Week of 4/25/11 - 4/29/11

Highlights for the Week of 4/25/11-4/29/11 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

English - Expository Writing

Students will be writing their third and final expository essay this week. They will be writing about their heros. They will be planning their essay using the organizer, writing the rough draft and proofreading on their own. The final draft will be due on Friday, 4/29.

Social Studies - Land & Climate of the Southwest

The Southwest Region map QUIZ is scheduled for Monday, 4/25. Students should use the map that they created to prepare for the quiz. The next topic that we will focus on is the climate of the Southwest.

Science - Why is the Force of Gravity Important? / Simple Machines

We will be finishing gravity with a QUIZ on chapter 16, lesson 3 on Tuesday, 4/26. Simple machines is the next topic that we will study in science, beginning with a look at the lever.

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Unusual Spellings

This week's list consists of words with unusual spellings. The final test on this list will be on Friday, 4/29. The cursive page & workbook pages will also be collected that day.

Reading - "I Can Identify Topic, Main Idea & Supporting Details"

Our reading target for the week is to identify topic, main idea, and supporting details. Topic is what the whole text is about. The main ideas are important points about each topic. Each paragraph can have its own main idea. Supporting details are facts and examples that support each main idea.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will be taking a look at using formulas to calculate area at the beginning of the week. Students will be taking a QUIZ on lessons 1-4 of chapter 23 on Wednesday, 4/27.

Don't Forget...

April 29 - Marble Party Celebration (Mrs. Bell's Homeroom) - Pizza & Movie

May 13 - Early Dismissal

I am so proud of my homeroom students who have earned a second "Marble Party", celebrating good behavior in our classroom. Students have voted to watch the movie, "Marley & Me" after enjoying a pizza lunch in the room. Please be sure to return the movie permission slips on or before April 27th. I will be providing pizza and popcorn, but students must bring their own healthy drink. Congratulations to my amazing students!

Students will be taking the Spring MAPS test for reading and math this week. My homeroom students will be testing on Tuesday and Friday. Please make sure that your child comes to school well rested, and has a healthy breakfast on those days.

Mrs. Karen Bell