January 27- 31

BRRRR!!!

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone can stay warm today.  It is cold outside!  Here is a look at our week ahead.

In Math, we start Monday off with a test over Ch 14.  On Tuesday, students will look at order of operations.  We looked at this briefly earlier in the year, so hopefully this lesson will go well.  After this lesson, we go straight into measurement. Students will start with non-stand unit of measurement, such as three paper clips long or five big steps.  We will then go into customary unit of measurement to 1/4 inch.

In Science, we will send home a study guide for the test on Wednesday.  We will study on Tuesday as a class.  On Thursday, students will begin to learn about Earth's Resources.  Friday, students will investigate the water cycle.

In Spelling this week, students will read and illustrate the true meanings of proverbs or idioms.  We will take a closer look at properly using their, there, and they're. Students will also look at the differences between oi and oy.  Thursday we will touch briefly on Latin Roots, and send home a Dear Parents.  Our test will be on Friday.  

In Reading, students will continue their work with Point of View.  We will look deeper into identifying the difference between first and third person.  We will work through our lessons and then have a quick assessment project in class using books to identify which point of view the story is told from.  

In English Language Arts, we are going to work on beginning a new draft.  This draft will be teaching students to write from another point of view.  They will take a classic tale, and write from a new characters perspective.  We will read a few examples of these, such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.  These should be a fun way to work through the drafting process.

Have a great week!

January 20- 24

I Have a Dream...

Due to snow days, we are in school today, Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  I actually appreciate the learning opportunities that this day allows us in the classroom.  So for today, we will center our Reading and English Language Arts lessons on a very courageous man.  In Reading, students will take an excerpt from the "I have a Dream" speech, and complete a "Close Read".  This is something we have been working on.  It allows students to look deeper into a text as they read it several times over, and then discuss with partners, and the class to determine the meaning of more complex texts.  The students are doing awesome!  I can't wait to hear their interpretations of this monumental speech.  In English Language Arts, students will listen to the story, "Martin's Big Words".  This text includes several quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.  They will then use the opportunity to write about what they have heard. For the rest of today's lessons, I will place then in the paragraphs for each subject.

In Math this week, students will take the time to work on a guess and check strategy, finding the better buy between two items, and work with exploring the mean.  By Friday, we will begin preparing for a test that will be on Monday.   

In Science, we will learn about identifying different types of rocks by their qualities.  Students will then learn about the changes to the earth's surface, both quick and slow, and how these changes occur.  We will complete a few investigations this week to aid in the comprehension of these two concepts.   

In Spelling, we will test today.  Tomorrow, students will work on any missed words.  We will introduce the new list on Wednesday.  (I will post that list after our test.)  The concept that we will study this week is the /or/, /ore/ spelling patterns.  

In English Language Arts, we will work on comma usage, and quotation usage.  On Friday, students will have a chance to create a quotes, using macaroni noodles to show their knowledge of the comma and quotation usage.  

In Reading, students will continue their work on "Close Reading" for the first couple of days.  On Wednesday, we will begin studying reading from different points of view.  For instance, first person can be identified when the words " I , me, or my" are used.  If the story is told from the third person, it uses the character's name, the pronouns "his, her, or they".  We will use a few small picture books to help illustrate this concept.  Hopefully students will be able to easily notice these in their own reading.  

At the start of our new quarter, AR begins again.  Students are asked to earn 10 points before the end of the third quarter, March 13.  

January 13- 17

Chugging Along

I am sorry this was not posted until today.  I was gone yesterday with a sick child, and when this crossed my mind, I didn't have the week's lessons with me.  

With no school last Friday, we continued out lessons for that day on Monday.  We will start our week's lessons today, Tuesday.

In Math, we will continue with unit reviews until Thursday.  On Friday, we will get back into dividing.  Hopefully, the review time gave students the opportunity and confidence to get back into the swing of things.  We have been practicing multiplication facts, so hopefully division will continue smoothly.  

In Social Studies, students went over the Louisiana Purchase yesterday.  Today, we will complete a study guide for our chapter 4 test.  We will review again on Wednesday, and test on Thursday.  

In Reading, we have started Literature Circles again.  Students have their independent reading level books to complete these "jobs".  As a whole class in reading, students will learn the difference between summarizing and retelling.  For the most part, students will be asked to summarize more in class.  We will work on this as a class, and independently.  We will also take some time this week to read and understand poetry.  Sometimes the language can be tricky, but students are going to work together to discuss possible meanings in different types of poetry.

In English Language Arts, we will finish up letter writing to start the week.  Students will study author's craft.  They will look at a piece of literature, and pull out the things that make the writing stand out.  Students will then try to mimic what they see "good writers" do.  As a grammar lesson, we will also take some time to review verb tenses, and their usage in sentences.  

In Spelling, we will discuss apostrophes, and their use in the English Language.  We will also use selling to go over irregular verbs.  We will prepare and have a test on Monday.  

The end of the quarter is TODAY, Tuesday, January 14.  Students AR points are due at the end of today.  Look for Grade Cards on Thursday.  

Also, a note is going home today about Friendship parties in February.  You may ask your child about this note as well.  Sometimes, things tend to linger in their cubbies....  :)

We're Back!!

Welcome Back!

I was beginning to wonder if we were ever going to make it back to school!  Nevertheless, I am glad to get back on track.  I hope that all of you enjoyed your time off!

In Math, we will start our time back with some review.  We will complete unit reviews of what we have covered so far this year.  These should help students ease back into math before we get back to division.

In Social Studies, we will cover the arrival of Europeans in the state of Missouri.  This is a really fun part of Missouri's history.  I enjoy teaching it, and hopefully, students will enjoy learning about it!

In Spelling, we will begin a new unit.  In this unit, students will learn about contractions, apostrophes, and a little more on irregular verbs.  Expect a test on this unit Friday, January 17.  

In Reading, students will learn an in depth look at reading known as "Close Reading".  We will begin this strategy as a class, and then gradually allow the students to complete this on their own.  This strategy helps students look deeper into the texts by questioning, and noting comments or thoughts.  

In English Language Arts, we will revisit letter writing.  This should be a basic review of a friendly letter and its parts, but is always needed.  

Our assembly that was scheduled for Friday, December 20, has been moved to Friday, January 10 at 2:15.