Word Study
We are generating our own list of -oi and -oy words. Students have learned the generalization that -oi is used in the beginning or middle of a syllable (e.g., choice) whereas -oy appears in the end of a syllable (e.g., soy, loyal).
We reviewed nouns to support our understanding of verbs. Nouns are people, places, things and ideas (e.g., democracy, freedom, etc.). Nouns "do" verbs (action words). We practiced identifying verbs and creating more specific/descriptive verbs as well (e.g., Simrit went (raced, danced, flew, sauntered, skedaddled, etc.) home.). I believe I will start to see much more interesting vocabulary in our narratives with this practice.
Students show possessive apostrophes.
I introduced contractions this week. I have already taught students (and look for opportunities to practice this in their writing) that we use apostrophes to show ownership (e.g., Hayden's glasses). We are now composing contractions and circling the letter or letters that the apostrophe is a place holder for.
Reading Workshop
We are still working on determining the author's message. I have seen great growth here. Students are coming up with their own messages and supporting them with evidence from the short stories and fables I'm using for practice.
Writing Workshop
Students are learning to plan narratives using a beginning, middle and end with bullet points. We worked on being much more specific with the expectation that if it isn't in the plan, it probably won't be in the final story. Initial plans were very general so I spent a lot of time modeling being much more specific and descriptive, while still using bullets.
| Student Plan | Model Plan |
| Beginning | Beginning |
| - Got ready | - Put on blue wig, lab coat, glowing test tube |
| - Friend came over | - Search basement for jack-o-lanterns |
| - Got costume on | - Ate snack of cheese sticks and candy |
| - It was Halloween | - Smoke machine, spooky music on JBL |
| - Waited to start | - Filled candy bowl and held back "good" candy |
Math Workshop
We reviewed time (o'clock, quarter-past, half-past, quarter-till) with relative positions of the hour an minute hands. Students should know that the hour hand moves as the minute hand moves and should also know clockwise direction.
We reviewed rounding to the nearest ten and hundred.
Students practiced two step mixed operation problems (e.g., Mr. Hudson bought a ukulele for $235. He bought a ukulele case for $185 less. How much did he spend all together?). I introduce these problems with much friendlier numbers in the tens.
We spent a lot of time working on mixed number problems within addition and subtraction with an emphasis on rewriting the problem using fact triangles to ensure we understand it. Many students see two numbers and they simply start adding without understanding how the numbers are related. Most students are successful when presented with a problem with an unknown sum or difference, but struggle when the addend is missing.
Typical problem: 45 + 23 = ?
Challenge: 45 + ? = 68
Finally I introduced our first three multiplication strategies:
Zeroes (0 x 3 = zero groups of three = 0)
Ones (1 x 5 = one group of five = 5)
Doubles (2 x 8 = two groups of 8 = 16) This is the same as our previous addition strategy of doubles.
Science
We worked on design challenges using the versatile Keva planks with an emphasis on teamwork.
Important Dates & Reminders
There will be NO homework next week, including reading logs. There will be no newsletter next week. Have a great holiday.
November 2017
21 Progress Reports available online - I will send home your student's most recent STAR assessments and math assessment.
21 Scarlet and Gray School Spirit Day
22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday
27 Need wide mouth canning jars (32 oz. square Ball jars).
December 2017
27 Need wide mouth canning jars (32 oz. square Ball jars).
December 2017
21 Holiday Parties 2:00 pm
December 22-January 4 Winter Break
January 2018
January 2018
5 No School for Students: Teacher Workday/PD Day
8 School Resumes
15 No School for Staff or Students: Martin Luther King’s Birthday
18 PT Conferences grade 1-5 (students are dismissed at 11:05)
22 STEM Exchange with Livingston (UA Rotary providing pizza)
February 2018
22 STEM Exchange with Livingston (UA Rotary providing pizza)
February 2018
5 State of the Schools at UAHS 5-8 p.m.
5-9 Collection Days for “Box Tops for Education”
8 Third Grade Musical
11-14 Ohio Wildlife Center donation drive
14 Ohio Wildlife Center
8 Third Grade Musical
11-14 Ohio Wildlife Center donation drive
14 Ohio Wildlife Center
19 No School Staff or Students: Presidents’ Day
28 Early Release 1:00 (NO LIFT)
March 2018
March 2018
5 Spring Pictures
9 End of Second Trimester
9 Invention Convention 10-10:30am in the Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
9 Invention Convention 10-10:30am in the Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
12-16 Spring Break
19 No School for Students: Teacher Grading Day
27 Progress Reports available online
30 Good Friday: No School for Students or Staff
April 2018
April 2018
4 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Windermere 11-12 in lounge
May 2018
May 2018
April 30-May 4 Scholastic Book Fair
4 KidFest, 5-8 p.m.
8 NO School for students or certified staff - Ohio Primary Elections
21 Field Day
28 No School Staff: Memorial Day
30 Last Day for Students
30 End of third trimester
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