Weekly Update April 25-29

Good Morning!

Here is what to expect this week.

Early Release on Wednesday!

Math-We started Chapter 30 today. Chapter 30 focuses on solid figures and volume. Today we took a pre-assessment on volume. We also learned the formula to calculate volume.  Volume=length x width x height. We will continue working on this chapter all week. Out test will be either Friday or Monday.

Reading-In reading we have been talking about "monitoring" our reading. Ask your child what monitoring means. Students should also be using their monitoring book marks. The book marks highlight the strategies we have learned this year to help us think while we read. We have learned that good readers do much more than simply read the words!

Writing-This week we are starting functional writing.

• Students will hear, read, and discuss functional writing.
• They will explore how information is communicated though functional writing.
• They will also explore audience and purpose in functional writing.

Word Study-Word Study test today. The next few weeks word study will be states and capitals.

Science-We will continue working with Nature Unleashed this week, but students will also begin Social Studies with Mrs. Davis today.

Study Guide for Science Quiz

Study Guide for Quiz on Chapter 3-Having What is takes to Survive

Reread the Chapter. Quiz will be Thursday.

What are specialized structures? Be able to give examples from the book.

Know the specialized structures that help the plants and animals listed in this chapter.

For example:

• Snapping Turtle-big jaws that help snap up food



• Fish



• Badger



• Bullsnake



• Coyote



• Backberries



• Duckweed



• Great blue heron



• Katydid



How does camouflage help animals survive?





What are internal and external cues? Be able to give examples.

Weekly Update April 18-22

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Hooray our schedule is back to normal! Here is what to expect this week.

Math-We are working on probability. Expect to see homework on varies probability concepts including tree diagrams. A study guide will come home Wednesday. The test is Thursday.

Reading-Book clubs and group-led book talks are in full spin! Reading assignments and literature jobs have been a bit longer recently. You may see these books coming home for completion. If there are not coming home please ask your child how things are going!

Writing-Fiction pieces are due Thursday!

Word Study-Contract and test Thursday.

Science-Nature Unleashed continues...This week we will be discussing plant adaptations needed for survival, food chains, and animal adaptations.

Social Studies will start up next week. A head up that students will need to know ALL states and capitals and their spelling. They have a practice packet in their expandable folder. Also, next week I will be giving states and capitals as word study words.

We have such wonderful students in our class. Hooray for Dani! Her lemonade stand this weekend raised over $50. She donated that money to the Jacob Swiderski Medical Fund.

Happy Easter!

We Love Kayla and Jacob!

Thanks for wearing your blue and bringing in spare change!

Mid-Week Update

PLEASE WEAR BLUE TOMORROW FOR JACOB AND BRING SPARE CHANGE!

MAP testing is over! We still have a few students finishing up small group testing, but for the most part we are finished. I am so proud of all the students. They all felt so proud being able to show what they know! We have learned so much this year.

We will return to our regular schedule Monday. Please remember the we are off school Friday, April 22nd. I will be giving students word study words and contracts today. They will have a word study test on Thursday, April 21st.

We will also finish up probability tomorrow and next week. Study guides will go home Tuesday and we will have the test Thursday, April 22nd.

In reading book clubs are in full swing. Ask your child if they are reading Snake Camp, Strider, How to Steal a Dog, or Bridge to Terabithia. I am assigning longer reading assignments so you may see these books coming home. Be sure to ask your child to tell you what is going on in their book!

In writing, fiction pieces in writing are due Thursday the 21st as well. I have extended this due date an extra day. Students have been aware of this due date for over a week. Students may type or hand write their polished piece. I ask that these not be worked on at home, as I want to see their independent work. Thanks for your cooperation!

Have a wonderful day!

Nature Unleashed

The other day each student received two copies of an animal (moth, snake, or frog). With the first picture students were told to color the animal any way they wanted. Then, we went out side and placed the animals in a resting place. We discussed the animals and if they would be safe in their resting spot. After much discussion about adaptations and camouflage students were given the opportunity the color their other animal in an attempt to better hide it in the school yard ecosystem. Check out the photos below.

This snake would not be very safe from predators!

The students are searching for the animals hidden in the school yard ecosystem.

WOW! Where is Dani's frog? Oh, there it is. Great camouflage!

Do you see the animal?

Students are looking for great hiding spots. They want their animal to blend into its surroundings.

Weekly Update April 11-15

First, let me say how proud I am of all the students. They are working so hard on the MAP test! They are prepared and showing what they know! This week we will finish testing with Math on Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks again for all the wonderful brain food that has been sent in for our trail mix!

Math-We are testing! Monday and Tuesday will be spent reviewing.

Reading-One book club started last week. The other clubs we begin this week. We will be working hard to have self-led discussions. It is important that the students be able to read and talk about their thinking with each other (with out a teacher facilitating). 

Writing-Our fiction stories are well underway. Some students are ready to begin the rereading and editing stage. The polished fiction pieces will be due Wednesday, April 20th.

Science-Nature Unleashed is underway. This is a great curriculum provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Last week we discussed organisms, population, communities, and ecosystems. We also discussed the importance of space. Living things need space to live. Be sure to ask your child about the life of a crowded plant!

I will out a 1/2 day Monday afternoon. One of my teeth broke (a back molar) this weekend  (ouch!) and I need to go to the dentist. I am hoping they can take care of it in one visit! 

I promised the students that I would post a picture of Charlie as the ring bearer on the blog. So here it is!

He loved his fancy clothes!

My two little boys!

Weekly Update April 4-9

It’s here! The Big Show comes to room 221 Wednesday and Thursday of this week! Just a reminder that we test communication arts this week and math next week. Please be sure your son/daughter gets plenty of rest, eats breakfast, and come to school on time. There is no need to send a snack, as we will have trail mix.




Math-We worked on our study guide today on customary measurement. This was difficult for some students. The test will be tomorrow. I assigned page 534-535 as bonus to encourage extra studying and practice. Students do not need to have conversions memorized, they will be provided.



Writing-Students have chosen their fiction topic and will begin working on their first draft this week. We are focusing on dialogue as our mini-lessons this week. We are talking about how to punctuate dialogue and make it sound natural in the story. We will also be reviewing story elements and be sure our fiction stories contain these elements (setting, character development, conflict).



Reading-We will be gearing up to start book clubs again after the MAP test this week!