An Update from Room 16

We have really hit the ground running since being back at school!

Math
We have completed Unit 5, which focused on Geometry. Geometry is a difficult concept due to the multiple vocabulary words students are expected to know, but your children did a fabulous job! Their hard work was reflected in their Unit 5 test scores; I am so proud of them. We did many fun things during this unit. A definite highlight was having Mr. Weatherhead, Mrs. Weatherhead, and Mrs. Sward in for rotating center work. During these centers, polygons, symmetry, and tangrams were reviewed. We also created 3-D shapes using straws and twist ties. We created square pyramids independently, and various pyramids (rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, and octagonal) in small groups. Here are some pictures below!

We have now started Unit 6 in math. Just a reminder, if you would like to see what we cover in Unit 6, there is a link on the side of my blog which tells you all of what Unit 6 entails.

Reading
The past few weeks, we have been working on a difficult comprehension skill, summarizing. Summarizing is a tough skill for students because they struggle to differentiate what information is important to include in a summary, and what information is not relevant. This week, we are reading a non-fiction text about dancers at the Alvin Ailey dance school. In our small reading groups, we are reading other non-fiction texts, specifically biographies, about people involved in the arts.

Writing
In writing, we have been working on How-To's. We completed our "How To Make a Snowman" in class (see pictures below), as well as selected a final How-To topic that we will publish and place in our classroom library. Those should be finished up this week- I am so excited to see the final products!!

Grammar
We have been talking a lot about verbs. Last week, the students were extremely creative when they made their "Verb Man/Woman." They thought of different verbs that various parts of the body use, and wrote those verbs on the appropriate part of the body. They are hanging proudly in our hallway. We have covered present-tense verbs, past-tense verbs, and this week we are studying the verb "have." The students should know that they use "has" when the subject is singular, and "have" when the subject is plural, or I or you. We will be playing a fun game tomorrow to help us practice this skill!

Science
We have officially started out unit on Fossils!! The students completed a K-W-L chart where they shared with the class what they think they know about fossils, and what they want to know about fossils. We have covered the initial definition of a fossil, and today in Computer Lab students watched a video and completed a scavenger hunt while watching. Next we will learn about the different types of fossils!

Other News...
Please sign and return your child's report card at your earliest convenience. Additionally, we are collecting Star Wars items for the gala this year. Any Star Wars donations you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

I'll leave you with some other pictures of students "playing teacher" while reviewing partial sums, and playing "Pico, Ferme, Nada," a game that reinforces place value skills.