We are almost to the end of the month! If the weather stays like this for the rest of winter, spring can't come soon enough! Hopefully everyone is keeping warm and staying healthy. Here is a look at our week:
* Due to the shortened week for students, there will be no weekly folders or star student this week. We will get back to a regular schedule next week.
* We are taking a break from our WEX program for this week only to focus a bit on figurative language. Last week we talked about how authors can use figurative language to add more description and help readers visualize what is happening in the text. We will continue to talk about similes, metaphors, hyperboles, onomatopoeias, personification, idioms, and alliteration. I challenged the kids to keep track of examples of each they come across in conversations, books, television, etc. We are posting examples on our back bulletin board. We will see how can find the most examples for a prize!
* We began to study Greek mythology. We will review theme, character traits, and plot for each god/goddess that we learn about. The kids will also learn different allusions that we use today when we reference different people and events. The kids were surprised at how much mythology is around us each day: Nike, Pandora Radio, Midas Tires, Amazon…even the Starbucks logo!
* In reading we are taking time to look closer at science fiction. The kids will discuss the difference between science fiction and fantasy. We will also begin our guided reading groups--each group will be using a science fiction novel. Each book has different elements of science fiction in it, so we will be able to compare/contrast our stories as a whole class! During reading we will also continue our study/practice of asking questions. We will review strategies on asking thick questions and how to go about finding answers to questions we have while reading.
* In math we will cover dividing with one digit divisors. The beginning of the week, we will work with simple numbers problems where the kids will write number models with a variable for what they need to find. They will then use their extension facts to help narrow down numbers to guess and check answers. Thursday we will learn the traditional PMDAS method of division and Friday will be devoted to some problem solving. The kids will begin to write out steps they used to solve each problem and why they chose to use that step. Showing their work is so incredibly important to this process! We will also practice using mathematical vocabulary in our explanations! Problem solving as a whole seems to be a bit difficult for this group of kids-- ixl.com would be a great place to practice math facts and skills to help boost confidence in problem solving!
* We will continue to work with circuit electricity in science. The kids will make a complete circuit with a battery, 1 or 2 wires, and a light bulb. We will then experiment with using a light bulb holder, begin talking about what makes a good conductor, learn about the parts of a light bulb, and use our knowledge of electricity to make sound (buzzers), heat (light bulb), and motion (motors). So much to do!!!
* We may only have a few days of school, but we our schedule and lessons are packed! If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Thanks so much! Stay warm! ~ Mrs. Galazkae
