Mrs. McDonald's Newsletter
February 1-5, 2016
Literacy
Reading:
- This week we will be reading about Blackbeard the Pirate and will continue to work on finding the main idea of a multi-paragraph text.
- The students will also be using the Blackbeard text to study text features and how they help us gather information as well as understand what we read. Bold print and glossaries will be the main text features we focus on this week.
- Since we have been studying six different ways that seeds can be dispersed, the students will select three ways and explain them in an informational paragraph. They will practice writing a hook, topic sentence, include at least three facts and details, and have a concluding sentence.
- We will be learning about adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adverbs answer the questions where, when, how, and to what extent. They usually end in an -ly.
- The spelling pattern we will be focusing on this week is 'or' or an r-controlled o.
Math
- In math, we will be learning how to add four double-digit addends.
- On Thursday, we will be having a small test that will cover adding double and triple-digit numbers. The students will be able to use any strategy that they are comfortable with, but will need to show two ways of solving the problems in order to check their answers.
- Please continue to practice addition facts within 20 with your child. The new goal of 20 problems in one minute is a large increase from our goal at the beginning of the year and it is a challenge for many.
Expedition
- Last week, we learned about six different ways that seeds are dispersed: gravity, fire, force (mechanical), water, wind, and animals. They will continue researching this topic in order to draw a diagram of how animals disperse seeds. For example, squirrels hide food and forget where it is buried so that a tree will grow in that spot. Or, a monkey will eat fruit, but throw seeds down on the ground.
Working with our big buddies to sketch how animals help disperse seeds in their habitats!
100s Day!
- Although Hundred's Day is not until the 9th, we will be celebrating it this Friday the 5th. Since we will be having reading and writing assessments that week (plus moving!), Mrs. Bockstruck and I thought we would celebrate it a little early. As part of the students' homework assignment, they will need to bring 100 of an item. The item could be Cheerios, candy, pencils, Q-tips, cotton balls, pom poms, stickers, beads, buttons, googly eyes, crayons, legos, blocks, etc. Please have your child bring his or her item in a bag on Friday.
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, February 3rd: Early Release
- Friday, February 5th: 100's Day Celebration!
- Wednesday, February 10th: Early Release
- Thursday, February 11th: Valentine's Day Celebration
- Friday, February 12th: No School--Teacher's LID Day
- February 13-15: Summit and SVLA move
- Monday, February 15th: No School -- President's Day
- Tuesday, February 16th: School at the new location