We have had a great week...here is how it went down...
Language Arts - we are reading many different versions of Cinderella. We have read Cindy Ellen, Chickarella, Dinorella, the Egyptian Cinderella, Bigfoot Cinderella, and Cinderella as told from the Mouse's perspective. We have identified the elements of fairy tales, we have used during reading strategies to understand the plot of the story better, we have learned the definition of antagonist and protagonist and identified them in the different versions. And now, we are now getting ready to write our own version of Cinderella. The story Dinorella uses alliteration...each student will be asked to use alliteration in their tale. They will be asked to keep the basic story line of Cinderella the same, yet make it their own by changing the setting, the characters, and focusing on word choice. I can't wait to see the results!! The pictures below are of the kids comparing Cindy Ellen and Cinderella using a venn diagram.
We have been working on finishing brochures...they are AWESOME!! We will be finishing this unit with a writing assignment...the kids will venture to the lab one more time to research any state or country of their choice...they will then use the IDEAS rubric to help guide their writing of a well written paragraph. They will discuss the physical geography, the climate, and the natural resources of the place they choose. We will head into Science the third week of October!
Math
We have been working on estimating and the algorithm associated with multiplication...factors, products, multiples, properties, etc! We spent yesterday and today conducting an investigation. The kids had to develop a question, a hypothesis, and a plan, including materials, for the different ways you can "Count the Uncountable"! Some groups were given a bag of lentils, others were given elbow macaroni noodles...and their task was to figure out how to get a good estimate without having to count every single piece. They came up with wonderful plans!! I had to gather measuring cups, spoons, bowls, scales, weights and large plastic bags...and today they conduct ed their investigations, collecting data...we shall see what conclusions they come up with! They are very motivated by this investigation and we are covering SO many different math indicators while having fun...go figure!! :-)
CONFERENCES
Thank you to all of the parents that have returned the conference slip...if you have not, PLEASE send it in on Monday so that I know you are planning to attend. ALSO...if you have a specific question that you'd like to email me ahead of time, I can have an answer for you and save some time...our time is so very limited on those days!
FALL FESTIVAL PARTY
Hopefully by now you've received an email or a letter about our Fall Festival! Please let Mrs. Gallo know if and how you'll be able to help...ALSO on this day we are having a morning of Pumpkin Math!! I will need at least four parent helpers that morning from 8:30-10...and I have two volunteers thus far. Please let me know if you're interested in coming in to help that morning. Thanks!
If I may...I'm going to end with a need...we need HAND SANITIZER! We use it all the time...we use it every time we switch settings...to the computer lab, back from the lab, to lunch, in from recess...and we're going through it rather quickly...so if you happend to catch a great sale...pick up an extra and send it in...pretty please...and thank you VERY much.
I hope your family has a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to review the calendar I included last week...it will keep you on track for our crazy conference week next week!
We took a Word Study test today...some children are taking their Word Study lists OUT of their folder and not putting them back...there were five children today who did not have their lists. Two of them could remember all of the words, but the other three could not take a test. Please help your child remember to check to make sure their Word Study list is kept in their folder until test day...thank you. We will not have Word Study next week due to the crazy schedule!
