Weekly Update

Writing/Spelling 

Students have finished their first informational books on the Louisiana Purchase, and they turned out great!  We will celebrate all of our hard work by reading them on Monday!  Next, students will choose their own topic for their second informational book.  Some students have already started to research their second book topic.  This includes science and social studies topics, such as the Titanic, World War I, Civil Rights, rocks, electricity, inventions, etc. We will follow the same format as the first book.  The next Spelling Test will be Friday, 2/5.

The finished products!

Reading

This past week we discussed the book club roles "Careful Characterizer" and "Discussion Director" with our read aloud "Rump." See some examples below. 

Math

We have started Chapter 8 on fractions.  So far, we have reviewed factors and multiples, prime and composite numbers, equivalent fractions, and simplest form.  We have also compared and ordered fractions.  Coming up is mixed numbers and improper fractions.  

Making equivalent fractions 

Playing "Fractions Dots and Boxes" in the Games Rotation

Social Studies

In Social Studies, we are currently reading Chapter 6, "A Growing State."  Right now we are reading about slavery.  We learned about Harriet Tubman and are working on an underground railroad paper quilt!  

  Other Important Info.

• Don't forget to be filling out the Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Logs.  If a student is wanting to participate, they need to read 6 hours in addition to their class reading log minutes.  As a reward, they will receive a free admission ticket to Six Flags theme park. These reading logs are due Friday, February 12th.  

Weekly Update

Happy Snow Day! 

Writing/Spelling 

Last week students finished Chapter 1 of their informational books on the Louisiana Purchase.  Now we are working on Chapter 2, which is due this Friday.  The entire first book (four chapters) is due January 29th.  After writing this informational book, students will then choose their own social studies or science topic to write their second informational book.  Students will receive their spelling words this week.  The next Spelling Test will be Friday, 1/29.

Reading

In reading, we are learning how to research to support our informational books in writing.  Using our read aloud "Rump," we are also going over book club roles to prepare for our upcoming book clubs.  So far, we have discussed the Super Summarizer, Perfect Predictor, Clever Clarifier, and Cunning Connector.  Students are doing great with this!  More details about book clubs to come soon. 

Cunning Connector

Clever Clarifier

Perfect Predictor

Super Summarizer

Math

We have started Chapter 8 on fractions.  So far, we have reviewed factors and multiples.  Coming up in the next week is prime and composite numbers, equivalent fractions, and simplest form!  

Science/Social Studies

The Rocks Test will be now be tomorrow Thursday, 1/21.   Students get an extra day to study!  For extra practice and extra credit, visit the 12 activities and labs available on the online science textbook! Click on the science textbook below.  After logging in, hover over the "To Do" tab on the right-hand side of the page.  Click on that, and the activities will pop up.  Hit "I'm done" when finished to get the extra credit!    

After science, we will resume with Chapter 5 in Social Studies, "Becoming a State."

  Other Important Info.

• Don't forget to be filling out the Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Logs.  If a student is wanting to participate, they need to read 6 hours in addition to their class reading log minutes.  As a reward, they will receive a free admission ticket to Six Flags theme park. These reading logs are due Friday, February 12th.  

Weekly Update

Writing/Spelling

Before break, students finished our miniunit on journalism.  Mr. Schoenekase came in to cause a ruckus so the students had an event to write about as reporters.  Their articles turned out great!   Now we have started our informational unit.  In writing, students will write a 4 chapter book on the Louisiana Purchase.  After writing this informational book, students will then choose their own social studies or science topic to write their second informational book.  Students received their spelling words this week.  The next Spelling Test will be Friday, 1/15.

Reading

In reading, we are learning how to research to support our information books in writing.  We are choosing the text structure that we want to use in our books to help our readers to understand what is important about our topic.  In reading groups, we continue to read our rocks trade books.  We also started a new read aloud.  It's our last Mark Twain Nominee that we will read as a class.  It's a fantasy book called, "Rump."  

Math

We are finishing Chapter 7 on patterns, and the Chapter 7 Math Test is this Wednesday, 1/13.  Students will get the study guide Monday.  We will start Chapter 8 on fractions this Thursday.  Students will need to use their knowledge of multiplication and division facts to help them with this upcoming chapter.  

Science

We are finishing our rocks unit before switching back over to Social Studies.  The Rocks Test will be next Wednesday, 1/20.   Students will get the study guide later this week. 

  Other Important Info.

• This Wednesday, January 13th is an early release day with dismissal at 1:40.  Please make sure your child knows how they are getting home.  
• The school spelling bee is this Friday, January 15th at 2pm!  Good luck to our classroom representatives, Tyler Brower and McKenzie Atkinson!  
• Don't forget to be filling out the Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Logs.  If a student is wanting to participate, they need to read 6 hours in addition to their class reading log minutes.  As a reward, they will receive a free admission ticket to Six Flags theme park. These reading logs are due Friday, February 12th.