Calendar Highlights:May 28: Memorial Day (Thanks to all for your service to our country!)
May 31: Instrumental Music/Choral Concert
May 31: Volunteer Luncheon, 11:30-1:30 (all parents are invited to attend as we say thank you to you for all of your support and service to our school this year!)
June 1: all classes
math assessment (tentative)
June 1: ALL Field Trip Permission slips & payment is due (Please contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Ward if financial assistance is needed)
June 4: Field Day (we love volunteers!)
June 5: Additional Recess/Popsicle reward for meeting 1,000,000 minute reading goal
June
6: Annapolis Field Trip (we love volunteers!**)
June 11: 9:30, fifth grade promotion (all fourth graders will be with Ms. Hudson & Mrs. Dynda)
June 12: Yearbook signing; Early Release Day; Last Day of School
**Thank you to all who have volunteered to come to Annapolis with us. At this time we have all the volunteers we can fit onto our buses. Everyone who has already sent in their money & volunteer form are attending! If you are still interested in volunteeering, you would have to meet us in Annapolis. Please contact Ms. Hudson if you are still interested
Math 5:
This is a
short unit. In Unit 6 we will cover probability; chance events and probability
expressed as a fraction. We will also focus on Mathematical properties;
properties of operation, evalutating expressions and negative integers.
"Students will write and evaluate expressions in one variable using
substitution and knowledge of number properties. Students work with problems
that provide them with opportunities to understand the need for unique answer
and the need for rules that are required to achieve a unique answer. Students
will use symbols to represent a situation, recognize equivalence and use
inverses to solve equations. Students will make predictions based on the results
of experiments and express probability of an event as a fraction or a
ratio."
Important Vocabulary: additive inverse, evaluate, ratio, identity
property, integers, zero property
Unit 6 assessment will be given: May 29 -
31st
Math 4: Students are working on a "Measuring Penny" project to help review attributes such as length, width, height, volume, time, and temperature. After reading a book, we each chose an object to use to describe these attributes. We had to use standard and nonstandard units when taking measurements. We also will compare our objects to each other's objects to determine weight or capacity.
Our last unit assessment will be given on Thursday & Friday. A review packet was sent home and students are spending time in class reviewing concepts of area, perimeter, and measurement this week. This assessment is part of the student's academic profile but is not part of our Quarter 4 grade.
http://www.multiplication.com/
A
great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word
problems/real world application of multiplication & division:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We
continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This
is a great site where students (if a login is created) can track their progress
and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and
coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Earth Science:
Students will work in teams to design a science exhibit this week. They will use their knowledge of rocks, minerals, crystals, fossils, soil, and sand to design a hands on exhibit as the curator of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Each team will visit the Smithsonian on a virtual field trip and design an exhibit for a new Earth Science wing of the museum.
Students will be able to use a high-tech or a low-tech approach to this project. We hope to be able to post their projects once completed!
Reading:
We continue the study of
autobiographies and biographies/memoirs. Students have selected various autobiographies to read as well
as the works of these authors. We will use the William & Mary strategies to
analyze the works of these authors to make connections/draw conclusions to their
lives.
All projects are due June 1 in Ms. Cooper's class and June 8 in Ms. Hudson & Dynda's classes. Students will share their projects with each other over the following class periods.
READING HOMEWORK: Students are
asked to read 20 minutes each night at home and record on their reading log.
This is an independent book of their choosing. Students have additional reading
assignments as determined by their reading group meetings with their teacher.
Look for these assignments to be written in agenda books each night.
Writing:This week will continue to publish our quarter 4 writing projects/autobiographies.
All students
in Ms. Cooper & Mrs. Dynda's classes are required to create an
autobiography. Students in Ms. Hudson's class will continue writing
their own projects. Students in the OSS reading group will be required to
complete an autobiography.
Final copies of the projects are due to ALL teachers on June 1.
A link to a website for additional
information on the 6 Traits is below:
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.htm
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Weekly Newsletter, May 14-18
Weekly Highlights:
MAP-M (with math class)
May 9: Hudson
May 11: Beddick
May 14: Dynda
MAP-R (with reading class)
May: 7: Hudson
May 8: Cooper
May 9: Dynda
May 15: Assembly, Chinese Acrobats (thank you PTA)
May 15 & 16: Mr. Beddick's math assessment
May 17: Schedule change: Science at 9:30, Math 12:20
May 18: Part 2 of Autobiography project due
Looking ahead:
June 1: all classes math assessment (tentative)
June 4: Field Day (we love volunteers!)
