Reading Classes:
3rd graders
finished their Poetry Unit by composing
Cinquains, Haikus, Senryus, Modern Poetry, Lyric Poems,
Ballads, Sonnets and Couplets. They revised their
favorite poem by analyzing the lines, structures, and
meaning. Watch the PACE website for future postings
of their poems! They also enjoyed the online Readers
Theatre of the poetry book, “Love That Dog,”
performed by Sharon Creech, Avi, and Walter Dean
Meyers. Their next novel is “The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs.
Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. Two wonderful
children hide out and explore the New York
Metropolitan Museum of Art!
4th Graders
analyzed 5 poems by famous
authors using the Literature Web. They led a very
advanced discussion about the ideas and multiple
perspectives of Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem, “Building.”
Students continued to build on each other’s concepts
until ideas flowed down the hall and out the door! An
amazing group of thinkers!!
5th graders researching and
constructing their Magic
Books!
We’ve started a wonderful novel this week, Esperanza
Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Each child will have their own
book to annotate connections, author’s techniques, and
reader responses. (Ask to see their “secret code” in the
front of the book!) A special thank you to Mrs. R. for
helping with the “Taste of Esperanza Feast” and to all
the parents who sent in food! They’ll be analyzing the
fruit or vegetable chapter title and how it is symbolic of
Esperanza’s life.
5th grader—The Magic Books are turning out
terrific! The children are diligently researching and
transforming their information into a creative
presentation. We have been using the laptops daily
and thank you to the PTA for purchasing additional
iPads! Thank you, parents, for all the library trips
and helping them web search, rewrite, and discuss
their new discoveries! Final Projects on display at
the Wax Museum Feb. 27!
Math Classes
3rd graders just finished creating and organizing different types of data using pictographs, bar
graphs, and line graphs. Next they delve into addition and subtraction of whole numbers using
trading or borrowing. Continue to practice addition and subtraction flashcards at home!
Frequently they understand and can apply the process but miss the problem due to not knowing
their math facts.
4th graders are learning how to find the percent of a number by using unit fractions and unit
percent and how to divide fractions. We continue to review converting mixed numbers, improper
fractions and reducing fractions to lowest terms. Include your children, if possible, in the
measuring part of a home project, such as baking, construction, or painting/wallpapering a room.
These fraction skills are life skills!
5thgraders are learning volume formulas for rectangular prisms, circumference and area of a
circle. Next they explore numerical expressions with exponents, equations and inequalities! They
are busy people! They should practice their skills by doing Topic 14 in the Basic Skills Handbook
(green book) at http://www.bigideasmath.com/protected/content/bsh/ (click Student Tab-no
sign in required)
Have a wonderful warmer week!
C