Happy Spring Break! We hope this week off brings a bit of relaxation and rejuvenation. We'll see you on April 3rd!
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Reading: We continued reading about the World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair) in preparation for our next writing unit. After break we will read more about the fair, as well as some texts about the Ferris Wheel. These include articles and stories, and "primary artifacts" (which are photographs, journals, and other firsthand info from the time period). Ask your kids about how BIG the White City was. What building or area would they want to visit?
We finished our One Book, One School book, Because of Winn Dixie! The kids really loved the book and it was wonderful to be back into a novel again. We culminated our One Book, One School with an all-school read in the gym on Wednesday and the movie version on Thursday/ Friday. After break we'll wrap up our Winn-Dixie Google presentations. Ask your what lessons they learned through Opal and the other characters. How is this book similar/ different to Shiloh?
Writing: After break we are going to do a bit of quick-draft writing to use a different set of writing skills. Kids will be practicing drafting a whole piece in one sitting- I will encourage them to think ahead/ plan, draft with paragraphs, and reread to revise. It's a different process than the long one we just finished. Ask your kids what they'd like to write about next!
Math: We continued our fractions unit this week by comparing fractions. In the beginning of the week we used a number line to compare fractions. We put benchmark fractions on the line and then were able to place other fractions there. By the end of the week we were comparing fractions without the number line. We learned 4 ways to compare them. Everyone choose their way that worked for them. The different ways are: fraction strips, area model, finding common denominators, cross denominators. Ask your child is 4/6 3/8 (<,>,=) and which way they would like to use.
Social Studies: This week students completed their keynote presentations. On Monday we created a criteria for success together so students knew if their projects met the specific criteria. Students then had a little more class time to work on their presentation. After vacation we will begin our last two regions. Students picked the region they would like to learn about and they will be partnered up with classmates to research together. Ask your child to show you their keynote presentation.
Science: Our class switched this week to Mr. Lukehart's class for science. Mr. Lukehart is on paternity leave right now so Mr. Wawzenek is teaching them. They are learning about ecosystems. 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!!
