A busy, busy week!Monday, Oct. 30th:
Field TripIf you have not already done so, please fill out this form by Monday, Oct. 30th, so that your child can go on the Field Trip to the Round Rock Serving Center on Monday, Nov. 13th. UpcomingMath: Next week we will wrap up our first unit of multiplication with our Eights Facts. By the end of the week, we will have practiced the multiplication facts of 1s, 10s, 5s, 2s, 4s, and 8s. For homework, please practice and help your child memorize these multiplication facts, as shown on the chart below. You can do this with flash cards, by randomly asking problems, and so on. ***[This weekend, please keep in mind that we haven't started the 8s just yet.] Science: We are continuing to work on Unit 4 Force, Gravity, and Motion. They will explore with push, pull, and magnetic hands-on activities. Reading: We are beginning our Expository Unit. Expository is nonfiction, such as informational (like a book about sharks) and procedural (how to) texts. We will begin looking at various text features we can use as tools to help our understanding, such as diagrams, glossaries, and indexes. Writing: As we study expository text during our new unit, students will learn the difference between a personal narrative and expository composition. We will be generating ideas for expository compositions and write about what’s important to us. Social Studies: We are beginning to learn about the structure and function of the American government. This week we are learning about the three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Red Ribbon WeekStudents are encouraged to participate in the different spirit days this week: Monday - "I'm a JEAN-ius! No drugs for me!" - Students are encouraged to wear jeans and red tops to show support for Red Ribbon Week Tuesday - "SOCK it to drugs!" - Students are encouraged to wear crazy socks Wednesday - "TEAM up against drugs!" - Students are encouraged to wear their favorite sports shirt or a Sommer t-shirt Thursday - "Say PEACE OUT to Drugs!" - Students are encouraged to wear tie dye and peace signs Friday - "Let's be CRAZY about being drug free!" - Students are encouraged to have crazy hair MultiplicationWe have started multiplication! Please help your child practice and memorize the multiplication facts for 10s and 5s, all the way to 10 x 12 and 5 x 12.
Spelling BeeHere's the information for the Spelling Bee:
Oct. 31st: Character Dress-Up DayOngoing Events:Please review last week's messages about Book Fair, Fundraising, and donations opportunities. UPCOMING FOR 10/23 - 10/27
Math: We are continuing our new unit on multiplication. We focus on learning strategies to solve problems involving multiplication. We will use repeated addition, equal-sized groups, arrays, area models, equal jumps on a number line, and skip counting. This week we will focus on the doubles strategy. Science: On Monday we will have our Unit 3 DCA. The rest of the week, students will start Unit 4 Force, Gravity, and Motion. They will explore with different hands-on activities. Reading: We are continuing to analyze the elements of poetry. At the end of the week we will have a cumulative DCA over Fiction and Poetry. Writing: We will finish up our unit in poetry with writing poems using metaphors and personification. Social Studies: We are finishing up citizenship and moving into our next unit, Government in Our World. Flu Vaccine ClinicOur district has teamed up with Healthy Schools, to offer your child a free Flu Vaccine regardless of your health insurance coverage. We’ve made it as convenient as possible to safeguard your child against the flu this season. Be on the look-out for your child to bring home their “Teach Flu a Lesson” consent form this week. All you have to do is fill out the form, and have your child return it to his or her teacher. We will take care of the rest and remember there’s no cost involved to you. The Healthy Schools team will be at our school vaccinating students on Monday October 30th from 8 a.m to 11:30 am. Please tell your child ahead of time what to expect; please don't let it be a surprise. Coins for CoatsWe will be collecting Coins for Coats on October 25, 26, and 27. Our goal this year is at least $10 from each classroom. The class with the most collected funds at the K-2 level and 3-5 level will win an assortment of books pulled from the book fair for your classroom library! Box Tops for EducationThe P.E. coaches collect Box Tops for Education to help supply their budget to buy more equipment. Please send them in a bag labeled with your child's name, teacher, and grade level, and we will make sure to pass them along. Book DriveStudent Council is holding a Book Drive next week. Please send unwanted books through Friday. Spelling BeeThis is the information we have so far. (Teachers have not yet received the list of words students will be asked to spell. ) Multiplication: 10s and 5s; doubles nextWe have started multiplication! Please help your child practice and memorize the multiplication facts for 10s and 5s, all the way to 10 x 12 and 5 x 12. If your child seems to master those at home, start on the 2s, 4s, and 8s. We will refer to these as:
Chris Barton VisitAuthor Chris Barton will be visiting on Tuesday. If your child has a book by this author, he/she may bring it and have it autographed, even if they missed the pre-sale here. Innovation Station This WeekUPCOMING FOR 10/16 - 10/20
Math: We are continuing our new unit on multiplication. We focus on learning strategies to solve problems involving multiplication. We will use repeated addition, equal-sized groups, arrays, area models, equal jumps on a number line, and skip counting. This week we will focus on strategies for x2 , x5, and x10. Science: We are continuing with forms of energy. The focus will be on thermal and sound energy. Science DCA over forms of energy will be the week of the 23rd of October. Reading: We are learning the difference between topics and themes and applying that knowledge to poetry. We will continue to learn the elements and analyze poetry. Writing: Students are writing their own poems. They are incorporating sensory imagery and metaphors, as modeled in the mentor texts we read in class. Social Studies: We are reading poems about and/or written by historical figures who exemplify Good Citizenship, such as Clara Barton, Helen Keller, and Ruby Bridges. No School on Monday and TuesdayMonday has been reserved for Fall Conferences, and Tuesday is Staff Development. ConferencesPlease note your conference time, which is available here. Remember to allow time for parking and arrival to the classroom [upstairs, room C205], so we can being promptly at the scheduled time. I have locked the conference schedule, so if you need to make an adjustment, please email me directly as soon as possible. Please understand that I only check email intermittently on the weekend. Our time allotted for a conference is only 20 minutes long, and my goal is to share information regarding you child's current performance and goals for the school year. To better facilitate our conversation, if you have a specific concern, you may either email these questions in advance or bring them the day of your conference. Sommer GardenWe visited the garden for the first time this week! We planted, observed some other plants already growing, and talked about the Round Rock Serving Center, where the vegetables go once they are harvested. Up & ComingMath: We will be starting our new unit on multiplication. We focus on learning strategies to solve problems involving multiplication. We will use repeated addition, equal-sized groups, arrays, area models, equal jumps on a number line, and skip counting.
Science: We will be continuing to explore with different types of energy. This week our focus is on light and thermal (heat) energy. Reading: We are beginning our Poetry Unit. Students will analyze and describe the different forms of poetry Social Studies: Students will identify historical figures such as Helen Keller and Clara Barton and contemporary figures such as Ruby Bridges and military and first responders who exemplify good citizenship Writing: Students will analyze the sensory details of sight, sound, and touch in order to generate idea for the writing process. |