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Spelling: We reviewed when to use apostrophes (for contractions and possessive nouns) and when not to (for possessive pronouns). Students learned that if it would make sense to say the word in question as two words, then use an apostrophe. For example, if you can say you are then use you’re if not, use your.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences of at least seven words each are due Friday.

Reading: Students worked on their Literature Circles projects today.

Writing: Students turned in their Take-a-Stand pieces into their portfolios and typed them on Google Docs (docs.mrhowd.com). Some students did not finish typing their pieces, so homework is to finish typing the Take-a-Stand piece on Google Docs by Friday.

Math: Students practiced the partial products method of multiplication and estimating products. Homework is to finish a multiplication worksheet and Journal pp. 128-129 started in class.

Science: We reviewed last week’s response sheet and experiments about how vibrations cause sound.

Social Studies: We reviewed the French Explorers Alphabet Soup organizer from last week and started taking notes in our minibooks. We also reviewed (some were learning for the first time) the names and locations of the continents. We sang a song:

Do You Know the Continents?
sung to Do Your Ears Hang Low?
(listen in a new window)

Have you been to earth?
Do you know the continents?
There is North America and
South America, too.
Europe, Asia, Africa
And Australia, mate!
And Antarctica, brrrrr!

Homework is to finish a worksheet labeling the location of the continents.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 3
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Current Hours with No Orange Magnets: 14

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Notes:

• March is Reading Month. Class goal: 100 books (limit of two “just right” picture books for each student) by March 28!
• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers (full list): Jadin and Hannah. Thanks for your generosity!
• Visit our Mackinaw Field Trip page for more information on our May 9 trip.

***A guest teacher was with us yesterday, so those activities are included in today’s post.***

Spelling: Students worked on the Unit 8 spelling worksheets yesterday. None today due to discussing yesterday’s class behavior (75% good choices, 25% poor choices).

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences of at least seven words each are due Friday. This week’s assignment will be due Monday.

Reading: Yesterday and today were the final reading and discussion days of this cycle of Literature Circles. Students also started planning their Literature Circles project today.

Writing: Students continued working on their Take-a-Stand piece yesterday. They have received a checklist to help them include all components of a Take-a-Stand persuasive piece.

Find example Take-a-Stand pieces here, and a full explanation of the parts of a Take-a-Stand persuasive piece here.

This piece is now due Monday, March 24. Since we are going to email this piece to the Flint Journal and the letter addressee, it would be helpful to have the document typed on Google Docs (docs.mrhowd.com). I can also provide comments and suggestions if the document is shared with me as a collaborator.

Math: Students practiced the partial products method of multiplication yesterday and today.

Science: None today.

Social Studies: Students completed a MiniQuiz about the Underground Railroad today.

Behavior Update (last two days):

• Yellow magnets: 6
• Orange magnets: 2
• Red magnets: 1
• STAR Awards: 0
• Current Hours with No Orange Magnets: 7

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Hoppy Easter, everyone!

Notes:

• March is Reading Month. Class goal: 100 books (limit of two “just right” picture books for each student) by March 28!
• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers (full list): Jadin and Hannah. Thanks for your generosity!
• Visit our Mackinaw Field Trip page for more information on our May 9 trip.

Spelling: Students received the Unit 8 spelling packet today.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences of at least seven words each are due Friday.

Reading: Today was the final reading day of this cycle of Literature Circles; some groups worked on visualizing and making connections.

Writing: Students planned, organized and conferenced for their Take-a-Stand piece. They also received a checklist to help them include all components of a Take-a-Stand persuasive piece.

Find example Take-a-Stand pieces here, and a full explanation of the parts of a Take-a-Stand persuasive piece here.

The next piece of writing, a persuasive Take-a-Stand piece, is due Thursday, March 20.

Math: Students learned a new multiplication method today called partial products. Homework is to finish Journal pp. 125.

Science: Students created a code using sounds to send messages to other students. Homework is to finish the Dropping In response sheet.

Social Studies: We reviewed Michigan’s role in the Underground Railroad and took notes in our minibooks.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 0
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Current Hours with No Orange Magnets: 30

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Notes:

• March is Reading Month. Class goal: 100 books (limit of two “just right” picture books for each student) by March 28!
• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers (full list): Jadin and Hannah. Thanks for your generosity!
• Visit our Mackinaw Field Trip page for more information on our May 9 trip.

Spelling: None today due to our St. Patrick’s Day festivities, including songs and the “Wearin’ o’ the Green contest!” Watch a movie about St. Patrick’s Day here.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences of at least seven words each are due Friday.

Reading: Today was a discussion day in Literature Circles; some groups worked on making connections.

Writing: None today due to technology.

Students are continuing to work on a Take-a-Stand piece. (Here is a full explanation of the parts of a Take-a-Stand persuasive piece.)

The next piece of writing, a persuasive Take-a-Stand piece, is due Thursday, March 20.

Math: We practiced estimating products today. Homework is to finish Journal pp. 122-124.

Science: None today due to our St. Patrick’s activities.

Social Studies: We read about Michigan’s role in the Underground Railroad. Homework is to finish review worksheet p. 19.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 2
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Current Hours with No Orange Magnets: 22

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Notes:

• March is Reading Month. Class goal: 100 books (limit of two “just right” picture books for each student) by March 28!
• Progress reports were sent home today.
• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers (full list): Jadin and Hannah. Thanks for your generosity!
• Visit our Mackinaw Field Trip page for more information on our May 9 trip.

Here’s our week in 60 seconds:

• Spelling: Words to Learn list, word preview, contractions
• Cursive: Ten cursive sentences
• Reading: STAR test, Literature Circles
• Writing: Take-a-Stand persuasive piece, data, rough draft, piece due March 20
• Math: Distributive property in multiplication, estimating sums
• Science: Light and energy test, properties of sound
• Social Studies: Underground Railroad code quilts and Take-a-Stand elements and Core Democratic Values
• Notes: Wear lots ‘o green on Monday, St. Patrick’s Day!

[Play Audio]