The days leading up to the holiday season are filled with excitement, yet are quite busy here at school. As an enticement to help us contain some of our excitement, we are anxiously awaiting rewards that have been set up in the cafeteria, by Mrs. Steeg, for classes with winning behaviors. We are also earning several rewards that have been set up here in our own classroom for great behavior - rewards and privileges that keep GROWING! We're all really excited by the BIG goal we expect to earn on December 21st! It will be a nice time of sharing the company and friendship of each other as we separate for a long (but well deserved!) winter holiday.
While we follow our normal schedule and routine, we'll also be filling our days with experiments, hands-on activities, and fun. We are currently focusing on the following skills, strategies, and topics in our curriculum content areas:
SPELLING and WORKING WITH WORDS ~ This week's words begin with the consonant blends "str," "spr," and "thr." We will extend those blends to help us spell other words that begin with the same sounds. Our "working with words" activities will continue with correctly spelling our five new Word Wall Words, and practicing words from previous weeks.
SCIENCE ~ We are continuing our "Earth in Space" unit by reading non-fiction, content literature about the characteristics of the moon and its phases. Not only will we be reading to be informed, but we will also be improving how we read non-fiction material. We will focus on the special text features used in non-fiction material that help us have a better understanding of the content, as well as helping us delve deeper to learn more details about specific facts. In culmination of our study of the moon this week, we will build a (yummy!) model depicting the phases of the moon.
READING/ILA ~ During both whole group and small group reading time, we will also have the same literary focus this week as during science: learning how to use and read the special text features of non-fiction to enable us to have a more thorough understanding of the content. We will identify the use of specific features within our texts, and discuss how each type of feature helps us as we read. Our whole group, anthology story is From Seed to Plant. When we've applied the focus strategies and completed the story, we will conduct an experiment with lima bean seeds to determine if the material we read is actually true! During small group reading, we will have interest-based groups rather than ability-based, in the hope that by making a choice based on individual interests, the students will be more encouraged to use and apply the non-fiction reading strategies that we're learning.
WRITER'S WORKSHOP ~ Today we wrote a brief, personal narrative piece that required us to use our imagination and creativity. During literature we listened to The Polar Express and discussed the author's significance in having the boy choose the bell as the first gift of Christmas. The students wrote about what they would choose, or wish for, if they were picked to receive the first gift of Christmas. However, there were some restrictions that required them to stretch their imaginations like the author of The Polar Express. They could not choose a gift that came from a toy store; the gift could not be money; and, the gift could not be to have all their wishes come true. They came up with some very heartfelt wishes and hopes! Tuesday, we will begin a new piece, an original, creative story, that will take us through the entire writing process. This process will include generating and organizing our thoughts and ideas; turning those ideas into a draft of the story; revising and editing the draft; and then producing the final copy. As writers, we will focus on what we've been discussing and practicing in class. It is expected that our stories be well thought out, and that they flow smoothly from beginning to middle to the end. We will apply what we've learned from other authors as we begin with a "catchy hook," continue with descriptive language to create mental images and evoke feelings within the reader; and develop the story so the reader has a clear understanding of the setting, characters, problem, and details leading to the solution of the problem. When they are complete, the best two from our class will be chosen and entered into a Countywide writing contest. This will be the time for all our creative writers to shine and showcase their special talents!
MATHEMATICS ~ As you are aware from the letter that went home early last week, our Unit 4 test will be tomorrow, December 4th. I'm sure everyone should do well if they've followed the guidelines for the secure and developing skills outlined in my letter, and used the saved Home Links sheets, as well as our math workbooks to help us practice and review. On Wednesday, we will begin Unit 5, an exploration of two and three-dimensional shapes. You will receive more information on the unit with the Family Letter that will come home Wednesday.
GENTLE REMINDER ~ If you would like to donate a new, unwrapped gift or toy for our Empty Stocking Fund, the pick-up date is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12th. Thank you for helping us with our efforts to make the holidays joyous for others less fortunate.
Have a spirited week! As always, thank you for your support and guidance at home!
Fondly,
Ms. Cropf
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