Week of 4/1/13 - 4/5/13

Highlights for the Week of 4/1/13 

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - More VCV Words
This week's spelling list will again focus on the VCV (vowel-consonant-vowel) pattern. The final test on this lesson will be given on Friday, 4/5. The workbook pages OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Pourquoi Tales
For the next two weeks, we will be studying "pourquoi" tales.  A pourquoi tale ("pourquoi" means "why" in French),  is a fictional narrative that explains why something is the way it is, for example why a snake has no legs, or why a tiger has stripes. Many legends and folk tales are pourquoi stories. We will begin by looking at characteristics of different tales, and then students will write their own pourquoi tale.

English - Explanatory Writing

We have written our first explanatory essay which explains why a dog makes a good house pet. The next step is for the students to write an essay with a partner.  The essay will explain what they would do if they had a robot. 



Social Studies - The Southwest
We will continue working on the brochure project.  Our goal is to complete it this week.  We will also work on completing the Southwest portion of the United States map that has been our project all year.

Science - Simple Machines / Invention Convention
Students should continue working on their inventions, which are due on April 16th. We will be learning about levers and pulleys this week.  Students will take an open note/book QUIZ on lesson 1 of chapter 17 on Thursday, 4/4. 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Customary Measurement

Conversion of customary units, and customary weight and capacity will be our focus this week. 

Don't Forget...
March 25 - Spring Break Begins

April 2 - Classes Resume after Spring Break 
April 9 - NO SCHOOL 
April 12 - NO SCHOOL
April 18 - Prairieview Open House - 6:30-8:00 p.m.


Mrs. Karen Bell 

Week of 3/18/13 - 3/22/13

Highlights for the Week of 3/18/13

 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - The VCV Pattern
This week's spelling list will focus on the VCV (vowel - consonant - vowel) pattern. The final test on this lesson will be given on Friday, 3/22. The workbook pages OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - I Can Identify Fact and Opinion

We will continue our study of how to identify fact and opinion by examining nonfiction passages.  Students will work in small groups, and will read pieces about three sports heroes:  Mark McGwire, Marion Jones & Roberto Clemente.  Students will examine the text to determine where the author used fact and opinion to tell the story of these heroes' lives.  On Wednesday, students will take a QUIZ in which they will read a short biographical passage about Wilma Rudolph, and answer multiple choice questions about how the author used fact and opinion in the piece.

English- Explanatory Writing
Our review of the components of an explanatory essay will continue with a look at how to write a "hook", and using transition words. As a class we will be writing an essay about what makes a dog a good house pet. We will be using a graphic organizer to format our ideas for the essay.

Social Studies - The Southwest

The TEST on chapter 10 in Social Studies is scheduled for Monday, 3/18. A study guide for the test was sent home with students. On Tuesday, we will begin working on the writing project for the SW region.  Students will be creating a brochure that highlights one of the states in the Southwest.  Students will conduct research to find information about different attractions in their chosen state, and will be using Publisher software to create their brochures. 

Science - Simple Machines / Invention Convention

Our new unit this week will focus on simple machines. Students will learn about the different types of simple machines, with emphasis on the lever. We will also begin working on our "Invention Convention" project. The students will be asked to identify a problem in their lives and come up with an invention that helps to solve this problem. Think simply...this does not have to be a complex invention. An informational letter, project time line/calendar, rubric and contract will be handed out in science class on Monday, March 18th. All students are expected to complete this assignment. The contract, or plan, for the invention is due in class on Thursday, March 21st. We will then review each contract to make sure they are on the right track. Once we confirm that they are moving in the right direction, students will be free to begin constructing their inventions. Inventions aren't due until after spring break, and the construction of the invention will be done at home. We will not be giving time in school to work on the project.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The TEST on chapter 20 & 21 is scheduled for Wednesday, 3/20. Topics covered on the test will include lessons 1, 2, 3 and 6 in chapter 20, and lessons 1 and 3 for chapter 21. On Thursday, we will begin chapter 22, which is customary & metric measurement.

