August 16, 2019 Update...

Hi Parents,

We have been working so hard this week. Check out below to see the exact standards we've covered in each subject.  I've posted the new list of spelling words in case your child wants to get a jump on practicing them. I do not test the kids with a traditional spelling test. I give sentences in which they will have to apply correct conventions, such as the spelling words from the week and the grammar focus.  Application of what they've learned is our goal.

Phonics/Grammar:  We reviewed the long vowel sounds this week in our spelling words.  In grammar, we discussed the importance and the reason for capitalizing proper nouns.  We also talked about "5 STAR WRITING", which is consistently applying K, 1st, and 2nd grade standards when writing anything and everything. Please enforce this at home whenever your child is writing.

Reading:  We began our new novel, The Wild Robot.  We learned how making connections with stories can help us better understand the text. We discussed the difference between shallow connections and deep connections and practiced doing this in our own chapter books.  We visited the media center and checked out books. I also assigned each student a chapter book to read in class based on Lexile and interest.  We completed a reading passage together and talked about expectations when answering comprehension questions. We also looked at our current Lexile scores and created reading goals and specific plans in order to reach that goal.

Writing:  We looked at the third and fourth grade writing rubric for narratives. We read a sample story and analyzed it based on the rubric.  We reread Come On, Rain and found ways that this mentor author included setting and character details in the beginning of her story.

Math:  We began our unit on addition and subtraction with regrouping. We  started the week using manipulatives and slowly transitioned to only using expanded form.  We worked in small groups with manipulatives to better understand regrouping.  We took a short quiz on Friday, which will help me focus where additional instruction is needed. Please practice single digit math facts at home with your child is these are not memorized.

Science: We looked at how scientists classify rocks and minerals according to specific characteristics.  We first found our own rock samples and classified these, then we looked at minerals from a science kit and compared them according to the characteristics.

Class News...

Thank you to Mrs. Falquero-Donoso for donating magic erasers and lightbulbs to our room!

Thank you to Mrs. Scott for the beautiful class plant!

Happy Birthday to Sethleigh McClure!

Please remember to return the field trip permission slip and money when you are able to.  Performing Arts forms also came home on Friday. Return those as soon as possible.

We are in the process of finding a vendor to make our grade level class t-shirts.  Be on the lookout sometime in the next few weeks for order forms to come home. We will wear these shirts on field trips, spirit days, etc.