Seven...more...days!

The end of the year is upon us and we only have SEVEN more days of schools left (6 and half to be precise!).  With the year winding down, I want to remind you that we are still working hard in Room 25.  Here is what's going on this week:

Science/Social Studies

This week we will complete our Dam Projects (that is, engineering a working model of a dam).  The students have been working hard building the dams and think creatively to solve the problem of diverting the 2 Liters of water beyond the neighborhood of five houses without any water damage. The final dam test will be on Thursday morning!

Math

We just finished up Chapter 9 last week (Decimals, Fractions, and Money) and the graded tests will go home on Monday.  Due to MANY afternoon activities this week, we will only get to Math again on Thursday (see schedule of events below).  Chapter 10 involves Geometry and classifying shapes, lines, and angles.  Look for homework on Thursday.

Language Arts 

Word Study

Our formal word study activities are finished for the year (as of 2 weeks ago).  The students are still studying words in context through the group novel, Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.

Writing

This week we will focus on writing narrative stories about social situations that incorporate Second Step problem-solving strategies we have discussed this year.

Reading

The class is almost finished with our novel, Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.  Some days will require your student to finish reading a chapter at home, as well as complete taking notes.  This can also double as their 20-minutes of nightly reading.  We will have a culminating activity regarding the novel this week as well.

A few important reminders:

• Tuesday and Wednesday we will have our end-of-the-year MAP testing in Math and Reading.  These will take place during the afternoon on both days.  Attendance is critical for these tests, so please have your students in school!
• Friday is Field Day in the afternoon.  Please have your students dress appropriately for the physical activities involved.
• Theme days for the rest of the school year:
• Monday, 5/23 - Superhero Day
• Tuesday, 5/24 - Twin Day
• Wednesday, 5/25 - Uniform or Sports Shirt
• Thursday, 5/26 - Violet Day
• Friday, 5/27 - White Day (and Field Day...make sure it's nothing you want to stay clean!)
• Monday, 5/30 - NO SCHOOL!
• Tuesday, 5/31 - Extra Colorful Day
• Wednesday, 6/1 - Yellow Day
• Thursday, 6/2 - Zigzag Out of School!

Have a great week and let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

This week in Room 25

This week is a bit different in scheduling due to PARCC testing, the field trip, and the Walk-A-Thon on Friday.  Here is a breakdown of the week:

Math
With our afternoons full this week due to testing and other activities, we will be working on math in the mornings on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Look for homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday involving the relationship between fractions and decimals.

Language Arts
Word Study
We will have our Work Study quiz on Wednesday this week.  Due to the oddly-scheduled week, we will not start a new list until next Tuesday,  The words for last week can be found here.

Reading
This week we are starting a whole-class novel, Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.  We will use this text as a class to review character analysis, plot structure, conflict, theme, WWII history, and even some geography.  Look for the books to come home a few days this week the complete reading chapters we started in class (this can count for their nightly 20 minutes as well!).

Writing
Due to Math moving around and lack of time this week in the afternoons, Writing is being put on the back burner this week.  We will begin narratives next week based on what we have learned in Second Step this year.

Science/Social Studies
As a culminating activity to finish up our West Region unit in Social Studies, we will begin a Dam-building project on Friday that will last through the following week.  The students will plan and make a functioning dam using the information we have learned about how a dam works.  So, if your child comes home talking about their Dam Project, remember they are working on a model of a dam, not a project that they don't like!

In addition, here are a few reminders for the rest of the week:

• PARCC testing continues on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  Our final test will be Monday, May 16th in the morning.
• The field trip to the Chicago History Museum is Thursday, May 12th.  Make sure to send a lunch and non-glass drink (unless you have already paid for an Arbor lunch).
• The North PTA Walk-A-Thon is Friday afternoon.  Our theme color for 4th grade is BLACK.

Have a great week and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

And so it begins...

