This week we will be administering district mandated Benchmark tests in Writing, Reading, and Math. STAAR testing situations will be practiced and students will answer (Reading and MAth) on scantrons. The information will be used to guide instruction as we prepare for the tests in the Spring. We will do Writing on Monday (personal narrative only), Reading on Tuesday, and Math on Thursday. This is nothing for the students to stress about; again, it is for practicing test-taking skills and instructional purposes.

Additional things we will be working on this week:
Writing: preparations for Expository Writing
Reading: finishing the class read aloud of The Tiger Rising and character study. Book clubs have begun and the students are showing initiative and responsiblity as they read and prepare for their roles in their groups.
Math: Fractions
Social Studies: Continue with the Early People and Settlers in Texas
Science: Measuring Matter

As mentioned last week, students have a new Reading Log to fill out that I will collect on Fridays. I will be looking for 120 total minutes read and a summary of read material. On the back of the reading log is a "how-to" on writing a summary students may refer to.

Please be aware that Wednesday (11/9) is a 12:00 dismissal. Have a good week!