Math
Monday 3/6 12:15 - 1:45
Tuesday 3/7 12:15- 1:45
Wednesday 3/8 12:15 - 1:45
Friday 3/10 8:20 - 9:45
ELA
Tuesday 4/11 12:20 - 1:50
Wednesday 4/12 12:20 - 1:50
Thursday 4/13 12:20 - 1:50
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Reading: We spent our reading blocks enjoying biography presentations. The kids did a great job speaking with confidence and pulling out the most important information to share. Audience members are taking turns filling out feedback sheets for the speaking, working on their listening skills. Ask your kids about the presentations they've seen so far. Who did they learn about? What did they like that the speaker did?
We also started One Book, One School; we are reading Because of Winn Dixie. So far we've read the first five chapters. We strongly encourage you to reread the chapters at home with your children so that you experience this special activity with your child. There is a set schedule that all of the teachers follow at school so that we can experience the book "together" as a school. Ask your child to read with you!
Word Study: We are working on punctuation right now. Students practiced using commas and apostrophes this week. We will continue this study for the next four weeks, covering punctuation and capitalization rules, typing rules, and commonly confused words. Ask your kids about what their spelling rule was this week. Ask them to give you examples of words that they studied.
Writing: I taught the kids how to use a rubric and checklist to self-assess. We practiced using an exemplar text so the students could highlight the author's writing and assess critically. Next week they'll assess their own rough drafts, make a revision plan, and revise. Ask your kids what they'd like to write about next!
Math: This week we continued working on our fraction unit and did a little review before PARCC testing too. We learned how to show equivalent fractions with both multiplication and division. Students used the fraction area model to show equivalent fractions as well as the number sentences. We also reviewed a few geometry standards since we have not gotten to that unit before the parcc testing. We worked on measuring angles, learning different polygons, and types of triangles. Students really enjoyed an online angle game and a few songs. Ask your child to show you their math edmodo account on their iPad. You can watch a math video together or play a game.
Social Studies: This week we reviewed our partner work and shared our notes from Chapters 1 and 2. We learned about the climate, culture, and landforms of the Southeast. Next week we will continue reading about the Southeast! Please send in any pictures of your kids (family) visiting the Southeast so we can add them to our regions photo board. Ask your child one interesting fact they learned about the Southeast.
Science: Our class meets with Mrs. Darley for science. They are learning about magnetism. Ask your student how their science class went this week and what they are learning about.
Miscellaneous:
- Laurie Conley, our teacher librarian, recommends books from this list, check it out.
- Whittier's Refugee Project (aka Whittier's Good Neighbor Project): Hopefully you saw information in the Tuesday Packet and received an email with information about changes to the Whittier Refugee Project. This year, we will be supporting 10 families through our Good Neighbor Project. These will be families who have already settled in the Chicago area, but would benefit from some additional items to help make their lives more manageable and comfortable. If you are interested in supporting this effort, the information letter containing the link to the sign up page is attached in the email with this newsletter. Thanks for your support!!
- This month, our school is embarking on our annual all-school book club called One Book, One School. In the book, the main character adopts a homeless dog named Winn Dixie. In order to connect the literature with our community, Whittier has partnered with the Animal Care League and will be holding a Winn Dixie Drive. We will be collecting donations of blankets, towels, pet food, and other materials throughout the duration of our One Book, One School program. See http://whittieronebook.
weebly.com/ for a list of things to donate!