PARCC testing is upon us!  Obviously this affects our weekly schedule tremendously, but we will still be learning...no worries!  Here is what is happening in Room 25 this week:

Math
This week we will finish-up Chapter 8: Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers.  Although we are testing on Tuesday and Thursday during our math time, we will have plenty to learn on Monday. Wednesday, and Friday. Here is the breakdown:

• Monday - Multiplying Whole Numbers by Mixed Numbers - This is nothing new to the kids as far as the math...there are just a few more steps than what they are used to. Here's the video.
• Tuesday - PARCC - no homework!
• Wednesday - Lesson 8.5 - Problem Solving - Comparison Problems with Fractions.  This lesson is taking everything we have learned in Chapter 8 and turning them into word problems. Expect homework on Wednesday as well.
• Thursday - PARCC - no homework
• Friday - Short Math quiz over Chapter 8

Language Arts

Word Study 

Last week's words and activities were extended until today and the quiz will be tomorrow.  Additionally, the new words for this week will be introduced tomorrow as well.  This week's words focus on the prefixes non-, en-, post-, trans-, and multi-.  Here are the words for the week.

Writing

Writing will also take a hit this week due to PARCC testing, but we will still be writing!  This and next week we will shift our writing focus from informational and persuasive to narrative writing; specifically from a character's perspective.  We are currently reading the book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick.  The story is written in first person from a character's point of view.  We will be writing this week using this text as an example in the perspective of another character.

Reading

Due to the PARCC testing being in the afternoons, we still have a full week of reading instruction and lessons.  This week we will be reviewing informational text structures; where cause/effect and problem/solution are used to present the information.  I will also be administering the individualized end-of-the-year Fountas and Pinnell reading level test during Reading Workshop time.

In addition, thank you to all the parents that volunteered to bring in snacks and drinks during PARCC testing.  I sent home a schedule for the participating parents on Friday, but in case you need it, here is a digital reminder:

Have a great week!  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

And the fun continues...

This is our last week before end-of-the-year testing begins and we are heading into it extremely prepared!  If you have not checked already, I posted the testing schedule at the bottom of last week's blog.  I also had the students write the dates in their assignment notebooks.  But before we delve into the tests, here is what's happening this week in Room 25:

Math

Your students received their graded Chapter 7 tests back today (Monday) and I was pleased with the scores as a class (their teacher must really know what he is doing!).  This week we start Chapter 8: Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers.  This chapter will only last this week, and into next Monday.   I will give periodic quizzes throughout the week to check for understanding instead of a large chapter test at the end.

Tuesday/Wednesday Lesson

Thursday/Friday Lesson

In addition, throughout the next 4 weeks, I will be exposing the students to many Geometry and Measurement standards as well (during morning work and math workshop time).  I want to make sure that the students are exposed to all that is on the upcoming PARCC and MAP tests that has not been completely covered in our math curriculum yet.  So, if you see additional homework that is related to those two topics, don't be alarmed!

Social Studies/Science
Last week we were unable to start our new Social Studies Unit:  The West due to completing our Human Body Science Unit.  We are still working on finishing our body models in class and should be done by this Friday.  In addition, we are starting out Social Studies unit this week.  Monday we began our unit with the geographic maps with the capitals.  These will be sent home Wednesday for at-home studying.  The map below includes all the states except for Texas and Oklahoma (Austin and Oklahoma City are the capitals).

Language Arts

Word Study

This week's words focus on the prefixes of super-, semi-, uni-, dis-, and pre-.  The quiz will be next Monday, April 25th.  Here are the words for at-home practice.

Reading

This week we are focusing on primary and secondary sources within nonfiction texts.  There will be some homework on Monday and Wednesday regarding these topics.

Writing

We will be taking the District Writing Assessment this week on Thursday.  Until then, we will be reviewing what it takes to write an appropriate persuasive essay.

I will be sending home sign-up sheets on Tuesday for any parents that would like to provide healthy snacks on the days of PARCC testing for the class.  If you are interested, please fill out the slip and return it by Thursday.

