This Week...

April 24-April 28, 2017

Reading:  Students continued reading various poems.  Students analyzed the subjects of poems to determine the poets’ inspirations.  We also discussed how the language a poet uses can elicit a certain mood or feeling for the reader.  Students connected to the poems through personal experiences to deepen their understanding.  We also talked about how poetry can contain difficult vocabulary or use words in unusual ways.  We used our background knowledge and context clues to determine the meaning of words. Reading Logs are due Monday, May 1.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students continued to practice using the partial-products algorithm to solve double-digit multiplication problems.  Students also explored another multiplication method: lattice!  Positive and negative numbers were also a focus.  Students learned how to find the differences between negative and positive numbers using a thermometer.  The unit 9 test will be on Wednesday, May 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, May 1.

Social Studies:  Students analyzed and discussed pictures of artifacts that were found in the city after the Great Chicago Fire.  We also read a narrative account from a Great Chicago Fire survivor.  After reading and discussing the impact of the fire, students wrote letters from a survivor’s perspective.  They were able to include key information about how the tragedy changed the city of Chicago.  Chicago’s rich culture was also investigated by studying the various ethnic neighborhoods in the city.  We discussed the world’s fairs that took place in Chicago.   Jane Addams, one of the most influential women from Illinois, was a main topic of discussion.  Students learned how she made a difference through social change and the Hull House.  The Chicago test will be on Thursday, May 4.  A review guide will go home next week.

Writing:  We read The Secret Shortcut and identified parts of the story’s structure: introduction, problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution.  At the end of the week, students began planning out their own fiction stories by focusing on each part.   In grammar, we focused on the difference between possessive pronouns and contractions.

Spelling:  We had our week 29 spelling test.  Next week will be a review week, so there will be no spelling homework.

Miscellaneous:  On May 1 (between 9:00-9:30 a.m.), the district will be emailing you a letter that contains your child’s individual SnapCode number to register for next school year.  Every student needs to register every year.  Please watch for this very important email…thank you!  As the weather continues to change, please be sure your child has appropriate attire for outdoor recess.   As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Important Registration Information

Starting Monday, May 1, the district will begin sending emails to all families to go online and register your child/children for next year. You will be sent a link and Snap Code number specifically for your child.

Once online you will need to:

•  Pay Fees

•  Fill Out Emergency Information 

•  Buy Calculators

•  Application for Bus

•  Join PTA

•  Verify email and phone numbers

•  Etc. 

Everyone must register online for next year, otherwise, students will not be considered registered and cannot be placed on a class list for next year.

Please let me know if you have any questions!  Thank you!

This Week...

April 17-April 21, 2017

Reading:  This week, students listened to their inner voices during while reading the book, Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson.  They did a wonderful job thinking deeply about the text and discovering big ideas, such as: bullying, kindness, and friendship.  We also talked about the following poetic techniques: alliteration, repetition, and onomatopoeia.  Students learned how to identify these techniques within different poems, while also inferring why the poets used them.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 24.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to divide money between people.  They learned that if the amount does not divide equally, they need to exchange dollars for cents.   Students also identified factors for various numbers and played factor bingo.  Throughout the week, they practiced using the partial-products algorithm to solve double-digit x double digit-multiplication problems. **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 24.

Social Studies:  We discussed the history behind the settlement of Chicago, including Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, our city’s founder.  Students also read a real diary account, preserved from the Chicago Historical Society, written by a woman living at Fort Dearborn back in the 1800s.  Students discovered interesting problems Chicago had when it was first formed and how transportation transformed the city of in the late 1800s.  Students also learned what the symbols on the Chicago flag stand for and why it’s an important part of our city’s history.

Writing:  In celebration of Earth Day, students created projects based on Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.  They were each able to “speak for” something in nature that needs protection.  In WEX, students used showing details and strong verbs to write about their character doing an activity in the kitchen.  The April writing words test will be on Thursday, April 27.  A cumulative list of the words was sent home today.    In grammar, students focused on making sure present tense verbs agreed with various subject pronouns.

Spelling:  We had our week 28 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, please visit drydenpta.org if you have any questions about the following: 2017-2018 school supply packs, yearbooks, plant sale, etc.  It is a great website with loads of important information!  As the weather continues to change, please be sure your child has appropriate attire for outdoor recess…thank you!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a fabulous weekend!