June 6: Annapolis Field Trip (we love volunteers!**)
**If you are able to join us on our Annapolis field trip as a volunteer, please complete the bottom section of your child's permission slip. The fee for volunteers is $17 which you can combine with the fee for your child's portion of the trip. We can take up to 30 volunteers with us. We currently have 6.
*Mrs. Sagona has challenged the school to read 1 million minutes by May 15. If the students and teachers reach the goal, each class will earn an ice cream party and an additional recess. Students should continue to read each night for 20 minutes (at least) and record this information on their reading logs. We continue to record the minutes we read each day in school on the log as well.
Math 5:
This is a short unit. In Unit 6 we will cover probability; chance events and probability expressed as a fraction. We will also focus on Mathematical properties; properties of operation, evalutating expressions and negative integers.
"Students will write and evaluate expressions in one variable using substitution and knowledge of number properties. Students work with problems that provide them with opportunities to understand the need for unique answer and the need for rules that are required to achieve a unique answer. Students will use symbols to represent a situation, recognize equivalence and use inverses to solve equations. Students will make predictions based on the results of experiments and express probability of an event as a fraction or a ratio."
Important Vocabulary: additive inverse, evaluate, ratio, identity property, integers, zero property
Unit 6 assessment will be given: May 29 - 31st
Math 4:
Mathematics is a tool used to solve problems in everyday life. In this unit, students develop measurement skills and explore transformational geometry. The many practical applications of measurement enable students to make connections among number and geometry concepts.
Prior to Grade 4, students developed skills for estimating and measuring length, weight, time, and capacity. They explored the concepts of area and perimeter by estimating and counting. Students also used measurement models to investigate whole number operations. In Grade 4, students measure with increased precision and develop formulas to determine area and perimeter. They determine equivalencies within a measurement system and use manipulatives to determine volume. In this unit, students also examine situations that negative numbers can model, including temperature. The concepts and skills developed in this unit provide the foundation for multi-step measurement problem solving in Grade 5 and for investigating integers on a number line.
In Grade 3, students explored the movement of plane figures. Their focus was on the rigid motion of the object being moved as they investigated slides, flips, and turns. Grade 4 students begin to analyze and describe transformations with increased precision. They identify lines of reflection and points of rotation, as well as describe slides as translations horizontally and/or vertically. Grade 5 students will apply these understandings to transformations in designs.
THIS WEEK: we continue to review strategies to divide 2-digit numbers as well as solve elapsed time word problems. Our Unit 4 retest will be next Thursday, May 17. In addition, we will begin our discovery of plane figures to relate to fractions and clocks.
For example:
If a shape is rotated from the 12:00 position to the 3:00 position, what fraction traslation is that?
Answer: 1/4 clockwise rotation
Translation = slide
Rotation = turn
Reflection = flip
http://www.multiplication.com/
A great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word problems/real world application of multiplication & division:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a login is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Earth Science: What Can Fossils Teach Us?
Students will recognize and explain that fossils provide evidence about plants and animals that lived long ago. They will view video clips, read from our sciene journal, and do hands on investigations to explore fossils.
Erosion & Weathering:
Students will learn that smaller rocks and soil are formed from the breakage of bedrock. They will use hands on investigations to develop working definitions of weathering and erosion. They will explore rapid and slow types of weathering and erosion to identify how these forces change the Earth's surface.
Reading:
We have begun the study of autobiographies. Students have selected various autobiographies to read as well as the works of these authors. We will use the William & Mary strategies to analyze the works of these authors to make connections/draw conclusions to their lives.
As a whole group, we will explore Roald Dahl's BFG to compare/contrast characters to each other. We will then extend our thinking and look for examples in Dahl's life as inspiration for the characters in this story. We will also expand to look at other works by Dahl to determine any central themes for his writing. What, if any, events or feelings from his own life influenced these central themes?
READING HOMEWORK: Students are asked to read 20 minutes each night at home and record on their reading log. This is an independent book of their choosing. Students have additional reading assignments as determined by their reading group meetings with their teacher. Look for these assignments to be written in agenda books each night.
