The countdown is on!

Including this week, we have four more instructional weeks of learning until Winter Break!  No worries...your kids will be working hard between now and then.  Here is a breakdown of what is going on this week:

Math

Friday we took our Chapter 2 tests.  Due to the schedule being slightly interrupted today with the power-outage, our activities were bumped back a little bit.  A few students needed to finish their tests today, so the graded tests will be returned to the students tomorrow.

Chapter 3 builds on the strategies learned from the previous chapter, and continues onto multiplying two-digit numbers.  This week we will cover multiplying by multiples of ten, as well as estimating products.  Due to the early dismissal on Wednesday, there will be no Math homework that day.

Social Studies

Last week we took a practice Southeast Region states test that was returned today.  I did not put this in the grade book, but rather gave it back to the students with the understanding that many of them need to prepare for the "real test" on Wednesday.  Wednesday's test will include all 14 Southeast states and their capitals.  A study sheet can be found right here.  Keep in mind that Maryland and Delaware are a part of this map as well (above West Virginia).  You can also access Sheppard Software for an interactive game to practice at home as well.

Language Arts

Word Study

Tuesday we have a quiz over List 9 words (see last week's post for the words).  We have been focusing on the use of synonyms and antonyms to help define words and use them in sentences.  The quiz will focus on antonyms and synonyms, as well as spelling a few of the tough ones.  This week's words are all compound words.  This list will spill over into the week after Thanksgiving break, but I wanted to get them started on it this week.  We will be focusing on synonyms and antonyms, as well as parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives).  Here are the new words for the week.

Reading

We plan to perform our play, Pandora's Box, tomorrow after lunch.  This will conclude our Greek Mythology study.  Our next focus moves on to Mood and Tone.

Writing

We will be writing another persuasive essay this week focusing on an article entitled, "Should Kids Get Paid to do Chores?"  We read the article today, and tomorrow we start debating our positions.  I apologize in advance if anyone gets hit up for $10 this week for making their bed or doing the dishes.  Just make sure to encourage them to provide evidence to support their ideas!

Remember that we have early dismissal on Wednesday (12:30).  Also, please fill out and return your conference sheets that were sent home last Friday.  You keep the top copy and return the yellow copy to me.  Thanks, and have a great week!