Hello families!
This week we continued practicing comprehension strategies about summarizing what we've read. We read aloud from A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky. We also read D is for Dragon Dance to celebrate the beginning of Chinese New Year yesterday.
We began a new science unit of sound. We made our first observations of sound--a bee buzzing in a flower--and thought about how sound is produced. Students noticed how different the sound was when the bee was inside the flower versus out in the air flying to a new flower. We also observed sounds in the classroom and the hallway and how these varied too.
In writing students put together their published star myths and some finished illustrating them. If your child did finish illustrating this week you'll see this book come home along with the handwritten copy and editing sheets. Ask your child about their writing process!
We also talked about the first steps of our next writing project. On Thursday I sent home a letter and the planning sheets for our PLPs. Please take some time before school resumes to help your child write down the questions they want to answer about their topic and write down any facts they already know (or think they know are true). We'll begin researching at school after vacation.
Even with the excitement of vacation we had a terrific week. I hope you all have a great break and we'll see you in March!
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Highlights of the Week 2.13.15
Dear Families,
We've had a terrific week! Students finished writing and editing their star myths. On Friday our buddies read or told us about their folk tale writing project. Then they helped us type our star myths. Next week we'll work on illustrating our myths as our narrative writing unit comes to a close. After vacation we'll begin a new non-fiction report writing unit! On Friday we narrowed down our idea list and chose our topics! Ask your child what s/he'll be studying!
We learned more about the moon and its phases this week. We also pretended to be the Earth and moved like it to practice some vocabulary: rotate and revolve! We also did one last light experiment, peek boxes, about how light travels and how it helps us see things in the dark. Next week and after break we'll be doing some sound experiments and investigations. In order to do those there are some supplies we need, in particular toilet paper tubes (or paper towel tubes). Please send any you have in to us!
We practiced asking questions and making connections while reading this week. We also read about the Chinese New Year which is beginning on February 19th this year. We were surprised to learn that they time their celebration to coincide with the phases of the moon--beginning on a new moon and ending at the full moon!
We also had a visit from local author, Grannie Snow, who shared two of her Silas the cat books with us. We talked about the inspiration for writing and the writing process from idea to editing to publication! We were surprised, and excited, to hear that our process is just like the process she uses!
On Friday we had a nice Valentine's celebration of our friendships and enjoyed some treats! Next week there are two special events: Wednesday will be the final Winter Wellness Sports day; Friday afternoon will be our Rumney Winter Carnival!
We've had a terrific week! Students finished writing and editing their star myths. On Friday our buddies read or told us about their folk tale writing project. Then they helped us type our star myths. Next week we'll work on illustrating our myths as our narrative writing unit comes to a close. After vacation we'll begin a new non-fiction report writing unit! On Friday we narrowed down our idea list and chose our topics! Ask your child what s/he'll be studying!
We learned more about the moon and its phases this week. We also pretended to be the Earth and moved like it to practice some vocabulary: rotate and revolve! We also did one last light experiment, peek boxes, about how light travels and how it helps us see things in the dark. Next week and after break we'll be doing some sound experiments and investigations. In order to do those there are some supplies we need, in particular toilet paper tubes (or paper towel tubes). Please send any you have in to us!
We practiced asking questions and making connections while reading this week. We also read about the Chinese New Year which is beginning on February 19th this year. We were surprised to learn that they time their celebration to coincide with the phases of the moon--beginning on a new moon and ending at the full moon!
We also had a visit from local author, Grannie Snow, who shared two of her Silas the cat books with us. We talked about the inspiration for writing and the writing process from idea to editing to publication! We were surprised, and excited, to hear that our process is just like the process she uses!
On Friday we had a nice Valentine's celebration of our friendships and enjoyed some treats! Next week there are two special events: Wednesday will be the final Winter Wellness Sports day; Friday afternoon will be our Rumney Winter Carnival!
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