Some students have an autobiography reading assignment while other students are reading biographies. Autobiographies must be read by June 1. Students in this group must also read two books/pieces of work by the author and complete questions as well.
Writing:
This week will continue to draft and revise our quarter 4 writing projects. As we revise, we will read our work outloud to make sure that it makes sense to our readers. We will then help each other by asking questions about the writing and make suggestions for improvement. We will comment on what aspects of the writing can be shared with others in the class who may be struggling with that aspect (sentence structure, dialog, paragraph formation, creative transitions, etc.)
All students in Ms. Cooper & Mrs. Dynda's classes are going to be writing an autobiography. Students in Ms. Hudson's class are going to continue writing their own projects. Students in the OSS reading group will be required to complete an autobiography.
This week students are to complete Part 2 of their autobiographies: The Present. They will write about their feelings about school, interview someone in their family, and collect family recipes to share. This draft is due FRIDAY, MAY 18.
A link to a website for additional information on the 6 Traits is below:
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.htm
Spelling:
Sort 21 will focus on vowel alteration, how word sounds change when you compare root words with long vowels to words that have short vowels or schwa sounds. . Our spelling test for this sort will be on FRIDAY, May 18.
The spelling activities that we suggested in the students spelling journals are just suggestions. Please feel free to adapt as your child needs to.
MAP-M (with math class)
May 9: Hudson
May 11: Beddick
May 14: Dynda
MAP-R (with reading class)
May: 7: Hudson
May 8: Cooper
May 9: Dynda
May 15: Assembly, Chinese Acrobats (thank you PTA)
May 15 & 16: Mr. Beddick's math assessment
May 17: Schedule change: Science at 9:30, Math 12:20
May 18: Part 2 of Autobiography project due
Looking ahead:
June 1: all classes math assessment (tentative)
June 4: Field Day (we love volunteers!)
June 6: Annapolis Field Trip (we love volunteers!**)
**If you are able to join us on our Annapolis field trip as a volunteer, please complete the bottom section of your child's permission slip. The fee for volunteers is $17 which you can combine with the fee for your child's portion of the trip. We can take up to 30 volunteers with us. We currently have 6.
*Mrs. Sagona has challenged the school to read 1 million minutes by May 15. If the students and teachers reach the goal, each class will earn an ice cream party and an additional recess. Students should continue to read each night for 20 minutes (at least) and record this information on their reading logs. We continue to record the minutes we read each day in school on the log as well.
Math 5:
This is a short unit. In Unit 6 we will cover probability; chance events and probability expressed as a fraction. We will also focus on Mathematical properties; properties of operation, evalutating expressions and negative integers.
"Students will write and evaluate expressions in one variable using substitution and knowledge of number properties. Students work with problems that provide them with opportunities to understand the need for unique answer and the need for rules that are required to achieve a unique answer. Students will use symbols to represent a situation, recognize equivalence and use inverses to solve equations. Students will make predictions based on the results of experiments and express probability of an event as a fraction or a ratio."
Important Vocabulary: additive inverse, evaluate, ratio, identity property, integers, zero property
Unit 6 assessment will be given: May 29 - 31st
Math 4:
Mathematics is a tool used to solve problems in everyday life. In this unit, students develop measurement skills and explore transformational geometry. The many practical applications of measurement enable students to make connections among number and geometry concepts.
Prior to Grade 4, students developed skills for estimating and measuring length, weight, time, and capacity. They explored the concepts of area and perimeter by estimating and counting. Students also used measurement models to investigate whole number operations. In Grade 4, students measure with increased precision and develop formulas to determine area and perimeter. They determine equivalencies within a measurement system and use manipulatives to determine volume. In this unit, students also examine situations that negative numbers can model, including temperature. The concepts and skills developed in this unit provide the foundation for multi-step measurement problem solving in Grade 5 and for investigating integers on a number line.
In Grade 3, students explored the movement of plane figures. Their focus was on the rigid motion of the object being moved as they investigated slides, flips, and turns. Grade 4 students begin to analyze and describe transformations with increased precision. They identify lines of reflection and points of rotation, as well as describe slides as translations horizontally and/or vertically. Grade 5 students will apply these understandings to transformations in designs.
