Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more) with a good book!
- NO READING LOG THIS WEEK
- Math:  Review Packet (due Friday);  Math midyear test on Friday!

Parents, here is a (not-so) brief look at what we've been working on in each subject.  Please take the time to engage your child and ask them questions about what they're learning!  Many thanks.

Language Arts:  We have been working on making connections to the words we read.  When one book reminds us of another book, we call that a "text to text" connection.  When a book reminds us of something we have experienced in our own life, we call that a "text to self" connection.  When a book reminds us of something we know about but have not experienced, we call that a "text to world" connection.  Good readers make connections all the time!

We have also been working on sequencing the events that occur in the stories we read.  Students have been using sticky notes to mark important events and then, after reading, they have been writing the events down in order.  Words such as "first", "next", "last", "after that", and "finally" are used to transition from one event to another.  This is an important skill to use when summarizing a story.

Finally (see what I did there?), we have been reading and listening to all kinds of folktales in class.  Some of the titles we have read and discussed are:  The Talking Eggs, Paul Bunyan, Tikki Tikki Tembo, Why the Crab has no Head, Raven, Lon Po Po and John Henry.  These stories are very entertaining and they have raised awareness about different cultures and how stories are passed along from one generation to the next.  We are always looking for more good titles - if you have any favorites, please let me know!

We have studied many different types folktales, including the legend of John Henry.

Writing:  We are finishing up our Animal Book project.  Students have been working in pairs to research, organize notes, draft and create real-looking books about animals.  We are in the final stages now - some of the finished titles include:  The Elephant's Life, Rise of the Monkeys, Amazing Turtles and Sharks!

Social Studies:  We are learning about Ancient Greece.  In particular, how Greek government (birthplace of democracy), art (sculptures, pottery and mosaics) and architecture (doric, ionic and corinthian columns) has influenced our lives today. 

Math:  Since our 2nd Quarter Math Test is this Friday, we have been reviewing old content for the past few days.  Students are visiting different teachers based on their own particular strengths/weaknesses in math.  For example, some students are studying graphs, others are reviewing addition and subtraction, others rounding, and so on.  Next week we will be starting a unit on multiplication and division! 

Have fun!

- Mr. B