Ack News 1/21

ACK NEWS
 Week of January 21

HOMEWORK

Monday-Thursday  -Math sheet -Reading Response -Read 20 minutes -Words Their Way Monday--word sort.  Have your child sort their words and teach someone at home their pattern Tuesday--speed sort.  Time your child and see how fast they can correctly sort their words. See if they can beat their time. Wednesday--blind sort. Give your child their headings and read the words aloud individually so your child cannot see the word. They must tell you the appropriate heading it goes under. Thursday-- choice!  I have sent home a packet of all the homework guidelines. On the last page, there is a list of different choice options for a Thursday activity. FRIDAY THIS HOMEWORK IS DUE.  Someone at home must sign off on the homework sheet that your child completed an activity each night.

WHAT WE ARE LEARNING

MATH

Last week students worked on 2 to 3 step word problems that included adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with decimals, along with converting.  This week we will work on estimation when dividing. Students will find out very quickly this is difficult if they do not know their facts. Please work with them to master their fact fluency, many have done this and many are almost there.  I will be out Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a conference. The students will be completing iReady math during this time on Wednesday and Thursday.  Friday they will be going to Beaver Brook, so they will finish up their iReady Monday.  I will be in contact with the students through Google classroom and have spoken to them about expectations. They have assigned seats and will be stopping when they complete about 30-35% a day so that they stay focused and on task. Let me know if you have any questions.

READING, WRITING, and WORDS THEIR WAY

READING: This week we will finish up inferencing (the kids have been doing great with this!) and they will be given an exit ticket on making inferences and using evidence to support their claim. I only have a small handful of students finishing their reading i-ready test.  They have really taken their time and have made some amazing gains.  Looking forward to Trimester 2! As always, their reading homework will be to read a minimum of 20 minutes each night and complete their reading response sheet. WRITING: Last week we dove into our argument writing unit.  We discussed that with argument writing, taking a stance on an issue means more than just following your "gut reaction".  Good writers suspend their judgement and look at evidence from BOTH sides before taking a stance.  As a class, we are looking at the argument should chocolate milk be served in school?   Last week, we looked at and analyzed an article that supported the claim that chocolate milk should be served in schools.  We dissected the argument and gathered evidence to support this side.  This week, we will be looking at an article that examines reasons it should not be served in school.  Students will also have the opportunity to look at other resources (articles, videos, etc.) to gather evidence on this issue. WORDS THEIR WAY: Students will receive their new pattern/sort this week.  As always, students should be completing an activity at home each night to reinforce their pattern.  Homework is due back to school on Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week, we will be examining all the reasons colonists wanted to break away from King George III and Great Britain, as well as the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.  We will also begin to examine the Bill of Rights.

SCIENCE

This week, students will continue to solve the Mystery, “How could you save a town from a hurricane?” They will collaborate in groups to figure out how to prevent their town from flooding, while also staying within the town’s budget.  You can encourage your child’s curiosity this week at home! Watch this quick 1-minute video together about how hurricanes get their names: http://safeYouTube.net/w/ouTb. It’s also a great time discuss any hurricanes that may have happened recently.

REMINDERS

Students have a field trip to Beaver Brook Friday! They need to bring the permission slip back in order to attend, there is no fee.  They will also need to dress appropriately, boots, jackets, gloves, because unfortunately there is no snow for snowshoeing but they will go outside for short hike on animal adaptations.  Mrs. Bodden, our ELL teacher, will be attending this trip with Miss Chrusciel to support the substitute. Mrs. Bodden has a great relationship with all the kids and will make sure students are safe and following expectations.