What are we learning this week?

4/29-5/3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading

 

                                                      

 

 

 

For core literature, we will begin our "BOOK CLUB"! The students will be reading the story, "Lily and Miss Liberty" written by Carla Stevens.  The students will be able to think deeply about the text, and use "Think-Marks" while they read the story, to deepen their comprehension of the story elements. While reading the story in our "Book Club" each student will be responsible for summarizing the text using their own words, understanding point of view, character analysis, and author's purpose. This will be an enjoyable and positive learning aspect for the students as they grow individually as readers; and utilize higher order thinking skills on the basis and foundation of Bloom's Taxonomy.This is an exciting and enriching aspect of our literature curriculum for the students as readers!

 

 

 

 

 

Math:

The Test for Unit 9 will be Friday, May 3rd

In Unit 9, children will be focusing on the important skills of Multiplication and Division and develop a variety of strategies for multiplying whole numbers. Students will begin to utilize mental math tactics; such as drawing pictures, making diagrams, and computing in one's head.  Later in this unit, children will be introduced to TWO specfic algorithms, or methods, for multiplication: The Partial-Products algorithm and the Lattice Method.  The Partial-Products algorithm is a variation of the traditional multiplication algorithm that most adults learned as children. Please note that the multiplication is done from LEFT to RIGHT to emphasize place value in the numbers being multiplied. When working with your child, it is essential to verbalize this method, so they understand and say 4 [20s], not 4 x 2.  In doing so, your child will gain a deeper and better understanding of the magnitude of numbers associated with a greater understanding of number sense.  The Lattice Method of multiplication is introduced for several reasons; it provides multiplication practice, addition with 1 digit numbers, and many students find it fun! Also in this unit, children will: Write and solve multiplication and division number stories involving multiples of10, 100, and 1,000. Solve division number stories and interpret the remainders, and increase their understanding of positive and negative numbers.

 

 

 

•  Please continue to review the Multiplication Facts with your child! The children have done great so far on their  "Multiplication Master" journey!

 

 

 

• We have THREE Multiplication Master's so far in our classroom! Congratulations to KARLEE, AMELIA, AND JAKE! Keep up the great work, I am so proud of each of you! I am confident that there will be more Multiplication Master's soon!

 

 

 

• The Student Reference Book is a very useful tool, and the children should bring this book home frequently.  It displays various algorithms that we will be using this year to solve number sentences.  It has a variety of essays to provide a deeper understanding for each concept learned in class. 

 

 

 

 Click here to go to the Everyday Mathematics website for insight about the Curriculum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing:

 In writing this week, the students will be practicing writing on demand.  The students will be given many different topics to write about.  The students will plan, write, and edit a response within a 30 minute timed period.   The students will write about their own life and about fictional topics.  

 

 

Science

Matter Unit

This week we will begin to learn about matter.  Matter is anything that takes up space.  The students will begin to explore the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.  The students will also participate in an activity to find out the properties of matter.  During this unit, the students will prepare for their first formal test.  Please be on the look out for a study guide and the text book so that you can help your child study. 

 

 

 

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