Newsletter: March 9-27

Literacy

Writing Workshop: Opinion Writing
In this unit, we will learning the art of persuasive writing. Students will brainstorm topics they have strong opinions about. They will learn to identify their targeted audience and purpose for writing. In their writing, they will learn to clearly state their opinions and support their opinions with reasons.

March Genre of the Month: Mystery
During the month of March, students have been reading their selected mysteries. Similar to our book clubs in January, students are to be recording their thinking using the "Notice & Note" sign posts. They can either record their thinking on Post-Its or right in their Reader's Notebook. If they are using Post-Its, they can just put the Post-Its in their Reader's Notebook when they are finished. No additional writing is required. All Reader's Notebooks are due no later than Tuesday, March 31.

Math

Unit 10: Perpendicular and Parallel Line Segments
In this short unit, students will learn to identify and draw perpendicular and parallel line segments.

Advanced Math

Unit 11: Graphs and Probability
Student will be learning to make and interpret line plots and double bar graphs, and compare two sets of data. We will be experimenting with probability and how to calculate all the possible outcomes of an event.

Science: Waves

We will begin our last science unit by working to define waves through observation and learning about how waves behave. We will also be investigating the shape of waves and how to measure them.

Upcoming Events...

March 10 VIP/Book Talk: Isla
March 11 IAR State Testing @ 1:15 (Math Unit 1)
March 12 IAR State Testing @ 1:15 (Math Unit 2)
March 12 3rd Grade performance
March 16 Green Day (wear green for St. Patrick's Day)
March 16 IAR State Testing @ 1:15 (Math Unit 3)
March 17 No School: Election Day
March 18 VIP/Book Talk: Dimitri
March 18 Math Club
March 18 IAR State Testing @ 1:15 (ELA Unit 1)
March 19 IAR State Testing @ 1:15 (ELA Unit 2)
March 20 Permission slips for Art Institute due
March 20 Pajama Day/Movie 
March 23-27 Spring Vacation
March 24 Happy Birthday, Dimitri!

Newsletter: February 20-March 6

Literacy

Reading Workshop: Fiction Unit of Study
Our final lessons of the Fiction Unit of Study will have us exploring the language and format of a play. Students will be identifying the tone and mood of a story, as well as conflict and tension. We will continue to practice our written responses to literature and making connections across texts.

Writing Workshop: Expository Nonfiction
In this unit, students have been learning research skills such as taking notes, categorizing information by subtopic, and conducting effective Internet searches. They have taken the information they gathered and written an expository text with features such as a table of contents, an engaging introduction and thoughtful conclusion, a glossary, a bibliography, and an author biography section. We are in the process of doing final edits and revisions this week and next. We will have a Writing Celebration to share our work with the other classes next Friday, February 28.

February Genre of the Month: Science Fiction or Fantasy
During the month of February, students have been reading their selected fantasy or science fiction book. Similar to our book clubs in January, students are to be recording their thinking using the "Notice & Note" sign posts. They can either record their thinking on Post-Its or right in their Reader's Notebook. If they are using Post-Its, they can just put the Post-Its in their Reader's Notebook when they are finished. No additional writing is required. All Reader's Notebooks are due no later than Friday, February 28.

Math

Unit 8: Adding and Subtracting Decimals
In this unit, students have been learning to add and subtract decimals. They are asked to continue to practice their basic facts every night for 5-10 minutes. There is a test scheduled for Tuesday, February 25.

Unit 9: Angle Measurement
In this short unit, students will be learning to measure and draw angles to 180 degrees. There is a tentative test scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. 

Advanced Math

Unit 9: Multiplying and Dividing Decimals
Students will be learning to multiply and divide decimals. They will be applying these skills when converting metric measurements. There is a test scheduled for Wednesday, March 4.

Social Studies: Midwest/Illinois

We will conclude our study of the Midwest with a look at how agriculture in the Midwest has changed over the last 200 years, and how these changes and advancements in technology have impacted the economy of Illinois.

Upcoming Events...

February 17 No School: Presidents' Day
February 25 VIP/Book Talk: Leah
February 26 Math Club
March 2 Happy Birthday, Sara!
March 3 VIP/Book Talk: Sara
March 6 Report cards issued

Newsletter: January 27-February 18

Literacy

Reading Workshop: Fiction Unit of Study
Our next Schoolwide reading unit will focus on reading fiction. In this unit, students will learn to identify the characteristics of different types of fiction- traditional literature, myths, fairy tales, etc. The students will also be reviewing the elements of a fiction story. The beginning presents the setting, characters, and conflict or problem. The middle of the story includes the plot. The ending reveals the resolution to the conflict or problem. In addition to identifying story elements, students will infer the mood or theme of a story and analyze how characters change over time.

