Weekly Update with Ms. Bender

Writing:
This week in writing, we wrote cinquain poems. This is the last type of poem that will be included in our poem anthologies. We are now writing our final drafts and illustrating cover pages for our poem anthology books. Also, we finished writing our articles for the last issue of our classroom newsletters.

Reading:
In reading, we continued to meet in book clubs. We will finish our books by next Wednesday. With the last week of school upon us, it is especially important that students remember to complete their assigned reading. In addition to book clubs, the class has been enjoying Matilda during read aloud time.

Science:
On Tuesday, we took our forces and motion science test.

Social Studies:
This week we began discussing the three branches of government and the United States Constitution. We will work on memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution next week.

Math:
In math, we spent each morning reviewing various mathematical skills that we have learned throughout the year.






Field Day:
Even though it rained, we still managed to have a blast on Field Day! The whole school spent the day participating in a variety of team building activities.

This spectacular group of kids had so much fun on Field Day!

The class split into two teams and raced to get the hula hoop around the entire circle without letting go of hands.

During charades, Nolan did an awesome job pantomiming a gorilla!  

Other Important Information:

• There will be no school on Friday 5/15.
• Next week is our last week of school! Friday 5/22 will be our last official day. Dismissal is at 11:50.
• This week Long's youcaring.org/playgroundforlong site went live.  This was also shared on our Long facebook page.  Long Elementary has set a goal of raising $25,000.  This would allow us to build a sidewalk to the concrete circle (by the pavilion that used to have tether-ball) and install several interactive play-boards, like tic tac toe, that all students could use.  If you click on the link and look under the gallery tab you can see a 3D rendition of what it would look like. Take some time to check it out!

Weekly Update with Ms. Bender

WELCOME JACKSON JAMES LEIGHTON!!!!

Early Friday morning, the newest addition to our classroom family was brought into the world. Jackson James Leighton is 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Leighton!

WRITING:
This week in writing, we began drafting our own free verse and couplet poems to include in our anthologies. As we continue to work on these poems, we will practice including figurative language to make our writing more interesting.

We had fun celebrating our writing with Dr. Parker and Mr. Schoenekase on Monday!

READING:
In reading, we will continue to meet in our book clubs. As a reminder, students need to have their reading completed, along with two speaking points written down on a sticky note, by their assigned meeting day. Mon/Thurs. or Wed/Fri.

SPELLING:
On Friday, we took our last spelling test for the year! Woohoo!

SCIENCE:
In science, we completed a marble lab that allowed us to practice calculating speed. We took our science vocabulary quiz on Monday and began our study guide. We will finish our study guides on Monday and our forces and motion test will be on Tuesday 5/12.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT:
This week Mrs. Shaver and Mrs. Broom came in and taught the students about entrepreneurship and what it takes to develop a business. Students had fun participating in games and activities that helped develop their business skills. We will have two more Junior Achievement lessons next week.

MATH:
In math this week, we reinforced our multiplication and long division skills by completing a variety of review activities.

The Bubble Bus and ice cream truck were a blast!

Other Important Information: 

• If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer for Field Day, please use the following link:  Field Day Sign Up.  Field Day is Thursday, May 14th. Students have already signed up to buy or bring a sack lunch.  Please have your student wear comfy clothes and tennis shoes.
• NO SCHOOL Friday 4/15

Weekly Update with Ms. Bender

Writing
In writing, we finished picking three favorite poems that work with our poetry themes for our anthologies. Next week, we will write our own poems!  Also, we will continue editing articles for the second issue of our classroom newsletter. The class is very excited that our first newsletter has been printed and is ready to read. They look amazing!  We will be celebrating our writing this Monday by reading our articles in the outside learning center!  Students are allowed to bring an extra snack to eat during the celebration.

We worked hard on our news committee articles all week!

Spelling

Our last word sort test will be Friday 5/8!

Math

This week we wrapped up our geometry unit in math and took the Chapter 14 math test.

Science

This week we continued working on forces and motion. We conducted a bubble gum lab that allowed us to calculated our "chomping speed". Our vocabulary test will be this Wednesday 5/6. Remember, students can study vocabulary using Quizlet, and they can log on to the online textbook for extra credit opportunities.  

We had so much fun on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Day!!

Dr. Parker and Mr. Shoenekase showed us some thrilling science experiments!

The winning group of our egg drop contest!

Teamwork was essential when working at the large Lego station!

Reading
Students continued to work in new book club groups. As a reminder, students need to read the assigned pages and finish their 2 sticky notes containing their talking points by their group's due date of Mon/Thurs or Wed/Fri.

Two more groups have finished their iMovie book trailers!  Check out Room One's video, which was created by Ali, Delaney, Gabe, Nate and Jaxson!  Also, make sure to watch Adam and Daniel's trailer on Jake Drake!  The students did an awesome job!  

Other Important Info.  

• Students may bring an extra snack for our writing celebration on Monday.
• As a reminder for Strings students, Thursday, May 7th is the 4th grade all-district rehearsal.  Rehearsal is scheduled from 9:00-11:00 am in the district auditorium. 
• Next Friday, students will enjoy a special treat!  An ice cream truck will visit Long.  Students will need a $1 to purchase ice cream.  
• If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer for Field Day, please use the following link:  Field Day Sign Up.  Field Day is Thursday, May 14th.  
• There is no more Friday Homework this year!