Thursday, February 20, 2025

Thursday, February 20th, 2025

 Happy Thursday!

We have had a busy couple of weeks! Students have been working hard to improve their skills and extend their thinking! As Trimester 2 wraps up, students have completed several literacy/writing assessments to demonstrate progress towards T2 targets. Students have shown great perseverance and worked incredibly hard!


Literacy

Students have enjoyed continuing our class text George's Secret Key to the Universe. They have demonstrated great stamina in reading this book both inside and outside of school. In class, we have been analyzing main characters by reflecting on characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions. We continue to work on utilizing context clues to determine challenging vocabulary within the text. The story has left us on lots of cliffhangers... Ask your child to explain what is happening in the story so far and if they have any predictions for how it will end! We appreciate your help in reminding your child to read the chapters and answer the questions assigned for homework. 


Writing

Over the last couple weeks, students have analyzed a variety of narratives in order to determine the main elements of each story so that they can improve upon their own writing! Students were tasked with continuing a narrative that already had main characters and an established setting. We spent time carefully planning in order to ensure that each element was included. Students enjoyed writing creative hooks and adding sensory details to engage their readers! Ask your child to share his/her narrative with you.  


Math

We are currently working on developing strategies to multiply and divide fractions. Most recently, we have been learning different methods and ways to model multiplying mixed numbers by a fraction using both area models and improper fractions. Students spent time this week applying these strategies to real-world problems. This week, students were also introduced to some division of fractions and how to model their thinking.


Social Studies

We are wrapping up our second unit in social studies on the Colonial Era. Students have enjoyed exploring characteristics of the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. Ask your child to explain how the geography and culture of a colony affects its economy. Students have made fantastic connections to the importance of studying our past in order to meet the challenges of the present. Next week, we will wrap up our unit by creating a quilt square project where students will engage in research about a topic they feel passionate about.


Upcoming Events

  • Friday, February 21st - End of Trimester 2



Friendly Reminders

  • Since winter weather is here, please make sure your student is properly dressed for recess.

  • 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

  • If your child participates in orchestra or band, please remind him/her to bring their instrument on their lesson day.


Thank you for your continued partnership!

Enzie Pangilinan

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

Happy Sunday Families!

January has really flown by! Your children have been very busy learning everyday! I am so impressed with their perseverance and positive attitudes!


Literacy

This week we started reading George’s Secret Key to the Universe.  Our students are very excited to read this science fiction chapter book! As we read, we will focus on many reading strategies to help our students understand unknown words, create connections, and comprehend the text.  We will read and discuss chapters in class each day and your child will be expected to read a chapter at home most nights. We appreciate your help in reminding your child to read the chapters and answer the questions assigned for homework.  This is a great opportunity to have your child read aloud to you, or read the chapters together at home. Have fun getting to know George!


Writing

We are taking a break from analytical writing and working on narrative for the next few weeks.  After reviewing the characteristics of a strong narrative, our students had the opportunity to rewrite the rubric so that it was written in kid friendly language.  This activity helped our students understand what is expected in their writing. Currently, they are writing a continuation piece. After reading a picture book, our students wrote “the next chapter” of the story.  Ask your child to tell you about his/her writing.   


Math

Our students are doing a wonderful job multiplying fractions and using labeled models to explain their thinking! We have practiced multiplying whole numbers by fractions, fractions by fractions, and even solved fraction word problems. In addition, we focused on understanding many math vocabulary words. Ask your child to explain the difference between an improper fraction and a mixed number.


Social Studies

In Social Studies, we continued learning about the Colonial Era.  See if your child can tell you what motivated the colonists to settle in the “New World.” We also focused on the early settlements and the impacts of cooperation and conflict within a community.  Our students had the opportunity to research Jamestown or Plymouth by analyzing primary and secondary sources.  The children are really enjoying learning about the history of the United States.


Upcoming Events

  • Friday, February 14th - Half Day and Valentine’s Day party 

   School dismissed at 11:45


  • Monday, February 17th - No School



Friendly Reminders

  • Since winter weather is here, please make sure your student is properly dressed for recess.

  • 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

  • If your child participates in orchestra or band, please remind him/her to bring their instrument on their lesson day.


Thank you for your continued partnership and enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Enzie Pangilinan