The upcoming testing schedule:

• PARCC Test (state) - Weeks of April 25-May 16 (3 English/LA Tests, 4 Math Tests).  Due to the classes sharing Chromebooks, the test is spread out over 3 weeks in order for all 3rd-5th grade students to complete the test.  Here is the upcoming schedule:
• April 26 - ELA 1
• April 28 - ELA 2
• May 2 - ELA 3
• May 4 - MATH 1
• May 10 - MATH 2
• May 11 - MATH 3
• May 16 - MATH 4
• MAP Test - Math and Reading (district) - Week of May 23

Have a great week!

It's Warming Up!

As the weather finally decides to warm up, so is Room 25.  We are warming up for a Math test on Friday, a writing assessment next week, and PARCC and MAP are around the corner!  Here is a break down of what's happening this week:

Language Arts

Reading

Last week we ended with a Unit Test over poetry.  After looking over the test this weekend, there are a few things I would like to review with the class this week before moving on.  With this being said, Tuesday we will be reviewing some of the key ideas and misunderstandings with poetry and we will have an additional quiz on Wednesday.  Thursday we will begin our unit on Cynthia Rylant.  This author study unit will focus on the writing styles of Cynthia Rylant, as well as comparing the themes, topics, ideas, and characters in many of her stories.

Word Study

This week's words revolve around the Latin Roots "geo" (earth), "auto" (self), "photo" (light), and "tele" (far).  The test will be next Monday, April 18th, and a take-home list will be sent home on Tuesday.  When studying at home, make sure to focus on the spelling, as well as meanings, synonyms, and using the words in sentences.  Here are the words for the week.

Writing

Since we will be finishing up Poetry Tuesday and Wednesday, we will add one more poem to our poetry portfolio, Haiku.  We were unable to get to this type of poem last week, so it will be a fun and challenging way to end the Poetry unit.  On Thursday and Friday we will work on persuasive writing  again.  We will also be dissecting our own essays in workshop to make sure we have all the components of a sufficiently PERSUASIVE essay.

Science/Social Studies

We will finish up our Human Body Unit this week by Wednesday.  Both days we will be constructing body models based on what we have learned so far about the major organs and systems that make up our bodies.  On Thursday we will begin our final Social Studies Unit, The West.  The unit will start with the geography of the western states (including some of the southwest states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico).  Look for a map coming home this week for studying the location and capitals of our final region in the United States.

Math

This week we will finish Chapter 7: Add and Subtract Fractions with a final test on Friday.  The lessons this week will be broken down as follows:

• Tuesday - Subtraction with Renaming - "Borrowing" with fractions (video from last week)
• Wednesday - Adding Mixed numbers using the properties of Additions (with parentheses)
• Thursday - Multi-Step Word Problems and Chapter Review
• Friday - The Test!

As we draw closer to the end of the school year, testing season is upon us.  In an effort to keep you all informed, below are the dates that we will be completing State-wide, as well as district assessments:

• Writing Assessment (district):  Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd (after lunch)
• PARCC Test (state) - Weeks of April 25-May 16 (3 English/LA Tests, 4 Math Tests).  Due to the classes sharing Chromebooks, the test is spread out over 3 weeks in order for all 3rd-5th grade students to complete the test.  Here is the upcoming schedule:
• April 26 - ELA 1
• April 28 - ELA 2
• May 2 - ELA 3
• May 4 - MATH 1
• May 10 - MATH 2
• May 11 - MATH 3
• May 16 - MATH 4
• MAP Test - Math and Reading (district) - Week of May 23

Have a great week!  As always, let me know if you have any questions of concerns.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had an enjoyable Spring Break last week.  We are in our last quarter on fourth grade and will be hitting the ground running.  Here is what's happening in Room 25 this week:

Math
Before break we took the week to introduce adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators (look for a graded quiz to come back on Monday).  Here is what is in store for this week in Math:

• Monday - Review of Adding and Subtracting Fractions
• Tuesday - Renaming Fractions and Mixed Numbers - Kahn Academy video

also, a trick I will show them is:

• Wednesday - Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers (adding like-denominators with whole numbers)
• Thursday and Friday - Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Renaming -"borrowing" with fractions video

All the lessons this week obviously focus on mixed numbers, which is a new concept for 4th graders. I am introducing them all to the Front Row online practice program this week in the computer lab, as well as practicing throughout our Math workshop.  I am encouraging the students to practice at home as well.  I will also be sending you access to the program via email so you can stay updated with your child's progress throughout the rest of the school year.

