Week of 2/23

We had a great week last week! Look at the pictures below of our Space Day and also of our Valentines pics from the week before. Here is what's ahead for this week:

Reading - Literature circles - The children have made great gains since last semester! I am extremely proud of them. Their lexiles have jumped quite a bit since the beginning of the year. Yeah! The best way to become better readers is to simply READ, and to read on your level. You can't grow if you are reading things too hard or too easy. We spend quite a lot of time reading leveled books. Another important aspect of becoming better readers is to discuss what your reading. We do that in small groups. Many of the children are beginning to do some higher level reading skills such as making inferences. We will work on that specific skill in a couple of weeks, but truly it is developmental. This week we will work on the skill, cause and effect. This too is another higher level reading skill.

Math - add and subtract fractions with like denominators, relate fractions to decimals on a number line, compare and order decimals, review previously learned skills

Social Studies - We will be looking at the Midwest Region of the US on Monday using a map and labeling states, land features, and products. On Tuesday, the children will begin an independent study of the Midwest. When they finish their study, they should have a better understanding of the important people and events of that area of our country. We will test on the the state locations and capitals in about 2.5 weeks. This will be the week before Spring Break. (Can you believe that? I can't get over how quickly this year has flown!)

English - parts of speech review, creative writing

Spelling - I forgot my spelling list, but will post the words on the SpellingCity.com site tomorrow. I will also post enrichment words.

Spanish - The children will have a test coming up next Tuesday. We will prepare this week for the test and I will send home the study guide by the end of the week. The test will mostly be over plant parts and habitats.

Have a super week! Don't forget to order your yearbook, if you haven't done that yet and you want one.