Students have enjoyed playing a "Basketball Geometry" game in class to practice transformations.  Please click on this link if your child would like to play it at home:

http://www.factmonster.com/math/knowledgebox/player.html?movie=sfw50957
Don't Forget...

March 19, 2013 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00
March 22, 2013 -- End of 3rd Quarter
March 25, 2013 -- Spring Break Begins 

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/11/13 - 3/15/13

Highlights for the Week of 3/11/13

in Mrs. Bell 's Classroom

Spelling - Changing the Final "y" to "i"
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 3/11.  Cursive & workbook pages OR challenge work will also be collected that day.


Reading - I Can Identify Fact & Opinion
For the next two weeks, we will be studying how to identify fact and opinion in text passages. A fact is something that can be proven true by looking it up in a reference source.  An opinion tells what a person thinks, believes or feels. The theme of the stories that we will use to practice this skill is "heroes". The first hero that we will read about is legendary baseball player, Lou Gehrig. 

English - Explanatory/Informational Writing

We will be taking a break from the English textbook to study explanatory writing. During this unit we will study the different components of an explanatory/informational essay, practice together, and eventually write a 5 paragraph essay. This week we will focus on how to brainstorm and organize ideas.




Social Studies - The Southwest - "Oil & Technology"

The last lesson in this region focuses on the economy of the Southwest.  We will study how the oil and technology industries have impacted communities.  The chapter 10 TEST is TENTATIVELY scheduled for Monday, 3/18.

Science - The Human Body
Students will finish the partner project creating a mural of the internal organs of the human body. The chapter 4 TEST is scheduled for Friday, 3/15. The study guide for the test will be sent home at the beginning of the week.  The test is NOT open note/book.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Motion Geometry
We will continue our study of motion geometry with a look at turns, symmetry and transformations.  Students will take a QUIZ on lessons 1-3 of chapter 20 on Wednesday, 3/13. We will then move on to chapter 21, which focuses on solid figures. The final assessment on chapters 20 & 21 will be combined, and is TENTATIVELY scheduled for the week of 3/18.

Don't Forget...

March 19, 2013 - Early Dismissal
March 22, 2013 -- End of 3rd Quarter
March 25, 2013 -- Spring Break Begins 

The Prairieview PBIS team is extending a wonderful opportunity to begin the new year with a community service project.  We will be holding a Food Pantry Drive at school for the West Suburban Community Pantry in Woodridge from March 11-15.  Boxes will be provided in each classroom to collect the non-perishable food items.  Girl Scout Troop 50251, comprised of third and fourth grade students from Prairieview, has graciously volunteered to pack up and deliver the donated food on March 16th.  Thank you in advance for your generosity of spirit and deed!

ISAT testing continues this week. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast each day before coming to school!


Mrs. Karen Bell 

Week of 3/4/13 - 3/8/13

Highlights for the Week of 3/4/13

in Mrs. Bell 's Classroom

Spelling - We will not have a spelling lesson due to ISAT testing. Next week's spelling lesson will focus on words that change the final "y" to "i".



Reading
Students will be taking a QUIZ on figurative language on Monday, 3/4. Students should know the definition  of, and be able to identify examples of similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification and hyperbole. 

English - Verb Tenses
Students will be completing their final drafts for the verb tense project titled, "Today, Tomorrow Will be Yesterday." The projects will be assembled and collected on Wednesday, 3/6.

Social Studies - The Southwest - " A Land of Canyons"


The map QUIZ for the Southwest is scheduled for Wednesday, 3/6. 
The climate of the southwest will be our focus for the rest of the week.

Science - The Human Body
Students will be working on a partner project creating a mural of the internal organs of the human body. Look for the chapter 4 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 3/11.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - ISAT testing / Motion Geometry
Most of our time this week will be spent taking the ISAT tests. On Friday, we will begin chapter 20 with a look at congruent and similar figures.

Don't Forget...

March 19, 2013 - Early Dismissal
March 22, 2013 -- End of 3rd Quarter
March 25, 2013 -- Spring Break Begins 

ISAT testing begins this week. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast each day before coming to school!


Mrs. Karen Bell