March 15, 2016

Reading:  We are reading nonfiction books about American Symbols.  This week we are learning about the Bald Eagle.  We are talking about main ideas and details.  We enjoyed making flags last week and writing about them.  We proudly displayed them in the auditorium so the voters would see them.

Writing:  This week we are working on telling more details in a story.  Students were given the opportunity to write a four page book during Writers Workshop.

Daily 5:  Students continue to work on literacy centers.

Math:  We are learning about 3D shapes this week.  We are also doing review on subtraction and addition using all of our strategies.  We also enjoyed learning how to flip a penny and tally and graph our results.  We had fun calling out, "Lincoln!"

Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, March 24th:  Field Trip to Field Museum 
Spirit Week is all next week! See below for details.
March 25-April 3rd:  Spring Break


Next week is Spirit Week sponsored by our Student Council.

Monday:  Pajama Day!
Tuesday: Crazy Hair Day!
Wednesday: Backwards Day!
Thursday:  Irving Day!

Click Here for more information about Spirit Week.

LaNya tries on an African scarf when Ms. Allen came a few weeks ago to talk about African Cultures.

Some fourth and fifth graders performed in the Opera for the Young last week.

Spring is in the Air

I hope everyone enjoyed the warmer temperatures this week!  I know I am finding dismissal a whole lot easier!  Whew!

Reading:
This week we are spending some time reading books about American Symbols and the Presidents.  We are learning how to figure out the meaning of unknown words by using context clues.

Writing:  We are working on "How to" writing.  We are also working very hard on writing our letters neatly and correctly. Some kids are working on special handwriting paper.  Everyone is working hard to use lower case letters in the middle of sentences.

Math:  We are working on subtraction number stories and sentences.  Just like addition, we have several strategies we can use to solve the problems.  Students used a number line and are drawing pictures to help them.  We also enjoyed subtracting some cheerios...by eating them.

Science:  We will be working on weather a lot when we get back from Spring Break and then we will jump into Space.  We are finishing up water  this week and next week.

Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, March 15:  NO SCHOOL for students.
Monday, March 21:  Our student teacher, Ms. Coffey, begins her 8 weeks with us.
Friday, March 24th:  SPRING BREAK BEGINS
Monday, April 4:  School resumes

Reading:

We completed our author study of Mo Willems, but will continue to enjoy his books for the next few weeks during read alouds and when we have book buddies.  Since March 2 is Dr. Seuss' birthday, we are reading some of his books this week.  We will focus on rhyming and reading nonsense words.

Writing:  

Students did a great job sharing their opinion about what their favorite Mo Willems book is.  We are moving on to "how to" writing.  This kind of writing gets them practicing transition words such as next, later, after  and last.  We are also really working on neatness in writing now that we are close to the end of the second trimester.  Students will be asked to use lower case letters when appropriate.  

Math:

This week we learned how to use a number line to add two numbers together.  The students did a fantastic job using this strategy.   We are also using pictures and objects to help us solve number sentences.  Next week we will look at subtraction stories!

Upcoming Dates

March 15th: No School institute day. 

March 24th:  Field Trip to the Field Museum.  Report cards go home. 

March 25th-April 1st: Spring Break