November 2018

Week of November 12 Update

Important Dates

Wednesday, November 14, 2018: Science formative group project
Monday, November 19, 2018: EDM Unit 3, Part I test (partial test)
Friday, November 30, 2018: EDM Unit 3, Part II test (partial test)

Forget Me Not dates

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018: Report letter go home.
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018: Reading Challenge begins. (See below.)
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018: No school, Teacher Compensatory Day
Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018: No School, Thanksgiving Break
Friday, Nov. 23, 2018: No School, Thanksgiving Break

Subjects at a Glance

Math: Unit 3 is a heavily impacted unit with fractions. We are learning how to report the remainder as a fraction, lesson 3.3, (dividing the remainder into equal parts), ignoring it (the extra is not needed) and rounding up the quotient (adding one to the quotient, another group is needed). We learning how to divide a number line into equal parts, lesson 3.4. We are reintroducing improper fractions (fractions with more than one whole) and mixed numbers, lesson 3.4. Students are learning how to efficiently convert improper fractions and mixed numbers. We are so reviewing how to read word problems with fractional answers, lesson 3.1. Also, we are reviewing how fractions are division, lesson 3.2.

Reading: We are continuing our study of fiction elements by learning theme. Students are learning how to identify the theme and support ones thinking with text evidence. This week, students must apply the theme to his or her life. At the end of the week, students will review how to solve for unknown words.

Writing: We will be using our scientist skills to plan and write a nonfiction skit or print advertisement for cooking materials. Students will use our knowledge of matter as evidence.

Science: Students are continuing our investigation of Matter. We observing properties of matter as we mix, heat or cool. Also, we will observe the properties of 10 mystery substances. Students are encouraged to not taste or eat during science.

Word Study/ Words Their Way: By now, we are in week 4 of Words their way. There are 3 groups: yellow, green and blue groups. The yellow group is learning how vowel sound shape the spelling of words, sort 16. The green group is learning how cluster are split to create syllables, sort 16. The blue group is continuing their study of suffixes and how suffixes can change the parts of speech, sort 9.

Health: We are learning how to incorporate tools to stop bullying and turning bystanders into up-standers.

Social Studies: We concluded our government study last week as we reviewed the results of Dicken's polling site, Michigan's outcomes and the Nation's outcomes. We reviewed all 3 branches of government on all 3 levels. I was impressed by how much knowledge they retained and displayed.

Cold Weather 

The temperatures are deceasing daily. Beautiful, fluffy snow will appear soon. It is imperative students wear proper cold weather gear daily: cold weather outer garment, hat, boots, and mittens or gloves. If a student is improperly dressed, he or she may be asked to use lost and found items in order to stay warm.

Reading Challenge 

Over Thanksgiving break, students will have a reading challenge to read an average of 1 hour a day, totaling 5 hours. A parent or guardian must sign the written or typed note stating the amount of hours read as well as a list of the books.  The note is due the Monday after break.

Reminders 

As I continue to become a Dicken dolphin, students do not have homework on the weekends; however, students are expected to review his or her word study words. The words should be sorted into the groups and written to practice the spelling. Students are expected to read 30 minutes daily.