THIS WEEK: we continue to review strategies to divide 2-digit numbers as well as solve elapsed time word problems. Our Unit 4 retest will be next Thursday, May 17. In addition, we will begin our discovery of plane figures to relate to fractions and clocks.
For example:
If a shape is rotated from the 12:00 position to the 3:00 position, what fraction traslation is that?
Answer: 1/4 clockwise rotation
Translation = slide
Rotation = turn
Reflection = flip
http://www.multiplication.com/
A great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word problems/real world application of multiplication & division:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a login is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Earth Science: What Can Fossils Teach Us?
Students will recognize and explain that fossils provide evidence about plants and animals that lived long ago. They will view video clips, read from our sciene journal, and do hands on investigations to explore fossils.
Erosion & Weathering:
Students will learn that smaller rocks and soil are formed from the breakage of bedrock. They will use hands on investigations to develop working definitions of weathering and erosion. They will explore rapid and slow types of weathering and erosion to identify how these forces change the Earth's surface.
Reading:
We have begun the study of autobiographies. Students have selected various autobiographies to read as well as the works of these authors. We will use the William & Mary strategies to analyze the works of these authors to make connections/draw conclusions to their lives.
As a whole group, we will explore Roald Dahl's BFG to compare/contrast characters to each other. We will then extend our thinking and look for examples in Dahl's life as inspiration for the characters in this story. We will also expand to look at other works by Dahl to determine any central themes for his writing. What, if any, events or feelings from his own life influenced these central themes?
READING HOMEWORK: Students are asked to read 20 minutes each night at home and record on their reading log. This is an independent book of their choosing. Students have additional reading assignments as determined by their reading group meetings with their teacher. Look for these assignments to be written in agenda books each night.
Some students have an autobiography reading assignment while other students are reading biographies. Autobiographies must be read by June 1. Students in this group must also read two books/pieces of work by the author and complete questions as well.
Writing:
This week will continue to draft and revise our quarter 4 writing projects. As we revise, we will read our work outloud to make sure that it makes sense to our readers. We will then help each other by asking questions about the writing and make suggestions for improvement. We will comment on what aspects of the writing can be shared with others in the class who may be struggling with that aspect (sentence structure, dialog, paragraph formation, creative transitions, etc.)
All students in Ms. Cooper & Mrs. Dynda's classes are going to be writing an autobiography. Students in Ms. Hudson's class are going to continue writing their own projects. Students in the OSS reading group will be required to complete an autobiography.
This week students are to complete Part 2 of their autobiographies: The Present. They will write about their feelings about school, interview someone in their family, and collect family recipes to share. This draft is due FRIDAY, MAY 18.
A link to a website for additional information on the 6 Traits is below:
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.htm
Spelling:
Sort 21 will focus on vowel alteration, how word sounds change when you compare root words with long vowels to words that have short vowels or schwa sounds. . Our spelling test for this sort will be on FRIDAY, May 18.
The spelling activities that we suggested in the students spelling journals are just suggestions. Please feel free to adapt as your child needs to.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
muffins with mom by Gissel
Muffins for mom is tomorrow. Bring your mom so you guys can have some yummy muffins. I bet they will have good muffins so be sure to go. Have a wonderful time with your mom! Enjoy eating muffins with your mom. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Weekly Newsletter, May 7-11
Weekly Highlights:
MAP-M (with math class)
May 9: Hudson
May 11: Beddick
May 14: Dynda
MAP-R (with reading class)
May: 7: Hudson
May 8: Cooper
May 9: Dynda
May 8: Guest author visit, 10:30-11:20
May 8: Schedule change: Science: 9:30, assembly 10:30, Math 12:20
May 9 & 10: Mrs. Dynda's math assessment
May 10: Muffins with Moms & Principal chat
May 15: Assembly, Chinese Acrobats (thank you PTA)
May 15 & 16: Mr. Beddick's math assessment
May 17: Schedule change: Science at 9:30, Math 12:20
May 18: Part 2 of Autobiography project due
Looking ahead:
June 1: all classess math assessment (tentative)
*Mrs. Sagona has challenged the school to read 1 million minutes by May 15. If the students and teachers reach the goal, each class will earn an ice cream party and an additional recess. Students should continue to read each night for 20 minutes (at least) and record this information on their reading logs. We continue to record the minutes we read each day in school on the log as well.
