December 15th, 2009
Class activities for Tuesday, December 15
Spelling: We learned that some vowels sounds can be made by different spelling patterns (for the short e sound: e in yes, ea in ready)
Cursive: Cursive worksheet pp. 51-53 are available and due on Monday.
Reading: Students continued to practice for their monologue, reading their selection with good tone, speed and volume. The monologues will be presented on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Writing: We talked about writing a “waterfall lead.” Comparing a story to a river, a lead should begin a little “upstream” from the beginning of the action. If a writer starts writing too close to the action (the waterfall), the reader may be confused. If the lead begins too far “upstream,” the reader may get bored waiting for the important action to begin.
Students also started an editing conference today. The next piece of writing will be a fiction piece, due Friday, December 18. Students should be editing by now.
Math: We practiced solving number stories today, learning these strategies:
- Understand the number story;
- Make a plan (make a drawing, a table, a list);
- Follow your plan;
- Check if the answer makes sense.
Homework is to complete Journal pp. 62-64.
Science: We reviewed yesterday’s magnet experiment and learned that the force of magnet decreases over distance.
Social Studies: Students wrote fictional personal narratives from the point of view of a Flint Sit Down striker from the 1930s.
- Yellow magnets: 3
- Orange magnets: 0
- Red magnets: 0
- STAR Awards: 0
- Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 6
Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet. Need help with SnapGrades?
Notes:
- Our Mexican Fiesta party is Friday, December 18. Family members are needed to help with food preparations, set up, cleanup, and with the piñata. We also need help with food donations. Click here to see our volunteer list and add your name to the bottom if you are attending.
- Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
- View grades, assignments, and attendance at SnapGrades.
Our Mission:
Every student in Room 130 leaves improved and prepared for 5th grade.
