Week of 3.4.19

Highlights for the Weeks of 3/4/2019
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 21 - Relative Adverbs, Relative Pronouns, Reading content words

This week's lesson includes the spelling and application of relative adverbs, relative pronouns, and content words. A relative adverb relates back to a time, place or reason to provide more details about a noun. A relative pronoun relates back to something or someone else. The reading content words are familiar to students, and they should be able to spell them and to apply them (Example: identify a simile or a metaphor.)The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 3/7.

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys"

We have had many interesting conversations about vocabulary and use of language within the novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Our "Executive Archeologists" will continue to dig into chapters 1-5 of the novel during the week of 3/4. 

There is a QUIZ on using context clues to determine the meaning of vocabulary from chapters 1-2 scheduled for 3/4. 

English - Hero Essay
The rough draft of the hero essay is due on 3/5. They will proofread and revise in school and submit their final copies that day. 
Social Studies - The Midwest Just Look Book Project

The research for the Just Look Book project is due on Wednesday, 3/6. Students will have time in school to begin the slides, but the majority of the work will be completed outside of school. The goal is to present them on Friday, 3/8. 

Science - Energy Conversions
Last week, our classroom engineers had the opportunity to work with others to create a wind turbine that had to meet certain criteria. Below are photos of them collaborating to design their models. The short videos show the engineers testing their turbines.

During the week of 3/4, the groups will revisit their models to improve their designs. 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 5 - Multiplying & Dividing Fractions



We will take a look at fraction multiplication story problems and the difference between "sharing" division and "grouping" division.
Look for the Unit 5 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 3/11

Working together to solve and model fraction story problems.

Creating a poster to share their chosen strategy.

FYI...

3/1 - No School - Teachers' Institute

3/11 - Museum of Science & Industry field trip 

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2.25.19

Highlights for the Weeks of 2/25/2019
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 20 - Homographs

This week's list includes homographs, which are sets of words that are spelled the same but have multiple meanings (Examples: bank or ring). The final TEST is scheduled for Thursday, 2/28.

Reading - Journeys - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

After reviewing examples of personification, students will finish the close read of the Edward Tulane excerpt. We will then read chapters 1 & 2 of the novel and focus on vocabulary, content, and symbolism. At the end of the week, students will read two poems that are paired with the novel to look for similar themes and personification. Look for a quiz on the chapters 1 & 2 vocabulary words to be scheduled the week of 3/4.

English - Explanatory Writing
We will complete the Lou Gehrig and Hero essays this week. Students will type their rough drafts and we will move on to the proofreading and revising stage in school. The final copy of the Hero essay is due on 3/5. 

Social Studies - The Midwest
The chapter 8 TEST is scheduled for 2/27. Students have received a study guide and we will review in class on Tuesday. Students will begin working on a project for the Midwest called the "Just Look Book". The project description will come home on 2/28, and research will be due on 3/6. 

Mrs. Bell's Math Class -  Unit 5 - Multiplying & Dividing Fractions


Unit 5 continues with a focus on creating models to solve problems and investigating generalizations about multiplication with fractions. 

FYI...

3/1 - No School - Teachers' Institute

THANK YOU to all the parents who contributed to make our Valentine's Day celebration a huge success.  The craft and games were a blast, and the treats were yummy. It was a wonderful afternoon!

Passing out Valentine's Day Cards

Decorating cupcakes was so much fun!

Blue had a great time!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2.18.19

Highlights for the Weeks of 2/18/2019
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  Unit 19 - Greek Roots

Words this week will contain the Greek Roots "uni", "bi", "tri" and "quad". Students will study the definition of these roots and words that contain them. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 2/22.

Reading - Unit 2 - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Although the primary focus during our ELA block will be on writing this week, students will have an opportunity to work on their comprehension skills using Razz Kids program while they participate in center activities.

I often mention how we work on close reading in my blog. I wanted to share with you an example of what it looks like to close read a text passage. Below is a photo of an excerpt from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane that the class close read and annotated together. As we reread the passage, we noted unknown vocabulary, important details, and connections to achieve a deeper understanding of the text.

English - Explanatory Essay

Work will continue on the explanatory essays. Students will add support, elaboration, and transitions to their hero essays, then begin the process of writing and editing a rough draft.

Social Studies - Bountiful Midwest Farms

The crops of the Central and Great Plains will be our focus this week. Be sure to ask your child why certain crops grow better in one area than another and about why farmers use crop rotation. Look for the Chapter 8 TEST to be scheduled for the week of 2/25.

Science - Energy Conversions
We will continue to work on designing wind turbines.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 5 - Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

The Whole Number Times a Fraction CHECKPOINT is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/20. Other concepts that we will focus on this week is using area models with fractional side lengths to multiply fractions.

FYI...

2/15 & 2/18 - No School

Preparing for the Valentine's day party is hard work!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 2.11.19

Highlights for the Weeks of 2/11/19
in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Spelling -  None
There will be no Spelling lesson due to the four day week.

Reading- Unit 2 - "Journeys"

We will begin reading the novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This story tells the tale of a china rabbit who goes on an adventure and learns how to love. We will begin by close reading an excerpt from the first chapter. This novel is rich in vocabulary and underlying themes, and I look forward to sharing Edward's journey in our classroom.





During our work with the story Grandfather's Journey, students worked in small groups to find ways that the author Allen Say and his grandfather were similar. They had to support their ideas with text proof. Below is a video of a group showing their skills with this task. They decided that the author and his grandfather both traveled as young men, then they found the words in the text to support their claim. Watch to see how they "dig" for their gold in the text and collaborate to complete the task.

Social Studies - The Badlands of South Dakota
We will conclude our study of the Badlands this week. Next up will be the farmlands of the Midwest.

Mapmaker, mapmaker make me a map!  Below are some photos of students honing their map skills  as they complete the Southeast portion of their U.S. maps.

Science - Energy Conversions
We will conclude a look at how engineers work and move on to a study of how to design a wind turbine.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class - Unit 5 - Multiplying & Dividing Fractions

Unit 5 begins with a look at fraction story problems and strategies for multiplying two fractions.

Students led learning is alive and well in our math class. Below is a photo of leader Elias and volunteer Luke reviewing a homework problem in front of the class.

FYI...

2/15 & 2/18 - No School

Valentine's Day parties are scheduled for the afternoon of 2/14. Your child is welcome to bring Valentine's cards for all of their classmates that day. I will send home a class list, but please do not personally address the cards to each classmate. The list is being sent home simply for the number of students & teachers in our class.

Congratulations to Logan & Nana for representing our class in the 4th-grade spelling bee! We are so proud of both of you. Below is a photo of students gathering around Nana to wish her luck in the District bee that was held on 2/6.

Mrs. Karen Bell