evidence from the article to support his/her chosen side.  Then, they used details from the text and their own ideas to write an essay.  In grammar, we reviewed key concepts from unit 4.

Spelling:  We had our unit 4 review test.

Miscellaneous:  This week, students took their reading PARCC tests.  Next week, we will be taking the math PARCC tests.  Thank you for your support during this testing window!  March book orders went home on Thursday and will be due on Tuesday, March 21.  The West states and capitals test will be on Thursday, March 16.  This week, students began thinking of their wonders to prepare for our personalized learning projects.  We talked about the difference between open and closed questions.  Students learned that open questions offer better research opportunities because they have complex answers.  Our class also enjoyed recess bunches with Mrs. Sessler!  Finally, progress reports went home today.  Please sign and return the empty envelope as soon as possible…thank you!  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a fantastic weekend!

Officer Friendly

Officer Friendly came to visit us on Friday!  He taught us important information regarding stranger danger and staying safe online!

Science Experiments!

Students experimented with marbles to predict motion patterns!

This Week...

February 27- March 3, 2017

Reading:  We read a reference nonfiction book about force and motion.  Each section was about a different motion topic.  Students learned that the title of the chapter, the headings, and the first sentence of the paragraph can help them determine the main idea.  They used a “Sum It Up” organizer to record the main idea and supporting details.  Later in the week, they continued practicing this important skill using a National Geographic article about big cats. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 6.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students started solving extended fact problems based on their knowledge of basic multiplication facts.  Solving puzzles was a useful way for students to practice their facts.  They also learned how to use fact extensions to estimate costs.  The unit 7 math test will be on Thursday, March 9.  A review guide will be going home next week. **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, March 6.

Science:  Students learned about predictable motion patterns.  They tested their predictions using pendulums, marbles, and slinkys.  They learned that these items had various motion patterns.  When they tested out the circular pendulums, they learned that the circumference of the circle decreased as time passed by.

Writing:  Students took their February writing words test.  The March writing words were also introduced.  Students created interesting sentences to demonstrate their meanings.  In grammar, we focused on contractions.

Spelling:  We had our week 23 test.

Miscellaneous:  Today, we enjoyed a visit from Officer Friendly!  He taught us important information regarding safety and strangers.  PARCC testing information went home this week…please let me know if you have any questions regarding the schedule.  Today, students celebrated filling up our character counts chart with 200 stars by having a pajama party!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions….have a great weekend!