Sunday, December 12, 2010

Week 16: Shapes, Inferring, and Personal Narratives

Welcome to Week 16!  Only 5 school days until Winter Break!

This week is also report card week.  Report cards will be handed to students on Monday at the end of school.  Please sign and return the envelope so that we know you have seen your students report card.  In addition, please fill out and return your classes conference week sign-up for January.  Conference times will be handled on a first come first served basis, so the sooner your student returns it, the better the chance of getting your top choice.

On to the week:

In math we are doing a quick chapter on shapes.  Last week we learned how to identify parallel and perpendicular lines as well as measure angles using a protractor.  This week we will continue with investigations into polygons, triangles, and quadrilaterals.  Students will be able to identify each of the figures and use their knowledge of these figures to determine angles and types of shapes.

In reading we will continue to work on the difficult comprehension strategy of inferring.  We have been practicing and studying how we use text clues as well as back ground knowledge to make decisions on what is occurring within the books that we read.  Although most of us do it naturally as we read, inferring can be a difficult strategy to practice and become comfortable with.  We will continue this strategy as we get into our individual historical fiction books after the winter break.

In writing we are continuing to complete our personal narratives.  Students were asked to complete a rough draft of their narrative by Monday.  This week we will spend a great deal of time editing and revising our stories.  This class has struggled mightily with writing conventions (spelling, punctuation, and grammar) throughout this year.  We will be working very hard on this aspect of our writing this week.  We hope to get a final draft by Friday.

That's it for now.  Thank you for all your support this year!

Sincerely,

Allyn and Alaina
 

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Week 15: 2-digit Division Test, Intro to Historical Fiction, and Personal Narratives

Welcome to Week 15! 

In math this week we will be completing our Chapter 5 assessment.  Students will be doing some peer instruction and practice work to prepare for our test on Wednesday. Late in the week we will start our last section of math before Winter Break which is a quick section on shapes.  It should be a fun way to end a very full first trimester of math.

In reading students will be starting our second genre study with a look at Historical Fiction.  Once again, students will be setup in reading ability groups surrounding a historical fiction text on World War 2.  Prior to receiving their books, students will be given some insights into the second world war and the people that were involved.  In addition, the class will be studying the important comprehension strategy of inferring. 

In writing students will continue to work on personal narratives.  Now that our students have received ample time to play with a few different ideas for their narratives, they will be asked to choose one idea to write their narrative with.  This week and next students will work through the writing process from brainstorming to writing a final draft.

Just a FYI....Ms. Therriault will be out this week.  We miss her, but the classroom has continued to run smoothly thanks to our fabulous students and great guest teacher (Mr. K). 

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

-Allyn and Alaina