Reading: We had a great week of reading growth in our whole-class novel, Shiloh, as well as our guided reading groups. We are nearing the VERY end of Shiloh (one more chapter to go!) and have had some excellent discussions about how characters have changed, how the story is nearing its resolution, and whether or not the kids agree with some of the moral challenges Marty faces (lying/ hiding an animal to protect it from its harsh owner). We also had the chance to act out a chapter, looking at the way a script is different from a book. In guided reading we focused on setting as we read the first chapter of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. We won't finish this novel as a class but A LOT of your kids were hooked. Ask your reader about Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, perhaps you could read it together at home! Ask your reading how Shiloh is wrapping up. What do they think will happen in the last chapter?
Writing: Our writers completed their first drafts and began the revision process this week. To support them with this step, we do mini-lessons with "mentor texts" (strong examples) that show good writing techniques, like varying sentence lengths, opening your story with a powerful first sentence, or using dialogue to develop a character. They also receive several different sheets (a checklist, a bingo-board) with reminders/ tips on how to improve their writing. Stay tuned for a homework assignment next Tuesday or Wednesday, asking you to read their draft and offer suggestions, too! Talk to your kids about their story. What is it about? What is the problem and solution? Describe the setting. What are their characters like? Then.... ask them if the answers they've given are actually IN the story they wrote! (It gets them every time :) )
Spelling: Each week students move up to the next list on the Spelling City Website. They should practice this list of words throughout the week by playing games on the website or by using the suggested activities listed on their yellow sheet (This sheet is taped into their take-home folder and also linked to our blog and our homework site. It also has a step-by-step overview of how to submit their test). After they've practiced, they take their 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. 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 continued work on our metric conversion unit. We used the metric system and solved word problems. Many of the word problems were multi-step which made it a little more difficult! Today we played math Halloween games and reviewed place value and factors with our games. Next week we will review for the Unit 2 test and have our test on Wednesday. Ask your child how many ml are in a liter!
Social Studies: This week we continued to use our Notability app and finished the key terms sheet. Now we know the meaning of everything we will be researching for our regions. We went over the definitions of the 6 terms and took pictures from our SS books. Students uploaded the work today. Ask your child to show you their notability app how their work looked!
Current Events: We learned about Hurricane Patricia, A shark that ate a seal in San Fransisco, a yellow snake slithering ashore in California, If the Martian Movie will get students to like science more, and an asteroid passing Earth! Next week we will hear about Current Events from James, Lillian, David, Carmelo, and Patrick.
Science: Our scientists prepared for our test by doing a study guide on Monday with a partner. We went over all of the answers and then had the week to study. On Thursday Mrs. Roskos flooded a clay model show demonstrate how landforms can affect the way water gathers and forms, and the way water can alter a landform. It's always a favorite! Today we took our test. Ask your child mountain peaks became islands. Ask them about "underwater mountains."
Mystery Reader: We had a great time on Monday with Lillian's mom! She read The Day the Crayons Quit, another Crayon book, and a few poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Miscellaneous:
- Magic Show at Whittier! Please join us for an extra-special Family Night hosted by the School Improvement Team on Thursday, November 12th. Dinner will be served in the mini-gym at 5:30PM. At 6 PM, families are invited to see the award winning show, The Magic of the Spellbinder. All Whittier Families are invited RSVP: Please RSVP by Nov. 6th to give us an accurate count!
- 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!