Language Arts

Word Study

This week's words use the Latin roots "aqua" (water), "pop" (people), "port" (carry), and "art" (to create).  The quiz will be Friday, the 8th, and a take-home list will be given on Monday as well.  When studying the words, make sure to focus on the meanings of the words, the words used in sentences, as well as the spellings.  Here is the word list for the week.

Reading

Before break we completed a week-long overview of poetic devices (hyperbole, personification, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, rhyme scheme, and imagery).  This week we will review the meanings behind poetry (specifically metaphors and similes) on Monday through Wednesday (with some fun projects), and then take a summative test over poetry on Thursday and Friday.  

Writing

The beginning of the week we will be writing "I am" poems; where the writer takes on the perspective of an inanimate object (i.e. a pencil, tree, leaf, chair) and explain what it is like to be that object on a given day.  We will also work on Haiku poems to add to our poetry portfolios.  Look for the graded persuasive essays about ear "buds" to come home this week as well.

Science

This week we start our Human Body unit.  This is not "the health talk" that will come eventually to all the 4th graders, but rather an in-depth look at some of the major systems in the body and how they work and interact.  The systems we are focusing on this week are the skeletal and muscular systems.

Have a fantastic week!  Remember that all field trip forms are due by Friday, April 8th, and if you are paying for an Arbor lunch, the money is due by Wednesday, April 6th!  Thank you again for all of your support so far this year, and I'm looking forward to the next couple months as we get ready for 5th grade!  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  Thanks!

 

Lights, Poems, Fractions!

Welcome to another great week of 4th grade fun!  Two more weeks until the end of the marking period and Spring Break!  Here is what's going down in Room 25 this week:

Language Arts
Word Study
This week's words are all synonyms for "yell" or "whisper" (click here for the complete list).  Along with using the words in sentences and identifying the corresponding synonyms, students will continue to work on using analogies with the words (i.e. yell is to angry as whisper is to calm) and identifying the connotation of the words; where they will "rank" the words in order from loudest to softest. Below is an example of the connotation activity from a few weeks ago:

Reading

Continuing our Poetry Unit, this week we will be delving into figurative language such as alliteration, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, idioms, and onomatopoeia (my favorite!).

Writing

Getting back to persuasive writing, we will be writing essays concerning the debated topic of "Should earbuds be used to listen to music?"

Math

This week will conclude Chapter 6: Fraction Equivalence and Comparisons.  Thursday will be a review day of the chapter and Friday will be the test.  Here is a breakdown of the week in Math:

• Monday - Comparing and ordering fractions (video)
• Tuesday - Problem Solving with Comparing Fractions
• Wednesday - Review of Problem Solving with Equivalent Fractions and Common Denominators
• Thursday - review Chapter 6 (Jeopardy Game)
• Friday - Chapter 6 Test

Anticipate homework for Monday through Thursday.  There will be a short quiz on Tuesday to help me see where everyone is performing to plan the rest of the review week as well.

Science

Last week we discussed and experimented with the origins of sound and how sound travels through waves.  Building on that concept, this week we will study light, its sources, and the different types of light energy (visible light and invisible light waves).

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

Fractions, Circuits, and Poetry!

