We enjoyed a fantastic visit from our Science Alliance partner, Dr. Kupperman this week. For our last visit, Dr. K planned a cotton ball launch experiment using popsicle sticks and rubber bands. The kids absolutely loved it!
Reading: We returned to a text that the students started with Mr. W called "The First Ferris Wheel." The purpose of our reading was to pull out the main idea and summarize the article using details. We also looked at several photographs and analyzed them for information. Ask your students what they learned about this innovative design (and ask them what innovative means!)
Writing: Our writers chose their topics for their opinion pieces! After brainstorming, we learned about how to develop an outline and build evidence using different techniques. Based on this, students chose topics they felt they could strongly support. As always, we try to infuse creativity and good technique into our pieces, so they were allowed to write on behalf of another person or object and choose their audience and genre accordingly. For example, we have BBQ chips writing to vinegar chips, telling why they are the best flavor. We have a cat owner writing to other pet owners as to why cats are the best pet. And we have a dress designer sharing evidence as to why everyone should buy the latest fashion. Ask your child what they chose to write about and why we use an outline.
Math: This week we finished our decimals unit. In the beginning of the week we converted money to decimals and then added the amounts. We also added decimals from story problems. Then we reviewed for our test. We took our test on Friday. Ask your child how they thought the math test went.
Social Studies: The students finished working on their group presentations this week of the west and southwest regions. On Friday many groups were the teachers and they taught us about their region. They did a wonderful job! We uploaded the presentations to Edmodo so ask your child to show you their presentation.
Science: Our class is studying Ecosystems with Mr. Lukehart this trimester. Ask them what they did this week.
Miscellaneous Information
In the Whittier tradition, we will be celebrating Memorial Day in many ways. First, our Wall of Fame will be up in the main hallway. If you have a picture of a veteran in your family, please send a copy of this picture to Whittier with the veteran's name on the back. Pictures WILL NOT be returned. No picture? Please send us his/her name so that we can add it to the wall.
Secondly our Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 27th at 9:30 am. Hopefully we will be outside(weather permitting) . 5th - 3rd graders will be participating in this ceremony honoring ALL people who served. Finally if you, or someone you know, is a veteran, please ask him/her to join us that morning. We would love to be able to thank him/her for his/her service in person.
Remember wear red, white and blue on the 27th in recognition of all who served or are serving.
