Hello Families,
It was so nice meeting with all of you for fall conferences these past few weeks. I appreciate all of the support you give to your children!
REMEMBER OUR FIELD TRIP TO CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA IS THIS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH. PLEASE DRESS NICELY AND BRING A BAGGED LUNCH.
Reading Workshop:
Students are finishing the story Sarah, Plain and Tall, our first novel of the year. Throughout this story students have focused on understanding the traits of a character, author's purpose, and sequencing. Students are encouraged to add sticky notes as they are reading as they make connections and any questions they have about what they are reading.
Students have decided on their book for their non-fiction book project. Students should have their books read by this Wednesday, November 16. As they are reading, they should be taking notes and/or making sticky notes to help with the project they will be starting in class this week. All projects will be completed here at school. Please ask your child if they are ready to begin their non-fiction project.
Writing Workshop:
Students have been focusing on the Writing Trait of Ideas. We have discussed why the ideas of the story make up the heart or content of the writing piece. Students are getting lots of laughs out of a story they created with a partner. They picked from two piles of cards; one pile was the problem and the other pile was the character. Each group needs to make sure their story revolves around one big idea or the lesson to be learned from the story.
This week we will be starting to learn about what makes up a personal narrative. Students will be writing in the upcoming weeks about a memorable day in their lives.
Word Study/Grammar:
Students are starting Cycle 6 tomorrow. The skill will be doubling the final consonant to add –ed and –ing endings. Homework will be passed out tomorrow and be due back next Tuesday. Then, after break we will discuss the skill and core words again before a test is given later that week.
In grammar, we are starting to learn about proper and common nouns. Homework will be due this Friday.
Science:
Students had an awesome time as we traveled as scientists to the Aurora High School to make slime. Please check out the pictures to see the making of slime in action. Thank you to Dr. Munson at the high school for collaborating with us on this experiment. In science we are continuing our discussions about Solids, Liquids, and Gases. We are also learning about density and discovered how densities of corn syrup, water, and vegetable oil. Students are also writing responses to their lab observations. They are starting to think more critically about our experiments and analyzing why their results occurred in each experiment.
Math:
In Mrs. Voinovich and Mrs. Flynn's math class we are moving into our unit on multiplication. Please practice those facts! A note came home about where your child is in Rocket Math. Please contact us if you are not sure what level your child on in Rocket Math.
Students are busy making arrays! They are discovering what the dimensions are for each array and are learning about prime, composite, and "special" numbers.
Social Studies:
In chapter 2, students have been stepping in to the roles of archaeologists and drawing conclusions about artifacts that other students have shared in class. Students shared amazing artifacts such as arrowheads, cast iron skillets, stone mallets, special rocks, and much more. We also conducted a “sandwich” experiment to explore how archaeologists prepare and dig in a site. Later this week, we will be taking notes on the prehistoric Indians of Ch. 2 and focusing on pulling out important details from the text.
Dates to Remember:
November 17-Shopping at the Book Fair today!
November 18-Orchestra Field Trip
November 18-Flurry of Gifts Tags due
November 23-25-Thanksgiving Break
November 30-December 2– Holiday Shop at Leighton (more info to come on our shopping date)
December 2-Permission slip due for the Natural History Museum
December 14-Natural History Museum
