Week of 12/1/14

Highlights for the Week of 12/1/14

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling 
This week's lesson contains words with the the patterns of  ôr/ ür / yŏŏr, which sound like "more", "hurt" & "pure". The final test for the lesson will be on Friday, 12/5. Cursive and workbook pages OR challenge work will also be collected that day.

Reading - Greek Mythology

The myth of Arachne and Athena will be our focus this week. After a teacher-led cold read of the text, students will work in pairs to close read and annotate as they have previously practiced. At the end of the week, students will write a short essay comparing and contrasting the heroic deeds of Athena and Gloria Estefan.

English - Nouns
We will finish our study of nouns with a look at singular and plural possessive nouns. Students will independently complete a chapter review in preparation for the chapter TEST, scheduled for Tuesday, 12/9.

Social Studies - The Southeast

The final lesson of chapter 6 focuses on the wildlife and resources of the Southeast. Ask your child how the extinction of the alligator has been avoided in this region. The chapter 6 TEST is scheduled for Friday, 12/5. Look for the study guide to come home on 12/1.

Science -  Life Cycles of Plants and Animals
We will complete our study of life cycles with an open note/textbook QUIZ on chapter 2 / lesson 3, scheduled for 12/2. The TEST for all of chapter 2 will be on Monday, 12/8.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class

We will finish Topic 5 with a look at using rounding to estimate multiplication and the problem solving skill of checking for reasonableness.  The Topic 5 TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 12/4.

FYI...
December 16 - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 11:00


Mrs. Karen Bell

Weeks of 11/17/14 & 11/24/14

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/17/14 & 11/24/14

in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling 
This week's list includes the spelling patterns of îr / är / âr , which are words that sound like "ear" &"glare". Cursive and workbook pages, as well as challenge work for the lesson will be collected on Friday, 11/22. The final test for that lesson will also be that day. There will be NO SPELLING the week of 11/24.

Reading - "Courage" / Greek Mythology
The story of Hercules continues to be our focus until Thanksgiving break. 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.

English - Nouns
The Nouns unit will begin with a look at what is a noun, common & proper nouns, and plural nouns. Students will independently complete a graded review on plural nouns on Tuesday, 11/25.

Social Studies - The Southeast

We will finish our study of the geography of the Southeast, and move on to a look at the climate in the region. Be sure to ask you child about the diverse climate in the Southeast, and why this lesson is named, "Sunlight & Storms".

Science -  What are Some Life Cycles of Plants? / Life Cycles of Animals
The life cycle diagram on Google Classroom is due on Tuesday, 11/18. Students will take an open note/book quiz on lesson 2 of chapter 2 on Wednesday, 11/19. We will begin studying the life cycle of animals on Thursday. Below are students making observations for our Sprouting Seeds Investigate which answers the question, "Do seeds need light to germinate?".

 

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 4 Assessment / Topic 5 - Multiplying by 1-Digit Numbers



The topic 4 TEST is scheduled for Monday, 11/17. Multiplying by multiples of 10 & 1,000, breaking apart to multiply, and using mental math to multiply are the first topics that we will study in Topic 5.

FYI...

November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break

We all enjoyed this morning's presentation by author Amy Logan. Here is a shot of our class wearing the "capes" provided by the PV PTO. We matter...so do you!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 11/10/2014

Highlights for the Week of 11/10/14

 in Mrs. Bell's Class!

Spelling - The /ōō/ & /ŏŏ/ Sounds
The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 11/14. Cursive and workbook pages or challenge work will also be collected that day.


Reading - Courage Unit - Greek Mythology
The heroes of Greek Mythology will be our next focus in reading. We will begin with the myth of Hercules, analyzing the characteristics of heroes, and determining whether Hercules qualifies.

English - Capitalization & Punctuation
The chapter 5 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/12. Students should review their practice pages, workbook pages & textbook to prepare for the test. There is a very helpful chapter review on pages 189-190 in the textbook. Also, pages 194-202 contain extra practice for each lesson. The next unit that we will study in English will be nouns.

Social Studies - The Southeast
The Southeast Map QUIZ is scheduled for Tuesday, 11/11. Students should be able to label the states and bodies of water for the region. A word bank will be provided. We will continue our study of the geography and climate of the southeast with a look at how the land of the southeast changes as you move inland, and how the warm climate and hurricanes affect those who live there.

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 
11/12. We will begin the project in class, but it will be completed at home. The completed diagram is due on 11/17.

Math - Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Topic 4 - Addition & Subtraction of Whole Numbers

Students will take a QUIZ on Topic 4 / Lessons 1-3 on Monday, 11/10. Topics in math this week include subtracting whole numbers, subtracting across zeros and the problem solving strategy of draw a picture and write an equation. Look for the Topic 4 TEST to be scheduled the week of 11/17.




Don't forget...

November 11  -- Veteran's Day

November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Karen Bell