Math 5:
During Unit 5 we will cover the following topics:
• Geometry: Identify transformations in tessellations
• Measurement: Select appropriate measurement attributes, tools and units to solve problems
• Estimate and determine the perimeter and area of a closed figure
• Develop and use formulas to determine the volume of a rectangular prism
This week: We will be reviewing all indicators for our unit assessment
Unit test May 9 & 10
Math 4:
Mathematics is a tool used to solve problems in everyday life. In this unit, students develop measurement skills and explore transformational geometry. The many practical applications of measurement enable students to make connections among number and geometry concepts.
Prior to Grade 4, students developed skills for estimating and measuring length, weight, time, and capacity. They explored the concepts of area and perimeter by estimating and counting. Students also used measurement models to investigate whole number operations. In Grade 4, students measure with increased precision and develop formulas to determine area and perimeter. They determine equivalencies within a measurement system and use manipulatives to determine volume. In this unit, students also examine situations that negative numbers can model, including temperature. The concepts and skills developed in this unit provide the foundation for multi-step measurement problem solving in Grade 5 and for investigating integers on a number line.
In Grade 3, students explored the movement of plane figures. Their focus was on the rigid motion of the object being moved as they investigated slides, flips, and turns. Grade 4 students begin to analyze and describe transformations with increased precision. They identify lines of reflection and points of rotation, as well as describe slides as translations horizontally and/or vertically. Grade 5 students will apply these understandings to transformations in designs.
THIS WEEK: we continue to review lattice multiplication and other strategies to multiply and divide 2-digit numbers. Our Unit 4 retest will be next Thursday, May 17.
Translation = slide
Rotation = turn
Reflection = flip
http://www.multiplication.com/
A great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word problems/real world application of multiplication & divsion:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a login is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Science: Distinguishing Between Rocks and Minerals
In science class, we will focus on the similarities and differences between the three different types of rocks: Metamorphic, Igneous, and Sedimentary. We will then move on to examining fossils. We will identify characteristics of a fossil as well as some names of fossils.
Reading:
We have begun the study of autobiographies. Students have selected various autobiographies to read as well as the works of these authors. We will use the William & Mary strategies to analyze the works of these authors to make connections/draw conclusions to their lives.
READING HOMEWORK: Students are asked to read 20 minutes each night at home and record on their reading log. This is an independent book of their choosing. Students should complete the Book Talk paper and be prepared to discuss something they read in class every Friday.
Some students have an autobiography reading assignment while other students are reading biographies. Autobiographies must be read by June 1. Students in this group must also read two books/pieces of work by the author and complete questions as well. Students reading biographies have a research graphic organizer due to class this FRIDAY, May 11.
Writing:
This week will begin to prewrite about a quarter 4 writing project. We will brainstorm things we know about, things we are interested in, things we have questions about to determine the "what" and "how" of our next project.
All students in Ms. Cooper & Mrs. Dynda's classes are going to be writing an autobiography. Students in Ms. Hudson's class are going to continue writing their own projects. Students in the OSS reading group will be required to complete an autobiography. We are introducing a new computer program we have called "Classroom Suite" where students will be able to choose from various formats, include video, text, and graphics.
For the next two weeks we are asking students to complete Part 2 of their autobiographies: The Present. They will write about their feelings about school, interview someone in their family, and collect family recipes to share. This draft is due FRIDAY, MAY 18.
A link to a website for additional information on the 6 Traits is below:
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.htm
Spelling: Sort 21 will focus on vowel alteration, how word sounds change when you compare root words with long vowels to words that have short vowels or schwa sounds. . Our spelling test for this sort will be on FRIDAY, May 18.
The spelling activities that we suggested in the students spelling journals are just suggestions. Please feel free to adapt as your child needs to.
