Word Study
We focused on linking verbs (being verbs, e.g., is, am, are, etc.) and r-controlled vowels. Four new vocabulary words were introduced from our Words of the Week resource. Students defined the words, used them in sentences, and looked for them in their daily reading.
Reading Workshop
Students are diving deeply into fluency. Using poetry, tongue twisters, Seuss, and "voices," (such as teenager, quarterback, cowboy, etc.) students are reading a broad range of short passages with an emphasis on phrasing that matches their speaking voices, expression, and attention to context and punctuation.
The first annual Book Room film festival was hosted at the Tremont Library this week. Here are a few shots of the festivities. If you weren't able to attend, you can still see the students' work at our Book Room blog here: http://mrhudsonsbookroom.blogspot.com/ Thanks for coming out. The students were very excited to show their work and more importantly, talk about books! I also want to share my sincere thanks with Mrs. Hastings for her time and energy in this collaboration.
We are on to our final novel read aloud of the year, a favorite piece of contemporary fantasy, The Edge Chronicles: Beyond The Deepwoods by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. I'm trying to engage students in this read aloud through all of the strategies (e.g., prediction, inference, question, compare and contrast, message, etc.) we've studied this year.
Finally, we began our last research project of the year. Students were assigned two animals (with as much choice as possible) that they will compare and contrast across classification, habitat, adaptations, food web, and life cycle. They will then determine how they would like to present and share the information they learned. This is a challenging project and demands use of all of the reading and writing skills we've learned this year. This project will culminate in a fun art project based on their two animals' adaptations being utilized in a foreign habitat. More to come on that...
Writing Workshop
We are writing our end of year "Memory Books." Using a list of positive adjectives, students are composing a two paragraph letter daily that describes a classmate as a friend and a learner. Students are encouraged to use adjectives that describe their classmates and to make each letter unique and sincere by including examples of the attributes they include. This has been a great end of year project in previous years and really ends the year with rigorous writing practice with students becoming much more efficient. Because their peers are a meaningful audience they tend to be easy to motivate to do a good job and put a lot of thought into their work. The letters will go through a final editing process and will be shared on the final day of school as a keepsake from the year. I will also have students write a final letter to me about what they found most meaningful and challenging this year as well as what they might suggest to improve the year. This can be supported by discussion at home prior to this final writing assignment.
Math Workshop
We reviewed multi-digit operations for addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Mastery of basic facts is essential. We also kicked off our final math unit of study: measurement. We introduced different types of measurement (time, length, volume/capacity, and mass). We also talked about why we might need each of these forms of measurement to build interest in the topic. I started our in-depth study with metric length and converting centimeters to meters and vice versa (e.g., 125 cm = 1 m and 25 cm; 3 m and 18 cm = 318 cm).
Science
We skipped our typical rotation this week to take a final trip to Thompson Park to document change in the Thompson Park Tree Trek. We will be updating the blog soon. I'll post an update once we've had a chance to complete this.
Guidance
From Ms. O'Keefe...
"The Art of Positive Parents (TAPP) EXPRESS
Sign up now for a 3-week parenting class at Windermere Elementary taught by Dionne Meddock. This class will be held from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on May 5, 12, and 19. Registration fee is $75.00/person and $125/couple. Register online now at www.positiveparents.com or call 614-224-0222, ext. 103."
Important Dates & Reminders
Important 4th Quarter Dates & Reminders
Happy May!
May 7, 2015 - Walk-A-Mile Day
The entire Windermere community (staff and students) will walk one mile around the Windermere block next Thursday as a follow-up to the Walk-a-Mile Day that we held in the fall. This time, we will walk in honor of our Wish Run beneficiary, Canine Companions for Independence. This is held in lieu of a pep rally, to foster enthusiasm and encourage participation for the upcoming Wish Run. Please be sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather and wears comfortable walking shoes.
May 9, 2015 - Wish Run
Registration starts at 8am. 5K starts at 9am. One Mile Fun Run starts at 10am.
All proceeds go to Canine Companions for Independence!
Register online at www.premierraces.com. Click on Events and search for Wish Run.
May 25, 2015 - No School Memorial Day
June 1, 2015 - Field Day
June 3, 2015 - End of fourth quarter/Last day for students, Classroom parties 12:05 till 1:05pm
June 9, 2015 - Progress Reports sent home
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