Weekly Update

Writing/Spelling

This past week we gathered many "seed story" ideas by prewriting and drafting in our writer's notebooks.  We learned that we can use our memories and stories from our own lives in creating realistic fiction stories.  Next week we will start to gather story plot ideas for our first writing unit, realistic fiction narratives.  We will also start to develop our characters.  As a reminder, we start Spelling this week.  Students will spend a majority of their time studying for spelling outside of class.  Our first Spelling Test will be Friday, September 11th.  

In one prewrite activity, we drew a map of our house to gather writing ideas.  

Seed stories are small moment stories.  If we stretch our seed ideas, we can create long stories with great details!

Reading

In reading this week, we discussed what it means to "read intensely."  We came up with some great ideas!  We even practiced visualizing during our read aloud, "The Tiger Rising" by Kate DiCamillo.  

We also reviewed books that would be "within our reach" as we tried the "5 finger rule" to determine if books are too easy, too challenging, or just right.  Students also became familiar with our class library and added many books to their "books to read" list.  Most students have chosen a good chapter book that they can read at home and school.  We also brainstormed ways to suggest classroom books to our peers.  Students decided they wanted to create a book bin of recommendations, and they got right to work in making it!  We are able to read intensely when we choose books that are within our reach and ones that we think we'll love.  

Math

We had a great week in Math!  We practiced every rotation that will be in full swing next week!  Students will all start math with a minilesson in which they will learn and practice the objective.  Then, they will be involved in one rotation a day (Computers, Activity, Math Games or Problem Solving), rotating daily so that students have the chance to work in each rotation.  Finally, students will be pulled from their rotation to dig deeper in the day's lesson at the back table in a small group setting.  This week we will continue our chapter on place value with rounding.   The Chapter 1 Test will be Friday, September 4th.  Students will receive a study guide this week.  You should have already received the Math At Home family letter and vocabulary flash cards for chapter one on Monday.  These are great resources to use in practicing at home and in supporting students in the chapter concepts.  You will receive these resources when we start each chapter.  You will also see math worksheets coming home in the folder in your child's binder on a daily basis.  If the worksheet has a check at the top, all problems were solved correctly on the first try.  Otherwise, a paper will note the problem numbers that students had to rework for accuracy.  

We learned how to play the "Math Noodlers" game in the Games rotation.

Students practiced logging on to XtraMath and ALEKS.  Students can use these websites at home!

Students got to "clip up" on our recognition chart for completing blue challenge/enrichment worksheets!

Social Studies

So far in social studies we have started with a review of cardinal directions and the 7 continents and 5 oceans of the world.  Students' first quiz will be Thursday, September 3rd.  Using a word bank, they will label a blank map with the 7 continents and 5 oceans.  Students will receive their corrected maps on Monday and they will be kept in the social studies tab of their binders.  Students can also use these websites to study: World Continents and Oceans Level I and Continents Memory Game.  This week we will add the study of landforms to our first social studies unit. 

We practiced cardinal directions by creating a castle floor plan.

Other Important Info.  

• Thank you to all parents who could make Curriculum Night!  An electronic copy of our class handbook can be found  here. 
• Students' first Friday Homework assignment was passed out today.  This week we have a math packet, Standardized Test Prep Chapter 1.  Friday homework is always passed out on Fridays and due the following Friday, so this first assignment is due 9/4.  We alternate with math and writing Friday Homework.  This week students will set up their reflection journals.  More information on reflection journals can be found in next week's Weekly Update
• Spirit Wear orders are due Friday, 9/4.
• LEAP starts this Tuesday, 9/1.