A short week is upon us, but we have three new units of study beginning!  I have a meeting at Central Office on Monday, so I obviously absent.  Thursday is an early dismissal and Friday there is no school.  So, with the remaining days this week, this is what's happening in Room 25:

Math
Due to the retest of Chapter 5, we only had a preview on Friday of equivalent fractions.  Monday will further review of the area models of equivalent fractions and Tuesday we will focus on generating new equivalent fractions.  Here's a breakdown of the week in Math:

• Monday and Tuesday - Identifying and Generating Equivalent Fractions - video
• Wednesday - Simplest Form (reducing fractions) - Kahn Academy Video
• Thursday - No Math (Early Dismissal)

Language Arts

Word Study

Due to the shortened week, there will be no Word Study words this week.

Reading

This week we start our Poetry Unit.  The lessons this week will include a general comparison among poems (what many have in common) and figurative speech (onomatopoeia, alliteration, simile/metaphor).

Writing

We will be using our writing time this week to finish up our Harlem Renaissance projects with mini biographies with accompanying Cotton Club advertisements (they are looking really cool so far!).

Science

Science is back!  We start this week with learning about electricity flow and circuits.  This will include building a circuit with a battery and light bulb.

On Wednesday we have another PBIS celebration!  This coincides perfectly with Dr. Seuss's birthday and Read Across America  Day, so students can wear pajamas that day and I'll have some cool Theodore Geisel activities.  Remember there is an Early Dismissal on Thursday and Friday there is no school.

Have a great week and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Getting ready to Show Off!

Thursday is our Open House and we will be putting finishing touches on some projects to show off for all of you to see.  In addition, this is what else is happening in Room 25 this week:

Social Studies

As a conclusion to our Midwest Region chapter, instead of a traditional test, we will be completing our Pioneer letters; written in the point-of-view as a pioneer just moving to a new plot of land on the Great Plains.  As a cool addition, we will be using a green screen to superimpose our own pictures into an actual pioneer scene; making it seem as though we were actually there (it should turn out really cool!).

Additionally, most of our Social Studies time this week will be dedicated to creating biographical timelines of an important entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance.  After discussing the historical significance of this time period on Monday and Tuesday, each student will research an influential person and create a digital timeline of the important events in his/her life.  

Math

Friday we started the Chapter 5 test, and Monday we will finish it.  Tuesday we start Chapter 6: Fraction Equivalence and Comparison.  Tuesday will be a pretest to see what the kids remember from last year and a little preview of Lesson 1: Equivalent Fractions (using models).  Here is the breakdown of out week in Math:

• Monday - finish Chapter 5 Test
• Tuesday - Pretest for Chapter 6 - Show What Your Know
• Wednesday - Lesson 1 - Equivalent Fractions
• Thursday - No Math (school-wide assembly)
• Friday - Lesson 2 - Generating Equivalent Fractions (same video, just 2nd half)

Language Arts

Word Study

Last week the class was exposed to our words for this week on Thursday.  All the words this week are synonyms for either the word laugh or cry.  Some of the work we will be doing this week involves writing sentences using similes (comparisons using the words "like" or "as") and identifying the degree of a word (ranking the words from happiest to saddest).  Our spelling/meaning test will be on Thursday.  Here are the words for the week.

Writing

This week we will be using most of our writing time to finish up our Pioneer Letters, Wonder Essays, and State Reports in preparation for Thursday's Open House.  I look forward to having you see all the hard work we have been doing in the past few weeks!

Reading

We conclude our Nonfiction Unit this week with a two-part assessment on Wednesday and Thursday.  Monday and Tuesday we will be reviewing how to compare texts on the same topic, as well as using text features and structures to find out new information in nonfiction texts.

Remember that our annual North Open House is scheduled for Thursday, February 25th from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  We will be browsing through the Book Fair on Tuesday, so look for "wish lists".  Those that bring money can shop on Thursday.  The Book Fair will also be open during the Open House for your shopping pleasure as well.

Have a great week.  Lots of graded papers are coming home tomorrow, so make sure to look through the take-home folders.  Additionally, make sure you sign your student's Assignment Notebook each night to ensure they are reading and completing the assigned homework.

Another week of 4th grade fun!

