Busy, Busy

Well we're off to another week! Wow, time flies when you're having fun! I hope your weekend was refreshing and fun! I wanted to update you with what we worked on last week and what we will be busy learning about this week!

Science- We studied rocks and minerals last week! We classified rocks and minerals and learned about the three types of rocks: sedimentary (created by layers of sediments), metamorphic (formed with heat a pressure), and igneous (formed when magma cools). We had a lot of fun creating our very own sedimentary rocks! You saw these come home this weekend.

We also had fun with Starburst, making metamorphic rocks. This week we will learn about the rock cycle and JN's dad, a real-life geologist!, is coming in to talk to us about the job of a geologist! Stay tuned for an exciting surprise that will help us wrap up our study of earth's processes and rocks and minerals! (The surprise is being revealed to the kiddos on Wednesday...they're trying their hardest to guess!)

Social Studies-We spent last week learning about the code of chivalry (oh yes, we know how to be chivalrous now!). We also learned about coat of arms and their importance in a time of lawlessness. We wrapped up our week learning about what it would be like to live on a manor and creating our very own castle! (Pictures of those coming later this week!) We will spend this week learning about William the Conqueror, the Domesday Book, how trade affected the growth of medieval towns, and guilds and apprentices.

Hallway Display of Pledges to the King

Our very own Coat of Arms

Math- Last week we learned about various addition and subtraction algorithms. We just wrapped up Unit 2 with our assessment today. Unit 3-Multiplication and Division; Number Sentences and Algebra will begin on Wednesday. It is very important that we continue to study, study, study our math facts! Much of our unit will include practicing our multiplication facts in order to know them in a snap! Don't forget to check out the "Enrichment Websites" on the blog for online practice!

Reading- We continue with our reading of King Arthur! This week we will focus on our thinking strategies as we read:

-inferring: questioning as you reading to help you draw conclusions, make predictions, and reflect on your thinking

-determining importance: understanding the main ideas of the text and what the author's message is

-asking questions: asking questions and looking for answers before you read, as you read, and after you read

-visualizing: taking time to see and feel what you read

-fixing comprehension: applying "fix-up" strategies when you get stuck on a word or confused during your reading

-making connections: using what you read to understand what you read...you can make text to self, text to text, or text to world connections

-synthesizing: combining what you know with new information to understand the text

Encourage your child to use these strategies as they complete their nightly reading log. We have also started reading groups ("Book Clubs") and some small groups to assist with fluency needs ("Fluency Fun Clubs"). Ask your child about their small groups. (A couple groups will not start until Friday.)

Writing-We continue to work on our Feature Articles! We are wrapping up our research in the library tomorrow and will begin to craft and draft our feature article bit by bit! Make sure to discuss your child's topic with him or her. (They may even come home wanting to do further research!)

Important Upcoming Dates:

Sept. 23-Book Fair Preview @ 10:30 (Please do not send money, as we are not shopping, but do look for a "wish list" to come home that day.)

Sept. 27- Book Fair shopping @ 10:30 (Bring money if you wish to purchase items.)

Sept. 28-Assembly @ 1:15 "The NED Show"

Sept. 29-Early Release

Oct. 1-Husky Hustle (time not yet known for our class) and Harmony Harvest (Make sure to come and bid to win time at a special "party" with Mrs. Gentry! You won't want to miss out! The more the merrier!)

Have a wonderful week!

Lately

Here is a look into what we've been up to...

Math-- We are now in Unit 2 of math which is our number sense unit. We started the week by reviewing numbers up to one billion by learning how to read large numbers correctly and identifying the value of digits within a number. We learned about collecting data using a line plot and tally chart last week. We collected data on the number of raisins in boxes using our estimation strategies and how many people are in our families. After collecting data, we found landmark data, such as the range, mode, median, maximum, and minimum. Next week we will learn about finding the mean and using algorithms to solve addition and subtraction problems.

*We began our Mad Minutes this Friday! If your child came home with a sheet with problems answered incorrectly or not answered at all, they should use that sheet to study for next week! The goal is complete the sheet correctly in 2 minutes or less. If they passed that level, they should work on math facts in general in preparation for their next level! Don't forget to check out our links on the blog that can help with math facts practice!

Science-- We continued our study of earth's processes and how they cause slow and fast changes to the earth. This included experiments with erosion, flooding, and weathering. We got pretty dirty and a little wet when we used our stream tables to see how erosion occurs in a hands-on approach.

We even took a short field trip to see how the lack of vegetation has caused some extreme erosion near the high school's tennis courts!



We will begin our new unit on rocks and minerals next week.

Writing-- We used this week to collect many more seed ideas (ideas that could turn into writing pieces) in our Writer's Notebooks. Some of these strategies included a questions list, a best and worst list, rereading and highlighting our notebook, and reflecting on where we have seen idioms, sayings, and proverbs come alive in our daily lives. Some of these include: Two wrongs don't make a right; Bull in a china shop; Through thick and thin; On the warpath. We will learn about more of these throughout the year! Next week begins our Feature Article study and researching about a specific topic we want to develop into our first published piece.

Reading-- We started our first read aloud, King Arthur, this week. What an exciting and adventure-packed story so far! This read aloud is allowing us to integrate our Middle Ages study with reading. What a fun way to learn! We are beginning our study of story elements and applied our knowledge of the setting and characters to our read aloud by responding in writing.



Social Studies-- We continue our study of the Middle Ages! We learned about vassals and how they pledged their loyalty to the king in exchange for safety and land. We created our homage (dedication to the king) and presented them to the king this week. In exchange for their loyalty, students receive a piece of land from King Gentry (in the form of a shiny new pencil). We also played a feudalism game to show how unfair the system of government was. We continue to discuss how what we are learning shows the negative affects of lawlessness during these times. Next week we will learn more about knights, the code of chivalry, and creating a coat of arms.


Have a wonderful weekend!

PS. Check out the very bottom of the page for a video of the smiling faces of room 201! :)

Celebration Details!

We are working together as a community to earn celebrations this year! Our goal is to spell the word, "CELEBRATION", one letter at time. We may earn letters by doing an outstanding job with a transition, getting a compliment from another adult in the building, or even following directions well. The idea is that we are working together for one common goal. We have earned all our letters and will celebrate for the first time tomorrow! We created a class list of celebration ideas, and Electronic Day was the popular vote for our first celebration. Please allow your child to bring a handheld electronic device tomorrow for our celebration time in the afternoon.

OK--

*handheld video games

*iPods

*iTouches

*any other handheld electronic game

NOT OK--

*cell phones

*video game systems

Please use your best judgement and only send an electronic device with your child if you are okay with them having it at school. I will not allow them to call you if they forget their electronic device. Please reiterate at home that it is their responsibility to get it to and from school. If your child does not have an electronic device, they will have the computers as an option or they may bring their favorite board game.

Thanks for your support!

Pictures!

I am so excited that all of the permission forms have been returned and we are safe to upload pictures to our blog now! Check out some of our pictures...and stay tuned for new ones uploaded often!