Last week was great...we were very busy and VERY productive! Here's how it went down...
Language Arts
This past week we focused on Main Idea and Detail AND Cause and Effect when reading NON-FICTION. We used the United States Communities and Neighbors textbook that the students have been given. It is a consumable book meaning the kids can write in it. I am pleased with this text as it has rigorous vocabulary and meaning.We are also continuing the publishing of our State brochures...I'm hoping for completed products by Friday...these brochures will hang in the classroom for awhile, so if you're in over the next month for all of our Fall festivities, you will get to take a first hand look at the amazing work your kids have done!
In writing we are getting ready to do our first drafts of the opinion essays AND we are plugging along with Writer's Workshop. These kids are always writing!! And here's a snapshot of what "AUTHOR'S CHAIR" looks like...proud writers sharing their work!!
Math
In math we have moved into multiplication and division...this past week we defined both operations and discovered that just like multiplication is repeated addition, division is REPEATED SUBTRACTION. We used color tiles to build arrays and groups to show our understanding of the concepts and the kids were introduced to the distributive property of multiplication. Today we actually took this a lot further and we worked without tiles to solve problems like 367 x 6 = using the distributive property. Don't ask them to show it to you yet...they're not ALL ready...but they are really getting the hang of it. This is a really important concept even if your child knows the algorithm for this type of problem already. Being able to show it with the distributive property helps me know that they understand the concept, not that they have memorized how to solve the equation. We are also continuing to work on multi-step word problems...underlining important information and using clue words to determine which operation to use is key. Our focus on multiplication and division will continue over the next couple weeks.
Social Studies
We integrated a lot this week using the Social Studies text in Language Arts. Between reading for a purpose and the brochure work, we are becoming geography experts!!
Science
Our Aquarium Unit has begun...and the excitement is soooo....NOISY. ;-) A classroom of kids observing daphnia (our minute fresh water organisms) is so loud...because they are excited! In pairs the kids got to observe the daphnia in their environment and then also in the top of a cup to magnified the critter. We have discussed the different body parts and how each one helps the organism to survive. Today the kids looked through the microscope at the daphnia...I only wish you could have heard the oohs and ahhs! They looked at a labeled scientific drawing and then compared it to what they saw in the microscope. Our unit continues for another month as we add different organisms to our aquariums.
Pumpkin Math
By now you have probably seen the orange letter that came home on Friday about October 31st and our Pumpkin Math activity. This morning is so fun, but only possible with parent participation. My goal is to have six adults (other than me) to run groups...these will be groups of 5 or 6 kids...and the whole morning focuses on the pumpkin and all ways it can be measured...it is SO fun! I have four volunteers at this time (THANK YOU!!)...if you think you can come, please fill the form out and get back to me...ALSO...please complete the volunteer training on the UES website before that day...you have to turn in the paperwork in order to volunteer in the classroom or attend a field trip, so get it done now...please. ;-)
Fall Festival
Our Fall Festival party will take place on Friday, November 1st from 1:15 - 2:25 pm. Our three wonderful room mothers are planning a great time...a letter will be coming home tomorrow requesting a $3 donation from each family to offset the costs they will incur. Please read the letter and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks ahead of time to our Room Parents!!
Walk for the Homeless
That same day...November 1st...our entire school will participate in our annual Walk for the Homeless. The kids are allowed to wear their costumes that day for the walk and the party...if your child does not want to wear a costume, they certainly do not have to...this is optional. More information to come about this...
Hand Sanitizer
We are in need...thank you to the couple of families that have donated, but we could use more, so thank you!!
Participation and Effort
In case you are unaware...every subject gets TWO grades with this new report card. A grade for the concepts/skills and a grade for participation and effort. I have been explaining this to your kids, so this week I gave them a self evaluation in math and language arts. Then I evaluated their effort and participation in math and language arts...this sheet will come home later this week. I really am doing it to make THEM aware of the fact that their behaviors affect the outcome. They sometimes have a hard time making this connection.
Have to head to McDonalds for McTeacher night to celebrate Mr. Kidd...and then to Fosters Grille to support a dear neighbor and friend. Never a dull moment with the Wills. Have a great week!
