Reading: We focused mainly on The World According to Humphrey this week. The author, Betty Birney uses so many literary techniques, it's been a great teaching tool in reading and writing! We continue to discuss how she uses techniques like using similes and idioms, developing characters, and choosing powerful words. We often read together on the rug; I do the bulk of reading in order to model good fluency and to stop for discussion. The kids have also been reading in partnerships to practice what they hear me model. Ask your kids about some of the powerful verbs Ms. Birney uses, or how she describes the "Rubberband Scene with Clem."
Writing: I'm enjoying conferencing with the kids to review their writing. We're using some of the tools that Google Docs has to offer, like sharing with classmates to peer edit and using the 'comments' tools to make suggestions during revision. Overall, I'm noticing that the students need help in using the correct elements for the piece that they're writing. For example, some students are leaving out setting and characters in the narratives, but they're including a conclusion! Since we are working on narratives, we are working on identifying and incorporating the elements of a narrative so it doesn't become just a laundry list retell of a personal event. Ask your kids about our dialogue and word choice mini lessons this week! How have they revised their pieces to include these two writing techniques?
4th Grade Math: This week we began to integrate ISAT review into our daily routines. We're doing a mix of whole-class review, independent work, and some games. You'll start to see your students working through concepts like area, perimeter, time, and geometry.
Science: The fish and snails have arrived! Admittedly, the process of getting and preparing for them always tends to be the bane of my existence. But! Once they are in our room and settled, it becomes a wonderful, sweet experience. The kids become gentle and caring for their live creatures; they support one another and look after each others' projects. Ask your kids about their experience in preparing the habitats for their fish and snails! Ask them what they named them, too (the variety is HILARIOUS).
5th Grade Math: Check out Mrs. Madsen's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Social Studies: Check out Mrs. Madsen's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Miscellaneous
- I sent home an envelope with blank ISAT "love notes." I'll be passing them out before each ISAT test; please write your students a little note (or have friends and family contribute) and send them back.
- Visit the One Book, One School website to our see our Whittier community enjoying The World According to Humphrey! You can also email photos of your family reading together to me https://sites.google.com/a/op97.org/2014onebookoneschoolwhittier/home
- Join us for Family Engineering Fun on Thursday, February 27th! We will begin with a delicious Chinese dinner at 5:30pm. At 6pm, discover the fun of engineering through hands-on minds-on activities for the whole family. Babysitting provided for those not yet in Kindergarten. RSVP:http://tinyurl.com/WH14Eng We hope to see you!
- Our next BoxTop Submission deadline is right around the corner -- March 1st. Time to start collecting BoxTops for the next BoxTop Golden Trophy counting! Congratulations to Ms. Wright's class for the last win. Our school wide goal is 5,000 BoxTops for this March 1st submission. BoxTops are an easy way for all Whittier families to participate in fundraising. Thank you for your help! Any questions, please feel free to email me. Natalie: natalieashton2010@gmail.com
- iLearn 97 Parent/ Guardian Information Night- it is required that parents/guardians attend one of these information nights prior to students being able to bring the iPads home. If you are not able to attend the session at your home school, you can attend one of the other sessions. The content will be the same. For general information about iLearn visit our website - http://www.op97.org/ilearn97/
- Tuesday, February 25 - Mann
- Thursday, February 27 - Lincoln & Holmes
- Tuesday, March 4 - Hatch
- Wednesday, March 5 - Beye & Irving
- Thursday, March 6 - Longfellow
- ***Whittier's date is no longer March 6th- stay tuned for a new date
