Hi Parents,
Look for progress reports to come home this week as we are halfway through the first reporting period. Another busy week lies ahead...
Writers Workshop: we have published our first personal narrative and will begin with a new strategy that allows us to "zoom in" on our new piece using timelines to help us narrow our focus to pinpoint the "small moment" we will elaborate on.
Reading: adding to our Comprehension Strategies by determining the main idea and using supporting details to determine importance. We will be working from our Reading Street text and our Readers & Writers notebooks. Looking ahead to Tuesday: students will bring home a reading passage entitled "Amanda's Arm" for homework. This may count as part of their 30 minutes of nightly reading. List it on the Reading Log!
Math: Continuing with number values; using calculators to assist with place value; organizing and displaying data. Key vocabulary this week: range, mode, median, maximum, and minimum.
* I owe you an apology; last week I mistakenly sent home an Extension Activity as homework and it was not homework. I apologize for any tears, confusion, and frustration this "missing numbers on a number line" task caused. It is my fault and I certainly appreciate the efforts by the students in this very challenging activity.
Science: Continuing with Going Green; this week a focus on water. Students will bring home a "Water Wise" book during the week. This is their book to keep and they may highlight and take notes in it as needed. This may count as part of their 30 minutes on nightly reading, too. Remind them to put it on their Reading Log.
Social Studies: Finishing up with the topography of Texas. Students will have a vocabulary test of important words from the chapter later in the week.
Spelling: 2 lists are now available to students, both with a common theme. To work on list 2, students must miss 3 or less on the pre-test given Monday mornings. Students are still expected to complete the 20 points worth of activities by Friday.

Reminder: Scholastic book orders will be accepted until Monday Sept. 26. No school on Thursday--Fall Holiday!