Our Week In Review

This week we have be working really hard!  Below is a curriculum update ~


Math Update:

• We have really worked hard to understand the concepts of multiplication.  Using the blocks, drawings and window boxes can be challenging, but we are doing well!  Next week, we have an assessment in math, and we will be spending Monday-Thursday reviewing what we have learned.  Below are two videos.  One shows how to use the blocks to solve a multiplication problem and the second shows how to use the "window boxes" model.  These should help with homework.

• Practicing multiplication facts continues to be very important.  A link to xtra math  has been placed under "Curriculum Links". Students received a code on Friday, and have the opportunity to practice facts at home.  Students will be rewarded with chips in class for completing these activities.  Occasionally students may have "xtramath" practice assigned for homework.  Please let me know if computer/internet access may be a challenge, and we can make other arrangements. 

Reading Update:

• This week, we began reading our next Interactive Read Aloud, Little Dog, Lost.  While reading this book, we will be focusing on the topics of theme, author's craft, and figurative language. We will introduce other topics as we continue with this novel.

Writing Update:

• We have been working diligently on planning for our fiction stories.  We have developed our characters (both inside and out), have determined the character's problem, and established a setting.  Next week we will finish planning and begin drafting these stories.  
• In order to improve our writing, we have been working at "reading like writers", looking at the books we are reading as writers.  This will help us when writing our own fiction stories.
• During Poetry Workshop, we finished writing our Penguin Cinquains with partners. We also began writing acrostic poems with a November theme.  Check back soon for some published poems!

Science/Social Studies Update:

• We have finished learning about Mexico, and have our assessment scheduled for next week.  We also began learning about Heredity.  Students were asked to bring a family picture to school on Monday.  This picture can be of your immediate family or of ancestors (grandparents, great grandparents).  We will look at these pictures on Monday and look for family resemblances. 

Technology Update

• During Technology workshop last week and this week, we learned about blogging.  Students were all given a blog on the website "kidblog".  We discussed digital citizenship, and specifically never putting last names or pictures of themselves on the blog.  The teacher has to read the blogs in order to allow them to be published.  Mrs. Merten will also have to read any/all comments posted before they are "live".  Students are very excited about this, and are looking forward to reading your comments. In the future, we may have weekly blog updates from our students.  You can find our blog posts here, and can also access the link under the "curriculum links" gadget.