Solar System UbD Projects!

Students recently completed their solar system UbD projects!  The essential question was: "What makes your planet unique?"  Students researched about their planets and found information that supported the essential question.  After compiling all the facts, they worked in groups to create major categories (weather, surface, moons, etc.).  After categorizing their information, students wrote scripts to teach the other groups about the planet.  Below are the video newscasts that were created!  Enjoy!

1.  Mercury

2.  Venus

3.  Mars

4.  Jupiter

5.  Saturn

6.  Uranus

7.  Neptune

This Week...

April 21- April 25, 2014

Reading:  Transportation was the theme for the week!  Differentiating between fact and opinion was the main skill.  Students used a two-column organizer to help separate information that could be proven and people’s beliefs.  They also determined the meaning of important vocabulary by utilizing context clues.  In addition, students read two National Geographic articles about sloths and feeding the world’s population.  They utilized various nonfiction text features to gain important understandings about the texts. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 28. (100 minutes)

Math:  Students learned how to write improper fractions and mixed numbers.  They also reviewed writing equivalent fractions during a fraction sundae project!  At the end of the week, students solved various word problems using fractions.  Today, students completed a review guide for unit 8.  Our unit 8 test will be next Wednesday, April 30. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 28. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 28.

Science:  We continued working hard on our UbD solar system research projects!  Students created scripts based on their research.  Then, they recorded newscasts with their group members to teach others about why their planet is unique.  They did a wonderful job working together!  We also learned about the relative size of objects in the solar system.  Students learned about the size of the sun in relation to the other planets with a hands-on activity.  Today, students completed a review guide about the moon.  We will be having a moon quiz on Monday, April 28.

Writing:  In WEX, students worked on creating their first and second rising actions for their short fiction piece.  They developed showing details and incorporated strong verbs to show how the character’s problem gets worse.  In celebration of Earth Day, students created projects based on Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.  They were each able to “speak for” something in nature that needs protection.  In grammar, we focused on possessive pronouns.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 27 spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Our April writing words test will be next Wednesday, April 30.  This test will be cumulative.  A complete list of the words went home this week.   Just a reminder, spring MAP testing will be next week for our class.  We will be taking the math MAP test on Wednesday afternoon and the reading MAP test on Thursday morning.  Please be sure your child gets adequate rest and eats a nutritious breakfast.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a fantastic weekend!

This Week...

April 14- April 17, 2014

Reading:  Students practiced identifying cause & effect relationships.  They read Beatrice’s Goat, the main selection for the week, which discussed the Heifer International charity organization.  Students also read an editorial, learning that although it contains some facts, it also includes the editor’s opinions.  They continued to figure out important vocabulary words by using context clues. Reading Logs are due Monday, April 21. (100 minutes)

Math:  Equivalent fractions were a main focus for the week!  Students learned to create equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.  Fractional parts of a number line were also investigated.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 21. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 21.

Science:  The moon was our main focus for the week!  Although the weather made it a difficult to observe the moon at times, we were able to engage in rich discussions about the moon’s movement, its composition, and its phases.  Many students were also fortunate to see the lunar eclipse this week!  We discussed why the “blood moon” was visible and how it is created.  We also spent a few days in the LMC researching our planets!  Students found important facts that answered the essential question (What makes your planet unique?).  Once they found all their research, students worked in groups to form categories for the facts.  Some categories included weather, size, location, and atmosphere.

Writing:  In WEX, students identified nouns and verbs within their writing.  We also read The Secret Shortcut and identified parts of the story’s structure: introduction, problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution.  In grammar, we focused on object and subject pronouns.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 26 spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Since the Chicago area weather is always changing, please be sure your child has appropriate attire for outdoor recess…thank you!  April book orders are due on Friday, April 25.  Just a reminder, there will not be school tomorrow due to the holiday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I hope everyone has a wonderful 3-day weekend!

This Week...

April 7- April 11, 2014

Reading:  Students practiced identifying and using compound words within different texts.  Boom Town was the main selection, which was a historical fiction piece based on the California Gold Rush.  They worked on sequencing important events in the story.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 14. (100 minutes)

Math:  We started unit 8 this week!  Fractions will be the main focus.  Students worked on figuring out fractional parts of a number with counters.  They learned that the denominator stands for the number of equal groups and the numerator stands for the number of groups to consider.  Please remind your child to be practicing his or her multiplication facts…thanks! Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 14. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 14.

Science:  We began our UbD project in the library!  UbD (Understanding by Design) is a research project centered on an essential question.  Students learned how to use effective research strategies to investigate the question: “What makes your planet unique?”  We will continue working on this project for the next several weeks.  Students also began making observations about the moon.  Each night for the remainder of April, students will record their drawings of the moon on their moon calendar.  If the moon cannot be seen, students can write “NV” (not visible).  Today, students completed a review guide about the sun and the earth.  They will have a quiz on this information on Monday, April 14.

