TGIF!!

That's always a popular phrase after a five day week! We accomplished so much...where to begin?

Math
After taking the numeration quiz, we moved into adding and subtracting large numbers, estimating, and problem solving with those big numbers. I've been working with two groups...splitting the kids in half in order to get to know them better as mathematicians...this time has proved very valuable. It has also been worthwhile as I analyze their Quarter One pretests and figure out who needs to learn what! We will follow up next week with more subtraction, we will take fact tests, and we will move into multiplication and division...that should take most of the rest of the month for sure!

Language Arts
We are in full swing with Writer's Workshop...and we have amazing authors!! I have introduced the drafting, peer conference, and revising stations...this coming week the kids will be introduced to the editing, and teacher conference stations. Each station helps your child reassess their writing and each station has a different focus on one or two of the six traits of writing. The kids are so busy following directions at each station, they hardly notice how many times they're reading their drafts and making changes...it's AWESOME!!

This week our focus in reading was on making an inference. And I was so pleased with their inference skills! During reading time we have split into three groups, again, so I can get a feel for their ability to discuss the story and make inferences. I am really enjoying getting to know your kids as learners.

Word Study
I am making this its own category this week...because I realize you may need some clarification...

On Monday your kids took a pretest with a focus...homophones...then, based on the results of the pretest, your child made his/her own list based on his/her own needs...this list was approximately 10 words and it was put on a sheet of paper called the "Word Study Contract".

Homework on Mondays is always "do something creative with your words IN YOUR SPIRAL" (the 'in your spiral' part will make sense soon)...this can be writing the words in bubble letters, writing the words in pyramids, writing the words in rainbow letters, etc...

On Tuesday and Wednesday your child's homework is 10 MEANINGFUL sentences...5 a day, or if they choose, all 10 on one of the two days...these sentences have to be turned in...in order to be considered 'meaningful' they must use excellent word choice, be interesting, and use the word study word properly...you will see this develop as the year progresses...

On Thursdays the kids are charged with studying...I would like them to do this anyway they'd like, but I did show them the website, "Spelling City" where they can type in their words and then play games and take a pretest...

On Friday the kids will take a test...they do this with a partner, since there are 28 different lists in the classroom...and now...back to the spiral...some kids will leave the word study lists at home...if this happens, the spiral is the "back up list"...

The process sounds crazy, but it is actually a very organized way for each child to have a list that is just right for them...please email me if you are confused on any night and I am happy to help!

Social Studies
We are continuing with Unit 1...we have been discussing physical geography, climate, and natural resources of different regions. We started with Maryland, and now each student has chosen a different state to research. We have used non-fiction texts and Culture Grams, an online research portal, to collect information about their state. This coming week they will work on creating a travel brochure...a document that will entice others to visit their state!

Miscellaneous
Whether we like it or not...the grades have arrived...
Today the kids brought home two grades...one on a reading paper and one on a math quiz...as I explained to the kids...anytime a student scores a C or below, they should have the paper signed and then return that paper to me. Then the student and I will talk about what he/she can do to improve the grade. If your child does very poorly on a quiz...then they may not have been ready for a quiz...I take responsiblity for that. I want them to do some extra practice and have another opportunity to improve. Again, any questions...please email me.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...enjoy your families...and the wonderful weather!!