Week of January 26th

This weeks happenings...

Reading

In reading we continue to look closely at elements of a story and how these elements help us to visualize the story. Visualizing the story helps us to comprehend or understand the story. We will continue over the next couple of weeks to explore story elements through various texts. This week we focused on setting and how great descriptive writing helps us to visualize the story. We read Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. She does an amazing job of using words to paint a picture in our minds as readers.

Writing

This week we spent 3 days working with Mrs. Gramling in the library on how to research information about topics we are interested in writing about. Writers learned how to use the call numbers to find books in the non-fiction section of our library. They learned how to take notes and develop essential questions around their topic. Once they had 2-3 essential questions around their topic they learned how to use both encyclopedias and online encyclopedias to try and find answers to their essential questions. We will now take the information we have gathered in our research to begin writing non-fiction books. 

Math

This week we finished unit 7 and our 4 x tables. Mathematicians need to continue to practice facts until they become fluent. Fluent is being able to recite facts without using fingers or scratch paper. 

Social Studies

We have finished our unit on Colonial Times and will move on to the Revolutionary War next week. Today we had a visit from The Traveling Trunk and learned about what life was like for children in the 1800's. Historians were able to play different games and even write their name with a quill pen and ink. They learned that many of the games we play today were also played long ago. Click the link below to see a slide show movie of our visit. 

Ball and Cup

Jacks

Marbles

Pick up sticks

Spinning tops

Stereoscope

TRAVELING TRUNK

Science

We have begun our study of earth materials and are learning about different types of rocks. Look for new information coming soon to the science tab about these rocks. 

General class news

Be sure to check the class calendar link to stay up to date on things happening in our classroom and around the school. We will exchange Valentines on Friday, February 13th. Click the link below to get a class list. 

Class List