Reading: We continued with Chapters 5 and 6 this week in Number the Stars. I can barely get through two paragraphs before I have kids (all different ones- not the same few!) raising their hands and breathing heavily to share something they noticed or predict. The problem was established so the story really took flight- Ellen, a Jewish girl living in Denmark during WWII, has taken up residence with her friend Annemarie's family to hide from the Nazi soldiers. Lois Lowry continues to foreshadow, or at the very least drop little details that play into the plot later in the story and the kids truly can't get enough. Today we read chapter six and there were 7 kids who sat/ stood up during a particularly tense scene. It's exhilarating as their teacher to see the fantastic thinking that they're doing. Ask your kids about chapter 5 and 6. How did they hide Ellen? What might happen as a result? Where are they going next? Why do you thin they're going there? How might little Kirsti accidentally interfere?
Spelling: We've been doing spelling in class so I can teach and monitor the kids' word analysis and pattern-finding. It's been a fantastic learning opportunity for us all. We'll continue to do this for the rest of the year. Ask your kids about the different sorts we've done with our word lists, and how they've helped them understand word patterns better.
Writing: We began taking notes and drafting our informational books about the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 (Chicago World's Fair). We revised our chapter 1, "All About the Fair" section in our informational books- really great work as they thought about how their readers would need historical details in order to picture the events they describe. Next week they'll pick a focus topic about the fair and research/ write about it. Ask your kids what their focus topic will be.
Math: We have begun our last unit, decimals! Students received their fractions test back on Monday and had this week to correct their tests and explain what they may have done wrong on their test. Their rubrics will be adjusted if they were able to see their mistake and correct it. I was so proud of their fraction work. On Monday we also began our work with decimals. We've talked a lot about dollars, dimes, and pennies this week and where they fit on the place value chart. The students know of fractions also helps them greatly with this unit. We have gone back to the place value chart that we used in September and seen where decimals fall on the chart. We also bundled and moved place value disks to see where numbers fit on the chart. We have gone over the ones, tenths, hundredths place. Ask your student how many tenths and how many hundredths are in .45.
Social Studies: Students are very excited about our mall project! This week students have had time to work with their groups and make the items they will sell. We will have at least two classes next week to work on products too. Students may also work on their products at home. Our mall will be on Wednesday, May 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, May 25th from 1:45- 2:45 pm. You are welcome to join us and view the Whittier Mall! Ask your child what products they are selling at their store and if they have began making them.
Science: Our class switched this week to Mr. Lukehart's class for science. They are learning about ecosystems. Ask your student how their science class went this week and what they are learning about.
Miscellaneous:
- Whittier is having its annual Memorial Day Celebration on May 26th at 9:30am. At Whittier, we extend the traditional meaning of Memorial Day to honor ALL who have served in the military. Please wear red, white and blue that day to honor all of our American heroes. If you have the name or a copy of a picture of a veteran, please send it to me, so that your veteran can be included in our Memorial Day Wall. 3-5 grade classrooms will be part of our Memorial Day Ceremony. Our Whittier band, orchestra and chorus will all take part. Any and all family members are welcome to join us outside the main door( weather permitting). Please let me know if any veterans will be attending so that they can be recognized. This ceremony was a meaningful tribute to all the sacrifices that have gone before.