Welcome back after the long weekend!  Hopefully you all enjoyed your extra day of rest...but now it's time to get back to work!  Here is what's going on in Room 25 this week:

Language Arts

Word Study

Due to the shortened week, we will not have new Word Study words this week.  I will send them home on Friday for a preview.  I am noticing that as the words get longer with more complicated spelling patterns, more students are not doing as well on the spelling portion of the tests.  Although I am teaching for meaning and understanding HOW the words are used in context, I do want to make sure the students are paying attention to the intricate spellings of these studied words.  Please help support these efforts by studying with your student each night.  Starting next week, I will send an "at-home" list for studying purposes.

Reading

Since we are not focusing on any specific words this week for Word Study, I will be incorporating new, and already-studied prefixes and suffixes into our nonfiction lessons daily.  This will also include daily centers focusing on using context clues and finding meaning through word parts (root words, prefixes, and suffixes).

Writing

Last week we began a writing project incorporating the Chinese zodiac to describe the main character from the book Wonder.  We will finish this by Wednesday and move on to our next research project involving African American history; specifically artists, singers, poets, and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance.  Look for a research packet to be posted here by Friday.

Social Studies

The fourth graders will finish the Midwest unit this week with an in-depth look at what pioneer life was like soon after the Louisiana Purchase.  We will research the specifics of what everyday life was like as a Plains pioneer and write postcards in the first-person to our "families" in the east, explaining to them how life has changed.  This projects should be fun!

Math

Believe it or not, Chapter 5 - Factors, Multiples, and Patterns will be finished this week!  Last week we covered factors, divisibility, and common factors.  This week we move on to multiples, prime and composite numbers, and finding number patterns (using some algebra).  As you may have figured out, this chapter is setting the kids up for Chapter 6...FRACTIONS!  Here are some supports to help out at home:

• Tuesday - Factors and Multiples - A video that compares the two.

• Wednesday - Prime and Composite Numbers

Remember:

• Thursday - Patterns using Algebra
• Friday - The big TEST!

Have an great week.  As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  

As a reminder,  this Friday, February 19th, the PTA will be hosting our Annual Frosty Fest! Each year, every grade level provides a silent auction basket for bidding, and the 4th grade theme is STAR WARS!  We will be collecting donations to the basket this week and next.  If you are interested, send a little something to school to add to our basket.

The Force is with Us!

Well, we made it through two big tests last week and we survived!  Now, on to another week.  Here is what is going on this week in Room 25:

Social Studies
We completed the Midwest States and capitals test last week and we are continuing on; focusing on the  history, economy, and modern day life in the Midwest region of the United States.

Additionally, our state research reports are coming along nicely.  The completed projects are tentatively scheduled to be finished this Friday.  The Google Slides presentations will be on display during Open House on February 25th.

Language Arts
Writing
Last week we completing our "Mystery Candy" descriptive writing which will be on display tomorrow!  This week we will be writing more descriptive, informational writing using the Chinese New Year as a reference.  Students will be using the Chinese zodiac to identify character traits that best describe the main character, "Auggie", from Wonder.

Reading
Now that we have covered all of the text structures found in nonfiction texts, this week we are focusing on comparing texts written about the same subject.  Along with comparing these texts, we will also focus on common prefixes and suffixes in order to find meaning in new or unfamiliar words (re-, fore, -y, and -ly).

Word Study
All of our words this week are adverbs (words that describe how something is done).  The students will be focusing on how the words are used correctly in a sentence.  Here are the words for the week.

Math
The Chapter 4 Test was finished Friday and they are Coming home on Monday (make sure to look it over and sign it!).  Chapter 5 - Factors, Multiples, and Patterns will be building upon everything we have learned with multiplication and division, and will set us up for upcoming units on fractions.  The lessons we will be covering this week are:

• Tuesday - Modeling Factors 

• Wednesday - Factors and Divisibility

• Thursday - Problem Solving with Common Factors
• Friday - No Math - Valentine's Party!

