Week of 10.1.12 - 10.5.12

Enjoy your extra-long weekend!

4th Grade Math:  Unit 2 is nearly done.  Thus far we've studied data landmarks:  maximum, minimum, range, mode and median.  We've also reviewed line and bar graphs and two different strategies for adding multi-digit numbers.  Next week we'll review multi-digit subtraction, review for the test, and take it.  Their test date is Friday, October12th.  Be on the look-out for the parent letter that covers the Unit 2 concepts to study with, as well as a completed review sheet by your child on Thursday night.

 

5th Grade Math: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/

 

Social Studies: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/

Science:  This week the kids wrote their conclusions to their experiments.  I introduced the unit project which challenges the kids to take all of the skills and knowledge that they've collected and use it to write a scientific article.  Their articles will include information about mealworms, a synthesis of their experiment and their conclusion.  They'll also use text features and layouts like the model texts we've studied.  They drafted their articles this week.  Class 303's final copies are due a week from Monday (October 15th) and Class 302's final copies are due a week from Tuesday (October 16th.  They'll have two more class periods to work in class and they may work at home if they don't finish here.

Writing:  The kids are nearly done drafting their first pieces.  We have mostly narratives and they span from fantasy to realistic fiction to westerns!  We also have a few research reports, a double-perspective interview, a how-to and an advertisement.  The ideas are so creative; I'm having a great time in my one-on-one conferences with the kids.  Since they're only in their rough draft phases, some students have some gaps, or they lack detail.  We'll use the framework they've created to move forward with revisions appropriate to each child.  The rough drafts are due Wednesday, October 10th.  Ask your child about the topic he/ she chose, and how its coming along!  Questions you might ask:  what is your piece about?  (topic)  What are some of the key points? (if it's a story- ask about characters, setting, problem, solution)  (if it's not a story, ask about the main idea and key details)

 Miscellaneous:

• CAMP EDWARDS: 5th grade families should start to hand in Camp Edwards permission slips and fees. They are due at the beginning of November.  If you are in need of a scholarship, please let me or Debbie Dietz know. 


• Watch for next week's flyer with information about our One Book One School plan for this year.  It's going to be GREAT and it starts during conference week with a trip to the book fair at Whittier.  There you'll find out how you can help us with a plan to have every child reading the same book at the same time after winter break! 


• PIONEER PRESS is holding its Scary Stories contest again this year for 3rd -5th graders.  Stories should be no longer than 350 words.  Stories must include: The child’s name, home address and telephone number; the  child’s grade level; and the name and address of the child’s school.  (This info will not be published.) Deadline to submit entries is 5 p.m. Oct. 12. Entries should be emailed to me a clafortune@pioneerlocal.com, or mailed or dropped off at our office at 1010 Lake St., Suite 104, Oak Park, IL 60301. For information, call me at (708) 524-4412.  Please consider encouraging your child to enter!