Multiplication Practice!

Students worked hard to practice fact extensions in math!  They focused on using their basic facts to help them solve more complex problems.

This Week...

December 16- December 20, 2019

Reading:  This week, students read an article about chimpanzees and their future.  We reviewed author’s purpose: to persuade, to inform, and to entertain.  Students used these to help them find the author’s message.  Students also applied reading strategies they learned during our nonfiction unit.  When we return from break, we will be starting a new unit: fiction!

Reading Logs are due Monday, January 6.  (300 minutes)

Math:  We started unit 7!  Students used their knowledge of basic multiplication facts to solve fact extensions.  They also solved two-digit x one-digit multiplication problems with and without regrouping.   At the end of the week, students surveyed the class with a question about a winter topic.  They collected data, analyzed it, and graphed it.  They displayed their information using bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.  We will finish up unit 7 when we return from break.  Please remind your child to continue practicing his/her basic multiplication/division facts. 

Social Studies:  Students learned about the culture of the Midwest.  They read about important landmarks and groups of people who have settled here.  After break, we will begin our new science unit: inheritance & variation!    

Writing:  Students completed their personal narrative rough drafts and began the revision process!  We learned how important an opening sentence is because it grabs the reader’s attention.  A closing sentence wraps up the personal narrative.  Students looked at examples from our mentor texts to help them revise their own pieces.  We also added in sensory details and temporal phrases.  We will complete our final copies after break.  In grammar, students focused on subject and object pronouns.

Word Study:  We continued working on homophones!  Students practiced using “there”, “they’re”, and “their” appropriately in sentences.

Miscellaneous:  Today, we exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  We also made holiday cards to spread cheer to those at a local senior center.  Students enjoyed winter caroling from the fifth graders, Winter Wonderland, and the fourth-grade musical!  This will be my last newsletter since I will be going on maternity leave over winter break.  Mrs. Matters is excited to start on January 6th and will be communicating with you shortly.  I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  Enjoy this special time with family and friends…see you back in 2020!