Book Fair Tomorrow!

Just a reminder...our class will be visiting the book fair tomorrow.  This will be our time to shop for books, so please be prepared if you plan on purchasing items.  Thank you!

This Week...

January 22- January 25, 2019

Reading:  Students read a Chinese folktale, Gu Dong is Coming, which was about two different characters.  They analyzed the characters’ actions, words, feelings, and thoughts to determine appropriate character traits.  We discussed how characters can change over time due to an experience in the book.  Finally, we talked about the difference between literal and figurative language while reading The Claw.  We discussed examples of similes, metaphors, personification, and idioms.  Reading Logs are due Monday, January 28.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students applied bar models to multiplication and division problems.  They learned about two different types of models and how to use them to figure out real life story problems.  Some of the problems required two steps.  Students read the questions carefully to pull out key information.  We will continue unit 9 next week!

Social Studies:  Branches of government continued 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.  In the LMC, students researched a famous Illinoisan.

Writing:  Students worked on using sensory details to describe various experiences.  They also completed a revision assignment for their character trait entry about Maria Isabel.  We enjoyed listening to classmates’ strong excerpts!  In grammar, we identified action verbs.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on putting words in alphabetical order.  They learned what to do if words share the same first letter.

Miscellaneous:  The book fair is coming to Dryden next week!  Information will be sent home today explaining all the details.  As the weather gets colder, please make sure your child is coming to school with appropriate winter gear…thank you!  Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

This Week...

January 14- January 18, 2019

Reading:  At the beginning of the week, we read various fables.  We analyzed the characters’ actions to determine appropriate character traits.  We also talked about how authors use sensory details to evoke a certain mood from the reader.  We practiced identifying positive and negative moods conveyed by the author.  At the end of the week, students read a mystery about a ship, the Mary Celeste.  Students made inferences by using their background knowledge and clues from the text.  This information, along with their questions, helped them form theories to explain what happened to the abandoned ship over a hundred years ago.   Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 22.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing long division and other division concepts.  Students took their unit 8 test on Thursday.  We will begin unit 9 next week, which focuses on bar modeling.  Please make sure your child is practicing his/her basic multiplication and division facts.

Social Studies:  We had a great discussion about the impact Lincoln had on our country and our state.  Students also learned how Illinois became a state.  We discussed how Native Americans and Europeans played a role in the history of Illinois.  Later in the week, students learned about different historical moments in Illinois history, including the Great Chicago Fire and the Great Depression.  They learned that Chicago used the fire to rebuild their city with stronger materials, such as steel.

Writing:  After reading the next two chapters in My Name is Maria Isabel, students learned that Maria Isabel was shy and helpful.  The found details from the text to support their thinking.  They also worked on putting text evidence in their own words when describing a moment from the book.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on adding –er to words to show a certain type of person.  For example, students added –er to “paint” to show that a “painter” is someone who likes to paint.

Miscellaneous:  On Monday, we enjoyed an important presentation from Officer Veenstra.  He taught us about bullying, internet safety, and stranger danger.  Just a reminder, there is no school on Monday.  As we get more snow and have colder temperatures, please make sure your child is prepared to go outside with the appropriate gear.  Finally, there will not be February book orders due to the upcoming book fair.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a great 3-day weekend!

Officer Friendly Visit!

We enjoyed a visit from Officer Veenstra!  He taught us important information about internet safety, bullying, and stranger danger.  It was a great presentation!

This Week...

January 7- January 11, 2019

Reading:  We enjoyed reading Zen Shorts this week!  Students made inferences by using their background knowledge and evidence from the text to figure out each story’s theme.  Students also read a nonfiction article about Martin Luther King Jr.  They highlighted key information to help them find answers to specific questions.  Students also focused on how to read a timeline to gather important facts. Reading Logs are due Monday, January 14th.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 8!  Students learned how to divide by making equal groups.  They also learned how to use their multiplication facts to help them solve various division problems.  Students figured out quotients and remainders by drawing pictures.  At the end of the week, students learned that when odd numbers are divided by 2, the remainder will always be 1.  We also dove right into long division!  Students used their knowledge of basic facts to help them solve more complex problems.   The unit 8 test will be Thursday, January 17.

Social Studies:  Students were very excited to start our next social studies unit: Illinois!  We started off discussing the land of Illinois, including bordering rivers and states.  They also had the opportunity to study the climate of certain cities across the state: Springfield, Rockford, and Cairo.  After graphing the average monthly temperatures for each city, students discovered that the colder cities are in the northern part of the state, while the warmer cities are in southern Illinois.  Students also learned about the Illiniwek and the important influence they had our state.

Writing:  Students worked on a New Year’s Resolution writing project!  They developed various resolutions based on four aspects of their lives: home, school, personal, and character.  We also began unit 2 in our WEX writing program!  Unit 2 focuses on a response to literature.  We started the book My Name is Maria Isabel and students identified showing details that helped develop the main character.  In grammar, students combined similar sentences.

Word Study:  This week, students worked on identifying words that contained silent letters.  They also learned that consonants can produce different sounds in different words.

Miscellaneous:  Happy New Year and welcome back!  I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing break with family and friends.  Just a reminder, January book orders went home this week…they are due January 31.  Also, field trip forms went home on Thursday.  These are due on January 22.  Please let me know if you have any questions…have a wonderful weekend!