Please refer to this page often to see what we are working on in the classroom.
When you need to contact me via e-mail, you can now use the link on the left of the page, or directly at tcatapano@valleystream13.com
Reading Unit of Study
The focus of the next unit in reading is to explore the most important ideas in a story or article. Thinking about what is important is a strategy that readers use to make sense of text. When authors write stories and articles, there are things they really want people to learn and remember. The are the important ideas.
Writing Units of Study
The next writing unit is one of my favorites: poetry. We will begin to explore the ingredients of a poem, how to turn stories into poems as well as looking at ordinary objects and find the poetry hiding in them. We will look at various elements of poems such as line breaks, beat, poems that do not rhyme, using interesting language and the imagery and feeling that is created.
Math
Our math curriculum map, aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards for New York State, continues to extend their understanding of base-ten notation, building fluency with addition and subtraction facts, using standard units of measure and describing and analyzing shapes.
In our next unit in our math curriculum the children will be exploring money and how to substitute coins to make equivalent amounts as well as making change.
Our interactive computer program, FAST Math will help to practice addition and subtraction facts throughout the week in the classroom.
Don't forget to utilize the HSP website to practice and review these concepts.
Social Studies
We will begin a Multicultural Unit and learn about our diverse Dever community. The children will learn about the immigration process that many of our ancestors experienced many years ago as well as family members who have recently moved here from another country. More information will be sent home soon!
Science
Our Houghton Mifflin Science program will focus on three areas of science: Plants & Animals & Living Things, The Earth's Surface, and Matter & Energy. The children seemed to enjoy our last unit on plants and animals and I know will enjoy learning about "Treasures From Earth." The upcoming chapters in this unit will focus on rocks, soils and fossils. Then, we will learn about using and saving our Earth's resources.