Writing Workshop: Expository Nonfiction
In this unit, students will be learning research skills, such as taking notes, categorizing information by subtopic, and conducting effective Internet searches. They will take the information they gather and write an expository text with features such as a table of contents, an engaging introduction and thoughtful conclusion, a glossary, a bibliography, and an author biography section.

January Genre of the Month: Realistic Fiction
During Reader's Choice time, students have been reading their selected novel with their book club. All book club books are realistic fiction and share a common theme of empathy. Each group's reading schedule can be found on KidBlog. Book clubs will be meeting every Tuesday to discuss that week's reading assignment. The final meeting dates are January 28 and February 4. All work should be posted to KidBlog by the start of school each Tuesday in preparation for these meetings. 

February Genre of the Month: Science Fiction or Fantasy
During the month of February, students will use their Reader's Choice time and home reading time to read their selected books. We will be selecting books in the LMC on Thursday, February 6. Reading responses in their Reader's Notebook are due no later than Friday, February 28.

Math

Unit 7: Decimals to the Hundredths
Students will be learning about decimals to the hundredths. They will be comparing and rounding numbers, and learning about the relationship between fractions and decimals. They are asked to continue to practice their basic facts every night for 5-10 minutes.

Advanced Math

Unit 6: Area
In this short unit, students will be learning to find the area of rectangles with fractional sides. Students will also be taught how to identify the base and height of a triangle in order to calculate its area. There will be a test on Unit 6 on Thursday, January 30.

Unit 8: Decimals to the Thousandths
Students will be learning about decimals to the thousandths place. They will be comparing and rounding numbers, and rewriting decimals as fractions.

Social Studies: Midwest

We begin our study of the Midwest this week. In this unit, the focus of our lessons and discussions will be on analyzing geographical, cultural, and environmental changes over time, and investigating and explaining historical events. We will begin with a look at industry throughout the Midwest and how changes in industry affect the people and economy of an area.

Upcoming Events...

January 27 Happy 1/2 Birthday, Alexander!
January 28 VIP/Book Talk: Alexander
February 4 Mr. Haefke presents on renewable energy projects
February 4 ICTM Math Contest #2 for Individuals
February 4 VIP/Book Talk: Jake
February 5 World Read Aloud Day/Skypes with authors Mariane Malone and Lisa Schmid
February 6 ICTM Math Contest #2 for Teams
February 7 Mr. Zohar presents on wind energy
February 7 Patton PTA Fun Fair from 6:30-8:30 PM
February 11 Mrs. Donahue presents Erin's Law @ 1:15
February 11 Energy Debates in the LMC!!!
February 11 VIP/Book Talk: Claudia
February 12 Valentine's Day party @ 2:30 PM
February 13 Happy Birthday, Claudia!
February 13-14 No School: Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 17 No School: Presidents' Day

Newsletter: January 8-21

Literacy

Reading Workshop: Content Area Reading
(See Science below)

Writing Workshop: Expository Nonfiction
In this unit, students will be learning research skills, such as taking notes, categorizing information by subtopic, and conducting effective Internet searches. They will take the information they gather and write an expository text with features such as a table of contents, an engaging introduction and thoughtful conclusion, a glossary, a bibliography, and an author biography section.

January Genre of the Month: Realistic Fiction
During Reader's Choice time, students have begun to read their selected novel with their book club. All book club books are realistic fiction and share a common theme of empathy. Each group's reading schedule can be found on KidBlog. Book clubs will be meeting every Tuesday to discuss that week's reading assignment. Meeting dates are January 14, 21, and 28, and February 4. All work should be posted to KidBlog by the start of school each Tuesday in preparation for these meetings. 

Math

Unit 6: Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Students will conclude their work with fractions with a focus on problem solving. Students are asked to continue to practice their basic facts every night for 5-10 minutes. The Unit 6, Part 3 test will be on Friday, January 17.

Advanced Math

Unit 5: Algebra
In this next unit, students will learn about variables. They will learn to simplify algebraic expressions and to solve inequalities and equations. There will be a test on Unit 5 on Friday, January 17.

Science: Energy Transfers

We will be wrapping up our Energy Transfers unit in these next three weeks. Students are designing experiments to test theories about energy transfers and drawing conclusions from their data.  The final performance task will have students inventing machines using multiple energy transfers to complete a simple task, much like a Rube Goldberg invention.

As part of our science unit, we have been focusing our reading on content area reading. Through our mini-lessons we have been building our technical vocabulary and adding to our schema about energy. Students continue to read about different forms of energy in order to compare and contrast, understand big ideas about energy usage, and formulate opinions of their own. The science/reading unit will conclude in January with our renewable energy debates. With the help of Mrs. Melamed, we will be teaching the students how to form an opinion supported by fact, formulate questions, and brainstorm possible solutions for problems that exist with current renewable energy resources.

Upcoming Events...

January 8 Happy 1/2 Birthday, Drew!
January 9 Happy 1/2 Birthday, Max!
January 14 VIP/Book Talk: Drew
January 20 No School: MLK Jr. Day