We are off to a wonderful start for 2016! The students worked very hard last week. We went into StarLab for the first time!
Reader's Workshop
We started our Mystery unit last week. We spent some time learning key vocabulary that most mysteries have in common. Each day we read short mysteries and tracked the clues. Then we tried to solve the mysteries along with the detectives. As a result of our work we were able to identify the basic structure found in all mysteries.
This week we will begin reading longer mysteries in small book groups. This work will be a mix of independent work, and small group work. We will read mystery chapter books and identify the detectives, clues, suspects, evidence, red herrings, and solutions. As a whole class we will work on our reading comprehension by reading short stories and answering multiple choice and short answer questions about the text.
Writer's Workshop
We are working on our informational writing pieces. The students have organized a table of contents, uses a box and bullet structure to outline their ideas for each chapter, and begun drafting. This week we will continue to draft. We will also add nonfiction text features to strengthen our work. At the end of the week we will evaluate our work, and make goals for our writing.
Math
I hope you have heard we have begun division! Last week we explored the meaning of division. We used blocks every day to practice breaking large numbers into equal groups. We even wrote division stories. This week we will use our division strategies to solve math mysteries. On Tuesday we will take a chapter test on the meaning of division. Then we will spend the rest of the week using fact families to solve division facts.
Be on the lookout for a new type of math homework assignment. The students will be solving a word problem by breaking it down. They will also be asked to write an explanation about how they know their answer makes sense. I will do two examples with them in class before I send one home for homework.
Also, we will take our first math fact quiz on Friday. The students will be quizzed on x2. You will notice an addition to our steno pads each night: Study math facts.
Science
This week our Science lesson is based on the reason for the seasons. We will explore the difference in our sun rise and sun set during each season, and how that changes our weather. When we go into StarLab on Thursday the students will be able to see the sun rise and set, as well as the height the sun reaches at noon during each season.
Word Work
This week will be all about writing sentences. We will being by exploring the different types of sentences. Then we will learn how to make our basic sentences more complex.
The day before the holiday break!
Using a memory game to learn mystery vocabulary words.
Thank you to our mystery reader Mrs. Follos!
