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Spelling: Students made a Words to Learn list of words they missed on the spelling test we took on Monday. This is their personalized spelling list for the next test; words this year will recycle, so words missed now can be mastered later with a little study at home.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 39, 40, and 44 were made available today and will be due Friday, December 1.

Reading: Today was a reading day in Literature Circles. We also read our paper (Time for Kids) and had our coffee (juice).

Writing: Today was a work day for students. Students should be nearing the end of their rough draft or starting to revise. A piece of writing is due Friday, December 1.

Math: Today students completed a test over the following concepts:

• addition
• subtraction
• data landmarks (maximum, minimum, median, mode, range)
• bar graphs
• reading and writing large numbers (up to millions)
• identifying the value of digits in a number (the 9 in 598 is worth 90)

Science: None today due to art.

Social Studies: Things reached fever pitch as several students filed a lawsuit challenging the “no chair tipping” class law. They were heard in the Class Supreme Court by Justices David, Kayla and Iain. After several arguments, including, “it’s a habit” and “we won’t fall if we just tip a little,” the Supreme Court found that the law was fair and did not violate the class rule: “Always follow the High Fives.” The law was upheld. Some students are now contacting their representatives and senators to ask them to write a new law.

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!

Spelling: Students completed a spelling and skill test today. Look for a Words to Learn list tomorrow.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 39, 40, and 44 were made available today.

Reading: Today was a discussion day in Literature Circles.

Writing: None today due to technology.

Math: Today we played mathsketball to review for the math test tomorrow. Here is a practice test and answer key. Concepts to be assessed include:

• addition
• subtraction
• data landmarks (maximum, minimum, median, mode, range)
• bar graphs
• reading and writing large numbers (up to millions)
• The value of digits in a number (the 9 in 598 is worth 90)

Science: We completed an experiment today that involved creating a switch for an electrical circuit. Homework is to finish the analyze and conclude questions of the On or Off? experiment.

Social Studies: We created a class government, including the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The representatives wrote a bill to ban tipping back in chairs. It passed in the House by a 3-2 margin. The bill passed in the Senate 2-0. Next it went to the govenor, and he signed the bill. Police officers are now enforcing the class law, and some have already been fined a team point for breaking the law. It is rumored that some are ready to sue the state on the grounds that the law is against their rights.

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!

Spelling: Today we practiced writing words with digraphs (ph, th, wh, sh, ch). There will be a spelling test on Monday and the skill test will involve writing words with digraphs. The unit 3 spelling packet will also be due on Monday.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 36-38 were due today.  

Reading: Today was a reading day in Literature Circles. We also had a narrative reading test.

Writing: None today due to the half-day schedule.

Math: Today we had Math Skills.

Science: None today due to the half-day schedule.

Social Studies: None today due to the half-day schedule.

Honor Roll: Congratulations to Kayla, Noah, Joshua W., Erin, Cole, Tiyanna, David, McKenna, and Brandon for making the Honor Roll! We also talked about goals students could set to make the Honor Roll next marking period or earn an Improvement Award.

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!

Our next field trip is coming soon; here are the details:

• When: Tuesday, December 1, 2015
• Time: Meet at McGrath at 7:15 am for 7:30 departure. Back to McGrath at or before 3:00 pm.
• Where: Michigan Capitol Building and Historical Museum in Lansing.
• Cost: No cost for students, except for souvenirs. Up to five parents are admitted free of charge.
• Permission Slip: Download the permission slip for this trip here
• Lunch: Bring a sack lunch with disposable containers.
• Chaperones: We are looking for chaperones for our field trip. We’ll even throw in a free bus ride! Our school asks that you have a Volunteer Information Profile on file with the office. Would you or a family member like to chaperone? Just fill out the form below:

Spelling: Today we learned four rules for using capital letters:

We will have a spelling test on Monday, and the skill test will assess consonant digraphs (ph, th, wh, sh, ch) and words with digraphs. The unit 3 spelling packet will also be due on Monday.

Cursive: Cursive worksheets pp. 36-38 were made available this week and are due on Friday.  

Reading: Today was a discussion day in Literature Circles. We also read our shared book, Esperanza Rising and had silent reading WEB. Ask your student what they discussed today in Literature Circles.

Writing: Mrs. Bodary, our literacy specialist, was with us today for a lesson on developing the setting of a story. The next piece of writing will be due December 1.

Math: None today due to the half-day schedule.

Science: None today due to the half-day schedule.

Social Studies: None today due to the half-day schedule.

Behavior Update:

Ask your student what kind of choices they made.

Notes:

• Conferences have begun. Click here for a list of conference times.
• Juice Volunteers for Friday, December 1: Shawn and Alison. Click here for a full list of juice volunteers.
• Book orders are due on Friday, November 17. Visit the Online Book Order page to order by credit card online.
• 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!