Newsletter for March 31, 2017

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
We continued last week's study. I really like our program, Words Their Way, and the research behind it is fantastic. However, I feel the program can sometimes add too many patterns or features in a single unit, which can confuse students. Therefore, I typically take two weeks to cover a single unit. My goal is to have students truly learn what we study, not just cover it.

The Yellow group is working on closed syllable/short o vowel sounds (e.g., cot); and long o vowel sound patterns (vce, oac, ow). They are using visual patterns to sort and then saying the words outloud to ensure they have the right sound (long or short) to go with their pattern.

The Green group is working on open and closed consonant-vowel-consonant multi-syllabic words (e.g., closed syllable, short vowel soundCVC cab/in; open syllable, long vowel sound ro/bot). The open syllable, long vowel sound is more common and should be tried soon. This week I asked them to mark words (where they would split the two syllables and which sound (long or short) they hear). They did an outstanding job!

The Blue group is working on recognizing derived words (e.g., diplomat > diplomacy > diplomatic).

Reading Workshop
We are making great progress in reading. Students are supporting opinion responses, distinguishing between main idea sentences and supporting details, using context clues and writing summaries.

Writing
There is no formula or recipe for good writing. I expect a strong topic sentence that answers the question, as much support as is needed in the student's own words, and a strong conclusion. This can be a real hurdle for many students and they often ask, "How many sentences do I need?" My standard response is "enough." I have tried to model for them that the length is not important. Their clear and well supported writing is the key.

Math
We jumped into geometry this week and explored parallel and intersecting lines, angles (right angles, acute angles, obtuse angles), area & perimeter, quadrilaterals (rectangles, squares, rhombus, kite, trapezoid) and other polygons. We used a new app, Geogebra, to make quadrilaterals.

Science
I introduced states of matter this week. Students should know:
- Everything is composed of matter (even if you can't see it, e.g., gases).
- Matter is composed of microscopic building blocks called (atoms and molecules).
- The three states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases.
- Solids keep their shape, have tightly packed molecules, and are the most dense (heaviest).
- Liquids take the shape of their container, flow, have looser packed molecules that move more freely than solids and are less dense than solids and more dense than gases.
- Gases take the shape of their container and fill the space, have very loosely packed molecules that move rapidly.
Please understand I know there are exceptions to all of these rules, but I have found it best to keep these concepts as straightforward as possible at the beginning. We will begin to explore these next week with a density lesson.

I filled a clear tub with room temperature water. I then added ice cubes made with blue food coloring and very hot water mixed with red food coloring. The blue ice cubes melted quickly and the blue went to the bottom because of its increased density due to the absence of energy. The hot red water stayed on top because it is less dense. The molecules are moving rapidly because we added energy. This visual separation is very helpful in explaining the differences between states of matter and how energy impacts density. 

Important Dates & Reminders

Please make sure iPads are charged and ready each day.

I will not need any Reading Volunteers for the next two weeks due to testing.

I will highlight changes and new dates in red.

A Days: No specials (Science, Social Studies, Technology rotation)

B Days: Music and PE

C Days: Art

D Days: Library

E Days: Music and PE

April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (Headphones and fully charged iPads are needed for this assessment.)

April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

April 6 Spring Picture Day          

April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment (Headphones and fully charged iPads are needed for this assessment.)
April 14 - No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday 
April 19 - Field Trip to Thompson Park - Please email if you would like to chaperone.
April 22 - March For Science    

April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair        

April 28  KID FEST 5 - 8pm

May 2 - Primary Elections Students will eat in the classroom
May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 22 Field Day             

May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am

May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester     
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm