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Reading: Today students practiced reading their selected picture books, paying careful attention to reading with fluency and expression. Students will read their books to classes at Anderson Elementary later next week. Homework is to read their picture books aloud to an adult at least three times this weekend.

Language Arts: We finished journaling our review ideas about the meanings of Core Democratic Values (CDVs). Students will use these notes to take a stand on issues next week.

Spelling: Today, students completed a mini-poster to review rules for making plurals. 

The Level Four Core Word list is an option for continued practice.

Math: Students participated in Math Skills, and completed a MiniQuiz over division.

Notes:

• HELP WANTED: Mr. Keilitz is looking for parents willing to help with Field Day, which is at the end of May. If you are willing to help, please fill out the form here. Thanks!
• Mackinaw Fundraising Update: our class has raised $2,078, which is 77% of our goal. We have $622  remaining to reach our goal of $2,700. Visit our Straits of Mackinaw field trip page for the latest updates. 
• Interested in going to Mackinaw? We have only two more chaperone spots available for the trip. Fill out the form here if you would like to go.
• McGrath Family Cookbooks are now on sale. Copies can be purchased for $10 and all proceeds go towards our Mackinaw trip. Checks are payable to McGrath.

Reading: Today we began a two-week oral reading fluency project. Students are studying the behavior of good readers (read with expression, vary the speed, volume and pitch of their voice, practice reading the words) and will soon select a picture book to practice reading with expression. They will read their books next week to classrooms at Anderson Elementary. Homework later in the week will be for students to read their picture books to an adult at home.

Language Arts: We began a short unit on persuasive writing, including the “Take a Stand” format of social studies writing using Core Democratic Values (CDVs). We started making CDV mini-books to review the meaning of the CDVs, and will later form opinions and support ideas with evidence and proof.

Spelling: Today, students spelled words as a word preview for the next spelling test.

The Level Four Core Word list is an option for continued practice.

Math: Groups reviewed or extended their work with the partial quotients method of division. Homework is to write and solve five (5) division problems, and have an adult at home check and sign off on the work.

Science: Students completed a mini-experiment that involved measuring models of the earth and moon. Students discovered that the earth is four times bigger than the moon, and that the moon is over 30 “earths” away from our planet.

Social Studies: Student teachers from the Working and Playing Jigsaw project group led the class to review important ideas from their lesson. We will finish learning about the last important group of Michigan indians this week, and will have a test soon.

Notes:

Reading: None due to shortened schedule.

Language Arts: Today was a work day in Writer’s Workshop. A piece of writing was due today. Several students did not make the deadline and indicated that they would finish their piece over the break.

Spelling and Cursive: Students took a spelling and skill test today. Worksheets for the next unit can be found here.

The Level Four Core Word list is an option for continued spelling practice at home. 

Math: None due to half-day schedule.

Science: None due to half-day schedule.

Social Studies: None due to half-day schedule.

As a spring activity, we made paper-stuff baseball mitts, using brown paper bags. The mitts will go in our showcase after break.

Have a great Easter holiday and spring break!

Notes:

Reading: We read our shared book, Esperanza Rising.

Language Arts: Today was a work day in Writer’s Workshop. Students should be publishing for this piece of writing due tomorrow, April 13.

Spelling and Cursive: Today, we reviewed how to make plural nouns, which will be the skill for tomorrow’s spelling test. Following are rules for plurals:

1. Word ends in “x” or “ch”? Add “es”. (fox to foxes, itch to itches)
2. Word ends in “y”? Change to “i” and add “es”. (city to cities).
3. Some words have new plural forms. (tooth to teeth, mouse to mice).
4. Some words don’t change plural forms. (sheep to sheep, deer to deer).
5. Most words just add “s”. (pencil to pencils)

The Level Four Core Word list is an option for continued spelling practice. 

Math: None due to half-day schedule.

Science: We received new science books–“Sun, Moon and Earth,” we made Sun, Moon and Earth mini-books, and we brainstormed some ideas we already know about these space bodies.

Social Studies: None due to half-day schedule.

Notes: