Weekly Update- 12/10

In math, we have just finished chapter 4 on time, data, and graphs.  Remember to study the practice test that went home today for the test on Monday.  On Tuesday we will begin our chapter on multiplication.  Look for flashcards to start coming home during this chapter.

We are continuing to work on reading different types of maps.  Students have learned about landform maps and created their own.  They also learned about community maps.  Next week we will talk about inset maps and we will be going to the computer lab for students to do an activity with this type of map. 

In writing this week students practiced writing paragraphs.  The topic was to write about the favorite present they ever received.  We practiced developing a topic sentences, descriptive sentences, and a good ending sentence for their paragraphs.  Students then used different art supplies to create their own packages to decorate the wall along with their paragraphs.

In shared reading we read a book called, More Than Marionettes.  In this book students learned about the history of puppets and about different types of puppets including: finger puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets, Bunraku puppets, marionettes, and muppets (a combination of a hand puppet and a marionette).  The students shared many of their experiences with puppets.  We watched some clips of shows that use puppets such as Lamb Chops Play-Along and Sesame Street.  The students also made their own hand puppets out of paper bags. 

Since we had such a great week the students earned the reward of being able to watch the movie, Muppets Take Manhattan which went along with what we had been learning all week.  In guided reading the groups practiced the skill of making inferences.  This is a more difficult skill and one that we will continue to practice throughout the year.

In Fundations we finished unit 5 on the schwa sound.  Students will be taking the unit 5 test on Monday and we will then start unit 6.  The practice packet for unit 6 will be going home on Tuesday.

In Spanish we continued to practice greeting each other.  We also started learning how to count in spanish.  We are practicing numbers 1-10.  We made up a dance move for each number and counted while dancing.  The students had a great time!

We will be having our Holiday party on Wednesday, December 22nd.  The students will not need to bring a snack to school on that day.  Have a great weekend!