Newsletter: October 30-November 12

Literacy

Reading Workshop: Nonfiction Unit of Study
We will be finishing our Nonfiction Unit of Study next week. We have spent the past month learning about the different styles of nonfiction, author's purpose, text features, and the different text structures authors use to present information including description (main idea/supporting detail), chronological order, problem-solution, cause and effect, and compare and contrast. We continue to practice summarizing big ideas, and will finish our study by learning to use evidence from multiple texts to support our thinking in written responses. We will have an end of unit assessment on Thursday, November 7. We have been doing a lot of practice in class with these skills through mini lessons, small group, and independent reading tasks. Students may do additional practice of these skills at home on IXL if they choose. The skills have been "starred".

November Genre of the Month: Biography
In November, students will be expected to read and summarize at least one biography as part of our Forty Book Challenge. During the month of November, they are asked to read their selected book and complete a brief summary/reader's response in their Reader's Notebook. All entries should be completed in their Reader's Notebook and turned in to Mrs. Cioni no later than Friday, November 22. 

Math

Unit 3: Whole Number Multiplication and Division
In this unit, students will be learning to multiply by a 2-digit number. They will also be learning to divide by a 1-digit number. Students are asked to practice their basic facts every night for 5-10 minutes. There will be a quiz on long division on Monday, November 4, and the Unit 3 test will be on Friday, November 8.

Advanced Math

Unit 3: Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
In this unit, students will be learning to make equivalent fractions, and how to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers. Students can access additional practice of these skills on Matholia. The skills will be available on a "Unit 3 Task List" as we learn them in class. There will be a test on Unit 3 on Tuesday, November 5.

Unit 4: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Students will learn to multiply and divide proper fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers. They will be asked to apply these computational skills as they practice solving real world, multi-step problems.

Social Studies: A Tour of the Northeast and Southeast

This week, we conclude our tour of the Northeast by learning about life in a cotton mill, and how goods and services are produced using available resources. Next week, we will travel to the Southeast to learn how geography, climate, and resources help to shape the cultures of a region. There will be a map quiz on the 12 states in the Southeast on Tuesday, November 12.

Upcoming Events...

October 30 Math Club during lunch recess
October 31 Halloween parade and party
November 4 Happy Birthday, Matt!
November 5 VIP/Book Talk: Matt
November 11 Veterans Day Assembly
November 12 VIP/Book Talk: Anna
November 12 ICTM Individual Contest practice during lunch recess
November 14 ICTM Team Contest practice during lunch recess
November 15 Report cards emailed home
November 15 Author visit: Laurie Wallmark
November 19 VIP/Book Talk: Lauren
November 20 Math Club during lunch recess
November 25-29 No School: Fall Break/Thanksgiving