Week of 11/27/2017

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/27/2017
in Mrs. Bell's and Mr. Dunning's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 13 - Homographs

This week's list will consist of homographs. Homographs are two or more words that are spelled the same but have different meaning and sometimes different pronunciations. For example, the word pitcher is a homograph. A pitcher is a player who delivers the ball to a batter or a large container with a handle used for holding and pouring liquids.  The final TEST for the homograph lesson will be on Friday, 12/1.

ELA / Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"

Students will be completing "Gloria Estefan: A Star with a Heart" newspaper article which is due on 11/28. We will begin our study of Greek Mythology with a look at the myth of Hercules. We will study the characteristics of myths and how Hercules shows courage. 
In English, we will continue the study of capitalization and punctuation with a look at comma usage and quotation marks. 

Social Studies - The chapter 6 TEST is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/29. A study guide was sent home with your child on 11/21.

Science - "Life Cycles of Animals"

We will be completing the life cycle of plants.  Students will complete a take-home QUIZ on Chapter 2 / Lesson 2 in science on Tuesday, 11/29. Then we will focus on life cycles of animals.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals

Comparing, ordering and rounding decimals will fill our time for the next two weeks. We will also take a look at fraction/decimal equivalencies and decimals on a number line.  A CHECKPOINT on decimal place value is scheduled for 11/30. 

FYI...
12/5 - Early Dismissal

12/22 - Winter Break begins

Mrs. Karen Bell and Mr. Scott Dunning

Week of 11/20/2017

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/20/2017
in Mrs. Bell and Mr. Dunning's Classroom

Spelling - There will be no Spelling lesson the week of 11/20. 

ELA / Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"

We will begin a writing assignment based on the Gloria Estefan text. Students will write and publish a newspaper article titled, "A Star with a Heart". This will be due on Tuesday, 11/28.  Along with the article, students will also take a comprehension QUIZ on the Gloria Estefan text.  This is scheduled for 11/28.  

In English, we will focus on how to correctly write the names of places and things.

Social Studies - The Southeast - "Wildlife and Resources"

The final lesson on the Southeast will focus on the resources and the wildlife of the region. The chapter 6 TEST is scheduled for 11/29. Students should review their textbook, workbook pages, note pages and review pages to prepare for the test.

Pictured below: Students participated in a "mock" news broadcast that showed how diverse the weather in the southeast can be.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals

We will continue comparing, ordering and rounding decimals will fill our time for the next two weeks. We will also take a look at fraction/decimal equivalencies and decimals on a number line.  A CHECKPOINT on decimal place value is scheduled for 11/30. 

FYI...

No School - 11/22-24

Happy Thanksgiving to you & your families!

Mrs. Karen Bell and Mr. Dunning

Week of 11/13/17

Highlights for the Weeks of 11/13/2017
in Mrs. Bell and Mr. Dunning's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 12 - Homophones

The week of 11/13, the list will contain words that are homophones. A homophone is a word that sounds like another word, but has a different spelling and meaning, for example,  bear and bare.  The final TEST for the homophone lesson will be on Friday, 11/17.

ELA / Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"

Students will continue their close read of the biographical piece about Gloria Estefan. The close read will be conducted in small groups and will include vocabulary work and responding to text-dependent questions. The Gloria Estefan text comprehension QUIZ is scheduled for the week of 11/27. At the end of the week of 11/27, they will begin a writing assignment based on the Gloria Estefan text. They will write and publish a newspaper article titled, "A Star with a Heart".  

Science - "What are Some Life Cycles of Plants?" We will continue our unit that focuses on life cycles of plants and animals in Science. Students will complete an investigation that answers the question "Do plants need light to germinate?" Students will also complete a project that shows the life cycle of a plant.  This past week our students enjoyed planting radish seeds and watching them sprout.  Students are investigating whether seeds grow faster in an environment that contains sunlight or one that is dark.

Social Studies - The Southeast - "Sunlight and Storms"

This week we explore the diverse climate of the Southeast. Be sure to ask your child about the destructive nature of hurricanes.

Mr. Dunning's and Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 3 - Place Value & Decimals

Comparing, ordering and rounding decimals will fill our time for the next two weeks. We will also take a look at fraction/decimal equivalencies and decimals on a number line. 

In the photos below, students present and discuss various different methods for solving addition and subtraction of fractions...

FYI...

No School - 11/22-24

Week of 11/6/17

 

Highlights for the Week of 11/6/2017
in Mrs. Bell & Mr. Dunning's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 11 - Words with "ei" & "ie"

This week's list contains words that have the letter combinations "ei" and "ie". We will study the rule for spelling these words. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 11/10.

Reading - Unit 1 - "Courage"

We will begin a new portion of our Courage unit that focuses on the life of Gloria Estefan.  This section of the unit will focus on the obstacles that she faced and how she managed to persevere in the face of adversity and  become one of the most well-known entertainers of our generation

Science - "What are Some Life Cycles of Plants?"
We will begin a new unit that focuses on life cycles of plants and animals in Science. Students will complete an investigation that answers the question "Do plants need light to germinate?" We will also take a look at the process of photosynthesis.

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

Fraction story problems will be our focus as we near the end of Unit 2. The Unit 2 TEST is scheduled for 11/9.  Students can look through their notes, previous homework assignments as well as their math spiral in order to prepare.

FYI - We will be spending some time this week as a class learning about the importance of Veteran's Day.  We will finish the week with a school-wide assembly to honor our veterans.  Thank you to all who have served!

I hope you all enjoyed Halloween as much as we did!  Thank you to our amazing room-parents who took time out of their busy schedules to help out with our party.