First, I want to say thank you to all of you for rearranging your schedules and meeting with me last week for parent-teacher conferences. It was great getting to meet all of you, and it helped me get to know your child even better. As always, if you ever have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to reach out. That’s why I’m here.
In math, we are wrapping up our study of multiplication. We’ve worked on 1-digit times 2-digit, 1-digit times 3-digit, 2-digit times 2-digit, and now 4-digit times 1-digit multiplication. We’ve also explored various word problems along the way. Students will practice these skills throughout the week, and they will take their end of the unit multiplication assessment next week on Tuesday. Students have been taught 4 methods for multiplication, but they may use whichever strategy or strategies they like on the assessment. They should be using their yellow HW/R sheets as well as the Quick Quizzes that have been graded and sent home to prepare for this assessment. I will grade these tests over the Thanksgiving break, we will reteach skills when they return, and they will take their final multiplication test sometime that last week of November.
In reading, we are digging into our nonfiction reading unit. Students have worked on exploring text features, previewing texts, paraphrasing what they’ve read, and determining the main idea. Over the next two weeks, students will continue to work on determining the main ideas as well as finding supporting details. We will also be exploring strategies for determining the meaning of unknown vocabulary words that we might come across. Those strategies include using the context clues, looking in the glossary, asking a friend or teacher, using a dictionary, or looking it up on the computer. Once students have a clear understanding of how to effectively read nonfiction texts, we will begin exploring the 5 organizational patterns of informational text: descriptive, chronological, comparison, cause & effect, and problem/solution. The best way to help your child through this unit is to read nonfiction books together at home, so that they can practice the skills taught in class.
In writing, students have just finished their final narrative pieces (which will be graded and sent home within the next 2 weeks). They are now beginning a new unit on opinion writing. Students will read a variety of mentor texts to explore the genre. We will work through the first opinion piece together as a class. Then, students will complete another opinion essay in small groups, working with students who share their viewpoint. Finally, students will attempt to complete an opinion essay on their own. They will be asked to start thinking about issues they have strong opinion about. Possible examples: Should students wear school uniforms? Should kids go to school year round? Should elementary students have their own cell phone? They will begin to formulate a pro/con list so that they can explore both sides of a topic. Finally, students will take a stand and begin choosing the most effective reasons to support their claim. In order to help your child with this at home, have them convince you, in writing, the next time they ask for something. Perhaps they want to stay up late on a school night, before telling them yes or no, have them go write down three reasons why you should let them, and have them try to convince you. The more practice students have with arguing their point of view, the more convincing they will be in their opinion essays.
In social studies, we are almost half-way through our study of the Core Democratic Values (CDV). Each day we read a picture book that demonstrates a specific CDV, then students are asked to explain the meaning of that CDV in their own words and create an illustration that will remind them of that definition. We’ve explored Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness, and Truth. We will be wrapping up the unit with the Common Good, Justice, Diversity, Equality, Patriotism, and Popular Sovereignty before Thanksgiving Break. They will take their test next Tuesday. In order to study, students should be bringing home their green folders, which contain their definitions and illustrations of each CDV. They will also be given a study guide toward the end of this week. We will begin science instruction when return from the Thanksgiving Break.
Upcoming Dates
| Monday, 11.12 |
Veteran’s Day Observed |
| Tuesday, 11/13 |
PTC Meeting at 7pm
Jet’s Pizza Night (We won last time!) |
| Friday, 11/16 |
Popcorn Friday |
| Wednesday, 11/21 – Friday, 11/23 |
Thanksgiving Break – Enjoy time with family and friends! |
| Tuesday, 12/4 |
Holiday Program at Fellowship (K-2 at 6:30pm, 3rd-5th at 7:30pm) |
| Friday, 12/7 |
Popcorn Friday |
| Tuesday, 12/11 |
Santa’s Secret Shop |
| Friday, 12/14 |
Early Release for Students at 12:15pm (Wear Champion T-Shirts) |