Happy Friday Families!
We did it! We made it to the end of IAR testing! Students worked hard to show all the great things they have learned in both math and literacy. As we have tested each morning, new learning has continued each afternoon! Read below to find out how we're currently expanding our brains!
Literacy
After returning from spring break, we spent a week reading about influential women in history who showed a sense of discovery and adventure! The women we read about included Mae Jemison, Catherine Johnson, Wilma Rudolph and Bessie Coleman. At the end of the week, we compiled the information we learned about all four women to practice writing and speaking knowledgeably about the subject. This week we continued to work on the same target but with a new topic of Navajo Code Talkers. We read a book from Reading A-Z about the code talkers, watched videos of first had accounts, listened to a picture book called Chester Nez, and started reading a book on Epic. We will continue to learn more about the code talkers next week and conclude with a compilation of the information we gathered from all sources to write and speak knowledgeably about code talkers. Throughout reading about code talkers we are also working on explaining the relationships and interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas or concepts in a historical text based on specific information in the text. Some of the relationships we have looked at so far include cause and effect relationships and problem and solution relationships. We will continue this work next week as well.
Writing
After returning from spring break we started a new writing assignment. Students were given the prompt. In your opinion, what is the best way to read and/or learn information - with a tablet or by using books? Students decided their opinion on the topic, researched to find evidence to support their thinking, wrote core 4 / topic statements, created a t-chart to plan their writing, and are now in the process of starting to draft their essays. We have also taken some time to review the components of a good conclusion, including a core 4 / topic statement, a review of their big ideas, and a lasting impact sentence. We have practiced writing conclusions to go with provided essays and shared out with others. We will continue this work next week as we prepare for our next writing assessment, which is also used for middle school placement, to take place on April 21st.
Math
We have continued our work in Unit 6, which incorporates skills in the area of geometry. Since returning from break we have been exploring the hierarchy of polygons, with an emphasis on triangles and quadrilaterals. Using academic language related to angles and sides, students have been classifying shapes based on their attributes. Next week we will review and extend our thinking of the concept of volume, which was covered in unit 1.
Science
In science we have continued to learn about matter. We have learned about various properties of matter and this week students completed a hands on investigation where they observed the properties of several different types of matter that can be found in many homes. Students visually observed flour, baking soda, baking powder, talc powder, and salt, and recorded their observations. Then students mixed each with water to test their solubility. Next, the students mixed each substance with vinegar to see which ones produce gas / bubbles. Finally, the students mixed each powder with iodine and checked for any unusual color changes. Students really enjoyed acting like a chemist and observing the properties. As we continue in our matter unit we are going to look at chemical changes that can occur when substances are combined. We will have another great hands-on investigation in the coming weeks where students will combine various substances to see if new substances are formed or not.
Upcoming Events
April 15 - No School
April 20 - Cycle 5 CFA (Reading)
April 21 - Cycle 5 PBA (Writing) - Used for Placement and Report Cards
April 22 - Half Day
April 26 - Early Release
April 27 - 3rd Math Placement Task
April 27 - Pizza Bingo / Book Fair 6:00-7:15pm (See PTO and Principal Messages for more details)
Friendly Reminders
Please remind your student to charge his/her iPad and Logitech Crayon every night
Please remember to send your student with a healthy snack - nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
Please continue to have your student practice their multiplication facts up to 12
Band and orchestra students should remember to be prepared with their instruments and music books on the days of lessons.
