This Week...

September 9- September 13, 2019

Reading:  Making connections and recording our thinking as we read was our focus this week!  Students learned that good readers make connections to gain a deeper understanding of the text.  Students read a nonfiction article to practice recording their thinking.  Writing down their thoughts helped the students feel prepared for purposeful reading discussions with their classmates.  Some of the starters included “I think, this reminds me of, I wonder, I learned…” Reading Logs are due Monday, September 16.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students spent the week reviewing major concepts from chapter 1.  They worked on problem solving, comparing numbers, and writing numbers in different forms.   Students took their chapter 1 test on today.  The test will be going home on Monday with a cover sheet that shows the standards.  Please sign and return the test on Monday…thank you!  An informational letter will be sent home next week detailing the concepts that we will be covering in unit 2.  Please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic addition & subtraction facts at home…thank you!

Science:  This week, students learned how meteorologists collect important weather data for forecasts.  We focused on learning the tools that gather key weather information.  Some of these tools included barometers, anemometers, thermometers, rain gauges, cloud cover charts, and wind vanes.  They also chose an activity and researched a place that would have ideal weather conditions.

Writing:  In writing, students learned more about Eloise Greenfield by reading a biographical account of her life.  They figured out that many of her writing ideas came from her childhood experiences.  Students also participated in their first “quick write”, where they spent five minutes writing down their ideas about a certain topic.  They also wrote their Flat Stanley letters!  We plan on sending out our Flat Stanleys next week!  In grammar, students continued working on subjects and predicates.

Word Study:  Students focused on words with short vowels.  They also had their first week of buddy spelling!  They did a great job of learning the practice routines.  Some of these routines included making words with tiles and forming connections between various words.

Miscellaneous: We had another wonderful week!  On Wednesday, students honored Patriot Day by showing acts of kindness.  On Thursday, we had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Music for Youth concert.  By watching peers play the violin and cello, students were able to see if this experience was something they would like to do in the future.  Picture day will be on Wednesday, September 25.  Please send in your forms if you plan on ordering pictures (forms are going home today).  Have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!