Friday will be our Valentine's Party at 1:30.  I will send home class lists on Tuesday for your students to use if needed.  Also, next Friday, February 19th, the PTA will be hosting our Annual Frosty Fest! Each year, every grade level provides a silent auction basket for bidding, and the 4th grade theme is STAR WARS!  We will be collecting donations to the basket this week and next.  If you are interested, send a little something to school to add to our basket.

Have a great week.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  Thanks!

State Reports, Capitals, and Division...oh my!

I know...the title is a little corny, but here is what's going on in Room 25 this week:

Social Studies
State Reports
Last week we began the research phase of our state reports.  Each student has been given a packet with specific information to be researched about their chosen (or assigned) state.  The research needs to be complete by Monday, February 8th so that we can move to the presentation phase of the project. Students are being taught how to present their projects through Google Slides and will have them ready to show at Open House on February 25th! This research is being done primarily at school, but a little at-home support would definitely help.

The Midwest Region
Maps of the 13 Midwest states were created two weeks ago in preparation for the states and capitals test this Friday, February 5th.  We are reviewing every day in class, but studying at home would help in the memorization of the states locations and the capital cities.  A map of the region, as well as a fun matching game are attached for at-home support.

Blank Maps for quiz practice can be found here as well:

• States with blank capitals
• Capitals with blank states

Language Arts
Word Study
This week we will start our new list of words on Tuesday (due to a PBIS celebration on Monday).  Dependent on the flow of the class, we will probably still have our quiz on Friday.  If anything changes, I will make sure the students update the quiz date in their assignment notebooks.  Word work this week will revolve around the prefixes dis-, re-, and un-.  Here are the words for your convenience.

Writing
As an extension of our nonfiction unit, we will be writing descriptive essays this week.  The twist will be that a certain word (chocolate) cannot be used to describe a popular object (a Hershey's Kiss). These projects will be added to our bulletin board for your enjoyment at Open House as well.

Reading
Continuing with our nonfiction unit for another week, we will be reviewing the different text structures that are used in nonfiction writing (cause/effect, compare/contrast, description, sequence, and problem/solution).

Math
This week we will be concluding our Division of 1-Digit Numbers unit (the test will be tentatively scheduled for Friday).  All week will be filled with review lesson and practice regarding division.  Please keep in mind that some of your students prefer to divide using a strategy that is different from what you were taught, and that is fine (as long as they get the answer correct!).  As a review, two of the strategies I have taught them are:

• Repeated Subtraction (video) - this usually takes a little longer than the other method, but if done correctly, it still works!
• Regrouping (video) - Divide, Multiply, Subtract, and Bring Down...what WE were taught!  I am showing how this method works quicker than other methods, especially when faced with problems with higher dividends.

Have a great week!  Happy dividing, map studying, and researching!

MAP and Maps...

Here is what is what's going on in Room 25 this week:

MAP Testing
We will be taking the Winter Reading and Math MAP tests this week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Try to avoid early dismissals on these days so that the tests are not interrupted.

Social Studies
Last week we finished up our Science Unit with a pancake breakfast and testing our hypotheses of "What is happening to the thermal energy in a griddle when pancake batter is added?"  The science experiments in the Energy Unit were fun...but it's time to move on.

This week we dive back into the regions of the United States with The Midwest!  A state map was given to the students last week to cut out and fill in the capitals.  I will be practicing the geography of this region with the class daily, but at-home practice always helps.  The test over all the Midwest states and capitals will be next Friday, February 5th.  Here is a reference map to use to study from if needed.

Along with the Midwest Region unit, each student had the opportunity to choose a state for a report we will be working on in both Social Studies and Writing.  The report will be done mostly independently reference books (provided by me) and safe, reliable online resources.  The end product will be a Power Point-like presentation using Google Slides (online presentation program).  More information about this program will be sent home as we progress through the project.

