Lessons & Assignments Monday, February 1st*

Language Arts - read passage - We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar page in class.  We also introduced our new vocabulary words for the week, and completed our packets in class.  We finished up our biography projects, and read our vocabulary story.  This week's unit will also be only one week, so our test over this material will be on Friday, February 5th!

Math - None - We completed lesson 8.7 on fractions as a group.

Science - None - We took the chapter 9 test today.

Social Studies - None - We read about community businesses today, and completed a worksheet in class.

*Please note:  These plans are tentative.  I am out of the classroom today to attend my grandpa's funeral.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, January 29th

Language Arts - None - We completed our weekly assessments today.  We also worked on our biography projects.

Math - None - We learned about fractions greater than one today.  When I was a kid, we called these improper fractions.  :)

Science - None - We learned about weather maps today, and did our test review game.  Our open book test over chapter 9 will be on Monday.

Social Studies - None - We had Aidan's final Star of the Week presentation during our social studies time today.

Reminder:  January reading logs due Monday!

Dear Juno Vocabulary Slide Show

Click HERE for this week's vocabulary terms.

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, January 28th

Language Arts - read passage, cursive, study - We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar pages in class today.  The students listened to their selection story and leveled readers on the iPads, and we continued working on our biography projects.  Our spelling, vocabulary, and reading tests will be tomorrow.  Tests will include determining the author's purpose for writing (persuade, inform, or entertain), r-controlled vowel spelling words, and action verbs.

Math - None - We practiced ordering fractions on a number line today.  This skill will be necessary when students start to compare fractions.

Science - None - We read about weather today, and watched some Discovery Education video clips on different types of severe weather.

Social Studies - None - We read about community businesses today, and completed a goods and services foldable for our social studies journals.

Reminder:  field trip attendance form due tomorrow!

Classroom Visitor

Aidan's dad visited our classroom today to tell us about his job as an electrician.  We learned 4 ways to be safe with electricity, saw all of the tools and equipment necessary for the job, and even got to climb in the bucket of the bucket truck!  We had a blast today!!  If you would like the individual picture of your child in the bucket, email me, and I'll send it to you.

Mad Money

The students played the Mad Money game on PBS Kids' website today to practice making good economic choices.  They really enjoyed it, and made better money decisions than I did!  :)

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, January 27th

Language Arts - read passage, ws 162 - We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar page in class today.  We listened to our weekly story on the iPads.  In small groups today, Mrs. Pratt worked on phonics skills using r-controlled vowel words.  My groups read our leveled readers on Laura Ingalls Wilder, and reviewed vocabulary.  We came back together as a large group to start a biography report on Laura Ingalls Wilder.  We will use the example for a model for an upcoming biography report later this quarter.

Math - None - We finished lesson 8.4 today on fractions of a whole.  We practiced using fraction strips, and the students were challenged to draw flags based on the fractions provided in word problems.

Science - None - We started reading about weather and clouds today.  The students completed a cloud diagram for their science journals.

Social Studies - None - We read about making wise choices with your money today.  After our lesson, the students were able to play the Mad Money game from PBS kids to practice making good economic choices.  The link is on my blog if you want to play at home (note - it won't work on tablets because a flash player is needed).

Social Studies Game

Click HERE to get to the game!

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, January 26th

Language Arts - read passage - We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar page in class today.  We participated in our Action Verbs rap/movements today too!  We also read our weekly story, Author: A True Story.  We will focus on determining the author's purpose this week, which is a review skill from first semester.  Mrs. Pratt played a game with the students today with r-controlled vowel words.  The students had to determine if the words were spelled with -ir, -er, or -ur.  Great job reading the passages last night - remember to keep returning them signed each day!

Math - None - We talked about unit fractions today.  Unit fractions are fractions with 1 as the numerator.  For example - 1/6, 1/4, 1/2, 1/45.

Science - None - We did a writing activity on the water cycle today.  Students had to use vocabulary terms to describe how water gets from a puddle on the playground to the ocean.

Social Studies - None - We did a needs and wants Kahoot quiz game in class today.

Star of the Week

Aidan is our Star of the Week this week!

Lessons & Assignments Monday, January 25th

Language Arts - read passage, vocab packet - We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar pages in class today.  We introduced our vocabulary words, and spent some time working on our vocab packets.  Those who were unable to finish in class need to finish them for homework tonight.  The terms/definitions can be found on my blog.  This week's spelling and vocab list were sent home with students today.  Please remember to study these each night.  This week is a skill review week, so our test will be on FRIDAY, 1/29!  This is a change from our regular routine, so please take note.  This week's reading passage also went home with students today.  Based on last week's test results, I suspect that not everyone was reading the passage each night.  I have added a parent signature requirement to this week's passage.  Your child must read the passage aloud to you 2 times each evening.  Please initial the box on the back, and return it to school each day.  A score will be recorded for this activity.

Math - None - We completed lesson 8.2 on finding equal groups with fractions today.

Science - None - We made a water cycle diagram for our journals today.

Social Studies - None - We used our social studies time to get caught up on corrections and make up work.

