This week, we will begin our unit on Fractions. Students will explore and draw models of unit fractions such as 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, and 1/5. Students will practice reading and writing factions that represent part of a whole and part of a set. We will also practice identifying fractions on a number line. For extra practice, students can review pages from their Math Workbook Volume 2, Chapter 10 Lessons. These workbook pages and interactive math games can also be found on your child's eClass homepage. Students may click on their math textbook link for additional resources and support.

Last week, we studied the elements of myths and charted the important/key details that helped us to understand why certain stories were called myths. This week, we will read a variety of short passages and determine the main idea and supporting details of each passage.

There will be a reading midterm assessment on Friday. This assessment will consist of a variety of short reading passages in which students will answer questions that directly come from the passages. Please keep in mind that students will not be able to re-asses their reading midterm. Therefore, I strongly encourage all students to take their time and to read each question carefully and to answer to the best of their ability.

Last week, we worked on our unguided informational essays about our American hero. Students were guided through their writing experience as they worked on adding specific details that helped to grab their reader's interest. This week, we will begin our unguided narrative stories. Students will need to brainstorm a list of their best moments and then choose their favorite "best moment" to write a story about. Students will be graded in the areas of ideas, style, organization and convention.

We will study how to use complex sentences correctly in our daily writing. A complex sentence has one independent clause, that can stand on its own, and one dependent clause that cannot stand on its own.

For example: After the game, the team will go out for pizza. "The team will go out for pizza" is an independent clause that can stand on its own. It could be its own sentence and still make sense. "After the game" is a dependent clause. It cannot be its own sentence.

This week, students will study the life influences of Eleanor Roosevelt. There will be a brief Eleanor Roosevelt Test on Friday, February 5th. Students can use their social studies book, study guide and their eClass leveled reader biography on Eleanor Roosevelt to help them prepare for their test.

We will practice using sight words with the "-tion" pattern correctly in our daily writing. Here are some examples:

nation, action, motion, station, vacation, question, mention

The time is drawing near for our early release days to allow for parent-teacher conferences. The next early release dates for conferences are February 24th and 25th. Students will be dismissed at 12:15 p.m. on these days.

We have the convenience of online conference scheduling for parents. This allows you to make and change your conference appointments more easily and choose times that best match your family’s schedule.

To pick a time slot, enter this link in your Internet browser:

www.ptcfast.com/reg1

At this link, you will be asked for your Entry Code. The code for our class is:

LMY118901

If you have other children attending Gwin Oaks, they will have their own class entry codes.

Students may invite someone special to come and have lunch with us on Wednesday, February 10th from 11:25am - 11:55am.

Please note that we will have sack lunches on Wednesday, February 3rd and Wednesday, February 17th due to the other grade levels' Special Friends Luncheon.

Gwin Oaks will have its annual Talent Show on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 6:00 PM. This year’s Talent Show has a theme of “A Night at Disney.” On the evening of the Talent Show, donations will be accepted in order to raise money for the Gwin Oaks Family Legacy Resource Center.

On Friday, February 12th we will have a brief Valentine's exchange that is completely optional. If your child chooses to participate, then please be sure that he/she brings enough cards and/or treats for everyone. We do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. We have twenty-seven kids in our class. If you would like to send in treats for the class, such as candy, cupcakes, cookies, donuts or juice, then please feel free to do so. Here is a list of the names of students in our class:

Boys: Faraz, Neel, Cesar, Michael, Caleb, Ryan, Aidan, Martin, Aaqib, Kenneth A., Coby, Alex L., Mahid, Kenneth J., Alex E., Mason

Girls: Mariela, Evangelia, Sophie, Ivana, Nimisha, Hadia, Grechyl, Isabel, Gabby, Angel, Olivia

Let someone know you care about them by sending a Valentine's Gram! They can be purchased through the front office. Valentine's Grams will be on sale next week for $1 each. Proceeds will go towards Relay for Life.