We have been busy at work within the classroom. Between field trips and NWEA we have definitely been busy bees. Tomorrow, we will be having a well-deserved Bonus Point/Testing Party. We have decided that we are going to have a pajama/movie party. Since we are reading a biography on Walt Disney and recently finished our tour of the west we are going to be watching Balto. I have told students I will provide drinks (lemonade, water, and koolaid) as they relate to our recent science exploration of solutions ;). As far as any snacks or food I have told students they are welcome to bring in shareable snacks (pretzels, popcorn, fruit, etc.). Keep in mind you do NOT need to send anything with your child, as this is completely voluntary.
Today your child will be bringing their Data Binders home with them (they do need to be returned). I have asked them to share with you some of the items in there as a “check in”. They have been able to bring them home to share them with you through out the time we have been using them but I had been noticing not too many students doing so. Students should have at least 9 weekly reflections. As I will never assume ill intentions of students, I do also realize that many students have been selective about which ones to show and return. However, I also understand sometimes papers get lost or students are absent. If you have concerns about the number of weekly reflections that your child has please feel free to contact me.
Another side note- as the year is winding down and the weather continues to get better, please remind your child that the expectations at school are still the same and have not changed. I do not want to see all the progress that we have made be disrupted by relaxed/previously addressed behaviors.
What we’ve been up to and looking ahead…
Math: We finished Unit 11 and have begun working on Unit 12 involving rates. This includes what rates are, how we use rates, and calculating using them.
Reading: We have finished our research stage of our biography unit. Students have read a biography book (or part of it) and took notes on the important events and ideas of a famous persons life. We then took these notes and looked at what types of ideas we must include, we might mention, and which are unnecessary. Next week, we will begin to draft a short informative writing about the person we chose.
Writing: I hope some of you enjoyed being the “examinee” for a written biography. Last week, we generated and compiled questions as a class and from what I have heard it seems as if the students have learned a lot more about someone close to them. Next week, we will be analyzing the different parts and features of a biography. We will also be looking closely at what makes a quality biography as they begin writing their own about the person questioned.
Science: We are well into our Watery Earth unit and have explored where most of the water on earth is and how water molecules move through the water cycle. We focused on how we use water and how other animals use water. We also began our discussion today about where water droplets go and how they interact with certain surfaces (porous vs. non porous). Next week, we will be continuing experiments related to surface water and touch upon the different parts of the water cycle more closely.
Social Studies: We have been taking a break from our social studies tours and have been looking into the history of Michigan as it relates to our upcoming field trip in June. For the rest of the year we will be bouncing back and forth between the two books.
Today your child will be bringing their Data Binders home with them (they do need to be returned). I have asked them to share with you some of the items in there as a “check in”. They have been able to bring them home to share them with you through out the time we have been using them but I had been noticing not too many students doing so. Students should have at least 9 weekly reflections. As I will never assume ill intentions of students, I do also realize that many students have been selective about which ones to show and return. However, I also understand sometimes papers get lost or students are absent. If you have concerns about the number of weekly reflections that your child has please feel free to contact me.
Another side note- as the year is winding down and the weather continues to get better, please remind your child that the expectations at school are still the same and have not changed. I do not want to see all the progress that we have made be disrupted by relaxed/previously addressed behaviors.
What we’ve been up to and looking ahead…
Math: We finished Unit 11 and have begun working on Unit 12 involving rates. This includes what rates are, how we use rates, and calculating using them.
Reading: We have finished our research stage of our biography unit. Students have read a biography book (or part of it) and took notes on the important events and ideas of a famous persons life. We then took these notes and looked at what types of ideas we must include, we might mention, and which are unnecessary. Next week, we will begin to draft a short informative writing about the person we chose.
Writing: I hope some of you enjoyed being the “examinee” for a written biography. Last week, we generated and compiled questions as a class and from what I have heard it seems as if the students have learned a lot more about someone close to them. Next week, we will be analyzing the different parts and features of a biography. We will also be looking closely at what makes a quality biography as they begin writing their own about the person questioned.
Science: We are well into our Watery Earth unit and have explored where most of the water on earth is and how water molecules move through the water cycle. We focused on how we use water and how other animals use water. We also began our discussion today about where water droplets go and how they interact with certain surfaces (porous vs. non porous). Next week, we will be continuing experiments related to surface water and touch upon the different parts of the water cycle more closely.
Social Studies: We have been taking a break from our social studies tours and have been looking into the history of Michigan as it relates to our upcoming field trip in June. For the rest of the year we will be bouncing back and forth between the two books.