Week 5

This week in reading we are talking about inferring. We infer when we are reading by figuring out what the author wants us to know but doesn't come right out and tell us; the author shows us something instead of telling us something and we have to find the hidden meaning behind the words the author uses. Our spelling for this week is Sort 4. It is a review of words with -ing. We either double the last letter, drop the e, or do nothing before adding -ing. We are also starting guided reading groups this week. Students will be reading with me in groups during reading time. They will also have assignments to finish on their own during reading time. These guided reading assignments should be finished during class time. Also, on Friday, students will be taking their first Language Arts test for this year. Students will have to make inferences on it, know their vocabulary words for the past few weeks, and be expected to identify correctly written sentences.

In writing we have started our Explanatory Unit. We will be writing "How to"s. These are papers explaining how to do something. Students will pick something that they are expert at knowing how to do, and they will write a paper explaining how to do that. They need to include at least 5 steps and 3 materials needed. We will be doing the pre-write for this unit this week in class.

In math we are working more with factors. We will be learning about the relationship between factors and multiples, learning what prime and composite numbers are, and learning about number patterns. Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, students will be bringing home sheets from their Go Math Practice Book for homework. In class, students will tear their homework page for that night out of their book, and put it into their planner. Since there is only one book per student, it is imperative that student's do not loose their homework pages. I cannot make copies for them. If your student does loose their assignment, it is possible for you to go online and print off a copy of the assignment. Next week I will show students how to get online to take tests and get to the book online.

Next week I would like to begin having parent volunteers (you wonderful helpers!) come in and do a few things for us. I need helpers to do things for me like file papers and make copies and I also need helpers to practice multiplication flash cards with students. Next week we are going to start passing out our multiplication facts. Students need to be able to complete 20 problems in 1 minute. We are trying to earn a party for passing off our facts, so we need parents who can come and practice flash cards with individual students.

If you are interested in and able to come and help us do these things, PLEASE let me know and we can find a time for you to come in and help. Thanks again!