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Spelling: Today we identified all the common spelling patterns for the /ks/ sound: x, ks, cks, kes. Students are working on the unit 4 spelling worksheets; a copy can be downloaded by visiting the Spelling page.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 39, 40, and 44 were made available last week and students will also have this week to work on them. They are due tomorrow.

Reading: Today was a discussion day in Literature Circles. We also had WEB. 

Writing: Today we learned that there are two things writers do to make their characters come to life: write realistic dialogue, and use description to describe the character and how he acts. Students should be editing or publishing their piece of writing by now in order to meet the deadline, which has been moved to Monday, December 4.

Math: We began a project to practice product, factor, prime number and multiple. Students created factor trees, with the product at the top and factors extending down to prime numbers. Multiples were placed below the trees.

Science: We used this time to work on the math project. We will have a double science time next week.

Social Studies: We added notes in our government minibooks about the levels of government: local, state and federal. Homework is to complete worksheets pp. 31 and 33.

Behavior Update:

Ask your student what kind of choices they made.

Notes:

• Juice Volunteers for Friday, December 1: Shawn and Alison. Click here for a full list of juice volunteers.
• We are looking for donations of cardboard tubes (toilet tissue, paper towel, wrapping paper) for class projects. The tubes can be sent in any time during the year; this project will be on-going. Thanks for any help you can give!

Spelling: Today we identified all the common spelling patterns for the /s/ sound: s, ss, sc, ci, ce, cy. Students are working on the unit 4 spelling worksheets; a copy can be downloaded by visiting the Spelling page.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 39, 40, and 44 were made available last week and students will also have this week to work on them.

Reading: Today was a reading day in Literature Circles. 

Writing: Today was a work day for students. Students should be editing their piece of writing by now in order to meet the deadline, which has been moved to Monday, December 4.

Math: We worked on factors and products today, and students sorted their multiplication fact triangles into “know” and “don’t know” piles. Homework is to finish math boxes 3.2.

Science: We reviewed the “On or Off?” experiment and learned about open and closed circuits. Open circuits have gaps that stop electricity from flowing. In closed circuits, all the pieces are connected so electricity can flow.

Social Studies: We added notes in our government minibooks about the branches of government, how a law is passed, and what taxes are for. We also began learning about levels of government: local, state and federal.

Behavior Update:

Ask your student what kind of choices they made.

Notes:

• Juice Volunteers for Friday, December 1: Shawn and Alison. Click here for a full list of juice volunteers.
• We are looking for donations of cardboard tubes (toilet tissue, paper towel, wrapping paper) for class projects. The tubes can be sent in any time during the year; this project will be on-going. Thanks for any help you can give!

Today we visited Michigan’s Capitol and the Historical Museum. We had a busy day:

Capitol

• We saw the Senate and House
• We were announced in the House by Representative Robertson
• We saw the historical Supreme Court chambers
• We layed on the glass floor in the rotunda

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Museum

• We saw everything from Indians, to beaver pelts, to the Civil War, to automobiles and bomber planes
• We saw a few Flint notables: Durant Car Company, Flint Sit-Down Strike, the UAW

Visit the photos page for an illustrated tour of our trip!

Spelling: Today was a preview of spelling words for the upcoming test. The unit 4 spelling worksheets were also made available. You can download the latest worksheets by visiting the Spelling page.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 39, 40, and 44 were made available last week and students will also have this week to work on them.

Reading: Today students finished their reading assignment from last Tuesday, then discussed their responses with their Literature Circles group. We also read our shared book, Esperanza Rising.

Writing: None today due to technology. The next piece of writing is due Friday, December 1. Students should be revising and close to editing for this piece.

Technology: Some students are still working on finishing up their digital inspirational poster that we have been working on for the first marking period of the year. Thursday, students can stay after school from 4:00 to 5:00 to finish up this project.

Math: Today we reviewed data landmarks (median, mode, minimum, maximum, range), discussed factors and products, and made fact triangle flash cards. The fact triangles help students to practice multiplication and division, and are kept in an envelope in their math journal. This is an option for regular math facts practice at home. Homework is to finish math boxes 3.1.

Science: None today due to preparations for tomorrow’s field trip.

Social Studies: We learned about local government. We read that cities, towns, townships and counties have the same three branches of government.

Behavior Update:

Ask your student what kind of choices they made.

Notes:

• Capitol Field Trip tomorrow! Click here for more information or a permission slip.
• Juice Volunteers for Friday, December 1: Shawn and Alison. Click here for a full list of juice volunteers.
• We are looking for donations of cardboard tubes (toilet tissue, paper towel, wrapping paper) for class projects. The tubes can be sent in any time during the year; this project will be on-going. Thanks for any help you can give!

Today we focused on our Thanksgiving blessings. We listened to the Shaker song, Simple Gifts, and learned a dance to the song. We then wrote down all of the things we are thankful for (our Thanksgiving blessings). Some students filled a page front and back. I asked students to share some of these blessings at their Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

After listing our blessings, students created a wreath to display some of their blessings.

Art and Spanish rounded out the day.

Hope your family has a happy Thanksgiving holiday!

Behavior Update:

Ask your student what kind of choices they made.

Notes:

• Capitol Field Trip on Tuesday, November 28. Click here for more information or a permission slip.
• Juice Volunteers for Friday, December 1: Shawn and Alison. Click here for a full list of juice volunteers.
• We are looking for donations of cardboard tubes (toilet tissue, paper towel, wrapping paper) for class projects. The tubes can be sent in any time during the year; this project will be on-going. Thanks for any help you can give!