In addition to the Midwest and the State Reports, I am infusing some videos, articles, and projects based around the Civil Rights Movement, as well as many other influential African-Americans throughout the next few months during our Social Studies and Writing times.  Today (Monday) we watched and discussed a video called "The Children's March", documenting a historic march and protest in Montgomery, Alabama in 1963.  Look forward to some great conversations at home about new historical events and people we discuss and read about.

Math
We are continuing with our division unit for (probably) another two weeks!  This week we will cover a few more strategies that include:

• The Repeated Subtraction Method - Monday/Tuesday
• The Partial Quotient Method - Wednesday/Thursday
• The Regrouping Method (the way most of "us" were taught) - Friday (if time permits).

Keep in mind that we will be MAP testing both Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, so I will try to fit in short Math reviews in the morning, but full lessons will not be taught on these days.

Language Arts

Reading

This week we continue our Nonfiction Unit.  Along with incorporating our informational texts for our state reports, we will be focusing on using context clues, as well as Author's Purpose (to entertain, persuade, or inform).

Writing

Our persuasive topic of discussion this week is focused around an article titled "Are Screens Ruining Friendships?".  The students will be writing argumentative essays based on their personal opinions around this topic.

Word Study

Our words for the week all involve the spelling pattern "-ge".  Along with the definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and parts of speech, the students will be required to include context clues within the sentences they write for each word.  Students are given time each day to complete the required Word Study, but there may be times when they need to complete the daily assignment at home.  This week I will be checking DAILY to make sure this is complete the next day.  This week's test will be held on Friday, and all 4 Word Study assignments are due the same day.  Here are the words for the week.

Thank you for your continued support at home.  Make sure your student's assignment notebook is signed daily to ensure at-home reading and homework is being completed.  Report cards come home Wednesday as well!  Have a great week!

Welcome Back!

It's a new year and we're off to a quick start!  I hope all of you had a relaxing break because we are hitting the floor running this week.  Here is a breakdown of what's going on this week in Room 25:

Math
This week we start Chapter 4:  Dividing by 1-Digit Numbers.  During this week, we will introduce division through finding the quotients through finding multiples (Monday-Wednesday), and finding and interpreting remainders (Thursday and Friday).  Here are a few links to support you at home with the work this week:

Estimating quotients using multiples - This You Tube video explains it pretty well! 

I will be absent on Tuesday afternoon, so expect no Math homework that day.  All other days will have regularly-scheduled homework.  Thursday and Friday's lessons focus on division using counters as models (something most of us were taught "back-in-the-day"), but here is another example for some extra support:

Finding Remainders using models - Another great video!

Science
Before break we finished-up our investigations revolving around erosion and weathering (graded work will be coming home this week!).  This week we begin a Natural Resources and Energy Unit.  Monday and Tuesday we will be discussing what resources are renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, and the rest of the week will be focused on how energy is created (specifically thermal energy) and stored.  Look forward to some cool stories about predicting what containers can insulate heat the best!

Language Arts
Word Study
Our words this week (List 15) all end in the letter "y".  With this spelling pattern, another strong emphasis will be on each word's part of speech.  The words range from nouns (beauty, assembly), adjectives (lazy, pretty, hungry), and adverbs (slowly, loudly, awfully).   Please make sure that your students review these words nightly for spelling and common synonyms/antonyms for the quiz on Friday.  Here are the words for the week.

Writing
An addition to Room 25 for 2016 is a read aloud after lunch everyday to bring everyone together with a common text for discussions, connections to lessons, writing prompts, and to just read a few great books together.  We are starting the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio this week.  As an introduction to this amazing book, the students will be writing an informational response using their "first impressions" after only reading the first page and observing the cover.  Here is a link to the first few pages of the book through Amazon for your reading pleasure.

Reading
We continue with our study of nonfiction text structures this week (compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, description, sequence).  I will be assigning practice stories with short graphic organizers during class time that will need to be completed for homework, so keep an eye out for those Monday-Thursday.  I have no problem with using these passages as the 20 minutes of reading needed per night!

Have a wonderful week!  Let me know if you have questions or concerns.