Week of 10/26/09 - 10/30/09

Highlights for the Week of 10/26/09 - 10/30/09 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom!

Spelling - Holiday Word List
In honor of Halloween, our words this week will be a list of "spooky" words. "Words to Know" are getting-guess. Students will have the pretest on Monday, but there will be no contract work this week. Every student will be completing a word puzzle and word search that will be due on Thursday, 10/29. The final test on Friday will be the 15 holiday words + the five "Words to Know".

Reading - Visualization

We have moved on to our next reading strategy, which is visualization. A good reader makes "mind pictures" to improve his/her comprehension while reading. We will be practicing this skill while focusing on the genre of tall tales.

"Bite into a Good Book" - Independent Reading Program

Students MUST ALWAYS have a silent reading book at school. Your child should be more than half way to completing his/her goal. Grades for the "Bite into a Good Book" program will not be entered into the gradebook until after the due date of 11/13.

English - Punctuation & Capitalization

We will be finishing chapter 5 and preparing for the TEST, which is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, 10/28.

Social Studies - The 13 English Colonies

The last lesson in chapter 5 will be our focus this week. The chapter 5 TEST will take place the week of 11/2. We will also spend time reading and discussing an issue of Time for Kids that focuses on bullying.

Science - Energy & Ecosystems

We will begin lesson 2 of chapter 5 which focuses on food webs & "what eats what".

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Finishing up chapter 3 (decimals) will be our task this week. We will take a look at interpreting quotients, and solving decimal equations. Students will also spend time reviewing for the chapter 5 TEST which is scheduled for the week of 11/2.

FYI...

We are looking forward to our Halloween celebration on Thursday, 10/28. Students may bring their costumes to school, but should keep in mind that they will only be given 10 minutes to change into them. Students will not be allowed to change in the restrooms, so they should plan their costumes accordingly. Due to the time constraints, make up should be kept to a minimum, and, of course, no props resembling weapons of any kind are allowed.

The PTO has generously donated a pumpkin for every student to decorate during the celebration. Each child is responsible for decorating his/her pumpkin, and may bring in materials to use. We will not be carving the pumpkins.

The Parent Information Session for the Robert Crown Field trip is Wednesday, 10/28 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Prairieview.

NO SCHOOL on Friday, 10/30 - Teacher's Institute!

Have a "Spook-tacular" Week!

Mrs. Karen Bell