What??? We've only been back for one week??? It feels like we've been back for at least two with all that we've accomplished this week. Check out what we've been doing...
Reading: We completed an author study on Patricia Polacco. We read several of her books, compared the setting, characters, and plot of each book using a graphic organizer. We identified the theme, and also looked at common themes of children's stories. We read in our book club books and looked for clues identifying the theme. As part of our STEM research, we read an article on the cane toad and practiced the note-taking skill of creating "boxes and bullets" to help us understand what we've read.
Writing: We reviewed the important parts of a narrative. We began our creative stories about being trapped in a snow globe. We first looked closely at how to write a good lead. We then discussed using the five senses when writing in order to provide adequate details for our audience. We reviewed how to correctly add dialogue to our story. We'll complete this creative writing assignment next week.
Math: We began our unit on Perimeter, learning the formula for determining this when given all the side lengths. We then explored how to find an unknown side when given the other side lengths and the total perimeter. We came up with a "recipe" to help us get the correct answer every time. We added some AREA work into our week, making sure to maintain previous skills.
STEM/Science: We researched the nonnative species that has inhabited Florida; the cane toad. We learned about how this species has upset the balance of the environment it has taken over. We read the chapters in our science book about plant and animal adaptations. We began our STEM challenge, designing a trap for the cane toad. We got into small groups and designed our traps. The building phase will begin on Monday.
Shout Outs!!!
Presley Peek was nominated for our first Kemp Wall of Fame recipient! Way to go, Presley. She is always giving 100% effort in and out of the classroom. She is kind and considerate and I can always rely on Presley to make great choices. Congratulations, Presley!
I am so proud of all of the hard work and effort the students showed with these amazing SCIENCE PROJECTS! I think we definitely have some inventors in our midst. It's amazing to see how the children truly shine when given a project to complete independently. Thank you also to the parents for the extra support you are providing at home. I appreciate it so much!
On that note, we have a three way tie for first place and will have all three projects moving on to the grade level competition on Thursday night. Congratulations to Addison Crumbley, Hannah Smith and Ella Rose, and Taylor Gitonga. Our school judges chose these three science projects to move on to the next round. Way to go!
Class News and Announcements...
Be on the lookout Monday for information on our MARKET DAY. This special event will be the culminating activity for our unit on Economics. It is a grade level event. I would like you to encourage your child to be the driving force on this project and it to be 100% student generated (code for parents CANNOT do the project). From what I've witnessed, I have a class full of highly motivated and ingenious students who will come up with some amazing "stores" for this fun event.
STEM night is this Thursday! Come out and have a great, interactive night with your child. I'll be there and hope to see you!
If you have any concerns as we begin the second half of the school year, I am open to having a conference. Please let me know if you need any further clarification on how your child is doing and what we can do to ensure success for the remainder of the year.
If you have any questions about ParentVue, please contact Mr. Pritz. His information, including email, can be found on the Kemp homepage.
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