Volume 14: November 16, 2015

Thanks to all the parents that came to SLCs!

Research is heavily underway. Students have chosen one body system to become an expert on. Excitedly, we are working on using conventions of non-fiction texts, including a glossary, table of contents, index, highlighted words, diagrams, tables, graphs, different types of print, and more to not just find facts, but create new meaning and connect ideas to our existing knowledge. Students will use their research to create an authentic poster and presentation that includes all their learning and understanding of how our bodies consist of systems that work together for us to remain healthy.

We are interacting with our research books as well by looking at context clues, text organization like how the main idea (topic) is usually at the beginning of a paragraph. The details that support the main idea (topic) usually are in the middle of the paragraph. In addition, we are looking at how author's chose to grab our attention throughout the text, like adding cutaways, close-ups, and "gross" facts to keep the reader interested. These elements will be included in our posters in some way, I am sure!

We are working on the concept of division and students have found many connections to multiplication and addition knowledge they have already. We are working on how to explain the two types of division: partitioning and sharing.

Our November book shares have been fabulous and have improved greatly from September's. Students are feeling more confident in front of the community, they are hooking the audience in by asking questions, telling interesting facts, and even using their expressive voice with a humorous statement. I posted the December Book Share guidelines, and our genre focus is... mysteries! Many students have already chosen a book. Ask your child if they have one and check on their reading each night. We are creating a shadow puppet theater to share our books in December. I cannot wait!

The Health Fair is Friday, November 20 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Parents and family are invited. We also invite the school to see our hard work. It is a big deal for our children and they are already excited about it! Their hard work will pay off!

Lastly, thank you to all the parents who came to SLCs. The kids worked so hard and are proud of their work. Each parent received an email from me regarding the goal that his/her child created and is working to achieve this school year. Please work at home to make this happen! Any questions, or if you want to share any successes, please email me. Enjoy the week!

Homework: Along with reading 20 minutes or more each night, please complete the following...
Monday: Nouns Activity
Tuesday: Adjective Activity
Wednesday: IXL Math Subtraction C.1 & C.4
Thursday: Nouns Activity
Friday: Regenerate and Read:)

 Research is finding facts and creating new meaning. I think Si Yeon gets it.

Cups of Characters Book Shares!