"It is our choices that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~ Albus Dumbledore

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Feb. 20-23

Reading:
We finished up learning about the different text structures. Next week we will start practicing identifying them.
Students had a LG test on Thursday. They'll receive new roots on Monday (27th) and will have a spelling test 3/2.

Writing:
We finished our deep sea creature papers on Monday and started a new assignment on Tuesday. Students are learning how to write an informational paper using two article sources.

Grammar:
We finished up our lessons on shades of meaning.

Projects:
Students finished identifying the adaptations their animals will have. We will begin sketching, labeling and creating supply lists early next week. Then, they will start building their habitats. Please send your child with a medium-large shoe box for his/her habitat. 

Misc:
We had fun looking at FFA's animals on Tuesday. I'll post pictures later.
Yearbook orders are due soon!

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Habitat Boxes

Students will start building their habitats in the next two weeks. Please send your child with a large sized shoe box, as this is what their habitat will be created in.

Feb. 13-16

Reading:
We continued learning about text structures.
Students received new LG on Monday and had a spelling test on Thursday. They'll test on LG 2/23.

Writing:
The students finished up their creepy deep sea creature papers on Thursday. They turned out very nicely. They'll be hanging in the hall.

Grammar:
We learned about shades of meaning this week.

Projects:
We continued to learn about animal adaptations. On Wednesday the students got to find out which habitat they'll be creating an animal for.

Misc:
Our Valentine's Day was a success. I love celebrating Valentine's with students.
President's Day is Monday - no school! Enjoy your long weekend.
On Tuesday we are going to the FFA displays at school - It'll be lots of fun. :o)

Friday, February 10, 2017

February 6-9

Reading:
Students received new spelling words and will test 2/16.
We are learning about text structure. We have covered compare/contrast and description.
There was a Latin/Greek test on Thursday. Students will receive new roots on Monday (2/13).

Writing:
Students finished their research on their deep sea creature. They are writing their rough drafts and moving through the writing process.

Grammar:
We learned about subject/verb agreement this week. This is a fairly easy concept as we often can tell if something doesn't agree just by how it sounds.

Projects:
We've started our new project on animal adaptations. We are learning about the adaptations animals have in the four major habitats (desert, rain forest, ocean and polar).

Valentine's Day:
Reminder - Monday is the last day to buy candy grams.
If your child would like to bring in Valentines, please have him/her bring them in for everyone in the class. Remember, do not fill out the 'to' section - it takes too much time to deliver them otherwise.
Also, your child may bring in a mailbox to collect their Valentines. Otherwise, I will provide a paper lunch bag.

Monday, February 6, 2017

Candy Grams

Note from student council:
Sales start Monday and go through next Monday (Feb. 13). Cost is .75 apiece or $10 if they buy for a whole class. Kiddos will deliver on Tuesday.

Sales will be during 3-5 lunch and 6-8 lunch in the cafeteria. We aren't selling in the office or in individual classrooms.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Jan. 30-Feb. 2

Reading:
This week the students learned about author's purpose. We also began focusing more on restating questions using evidence-based terms.
This week's debate: What is better, fiction or non-fiction? Fiction won, but not by a lot.
They received new Latin/Greek roots and will test 2/9.

Writing:
We started our creepy deep sea creature research. Ask your child about the creature they chose.

Grammar:
We continued reviewing plural/possessive/plural-possessive nouns. On Thursday, they assessed. We will revisit this concept in the 4th quarter.

Projects:
We finished up our Earth Systems project. The 3rd graders presented to the 5th graders on Thursday. Mrs. Mori and her students were very impressed!

Misc:
Valentine's Day - please check your email.
Your child may bring in Valentine's; however, please do not fill in the "to" portion of the cards as the delivery takes too much time. Your child may bring in a Valentine collection box on February 14.