Week of 10/2/17

Highlights for the Week of 10/2/2017
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 6 - "Suffixes "-ed" and "-ing"
This week's spelling/vocabulary list will include words with the suffixes -ed and -ing.  We will study how adding these suffixes to base words changes their spelling. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 10/6.

Below are pictures of students participating in a game of "Headbands" to practice their spelling and vocabulary words...

Mr. D. demonstrates how to play!

Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage" 

We will spend time looking at the text structure of cause and effect. Text structured as cause and effect explains reasons why something happened or the effects of something. An effect is what happens. To determine the effect, students should ask “What happened?”. A cause is why something happens. To determine the cause, students should ask “Why did it happen?”   Ask your child how we used the picture book on the left to discuss this type of text structure. At the end of the week, we will write our first reading response as a group. 

Social Studies  - The Beautiful Northeast
We will begin a descriptive writing project in which students will describe an imaginary trip to the Northeast region. As they describe their journey they will write about the geography, resources and fishing industry of the region. The rough draft of the Northeast Trip descriptive paragraph is due on Friday, 10/6. The final copy will be typed in Google Classroom and is due on 10/9. 

Science - The Scientific Method
We will continue looking at the components of the Scientific Method. Below is a video of Mr. D. working with students on an investigation that explores the question, "What happens if you poke pencils through a bag filled with water?". Students formed hypotheses, wrote a procedure and then carried out the investigation. Watch the video to see the results...

Next week, students will work in small groups to complete a STEM activity while practicing the steps of the Scientific Method. Their challenge will be to create the longest paper chain possible using one piece of construction paper, scissors, and glue. They will form a hypothesis, write a plan, carry out their plan and record conclusions.  A QUIZ on the Scientific Method is tentatively scheduled for Friday, 10/6. Students should review their notes and textbook pages 18-35 to prepare for the quiz.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 2 - Adding & Subtracting Fractions

The Unit 1 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 10/2. Then we will begin Unit 2, which is one of my favorite units of the year! In Unit 2, students will learn how to add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators. They will learn a number of strategies for finding common denominators in order to perform the operations. Look for an overview letter to come home with your child on Tuesday. The unit begins with a look at simplifying fractions. Once we have studied this concept, it is my expectation that all answers on homework, checkpoints and assessments will be given in the simplest form. We will also look at using a "money model" to find common denominators for fractions.

"Work Places" has become an essential part of learning in math. During Work Places, students work with partners to play a variety of games that support skills such as multiplying and dividing. Below are some photos of a Work Place session this past week...

FYI...

10/9 - Columbus Day  - No School

Mrs. Karen Bell