Weekly Update

Writing/Spelling

This week we started our Informational Unit!  As a class, we will write a four chapter book on the Revolutionary War.  Right now we are researching about the war and all the important events surrounding it, including the Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, etc.  After writing this informational book together, students will then choose a social studies or science topic to write a second informational book on their own.  On Friday, students will get their homophones spelling words.  The next Spelling Test will be Friday, January 27th.  (This gives the spelling bee students time to practice the spelling bee words.)  

Reading 

In Reading, we will be starting book clubs!  Students will pick their top book club books and be put into groups.  Students will be responsible for reading an agreed upon number of chapters outside of book club time.  During book clubs, students will have a conservation about the chapters' events, characters, setting, etc.  Students will record their thinking on sticky notes and bring those to help them in the discussion.  These sticky note thoughts and reading must be completed outside of the book club meeting time, so that all students are prepared during the meeting time!  Book clubs will meet twice a week.  We will use our read alouds to model book club discussions.  

Math

We started Chapter 8 with factors and multiples, prime and composite numbers, and equivalent fractions.  This week we will continue with simplest form and comparing and ordering fractions.  Then, we will get to mixed numbers and improper fractions.  It will be important that students keep up with homework and fixing any independent work so they do not fall behind in this chapter.  

Social Studies

We reviewed big events and previewed future events to discuss with a timeline project.  This project is due Tuesday.  Students were assigned a date to research in the textbook and write a summary about.  They should also include a picture for their event. Chapter 3 will start off with the Civil War.  

Other Important Info. 

• The school spelling bee is January 20th at 1:30.  Good luck, Michael and Hannah! 
• Six Flags Read to Succeed reading logs are due Friday, February 24th for your child to earn a free Six Flags ticket!  
• We are testing out flexible seating in our classroom!  You will get more information via email about what this looks like in our classroom this week.