Weekly Update 3/31/14 - 4/4/14

     Last week was challenging in that it followed a spring vacation week.  However, the class did a wonderful job each and every day.  We accomplished so much!  In fact, we finished the story and story responses for "Mary is Always Right" one day early.  Usually I misjudge and it takes one day longer.  I am hoping this is a good omen for us during our MAP preparation process!
     The students also did a wonderful job reviewing multiplication facts 2 - 5, followed by division facts for 2, 3, and 4 divisors.  Because students knew the multiplication facts so well, it was an easy progression.  Next week we will continue with the 6 and 7x facts and the divisors 6 and 7 as well.
     Another bright spot was the ease with which students did their Chapter 7, Lesson 1 science check.  The class zoomed right through and the scores were excellent.  I am very proud of their accomplishments.  I hope this week goes as well!
Here is what is happening this week:
Writing -  We need one more day to finish writing the persuasive speeches.  They are really good, and I am excited for students to present them on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Math -  Our test over chapter 15-16 is Monday.  Then we will move on to probability.  This is a very fun chapter with lots of fun games to help with learning the vocabulary.
Reading -  Along with going a little further in our literature books, we will also begin a new MAP practice story called "Seasons of the Amazon."  This is great practice on a nonfiction story.  I am hoping students do as well as last week. 
Science - In science we will be studying measurement tools in both the standard and metric systems.  We will cover tools for measuring distance, mass, capacity, temperature.
Workshop - We started workshop last week, and I think the students would agree that it is a lot of fun.  There are two groups which alternate, the first doing a computer program that reviews skills (reading, spelling, and language) and the second reviewing math skills using MAP Prep pages.  Both are a nice change of pace!

Important Events:
Mon. - Library;  Math Test Ch. 15 -16;
Tues. - SPTG meeting at 6:45;  Persuasive speeches are presented;
Wed. - Finishing persuasive speech presentations;


 

Economics Day Pics!

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More Economics Day Pictures

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Weekly Update 3/24/14 - 3/28/14

     There will be lots of practice for MAP testing incorporated into our day.  However, writing and math continue as usual.  Reading will have a slightly different look, as we will begin to read MAP like stories and practice responding in an appropriate way.  Students must learn to be very attentive to what the questions are asking.  Most mistakes are made because the questions are not read carefully!
Here is a view of our week:

Writing - We are writing speeches to persuade.  This is going to be a lot of fun!  I am hoping the writing is done by Friday, but I may be dreaming.

Math - We will practice classifying information, study pictographs, learn about ordered pairs and grids, and practice reading line graphs.  Each of these is a one day lesson.  If we are able to complete the study guide on Thursday, the test for Ch. 15 -16 will be on Friday.  If this is too much of a push,  we will just test on Monday.  Check the planner for testing updates. 

Reading - Each group will be reading the same story - "Mary is Always Right."  Please notice this story when it is returned to you so that you can see what a MAP test is like.  It may take us all week to work on it. I will email you when we have finished. 

Science - We will be learning about stars and our solar system.

Workshop - Social studies time will be used as a math/spelling/language review workshop time.  Some students will review facts on computers, while others will work in small group on skills in which they need to improve. 

This Week's Important Events:

Mon. -

Tues. -

Wed. -  Report cards will be emailed;

Thurs. - Library;

Fri. -   Spring Pictures!!!  (Dress cute - everyone poses);  Possible math test over chapter 15 -16;

Weekly Update 3/10/14 - 3/14/14

     This week is a short week with a half day on Friday and Economics Day as well. Your child should be coming close to completing his/her product for this very special event.  Students may bring in their products anytime between now and Friday.  It seems safe to have them in by Thursday so that I can give students their points for having completed the project.  It is important the students are responsible for their business!

     This week's tests include a social studies test tomorrow, a spelling test on Thursday, and a multiplication test over facts 1-10 on Thursday as well.  Please review all facts on Tuesday and Wednesday evening for the Thursday test.  Students should be going through all of their flash cards.  Be sure to shuffle all of the facts together so that they appear in random order.  

     We will also be taking a math evaluate test this week.  Encourage your child to do his/her best!  Thanks!

Important Events:

Mon. -  8x fact test;

Tues. -  Social Studies Test Chapter 10;

Wed. -  

Thurs. -  Spelling Test;  1-10x Fact Test;  Library;

Fri. -  Half Day of School;  Economics Day;  Last day before spring break!!!

Weekly Update - 3/3/14 - 3/7/14

Dear Parents,

     Looks like a good day to work on Economic's Day projects and learn the 8x facts - our last factor to tackle!  We have a half day of school on Friday as well, so this is another opportunity to work on the projects and review all multiplication facts as well.  Before the quarter ends next week, I will give a fact test over all the facts to see what everyone has retained.  It is important to know multiplication facts well as they are related to division.  Those who are really good at multiplication will also be really good at division.  We will start working on missing factors this week.  This is a precursor to division.  I will be able to tell who knows their facts well through this activity.  

     Now on to the happenings of this week:

Writing -  Students are learning about persuasive writing - learning to make a thesis statement and then support the thesis with convincing details.

Math - We will begin the week with perimeter and area (no test), and then move into chapter 15 which is all about graphing.  We will wrap up multiplication as well, and then practice using our knowledge of multiplication to aid us in division.

Reading -  We continue to work on main idea and summary along with comparing and contrasting and sequencing.

Spelling - Look for an Everybody Must Know word list the first day back to school. We will not have a spelling test until next week, however. 

Science - We will begin learning about stars and star patterns in chapter 7.

Social Studies - Although we have finished chapter 10, we will not test until next week - probably Tuesday, with a study guide going home this Thursday or Friday. Students will also make a sign to promote their business.  Ads will go up in the third grade pod and surrounding areas on Friday.  Remember, Economics Day is Friday, March 14th.  Please bring in products on either the 13th or 14th.

Important Events:

Tues. - Pasta for Dimes; 

Wed. -

Thurs. -  Library;  Conferences 4:00-7:30;         

Fri. - Half day of school with dismissal at 11:40;

Sat. - Trivia Night;