January 30- February 3

It seems as though winter is calming down, allowing us more time in the classroom!  But sickness has not been on our side.  We hope that everyone gets to feeling better soon.  And remember, you are always welcome to come pick up any assignments missed from the school day if your child is feeling up to completing them. Of course, our first priority is making sure your child is healthy!

In reading this week, students will be learning to compare first hand and second hand accounts of the same event.  We will use several short articles to help students learn the difference between someone who is writing that has experienced the event, someone who is writing that has only researched the event.

In writing, students will work on creating a narrative paper.  We are looking at adding in all of the details that a narrative can contain, without losing focus by the end of the story.

Math this week is more work with fractions.  We will continue to work on subtracting fractions with like denominators, problem solving with fractions, and always SIMPLIFYING when possible.

Social studies this week continue to look at Missouri in the 1800's and westward expansion.  Students will begin an in class group project learning about Lewis and Clark and their expedition.

Look for our new spelling list coming home on Monday.  From now on, tests will be written in cursive.  Some students are really working hard on their handwriting!  Impressive!

As always, continue to encourage reading independently at home.  50% of AR goals will be expected by February 10!  100% of their goal will be expected by March 16.

January 16-20

Reminders: With all the snow days, we wanted to remind you that we will pick up on the number that the snow day was supposed to be. For example, since Friday was supposed to be a day 1 and we were snowed out Friday and Monday, today is a day 1. 

In spelling this week, we decided that instead of starting a new list, we will continue to work on last week's list and will have the test for that list on Friday. 

In reading, we will continue working on reading and understanding poetry. We will do poetry passes and discussions to help students further understand poetry. 

In writing, we will be finishing up our poetry booklets. We are focusing on figurative language and word choice in our Winter poetry. We will share poems on Thursday. Friday we will begin a short unit on Quotations using Martin Luther King Jr. quotes and books. 

In science, we will be finishing up our unit on Changes to the Earth's surface. The test will be on Friday. On this test, students will only be able to use their study guides. They will do the study guide in class, take it home as homework, and then review it together the next day to check that their answers are correct. 

In math this week we will continue working with fractions. We are comparing and ordering fractions this week by using our knowledge of equivalent fractions. We will then move to improper fractions and mixed numbers. This is a challenging unit (especially with so many breaks and snow days!) so we may use a couple extra days to review. 

Have a great week!  

January 9- 13

We're Back!

Welcome back! We hope that everyone had a long and restful winter break.  Now that we are back into the swing of things, let's hope that the weather doesn't interfere...too much, anyways!

In reading this week, we will be working on poetry and how to read it.  We will not only look at how to identify the parts of a poem, but look deeper into what the poet is trying to tell us.  We will use the strategy of close reading to help determine the meaning of the poem.

In writing, we will be working closely with reading!  Students will be learning about figurative language, and how to use that to enhance their writing.  Students will be creating a book of poetry with this unit. 

In math, the class will look more closely at fractions.  Students will be learning new ways to find equivalent fractions, simplest form, comparing and ordering fractions, and how to problem solve using fractions.  

Science this week will focus on rocks and how they form and change.

We are encouraging students to bring their independent reading books home every day, in the case we may have a day home due to weather conditions.  Please help them to remember to bring them back each day.  

Grade cards went home last Friday.  Please make sure to sign and return them by Wednesday.

   

Welcome Back!

After a short, cold, and rather crazy week back, we wanted to remind you that grade cards will be sent home with your child today.  Please look them over, sign them in the quarter 2 box, keep any papers inside of the envelope, and return the grade card with the envelope by Wednesday of next week.  Thank you.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.