Writing:  In writing, students brainstormed everyday activities that would involve their fictional character.  Then, using tiny details, students wrote about how the character would act in that particular situation.  Strong verbs and showing details were incorporated.  In grammar, we focused on singular and plural pronouns.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 25 spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  This week, students enjoyed two assemblies!  Author Andrea Beaty shared information about her books and the writing process.  The Chicago Boyz acrobatic team also performed and taught us about the importance of an education.  April writing words went home today.  Our April writing words test will be at the end of the month.  Enjoy the warm weather this weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week...

March 31- April 4, 2014

Reading:  This week, students reviewed important skills from unit 4: making predictions, comparing & contrasting, and making inferences.  They also reviewed important vocabulary from the unit.  Students read a biography about Susan B. Anthony and learned about her participation in helping women get the right to vote.  “Beware of Dragons” was a National Geographic article that we read at the end of the week.  Students found evidence to support the author’s claim that dragonflies are tough predators.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 7. (100 minutes)

Math:  Students continued solving multiplication and division fact extensions.  They used their knowledge of basic facts to solve various puzzles.  They also reviewed how to estimate costs by rounding.  Today, students completed a review guide for unit 7.  The unit 7 math test will be on Wednesday, April 9.   Xtra Math practice is due Monday, April 7. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, April 7.

Science:  We started our new science unit: the solar system!  Students explored their own ideas about what causes daytime and nighttime.  They also tracked the shadow of a basketball hoop throughout the day.  They learned that the sun plays a part in creating shadows.  When the sun “appears” to move over time, it affects where the shadow moves on the pavement.

Writing:  We began unit 3 in our WEX program!  Students enjoyed learning about how to develop a fictional character.  By analyzing photographs, students described what their character would be thinking, feeling, and saying in various settings.   In grammar, students reviewed verbs in the present and past tense.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 24 review spelling test.  Students continued to work on finishing their uppercase cursive packets.

Miscellaneous:  Welcome back!  I hope you all had an enjoyable spring break.  April book orders went home this week and are due on April 25.  On Thursday, we had our spring bus evacuation drill.  Students reviewed important bus safety rules.  Students were also introduced to the South states and capitals.  An informational letter and practice materials went home on Wednesday.  The South test will be on May 14.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week...

March 17- March 21, 2014

Reading:  Students read our main story My Very Own Room.  While reading, they applied the “making predictions” strategy.  Using a graphic organizer, students not only made predictions, but confirmed them as they actively read the story.  Also within the context of the story, students determined the meaning of important vocabulary words.  Students investigated the author’s craft and text structure while reading a Time for Kids article about the coolest inventions of 2013.  At the end of the week, students practiced a new signpost: “Words of the Wiser” using the folktale Nail Soup.  When a wise character gives another character advice, students know to stop and ask themselves: What is the life lesson and how will this change the character?    Reading Logs are due Monday, March 31. (200 minutes)

Math:  At the beginning of the week, students created equations using parentheses to solve for various number stories.  They also started solving extended fact problems based on their knowledge of basic multiplication facts.  Estimating with dollar amounts was another topic of the week.  Students practiced solving multiplication and division puzzles that included extensions. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, March 31. (6 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, March 31.

Social Studies:  This week, students worked on reviewing major concepts from our Illinois unit.  Students took their unit test on Tuesday.  They also took their West states and capitals test on Wednesday.  We will be starting our new science unit next when we return from spring break: The Solar System!

Writing:  In writing, students differentiated between the literal and figurative meanings of idioms.  In grammar, we worked on forming contractions.  The March writing words test will be on Tuesday, April 1.  This will be a cumulative test that covers all of the writing words from the year.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we took our week 23 spelling test.  We wrote the uppercase S and L.  When we get back from break, there will be a review week.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, March book orders are due today.  I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing spring break!

This Week...

March 10- March 14, 2014

Reading:  Our main story this week was, Here’s My Dollar.  Students learned about the importance of getting involved in the community and how individuals can make a huge difference.  In this story, students practiced finding the author’s purpose.  They also worked on figuring out the meaning of key vocabulary words through sentence clues.  We also read a Time for Kids article about the future of libraries.  Students found evidence in the article to support claims made by the author. Reading Logs are due Monday, March 17. (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 7!  Students discovered that square products are formed by multiplying two identical factors.  A family letter also went home highlighting the major concepts from unit 7.  Students also made multiplication/division fact triangles.  Please encourage your child to be practicing these at home. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, March 17. (3 sessions)  If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Monday, March 17.

Social Studies:  Agriculture and Illinois industries were a main area of focus this week.  Students explored how farm products are turned into food and how it reaches consumers.  We also had a rich discussion about various industries, such as manufacturing and business.  Students identified adults they knew and where their jobs fit in the various industry categories.  Our Illinois unit test will be next Tuesday, March 18.  A review guide went home today.  The West states and capitals test will be Wednesday, March 19.

Writing:  In writing, students continued to practice homophones.  They also identified the differences between contractions and possessive nouns.  Students participated in creative writing opportunities using writing prompts about the month of March.

Cursive/Spelling:  Next week, we will resume regular spelling and homework.

Miscellaneous:  This week, students worked very hard on ISAT testing, which concluded on Wednesday!  Today, progress reports went home.  Student work from the trimester was included with the report.  Please sign and return the envelope as soon as possible…thank you!  Just a reminder, book orders are due on March 21.  Have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!