Monday, February 22, 2016

February 22-26

Reminders;
Book projects due Fri. Feb 26
AR points due March 10 (end of quarter)
Character Awards assembly will be next Tuesday, March 1 at 2:15


In reading this week, we will continue our study of summarizing. We will switch to summarizing non-fiction and practice strategies for doing so. We will also present book projects at the end of the week.

In writing, we will begin working on our Famous Missourian Wax Museum project. We will do a small amount of research today so that each student can come up with a list of their top 3 choices. They will also have tonight to come home and brainstorm with parents/siblings on which Missourian they could choose. The Wax Museum date is set for April 1st from 1:45-2:45 in the Multi-Purpose Room.

In Social studies, we will finish up our unit on Becoming a State with a test on Wednesday. Students will be able to use packets and books on this test. We will then move into a new Science unit where will we study motion and energy.

In Spelling, we will continue working on learning rules and practicing cursive with our list this week. The test will be Friday.

In math we will continue working with fractions, ordering and comparing them. We will do several hands on activities and show different strategies to help them be successful with this.

Have a good week!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

February 16-19

Reminders:
Book projects due February 26th
100% of AR goal due March 10 (End of 3rd quarter)

In spelling this week, our list focuses on homophones (pear, pair). It will be important that they listen to the sentences we use to decide which homophone is the correct choice on their test. We will do some hands on review of the words as well as work with other homophones this week.

In math this week, we will continue working with fractions. Last week we focused on equivalent fractions. We will do the same this week, but also learn how to simplify fractions using a couple different strategies.

In social studies we will continue our study on how Missouri became a state. The test for this unit is set for next Thursday, February 25. Students have a packet to help them prepare for this test and they will be able to use it for a portion.

In reading we are beginning to discuss summarizing. We will begin this study by learning the difference between summarizing a story and retelling it. We will do several activities throughout the week that will focus on practicing this skill. Our literature circles will continue this week and we will integrate summarizing instruction into them as well.

Last week in writing, we finished up watching and taking notes on the movies. This week we will work on our first and final drafts of the opinion paper for them. Students had to identify the theme or opinion that their movie had and take notes on the evidence that supports that opinion. This is what their paper will focus on as well.

Have a wonderful week!

Monday, February 8, 2016

February 8- 12

Reminders:
If you haven't already, please sign and return progress reports.
Friday at 2:00 will be our Friendship parties.
Wednesday is a half day.


This week in Reading, we will continue reading our Mr. Tucket book. The students are really enjoying this story about a boy traveling west in the 1800's. They are able to make connections to the information we've previously discussed in social studies. We are also doing vocabulary and comprehension questions after reading each day.

In writing this week, we will get deeper into opinion writing. We will do a few examples together before we begin our next paper. The next big writing assignment will be an opinion movie review. The students will watch different movies (depending on which of the 3 they selected) and will be taking notes as they watch. They will then write an opinion paper in class, supporting their opinion with evidence/facts.

In math this week, we are slowly moving into working with fractions. We will use a lot of visuals and hands-on manipulatives to get them familiar with this concept.

In science, we will finish up the Adaptations unit with a test on Tuesday. Students will be able to use their packets so they've been encouraged to correct any incorrect answers. We will begin Social Studies on Wednesday. Our unit will cover the process of Missouri becoming a state.

Spelling this week will focus on the prefixes "dis," "im," and "in." We will study the different word parts and discuss how this can help you to understand and spell unknown words.

Have a wonderful week!

Monday, February 1, 2016

February 1-5

Reminders:
1/2 AR points are due this Thursday, Feb. 4th. Progress reports will also come home this day. Please sign and return those as soon as possible.

In reading this week, we will begin reading Mr. Tucket. Each day we will do a new activity with the chapters we've read to help build our comprehension skills.
We will also introduce this month's book project (due Feb 26th). This month they will use what they learned about poetry to write poems about their story. See their sheet for more information.

In writing this week, we will finish up with MLK quotations and begin discussing and practicing voice and opinion writing.

In spelling this week, the rule we are focusing on is the -igh pattern. Test will be Friday.

In math we are going to finish up this division unit with a test on Thursday. We will spend this week reviewing and practicing this skill.

In science, we will continue studying animal adaptations and threats to animals existence. The test for this unit is scheduled for Feb. 9th pending weather.

Have a good week!