October 7- 11

Coming to an End

It is hard to believe that our quarter is almost over!  This is the last week before quarter one closes out.  The quarter's actual end date is October 17.  This is the end of AR points, as well.  They are asked to have 10 points by this date.  If your child does not have 10 points, look for a note in their agenda some time this week.  You may also check their progress with the Home Connect option.  I am really impressed with this group and their performance so far this year.  

In Math this week, we will begin Monday with a test review.  We will test on Tuesday.  This test deals with data and measurement.  On Wednesday, students will begin their graphing unit.  We will study bar graphs, line graphs, and coordinate graphs.  This unit should come easy to most students.  The most challenging thing for this class is answering what the question in really asking.  You may address underlining what the question is really asking with your child.  I ask students to label their answers, and this helps them to try to read more carefully.

In Social Studies we will begin using the text book.  We will start our unit with Missouri's geography- rivers, regions, latitude and longitude.  We will also take a look at Missouri's resources and climates.  

In Spelling, I think that the students are beginning to catch on.  This unit's tests were awesome!  some are still struggling with when to capitalize.  The skills are really starting to shape up!  This week, we begin a new unit. Students will start by addressing any words that they missed on Friday's test.  The "Word Preview" will be on Tuesday.  We will again introduce the new words and bonus words.  We will also give students all 20 test words.  Be on the look out for these.  The skill we will address in class is /s/ spelling patterns.  The most common are s, ss, c (ce, ci, cy), and sc.  We will also discuss that when a vowel is followed by r, it creates a new sound.  (As is herd)  Friday students will practice adding prefixes and suffixes. ***For some reason, I cannot change my spelling words, so here they are:
Americans, enough, there, United States, than, country, rest, certain, most, feel, though, words, worked, six, then, their, perhaps, cold, true, behind.
**New Words**- rest, perhaps, certain, six, feel  
***Bonus Words***- recess, sentence, difference

Reading this week will continue with our Literature Circles.  Students are doing a phenomenal job of completing their reading and their jobs.  We will also finish work on our Glogs.  The class seems to enjoy working on them, when we can get technology to cooperate!  Thank you for allowing your child to work on these at home.  They are looking great!  When these are completed, we will start work on drawing conclusions.  

In English Language Arts, the class will learn about complete sentences using subjects and predicates.  This can be a dry subject, but hopefully a beneficial one!  Our writing strategies for the week are "I Wonder" and "Writing Off of Literature".  These two fluency strategies seem to be fun for students.  The "I Wonder" is simply that- writing about things we wonder about.  In "Writing Off of Literature", we will read a short story or poem and ask students to write about whatever comes to mind.    

Just a friendly reminder to ensure that your conference preference sheet comes back soon.  I will send formal dates and times out by the end of the week.