Action Verb Song

We are learning about action verbs in language arts this week.  Check out this fun video we used to introduce them!

Verb Video

Author: A True Story Vocabulary

Click HERE to see this week's vocabulary slide show.  

The test over these words will be on Friday, January 29th.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, January 22nd

Language Arts - None - We took our weekly assessments today.  Results were sent home with students today.

Math - None - We started chapter 8 on fractions today.  Students completed lesson 8.1 in class.

Science - None - We read about the water cycle today.  We will create a diagram for our journals on Monday.

Social Studies - None - We read about making a budget today.  We finished a budget worksheet together in class.

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, January 21st

Language Arts - read passage, study spelling/vocab, contraction sentences - We completed our DOL in class today.  We played our contraction game again today, and were able to do it much faster - hooray!  We spent some time reviewing how to restate a question in a written answer, and finished up our comprehension questions.  In small groups, Mrs. Pratt worked on contractions.  My groups worked on determining the theme of a story, and identifying verbs.

Math - None - We took the Go Math mid-year assessment today.  The results of this assessment will help me determine which areas the students need extra help with.

Science - None - We read about the importance of water today.  We watched a Discovery Education video clip on this topic, and a Study Jams video on freshwater vs. salt water.  We also read a book on our Epic app about water, and discussed the importance of it.

Social Studies - corrections - We previewed unit 5 and chapter 9 today.  Students worked on a vocabulary preview page in class.  If they were unable to finish in class, the vocab page needs to be completed for homework.  Some students need to make corrections to their unit 4 tests at home for homework tonight.  If this was the case, I wrote a note in your child's planner.  Our social studies tests are open book, and I provide students with the page numbers to find the correct answers.  My philosophy is that it is more important for students to know how to use informational text, rather than memorize information.  Please help your child navigate through the text to find the answers, as many of them are "right there" in the text.  Thanks!

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, January 20th

Language Arts - read passage, study spelling/vocab - We completed our DOL in class today. We played a Kahoot quiz game on our iPads to review spelling, and also played an "I have, who has" game with contractions.  We continued working on our comprehension questions as well.  Mrs. Pratt and I decided to move the reading test back a day, so please note that the reading test will be on Friday this week, along with the spelling/vocab tests.

Math - None - We took the chapter 7 test over division today.  Results were sent home with students today.

Science - None - We started our next chapter in science, which will be about the water cycle.  We completed a "globe spin" activity for students to collect data on the amount of water compared to the amount of land on Earth.  We recorded the data in our journals.

Social Studies - None - We took the unit 4 test today.

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, January 19th

Language Arts - read passage, study spelling/vocab, cursive - We completed our DOL in class today.  Students had some time to work on their cursive spelling page, but those that weren't able to finish need to do it for homework tonight.  We also reviewed combining nouns in sentences by moving around the room and making sentences from various task cards.  The students listened to our weekly story on the iPads, and started working on comprehension questions over the story.  Remember to keep reading the passage that was sent home last week, and to keep studying spelling and vocab!

Math - None - We reviewed chapter 7 today.  We completed a review worksheet, and also did some online review on Go Math's website.  Our chapter 7 test will be tomorrow.

Science - None - We took our chapter 8 open book test today.

Social Studies - Chapter 8 worksheet - We continued working on the chapter 8 worksheet in class today.  We started this on Friday.  Those students that were unable to finish in the 2 class periods need to finish it for homework tonight.  We will take our open book unit test tomorrow.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, January 15th

Language Arts - None - We completed our DOL, grammar, and spelling page in class today.  The students listened to our weekly story on the iPads.  We also took practice spelling and vocabulary tests today.  Next Friday we'll take the real deal.  Today we introduced a new app called Epic.  This app contains tons of free books, and we can't wait to start reading!

Math - None - We reviewed chapter 7 today in class.

Science - None - We watched a Discovery Education video about recycling today, and listed types of recycling that we saw in our journals.  We also played a review game on the iPads.  Our open book test will be on Tuesday.

Social Studies - None - We started the chapter 8 review sheet.  We will finish this on Tuesday.

Reminder: No school Monday!

Classroom Visitor

Eli's dad visited our classroom to tell us all about his job at Lyondell in Clinton, where they turn natural gas into plastic.  This fit perfectly with some of the topics we've been covering in science!  We loved seeing the pictures of the trains, and watching Eli try on his dad's safety equipment!

Water Pollution

We have been reading about different types of pollution in science class.  Today students were provided with a container of "pollution" that can harm the water.  As I read a story to the class, each student had to listen for his or her item, then add it to the water.  Check out our pictures below, and ask your child, "Who polluted the water?"

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, January 14th

Language Arts-  read passage - We played a Kahoot quiz game today to sort nouns as people, places, or things.  We also played one to review contractions.  We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar pages in class as well.  We read our weekly story called A Castle on Viola Street.  We will practice identifying the theme in this story, as well as the theme in other stories next week.  We watched a short Habitat for Humanity video on a young boy and his family working on their house.  That is the plot of our weekly story, so it fit perfectly!

