Week of 11/30/15

Highlights for the Week of 11/30/15

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Review Lesson
This week's spelling list will contain 30 words from the second theme in our reading text. Words will be chosen from lessons 8-12. Students must score 100% on the pretest to earn challenge work for the week. The final test will be on Friday, 12/4 (did I actually just type December ?), and will cover 20 words from the list. Homework is also due on Friday.

Reading - Courage Unit - Greek Mythology
Students will close read the myths of Athena and Arachne & Athena. They will compare and contrast the two goddesses and work in small groups to respond to leveled text dependent questions. We will also begin a study of Greek and Latin affixes and root words.

English - More Homophones & Using Commas before Coordinating Conjunctions
We will take another look at use of homophones there, their, they're, to, too & two. This will be followed by practice in how to use commas before coordinating conjunctions such as and & but.

Science - What are Some Life Cycles of Plants?
Students will continue making observations with to answer the question, "Do plants need light to germinate?". They will take an open note/book QUIZ on chapter 2 / lesson 2 on Tuesday, 12/1. Life cycles of animals will be the next topic that we study in Science. Below are some pictures of our young scientists preparing the seeds for the "Sprouting Seeds" investigation.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals
The Unit 2 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 11/23. Students should use their spirals, worksheets & the pre-assessment to review. The test is modeled closely after the pre-assessment. Before beginning Unit 3 we will take another look at Least Common Multiple, Least Common Denominators and fraction problem solving. On Thursday we will begin Unit 3.

Don't forget...

November 25 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/16/2015 & 11/23/2015

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/16/15 & 11/23/15

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - The ôr/ ür / yŏŏr Sounds
This week's lesson contains words with the  patterns of  ôr/ ür / yŏŏr, which sound like "more", "hurt" & "pure". The final test for the lesson will be on Friday, 11/20. Cursive  pages and Google Classroom activities are also due that day. There will be NO SPELLING the week of 11/23.

Reading - "Courage" / Greek Mythology
We will begin our mythology unit with a look at the story of Hercules. Students will examine this myth to determine the characteristics of heroes and the ways that they show courage. They will also work in partners to complete comprehension related tasks.

We will also be reading a Time for Kids magazine that focuses on how Navajo code talkers helped the U.S. defeat Japan in World War II. Students will complete a magazine comprehension QUIZ on Friday, 11/20.

English - Quotations & Commas / Modal Auxiliaries
We will continue our study of the use of quotation marks for direct quotes in text. Modal auxiliaries - the use of words like can, may & must - will also be our focus next week.

Science - What are Some Life Cycles of Plants?
Photosynthesis and life cycles of plants are the first two topics that we will study in our new science unit. We will be conducting an investigate to find the answer to the question, "Does a Plant Need Light to Germinate?".  Students will record their daily observations, and then draw conclusions about the relationship between light and germination. They will also be creating their own diagram of the life cycle of a plant.  Look for the description sheet for the plant life cycle project to come home on 
11/20. We will begin the project in class, but it will be completed at home. The completed diagram is due on 11/30.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Addition & Subtraction of Fractions



The last concept that we will study in this module will be common denominators. The unit 2 TEST is tentatively scheduled for Monday, 11/23.

FYI...

November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break

We are so proud of our friends AJ & Ethan who led our school in the Pledge of Allegiance at our Veteran's Day Assembly. It was a wonderful event that was enjoyed by all. Way to go gentlemen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Karen Bell

 

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/9/15

Spelling 
This week's list includes the spelling patterns of îr / är / âr , which are words that sound like "ear" &"glare". Cursive pages and Google Classroom activities will be collected on Friday, 11/13. The final test for that lesson will also be that day. 

Reading - "Courage" 
Students will take a vocabulary/close read QUIZ on the Gloria Estefan passage on Thursday, 11/12.
They should review the word work document on Google Classroom to study the vocabulary. They will also be asked to answer questions about the text and provide the text proof that supports their answer. We will also begin working on a writing project related to Gloria Estefan. Students will be writing a newspaper article describing why Gloria is called a "Star with a Heart". Look for the assignment to be given on 11/11. The writing project will be completed in  Google Classroom.

English - Quotation Marks / Modal Auxiliaries
We will continue our study of the use of quotation marks for direct quotes in text. Modal auxiliaries - the use of words like can, may & must - will also be our focus next week.

Science -  Invertebrates Project

The Invertebrates slide show project is due on Friday,11/13. Students will do research to gather information about their animal, then use the information to create the slide show. On 11/13, students will present their slide show to the class. Please see Google Classroom for details about this project.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Addition & Subtraction of Fractions



Seeing fractions as ratios and solving fraction story problems will be our topics this week. on Thursday, 11/12, students will take a second fractions CHECKPOINT.

FYI...

THANK YOU to all the parents who contributed to our Halloween celebration. The students had a 
"fa-boo-lous" time playing games, crafting & eating the yummy treats. What a fun afternoon!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/9/2015

 

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/9/15

Spelling 
This week's list includes the spelling patterns of îr / är / âr , which are words that sound like "ear" &"glare". Cursive pages and Google Classroom activities will be collected on Friday, 11/13. The final test for that lesson will also be that day. 

Reading - "Courage" 
Students will take a vocabulary/close read QUIZ on the Gloria Estefan passage on Thursday, 11/12.
They should review the word work document on Google Classroom to study the vocabulary. They will also be asked to answer questions about the text and provide the text proof that supports their answer. We will also begin working on a writing project related to Gloria Estefan. Students will be writing a newspaper article describing why Gloria is called a "Star with a Heart". Look for the assignment to be given on 11/11. The writing project will be completed in  Google Classroom.

English - Quotation Marks / Modal Auxiliaries
We will continue our study of the use of quotation marks for direct quotes in text. Modal auxiliaries - the use of words like can, may & must - will also be our focus next week.

Science -  Invertebrates Project

The Invertebrates slide show project is due on Friday,11/13. Students will do research to gather information about their animal, then use the information to create the slide show. On 11/13, students will present their slide show to the class. Please see Google Classroom for details about this project.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Addition & Subtraction of Fractions



Seeing fractions as ratios and solving fraction story problems will be our topics this week. on Thursday, 11/12, students will take a second fractions CHECKPOINT.

FYI...

THANK YOU to all the parents who contributed to our Halloween celebration. The students had a 
"fa-boo-lous" time playing games, crafting & eating the yummy treats. What a fun afternoon!

Mrs. Karen Bell