IAR Testing

Once we return from spring break, students will be taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).  You will find the testing schedule below:

April 2: Math Session 1 (1:15-2:45)
April 4: Math Session 2 (1:15-2:45)
April 8: Math Session 3 (1:15-2:45)
April 9: ELA Session 1 (10:10-12:10)
April 11: ELA Session 2 (10:10-12:10)

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

This Week...

March 18- March 20, 2019

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.  At the end of the week, we explored a poetry book about forces.  We were able to find poetic language that helped us answer our essential question: “How and why do objects move?” Reading Logs are due Monday, April 1.  (200 minutes)

Math:  We continued working on skills within our fraction unit!  Students made equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.  Students also 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.  When comparing numbers, students found common denominators.

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.  They also worked in pairs to design and create a magnetic device that solved a practical problem.

Writing:  In writing, students focused on one moment when they brushed their teeth.  They incorporated strong verbs and adjectives.  Some students also included figurative language!  “Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle” was an example of onomatopoeia and “it was as red as bricks” was an example of a simile.

Word Study:  We worked on identifying adjectives in literature.  Students figured out that adjectives are words that describe a noun.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed celebrating “Mix and Match Day”!  They also enjoyed a special recess reward for completing the Kindness Challenge.  I look forward to seeing you at conferences on Thursday and Friday.  I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing spring break!

This Week...

March 11- March 15, 2019

Reading:  We read a nonfiction book about magnetism!  Students worked on monitoring their thinking by recording their prior knowledge, questions, and facts they learned.  A lot of this information connected to the experiments we have been conducting in science.  We also read a literary nonfiction book about Newton’s Laws.  Students used the illustrations and text clues to discover scientific concepts. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 18.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We started unit 14!  This unit will focus on fraction concepts.  Students learned that fractions can represent part of a whole or part of a set.  Unit fractions and like fractions were discussed.  Students also learned important terms like “numerator” and “denominator”.  At the end of the week, we discovered that equivalent fractions are fractions that are equal.  We can find equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.

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.  We discovered that the farther the distance is between the magnet and object, the weaker the force.

Writing:  In writing, we focused on sensory details about spring.  Students brainstormed words with certain syllables.  Then, they wrote haiku poems that consisted of a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.  At the end of the week, students wrote special letters to classmates in a “Lucky to Know You” activity.

Word Study:  We worked on identifying words that started with the letter a.  Students broke up each word and used them in sentences.  They also worked with prefixes.

Miscellaneous:  It was so nice to see many of you at Family Reading Night!  The students seemed to really enjoy all the stories they heard.  Progress reports went home electronically today.  I look forward to meeting with you next week for parent-teacher conferences!  In the LMC this week, we continued our study of figurative language.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions…enjoy the sunshine and have a great weekend!

Sphero Science Experiment!

Mrs. Beane helped us with a science experiment focused on friction!  She introduced us to the robot, Sphero!  Students worked in groups to test out predictions and record data.

Yale Acapella Concert

Students enjoyed an acapella concert on Monday.  The group of singers were from Yale University.  It was a wonderful performance!

This Week...

March 4- March 8, 2019

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.  At the end of the week, we began reading about magnetism.  Students started working on a new KWL chart to record their thinking about magnets. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 11.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We dove right into chapter 13!  Vertical and horizontal bar graphs were a main focus.  Students learned how to create a bar graph by labeling the x and y axis.  They also learned how to determine the scale.  They analyzed the data to answer comparison questions.  Students also learned how to create a line plot from data presented in a tally chart.  They took their unit 13 test today.  Next week, we will begin chapter 14: fractions!

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 completed their Maria Isabel essays!  They worked hard during the editing process to make sure their pieces were their best work.  In grammar, students differentiated between “there”, “their”, and “they’re”.

Word Study:  We worked on identifying strong action verbs and using them in different ways.  We also analyzed words with silent letters and played the game “Follow the Path” to practice finding the silent letters.

Miscellaneous:  March book orders went home today and are due Wednesday, March 20.  Conference letters went home earlier in the week.  Please let me know if you have any questions regarding your scheduled time.  Just a reminder, Family Reading Night is on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30.  We hope to see you at school for some fun stories!  Have a nice weekend and enjoy the warmer weather.

Predicting Motion in Science

Students worked in groups to predict the motion of various objects in the classroom.  They worked with a regular pendulum, circular pendulum, marble, and slinky.  Students made predictions about the size and direction of the motion.  Then, they recorded their observations.  They learned that you can predict the motion of some objects based on their previous motion.

Word Study Fun!

Students worked with words that contained silent letters.  They discovered that the silent letters could be at the beginning, middle, or end of the words.  Pairs of students practiced identifying the silent letters by playing the game "Follow the Path."