This Week in Room 25

The new set-up for the classroom is fully-functional and working fantastically!  Many of the students were a little curious how I would actually teach while they faced the white board...but I think I've convinced them it is possible!  Much of the whole group instruction is still done on the carpet with the aid of the SMART board, but turning the classroom sideways has opened up a lot more space for moving around and small group work areas.  Here's what's going on this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
This week's words are focusing on the /oo/ sounds and spelling patterns.  The students are learning that there are a variety of spelling combinations that make this sound, as well as different sounds that the /oo/ spelling pattern make.  This week the Word Study quiz will be on Friday.  The words can be found here for at-home studying.

Language Arts
The past few days we have been focusing on analyzing a character's traits by using evidence from fictional stories.  This practice will lead up to an upcoming book report that will focus on a book's character.  The students will be given this report on Friday and will be due by November 6th.

Writing
During Writing this week we will be preparing for the upcoming district-wide Writing Assessment on Thursday.  The prompt will be based on a persuasive article we read together.  Luckily, I knew this in advance and have prepared the class for this test.  The Fall assessment will be used as a benchmark to show growth throughout the year, and be compared to a similar assessment in the Spring.

The 40 Book Challenge!
Recently I challenged all the students in Room 25 to complete 40 books this year.  The Challenge consists of many different genres of literature, and charts the students' progress throughout the year.  Ask your child about their progress and how they can earn a chance to be invited to the 40 Book Challenge celebration at the end of the year.  In case you would like to follow along at home, here is a copy of the template.

Science
Last week we focused on classifying living things into kingdoms, genes, and species.  This week we will dig deeper into the plant kingdom and do some investigations of our own.  This includes an photographic scavenger hunt through the North School playground and field, as well as classifying the actual plants found on the premises.

Math
So, Math this week is all about multiplication.  Each day I am going to introduce a strategy to multiply multi-digit numbers.  I have already told the students that if they find one strategy they like the best, they can use that one, but I am going to introduce them to FOUR different ways.  The students will also need to understand how these strategies work on assessments.  The four strategies are:

• Using the Distributive Property - 
• Using Expanded Form
• Partial Products
• and "old school" Regrouping

As always, examples of these can be found using your child's Think Central account, as well as using Kahn Academy video links.  Happy multiplying!

Have a great week!  I will be contacting some of you this week to set up conference times for the upcoming parent/teacher conferences at the end of November (those that did not sign up at Curriculum Night).  As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thanks!