Week of 3/15/10 - 3/19/10

Highlights for the Week of 3/15/10 - 3/19/10 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling - Lesson 24 - Words that End in "ar"

The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 3/19. Since we have finished the "Words to Know" list, the final test will consist of 15 words from the current lesson, and 5 from the previous week's lesson. Daily work is due on 3/14 & menu work will be collected on 3/15.

Reading - China

We will continue clarifying using nonfiction text throughout this week with our focus on China. Students will continue using our "China" trade book and will explore the world of panda bears via this website: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Panda. They will also be creating their own unique panda for our "Pandas on Parade" display.

"Bite into a Good Book" Independent Reading Program

The reading celebration for second trimester will be on Monday, 3/15. EVERY student must turn in the movie permission slip in order to view the movie, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". Students have signed their reading contracts for third trimester & are ready to go!

English - Verbs / Me Front Page

We will continue our study of verbs with a look at direct objects and main & helping verbs. I hope that we will also finish typing the Me Front Page project. I am asking that each student bring in an 8x10 or 5x7 portrait of him/herself to be used for this project. The photo will be used for tracing purposes, and will be returned after your child has completed tracing. Please send the portrait ASAP.

Social Studies

We are moving on to chapter 9 & the American Revolution. Students will study the battles of the war, how & why the Declaration of Independence was written, and how the Patriots were ultimately successful in defeating the British. We will also finish the typing portion of the Patriot/Loyalist book project. Students will be compiling their books which will be collected for grading on Monday, 3/22.

Science - Earth's Oceans

We have completed an investigation on how salinity affects the freezing point of water. Ask your child if salt water or fresh water freezes first. We will begin taking notes on the first lesson of chapter 12 this week.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The midchapter quiz for chapter 5 will be on Monday, 3/15. After that we will continue with a look at least common multiple, estimating sums & differences of fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike fractions & the addition & subtraction of mixed numbers.

FYI...

Mark your calendars...Too Good For Drugs graduation has been scheduled for Friday, April 9th at 9:00 a.m. Parents and family are invited to attend this celebration of the completion of the TGFD protram.

It was a pleasure meeting with so many of you during conference week. I encourage all parents to contact me with any concerns or questions at any time.

Happy Weekend...don't forget to "Spring Forward"!

Mrs. Karen Bell