This Week...

May 18- May 21, 2015

Reading:  This week, we focused on author’s purpose.  Students applied the skill in the story, Mother to Tigers.  We reviewed how the acronym PIE helps us remember the three main purposes: to persuade, to inform, and to entertain.  Students also utilized the boxes and bullets note-taking strategy to categorize information about Chicago’s immigrants. Reading Logs are due Tuesday, May 26.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students took a “pop” end of the year assessment.  Students will be reviewing their tests next week and making corrections.  This assessment will show students what areas they still need to practice.  We also started unit 10.  Measurement was the focus, including a discussion about the differences between the U.S. Customary system and the Metric system.    Xtra Math practice is due Tuesday, May 26. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

Social Studies:  Chicago’s rich culture was investigated by studying the various ethnic neighborhoods in the city.  We also discussed the world’s fairs that took place in Chicago.   Jane Addams, one of the most influential women from Illinois, was also a main topic of discussion this week.  Students learned how she made a difference through social change and the Hull House.  The Chicago test will be on Friday, May 29.  A review guide and flashcards will go home next week.

Writing:  In WEX, students completed revision assignments for the remaining parts of their short fiction stories.  They also gave peer feedback to each other using a checklist.  Students used this feedback to improve their stories.  Editing was another focus this week.  In grammar, we continued working on adverbs.  We also talked about how introductory phrases require commas.  Today, we took our last writing words test of the year!

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 34 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “S” and “L” in their cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, there will be no school for students on Friday or Monday (Memorial Day).  Have a terrific weekend and enjoy the warm weather!

WEX Stories!

Today, students worked hard during writing!  They shared their stories with a classmate and gave peer feedback using a checklist.  Students will use this feedback to make their short fiction stories even better!

Junior Achievement

On Thursday, students learned about city zones, the role of taxes, key banking concepts, and how to run a business!

This Week...

May 11- May 15, 2015

Reading:  This week, we focused on problem and solution.  Students applied the skill in various fables and fairytales.  After determining the problem, they looked for actions in the text that eventually led to a solution.  In the TFK article, “An American Hero Flies Again”, students determined John Glenn’s problem about wanting to go into space at the age of 77 and how he proved to NASA that he was healthy enough to participate in the mission. Reading Logs are due Monday, May 18.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students spent the week reviewing key concepts from unit 9.  Factors, the partial products algorithm, and lattice were practiced through various activities.  Students took the unit 9 test on Thursday.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, May 18. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

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.  On Thursday, students took their South test, the last states and capitals test of the year.

Writing:  In WEX, students wrote their turning points and resolutions for their short fiction pieces.  Students used strong verbs, dialogue, and showing details to help their character solve his/her problem.  They also wrapped up their stories with a conclusion.  Next week, we will work on completing various revision assignments to further develop the stories.  In grammar, we focused on adverbs.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 33 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “R” and “B” in their cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  This week, students finished taking the last three PARCC tests.  On Thursday, they enjoyed a Junior Achievement presentation.  Students learned about city zones, the role of taxes, key banking points, and how to run a business.  Our final writing words test of the year will be on Thursday, May 21.  This test will be cumulative.  If you need extra copies of old lists, please let me know.  Have a wonderful weekend!

This Week...

May 4- May 8, 2015

Reading:  While reading Wilbur’s Boast, students made judgments about characters’ actions.  They used clues from the story and their own background knowledge to decide if the action was appropriate.  Theme continued to be a focus this week.  Students read an African folktale entitled Name of the Tree.  They determined various themes by focusing on text clues. Reading Logs are due Monday, May 11.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students continued to practice using the partial-products algorithm to solve double-digit multiplication problems.  Students also explored another multiplication method: lattice!  Positive and negative numbers were also a focus.  Students learned how to find the differences between negative and positive numbers using a thermometer.  The unit 9 test will be on Thursday, May 14.  A review guide went home today. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, May 11. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

Social Studies:  We discussed the history behind the settlement of Chicago, including Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, our city’s founder.  Students also read a real diary account, preserved from the Chicago Historical Society, written by a woman living at Fort Dearborn back in the 1800s.  Students discovered interesting problems Chicago had when it was first formed and how transportation transformed the city of in the late 1800s.  Students also learned interesting details about The Great Chicago Fire.

Writing:  In WEX, students worked on adding dialogue to their stories.  They also wrote the next part in their short fiction pieces: rising action 2!  Students really enjoyed creating details to make their problems more exciting.  May writing words went home this week.  This will be the final list of the year.  There will be a cumulative test at the end of the month.  In grammar, students worked on using comparative adjectives.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 32 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “I” and “J” in their cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  May book orders went home this week and will be due Thursday, May 14.  This will be the last book order of the year.  Students were happy to applaud all of our fabulous volunteers at the Volunteer Breakfast on Thursday.  Thank you for helping make Dryden such a special place!  Today, students enjoyed the SOLAR awards and learned which planets won the various categories!  Just a reminder, the next round of PARCC testing will begin next week.  An informational letter went home on Wednesday with specific dates and times.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Finally, thank you to everyone who made me feel so special during Teacher Appreciation week…I truly appreciate it!  Have a fabulous weekend!

This Week...

April 27- May 1, 2015

Reading:  Students read the story A Castle on Viola Street, which they used to explore the concept of “theme”.  As a class, we located clues from the text to help support the theme of the story.  We learned the theme of the story is usually the author’s message.  Some themes that we derived from the story included “If you help someone, you will be helped in return” and “Hard work pays off”.  Reading Logs are due Monday, May 4.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to divide money between people.  They learned that if the amount does not divide equally, they need to exchange dollars for cents.   Students also identified factors for various numbers and played factor bingo.  Throughout the week, they practiced using the partial-products algorithm to solve double-digit multiplication problems. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, May 4. (3 sessions)  **If students are on double-digit multiplication fact tests, they are not required to do the Xtra math sessions.

Science:  Students did a wonderful job recording their planet projects!  They worked cooperatively to create interesting films that taught others about their planet.  These films will be up on our blog next week!  We also started our Chicago unit!  Students learned what the symbols on the Chicago flag stand for and why it’s an important part of our city’s history.

Writing:  In WEX, students completed various revision assignments to improve their writing.  They turned telling sentences into showing sentences.  We also discussed the importance of dialogue in stories.  We brainstormed a list of juicy dialogue words like “mumbled” and “hollered”.  Students then went back into their stories and added dialogue to enhance the story’s plot.  In grammar, we focused on adjectives, articles, and abbreviations.

Spelling/Cursive:  Today, we took our week 31 spelling test.  Students wrote the letters “D” and “P” in their cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:   Just another reminder that the district emailed you a letter (on April 29th) that contained your child’s individual passcode to register for next school year.  Every student needs to “re-register” every year.  The online registration window is May 1-June 1.  Today, students had a wonderful field trip experience to the Chicago Symphony!  Thank you to Colin’s mom and Kate’s dad for chaperoning!  Have a great weekend and enjoy the warm weather!