In math, we are deep into our study of capacity and volume. We have been
doing labs that use both metric and customary tools. Our lab work has
included the use of graduated cylinder and eyedroppers to measure
milliliters. We have also used cups, pints and quarts to "race to fill a
gallon" with rice in a customary way. We will conclude our week with an
exercise in volume. Students will be asked to predict how many cubic inches
will it take to fill a Kleenex box?
In science, we have been experimenting with mirrors, light and circuits to
explore non-living systems. We have learned that one change in a system can
cause it to breakdown or behave in a different way. (e.g. What happens when
we remove the pedals from a bike?) We have also learned that light moves in
a straight line and can be reflected by a mirror. Mirrors have also helped
us to identify symmetry in nature. We have also discussed other ways in
which shapes transform/move: translations, reflections and rotations. (We
have also been reviewing subtracting across zeros).
In reading, we are sad to see that our Shiloh story time is coming to an
end. What a wonderful book! The author Naylor has shown us several wonderful
examples of similes, metaphors and character development. Have you met a
character meaner than Old Man Travers? We have also used this text to help
us focus on our comprehension questions (see our links page), discuss main
idea and summarize. Aside from Shiloh, we have been reading short texts to
help us make inferences using back ground knowledge and context clues.
In spelling, we are studying words that have Latin and Greek roots or
prefixes related to numbers. Can you think of months that have numbers in
their name? e.g. October (8) and November (9). Can you think of others?
In writing, we are really taking some time to slow down our development
process. We began the week with a writing prompt and a refresher on the fine
points of pre-writing strategies. We have also found that reviewing other
students' writing helps us to hone our own skills. We have read and
discussed several pieces, while focusing on how we can give positive feedback
for changes. Prewriting has really helped us to organize our stories. What
happens when we dive into a story without deciding a direction or a sequence
for our events? Will it be organized or chaotic?
This week, we have also started doing more interventions with our students.
This change means more attention for all! :) :) I will be working with a
smaller group of students, and some of my students will be going out to get
additional support from other teachers. Remember, in RRISD our goal is to
see every child succeed! I am pleased to see my class working hard and
striving for success everyday.
Please stay tuned for weekly newsletters. :)Miss K.
PS- Please see the calendar section for upcoming events, and the link pages
for practice games.