The Sixth Sense

Reading
Our first two lessons in Theme 2 focused on plot and character.  Students have been analyzing the personality traits of the main character and discussing how these traits impact the plot of a story.  The stories we read in class were “Befiddled” and “S.O.R. Losers.”  We have also been looking at vocabulary words that have multiple meanings and discussing how to use context clues to determine the appropriate definition of a word.

Book clubs also met for the first time this week.  Students dialogued with their group members about the assigned reading and shared the role that they had completed (i.e. artful artist, word wizard, connector).  Ask you child to share with you what their book is about and whether or not they are enjoying the story so far.

Math

In Mrs. Johnson’s and Mrs. Mitchell’s math classes, students learned to write and solve division expressions and equations.  We also talked about how to use the order of operations (“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.) to solve challenging, multi-step equations.  In another lesson, students learned how estimate division equations using compatible numbers.  We also did problem solving where students had to decide whether or not an answer was reasonable based on the information presented in the problem.  Mrs. Johnson’s class did problem solving that involved creating a list or table to find the correct answer.  Some of Mrs. Johnson’s enrichment activities over the past two weeks included solving multi-step equations, “mystery numbers,” and “magic squares.”

Science
In our meteorology unit, students learned about humidity and relative humidity and about hygrometers, which are used to find the air’s humidity level.  We also talked about radar and how it is used to track storm systems.  In the Kids Discover magazine on weather, we read about different clues in nature that relate to weather forecasting.

Social Studies
Our Reconstruction unit is over.  We are now moving on to Immigration.  Students will learn why people immigrated, what they brought with them, what the voyage was like to America, as well as how they began their new lives in America.  We will be using the book Immigrant Kids to guide us through this unit.

Writing/English
In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, students completed their personal narratives.  Our next writing piece will involve persuasive writing.  In English, we discussed conjunctions and compound sentences.  We will be finishing our first English unit soon.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students spent time editing their rough draft and then wrote the final published copy.  Students submitted their personal narrative unit for the final grade.   In English, we learned about compound subjects.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

Reading

Theme 1 has come to an end.  Theme 2 will begin Monday.  In this theme, students will read about people who use problem solving skills to face different challenges.  The comprehension skills will involve plot and characters, rereading to monitor comprehension, main idea and details, and summarizing texts.  Book Clubs will also begin on Monday.

Math

In both math classes, we are starting Chapter 3 which will focus on division.  Our first lessons teach the students about division expressions, division equations, and order of operations.  Please continue to look over your child’s homework each night to see if it is complete.

Science

In our meteorology unit, students learned about air pressure and how high and low pressure systems impact the weather.  Students also learned how to read a barometer and thermometer.  Next week, students will be collecting and recording air pressure and air temperature data.

Social Studies

We are nearing the end of our Reconstruction unit.  Students will be taking the test on this unit Monday, November 2.  An outline of the information that students will be responsible for has been handed out.  Students should begin studying this information each night for about 15 minutes.  Creating good study habits now will benefit your child’s education in the future.

Writing/English

In Mrs. Mitchell’s class, we are revising our rough drafts for our personal narrative and will be publishing them within the next two weeks.  In English, we are working on the last few lessons in our first unit.  The last few lessons involve conjunctions, compound sentences, and correcting fragments and run-ons.

In Mrs. Johnson’s class, students wrote a rough draft of their personal narrative, including a catchy introduction.  Then students worked on revising this first draft.  Next week we will write the second draft.  In English, we talked about simple subjects and simple predicates.  We also continue to work on Daily Language Review to practice grammar skills.

Monday, August 31 is our first day of school!  Don’t forget to bring the items mentioned in our survival pamphlet.  Both Mrs. Johnson and I are excited to meet all of you!  Enjoy your weekend and see you on Monday!

We are less than two weeks away from the start of school!  By now you should have received a “Survival Guide” from us.  With the “Survival Guide” is a parent survey.  Parent surveys can be given to your teacher during the first week of school!  Make sure to read everything carefully so that you are thoroughly prepared.  We look forward to seeing you the first day!

The Letort library is open on Wednesdays from 9-12 during the month of July.  If you need a book or magazine to read during your free time, Mrs. Ulmer is more than willing to help you out!  Again, don’t forget to log your reading minutes on your tracking sheet for the Reading Carnival!