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!