Math - None - We learned about order of operations today - whew!  The kids did a great job.  We will take the next few class periods to review, and our test will be next Wed.

Science - None - We completed a lab activity on water pollution today.

Social Studies - None - We had a classroom visitor during our social studies time today.

Reminder:  Book orders due tomorrow

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, January 13th

Language Arts - read passage - We finished our vocab packets in class today.  We also played a Kahoot online game over nouns and contractions.  We completed our DOL, grammar, and spelling pages in class today.  We also read our vocabulary story to review our new words.  We discussed how to determine the theme of a story.

Math - None - We worked on 2-step problems today.  This was a tough lesson, and the kids did great!

Science - None - We learned about conserving resources today, and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.  The students made posters for the hallway with conservation tips.

Social Studies - None - We didn't have social studies today due to the early dismissal.

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, January 12th

Language Arts - read passage - We played 2 online review games today over contractions and nouns.  We completed our DOL, spelling, and grammar page in class today.  We also tried out a new app to display our vocabulary slide show today.  The students were able to use it to complete their vocabulary packets in class.

Math - None - We discussed dividing by 9 today, and spend some time using the Go Math app to review chapter 7.

Science - None - We had Ag in the Classroom today.

Social Studies - None - We learned about how advances in medicine have helped make us healthier.  We completed a foldable of famous scientists and doctors for our journals.

Reminder:  SIP early dismissal tomorrow

Vocabulary Slide Show

Language arts vocabulary slide show for 1/11-1/22 - A Castle on Viola Street

Click here

Lessons & Assignments Monday, January 11th

Language Arts - read passage, study spelling - We took our argument writing assessment today in class.  I also handed out this week's spelling and vocabulary words.  Our test over this list will be on January 22nd.  Students are also bringing home a reading passage that needs to be practiced at home every night.  This is part of their reading test.  For first semester, I read this portion of the test aloud to the students, but would like to encourage more independence for 2nd semester.  By practicing it at home every night, your child will be better prepared for the test.

Math - None - We divided by 7 and 8 today.

Science - None - We finished reading about the importance of soil today, and also read about pollution and how it impacts our environment.

Social Studies - None - We read about inventions that have made our lives easier such as the lightbulb, the reaper, and the camera.  We completed a lesson worksheet in class.

Star of the Week

Eli is our Star of the Week this week!

Lessons & Assignments Friday, January 8th

Language Arts - None - We finished our argument writing piece about having homework over school breaks.

Math - None - We discussed dividing by 6 today and completed our chapter quiz in class.

Science - None - We made models of soil layers today.

Social Studies - None - We watched a Discovery Education video about Thomas Edison today.  We will be reading about him and his inventions in class on Monday.

Soil Layers

We have been reading about soil layers in science class.  Today we used some fun snacks to make a model of the bedrock, subsoil, topsoil, and humus.

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, January 7th

Language Arts - None - We played a fun noun review game in class today.  We continued working on argument writing by reading an article about whether or not students should have homework over school breaks.  Each student had to choose a side of the argument, and use details from the article to explain his/her reasoning.

Math - None - We practiced dividing by 3 and 4 today.  The students are doing a great job, and we are just buzzing through this chapter!

Science - None - We read about the different types and layers of soil today.  Tomorrow we will make a model of the soil layers.

Social Studies - None - We read about how communication has changed over time.  We learned about the Pony Express, Morse Code, and the invention of the telegraph and telephone.

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, January 6th

Language Arts - None - We did a practice quiz over verbs today.  We also talked about what argument/persuasive writing should look like.  We practiced writing a few short pieces of argument writing by playing "Would You Rather."

Math - None - We completed 2 lessons today - diving by 10 and dividing by 5.  The kids did a great job on both of these lessons today!

Science - None - We read about renewable, reusable, and nonrenewable resources today.

Social Studies - None - We read about how transportation has changed over time.  We learned about Lewis & Clark exploring in boats, about the invention of the steam engine, Henry Ford and the assembly line, and the Wright brothers.

Dividing by 2

Today in math we learned about dividing by 2.  I told the students that if any of them had a sibling, they were naturally inclined to divide things by 2 when they share.  In order to illustrate this point, I gave students a pack of Smarties and asked them to share with a partner.  They easily divided by 2, and I got the remainders!  :)

Cookie Mining

Today in science we started our chapter on resources.  In order to better understand natural resources, we discussed mining and how it impacts the land around it.  We used chocolate chip cookies and toothpicks as models to "mine" for chocolate chips!

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, January 5th

Welcome Back!

Language Arts - None - We took our 3rd quarter assessment pretest today, and our Star Reading winter benchmark assessments.  This week we will be working on argument/persuasive writing.  We will not have a reading or spelling test this week.

Math - None - We took our Star Math winter benchmark assessment today, and started chapter 7.  Chapter 7 continues division.  Today we focused on dividing by 2.

Science - None - We started chapter 8 today on resources.  We previewed the chapter and completed a lab activity.

Social Studies - None - We started chapter 8 today on communication and transportation.  We completed a vocabulary preview sheet in class.