This Week...

April 23- April 27, 2018

Reading:  We read a variety of poems that contained many sensory details.  Students learned they could use sensory details to figure out unknown vocabulary words.  We also practiced a reading strategy that focused on numbers and statistics.  Using their Chicago textbooks, students identified how numbers and statistics help them comprehend important facts.  These number words can also help us visualize! Reading Logs are due Monday, April 30.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We continued working on skills within our fraction unit!  Students learned that equivalent fractions are fractions that are equal.  They also learned that they can find equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.  At the end of the week, students worked on simplifying fractions.  They had to figure out the greatest common factor and use their division skills to create fractions in their simplest form.

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.

Writing:  We read The Secret Shortcut and identified parts of the story’s structure: introduction, problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution.  Students also created believable problems that their characters could encounter.   In grammar, we focused on irregular verbs.

Word Study:  This week, students continued working on making nouns plural.  They practiced the rules with a game of Lotto.  Using parts of words that you know to spell other words was another skill students practiced.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, the South states and capitals test will be on Tuesday, May 1.  Please let me know if you need additional practice sheets.  Also, Dryden will be partnering with Bernie’s Book Bank by hosting a book drive from May 7th-May 18th.  Next week, a flyer and additional information will be shared.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!