MAP-M (with math class)
May 9: Hudson
May 11: Beddick
May 14: Dynda
MAP-R (with reading class)
May: 7: Hudson
May 8: Cooper
May 9: Dynda
May 8: Guest author visit, 10:30-11:20
May 8: Schedule change: Science: 9:30, assembly 10:30, Math 12:20
May 9 & 10: Mrs. Dynda's math assessment
May 10: Muffins with Moms & Principal chat
May 15: Assembly, Chinese Acrobats (thank you PTA)
May 15 & 16: Mr. Beddick's math assessment
May 17: Schedule change: Science at 9:30, Math 12:20
May 18: Part 2 of Autobiography project due
Looking ahead:
June 1: all classess math assessment (tentative)
*Mrs. Sagona has challenged the school to read 1 million minutes by May 15. If the students and teachers reach the goal, each class will earn an ice cream party and an additional recess. Students should continue to read each night for 20 minutes (at least) and record this information on their reading logs. We continue to record the minutes we read each day in school on the log as well.
Math 5:
During Unit 5 we will cover the following topics:
• Geometry: Identify transformations in tessellations
• Measurement: Select appropriate measurement attributes, tools and units to solve problems
• Estimate and determine the perimeter and area of a closed figure
• Develop and use formulas to determine the volume of a rectangular prism
This week: We will be reviewing all indicators for our unit assessment
Unit test May 9 & 10
Math 4:
Mathematics is a tool used to solve problems in everyday life. In this unit, students develop measurement skills and explore transformational geometry. The many practical applications of measurement enable students to make connections among number and geometry concepts.
Prior to Grade 4, students developed skills for estimating and measuring length, weight, time, and capacity. They explored the concepts of area and perimeter by estimating and counting. Students also used measurement models to investigate whole number operations. In Grade 4, students measure with increased precision and develop formulas to determine area and perimeter. They determine equivalencies within a measurement system and use manipulatives to determine volume. In this unit, students also examine situations that negative numbers can model, including temperature. The concepts and skills developed in this unit provide the foundation for multi-step measurement problem solving in Grade 5 and for investigating integers on a number line.
In Grade 3, students explored the movement of plane figures. Their focus was on the rigid motion of the object being moved as they investigated slides, flips, and turns. Grade 4 students begin to analyze and describe transformations with increased precision. They identify lines of reflection and points of rotation, as well as describe slides as translations horizontally and/or vertically. Grade 5 students will apply these understandings to transformations in designs.
THIS WEEK: we continue to review lattice multiplication and other strategies to multiply and divide 2-digit numbers. Our Unit 4 retest will be next Thursday, May 17.
Translation = slide
Rotation = turn
Reflection = flip
http://www.multiplication.com/
A great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word problems/real world application of multiplication & divsion:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a login is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Science: Distinguishing Between Rocks and Minerals
In science class, we will focus on the similarities and differences between the three different types of rocks: Metamorphic, Igneous, and Sedimentary. We will then move on to examining fossils. We will identify characteristics of a fossil as well as some names of fossils.
Reading:
We have begun the study of autobiographies. Students have selected various autobiographies to read as well as the works of these authors. We will use the William & Mary strategies to analyze the works of these authors to make connections/draw conclusions to their lives.
READING HOMEWORK: Students are asked to read 20 minutes each night at home and record on their reading log. This is an independent book of their choosing. Students should complete the Book Talk paper and be prepared to discuss something they read in class every Friday.
Some students have an autobiography reading assignment while other students are reading biographies. Autobiographies must be read by June 1. Students in this group must also read two books/pieces of work by the author and complete questions as well. Students reading biographies have a research graphic organizer due to class this FRIDAY, May 11.
Writing:
This week will begin to prewrite about a quarter 4 writing project. We will brainstorm things we know about, things we are interested in, things we have questions about to determine the "what" and "how" of our next project.
All students in Ms. Cooper & Mrs. Dynda's classes are going to be writing an autobiography. Students in Ms. Hudson's class are going to continue writing their own projects. Students in the OSS reading group will be required to complete an autobiography. We are introducing a new computer program we have called "Classroom Suite" where students will be able to choose from various formats, include video, text, and graphics.
For the next two weeks we are asking students to complete Part 2 of their autobiographies: The Present. They will write about their feelings about school, interview someone in their family, and collect family recipes to share. This draft is due FRIDAY, MAY 18.
A link to a website for additional information on the 6 Traits is below:
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.htm
Spelling: Sort 21 will focus on vowel alteration, how word sounds change when you compare root words with long vowels to words that have short vowels or schwa sounds. . Our spelling test for this sort will be on FRIDAY, May 18.
The spelling activities that we suggested in the students spelling journals are just suggestions. Please feel free to adapt as your child needs to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)