Spring MAP Testing

Spring MAP testing starts next week!  Our class is scheduled to take the reading and math tests on the following dates:

Tuesday, April 18 (Reading) at 1:45 PM
Wednesday, April 19 (Math) at 9:55 AM

Please avoid scheduling appointments during these times.  Thank you!

This Week...

April 10-April 13, 2017

Reading:  Students were excited to start our next unit: poetry!  We learned that poetry can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Students analyzed various poems and noticed different types of elements.  Some of these included the shape, font, amount of stanzas, colors, and print size.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 17.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students dove right into unit 9!  They solved various story problems that required multiplication and division fact extensions.  Students learned how to use the partial products algorithm to solve double-digit multiplication problems.  Please remind your child to be practicing his or her basic multiplication facts, as these are vital in carrying out this new method.  **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 17.

Science:  Students reviewed key concepts from our force and motion unit.  They took their unit test on Wednesday.  We also began our next social studies unit:  Chicago!  Students used the “Number and Stats” signpost reading strategy to analyze numbers in the chapter about The Great Chicago Fire.  When reading a nonfiction text that contains numbers or amounts, students learned to pause and ask themselves “Why did the author include this number?”  By doing this, they can understand the text on a deeper level while making meaningful inferences.

Writing:  In WEX, students identified nouns and verbs within their writing.  They also brainstormed typical morning activities for their characters.  They worked on incorporating strong verbs and dialogue to show how their characters reacted during these activities.  April writing words were also introduced.  The April writing words test will be at the end of the month.   In grammar, students focused on possessive pronouns.

Spelling:  We had our week 27 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  On Monday, students participated in the spring bus evacuation session.  They learned important safety rules to follow while riding the bus.  On Tuesday, students were very excited to meet children’s author, Peter Brown!  We recently finished reading his novel, The Wild Robot, and students were thrilled to hear about his journey as an author!  April book orders went home this week and are due on April 28.  Just a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow.  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a wonderful weekend!

STEAM Night RSVP!

STEAM Night

Our 2nd annual Dryden STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Night will be taking place on Thursday, May 4 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.

Try your hand at creating zip lines and marble runs.

Learn to code or create music with Makey Makey.

Take apart old cameras and laptops, and discover how things work.

Make an "Art-bot" or Hot Wheels play mat. 

We hope you will join us for a fun interactive evening of hands-on STEAM activities with Dryden teachers and high school volunteers.

Please RSVP by clicking here.

This Week...

April 3-April 7, 2017

Reading:  This week, we completed our force and motion reading unit!  Students also took their unit assessment.  At the end of the week, they read a Time for Kids article about the future of flying cars.  Students activated their prior knowledge and developed questions about this new invention.  We discussed the pros and cons, including the reasons behind developing this type of transportation. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 10.  (200 minutes)

Math:  This week, students reviewed key concepts from unit 8.  They created “fraction sundaes”, where they worked in pairs to develop equivalent fractions for ice cream scoops.  We also reviewed number lines, parts of a set, mixed numbers, and improper fractions.  Today, students took their unit 8 test.  Next week, we will begin unit 9! **If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 10.

Science:  Static electricity was our focus this week!  Students learned that when they rub a balloon with a wool cloth, it produces an electrical charge.  This electrical charge produced a force called static electricity.  Students investigated with the balloons and observed how they interacted with other materials in the classroom.  Some of the objects were attracted, while others repelled.  We will be having our forces unit test on Wednesday, April 12.  Flashcards will be going home today that students can use to help them study.

Writing:  We began unit 3 in our WEX program!  Students enjoyed learning about how to develop a fictional character.  By analyzing photographs, students described what their character would be thinking, feeling, and saying in various settings.  April writing words went home this week.  In grammar, we focused on subject and object pronouns.

Spelling:  We had our week 26 spelling test.

Miscellaneous:  Welcome back!  I hope you all had an enjoyable spring break.  We had a fabulous time at the Elgin Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday.  Students learned about all the instruments as well as the conductors and composers.  Our class also enjoyed a wonderful Art Appreciation session about French tapestries from Blake’s mom!  Just a reminder that STEAM Night donations would be greatly appreciated.  We are in need of paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls and newspaper.  If you are able to send in these items, please drop them off in the office for Laurie Wasik, Advanced Learning Facilitator.  Thank you!  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a nice weekend!