MATH: This week we are beginning Unit 5 which primarily
focuses on solving different types of word problems. To begin, we look at
problems with unknown addends and factors. This is followed by solving
comparision word problems and problems with extra, hidden, or not enough
information. Finally, we will spend more time looking at multi-step word
problems. We will use different strategies such as underlining and highlighting
information, or solving problems using the step-by-step method. The biggest
thing I notice in this unit is students simply looking at the numbers and
making a guess on which operation to use. My hope is that they can relate these
problems to real world experiences and identify the appropriate operation
needed to use to solve the problem accurately.
We also continue to work on multiplication fluency each
week! Please help out at home by quizzing your child or allowing them to
practice on multiplication.com. The goal is for all students to know facts 1-10
in 7 minutes or less by the end of the school year! They are off to a great
start.
READING: This week we are focusing on the author’s purpose
for writing a story. When identifying the author’s purpose, think about PIE! Is
the purpose to PERSUADE, INFORM, or ENTERTAIN? We also get to read an excellent
story about a police officer and his partner, Aero, a loving K-9.
I continue to be impressed with book clubs and they are my
favorite part of each day! Each group is getting really into their story, comes
to the club prepared to share insights that are important to them, and work
together to answer questions, make predictions, and dig deeper into the story!
Ask your child about the book they are reading in their book club!
WRITING: This week we will begin opinion writing! The
writing model we will use will include a specific OPINION, the REASON they have
that opinion, EXPLANATIONS supporting their reason, and will close with
restating their OPINION. We are calling this OREO writing. I am excited to see
how kids express their opinions and continue to help them share their thoughts
and ideas in organized paragraphs. Up next, book reviews! These are always my
favorite. I love how excited the kids get when writing their reviews and how they
help other students to be inspired to read new books.
SCIENCE: I am so excited about our upcoming STEM unit, A
Long Way Down: Designing Parachutes. To understand the world we live in it is
important that we provide kids with engineering and technological literacy and
experiences. The goal in this unit is to introduce the field of aerospace
engineering by guiding students in hands-on activities, discussions, and
readings. We will start by reading the storybook Paulo’s Parachute Mission,
which introduces them to aerospace engineering and astronomy. Through this
story students will begin thinking about problems that might arise when
designing a technology on Earth that will be used to explore another planet
with different atmospheric conditions. Students will also ask questions about how parachutes work,
design models, and conduct experiences involving a parachutes canopy size or
suspension line length, and how it affects how quickly or slowly it falls. Like
engineers, students will: ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve!
SOCIAL STUDIES: We just took the trimester 2 unit
assessment. Social Studies will return in the spring!
Smarter Balance Schedule: This year students will participate in the Smarter Balance test. There will be two sections that they will participate in, two days of ELA testing, and two days of Math testing. The ELA tests will be from March 23-25th. The Math test will be from June 1-3. Please visit http://www.k12.wa.us/SMARTER/default.aspx to learn more about this test. More information to come!
No comments:
Post a Comment