Reading: The kids read two chapters with their reading partner this week. We set guidelines and reviewed how to annotate as they read. They did a great job! They provided me with feedback on their experience using a survey on our Edmodo app, which was helpful to me and fun for them! Later in the week they used their annotations to prepare for a discussion with their tables. They recorded their discussions and again, we set goals and guidelines. Those went a little less confidently, but it is a skill we'll work on throughout the year! Ask your reader about the turn of events in Chapter 10 and 11 (Shiloh gets attacked by another dog so Marty's dad finds out about him being hidden as he races to rescue him- very exciting!). How do they predict the book will end?
Writing: The kids created their writing plan and we talked about deadlines for the rest of this cycle. Their first finished drafts will be due next Wednesday and their final published drafts will be due Friday, November 6th. Ask your kids about writing share- what do we do? How is it helpful?
Spelling: We started spelling a few weeks ago, with the first few weeks being guided and supported by me in class. Now that they're getting the hang of it, they are off to continue independently! Students took a placement test a few weeks back to determine their appropriate spelling list. Each week they practice their list at home and they take their spelling test online. They must submit their passing spelling test (80%, or 12/15) by Friday by taking a screenshot of their test and emailing it to me. A step-by-step overview, as well as many suggested spelling activities are linked in the "Language Arts" section to the left of this blog. They're also linked to the homework page. The kids record their week's list number in their assignment notebooks so they don't forget it! Ask your child to show you the Spelling City website where they access their list, play games, and take their test!
Math: This week we finished our first math unit! We spent a few days on multi-step math problems using addition, subtraction, and rounding. Then we reviewed for our math test and today we took the test. Math tests will be passed back next week and students will be able to retake the test if they would like. Ask your child how they think they did on the test.
Social Studies: This week we went used our iPads and our Social Studies books to begin to learn key terms for our regions project. Students added a Social Studies class to their Edmodo (app) account. We then uploaded a sheet to our Notability app and so we could write definitions and add pictures. This week we learned key terms landforms and climate. We discussed the terms and took pictures of them from our book. We will finish the sheet next week. Ask your child to show you their notability app and what they have started.
Science: Our scientists continued studying four of Earth's "materials" in a lab this week: sand, gravel, clay, and hummus (pronounced hewmus). Overall, we were pleased with their communication and sharing in this lab and are continuing to use science as an opportunity to hone these collaborative skills. Timing, taking turns, communicating, and sharing are hugely important, in addition to the scientific we focused on, such as recording accurate observations. Ask your child how the different Earth materials blended when stirred in water.
Mystery Reader: We are looking forward to next week's reader!
Miscellaneous:
- Save the date for late January! One Book One School is back! Our PTO generously helps us coordinate this awesome whole-school novel each year and we'll be starting to take donations at the Book Fair during conferences. Please consider donating. More info to come about our book!
