April 24, 2017

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Spring Break and took some time to relax and spend time with family! As we are ending the end of the school year there are two activities the students will be participating in. One activity is the end of the year benchingmarking in iReady. Students have been participating in lessons all school year through iReady and have also completed two previous benchmarkings. We began the ELA benchmarking last week and will finish it this week and we will also complete the Math benchmarking this week. When we returned from Spring Break I sat down with each student and showed them their progress and growth on their previous benchmark and each student set a goal for themselves for this benchmarking. We have been discussing the fact that some of the questions they will know and some of the questions they may not know and that is ok. The program asks both types of questions to find the just right spot for each student. They were encouraged to continue to try their best in order to continue to demonstrate the growth they have made this school year. I see the growth everyday in the classroom as the students continue to amaze me with their ability to apply new and previously learned skills.

The second activity the students will be participating in is the state AIR Math test. This will occur on May 2 and May 3 during the morning. Please try to avoid scheduling any outside appointments during these two days. This will be the first time the students take this test as there is not AIR Math test that is administered in the fall. 

Science: In this Science unit we have been studying Rocks and Minerals. We began our study with minerals and the children participated in a Mineral QR Code activity. Each group investigated 9 minerals by first using a QR code to look up information regarding the properties of that mineral and then they performed the tests for color, streak, luster and hardness to see whether their results matched those that they found using the QR code. We have moved on to learning about the different types of rocks, so far we have investigated igneous and sedimentary rocks. This week we will continue to investigate metamorphic rocks and the rock cycle. I have tentatively scheduled to have the final test for this unit on May 1 but that may change according to how our lessons progress and students' understanding of each concept.

ELA-We began a book series called "Race the Wild" this week. This series is an adventure race in which teams of children are given clues about the habitat they are investigating as well as the animals that live there and they have to solve the clue in order to be the first to complete the race and win. The students have been put in teams and each team is reading about a different race in a different area of the world. While they are reading the students are looking for and identifying cause/effect relationships within the text. Students are working either during Read to Self or Read With Someone to complete the assigned daily reading, however, if they do not complete the reading in class they have been asked to bring it home to read. Each team was assigned the book that best fit their independent reading level. We will complete the books this week and next week we will move on to reading "Charlotte's Web." When we read "Charlotte's Web" all reading will be done at school in three ways, either Read to Self, Read With Someone or Listen to Reading. The students will then participate in a variety of activities that will allow them to apply the variety of strategies they have learned this year. At the end of the book the students will participate in an independent culminating project of their choice that they will complete at school. This has always been one of my favorite children's books and I am looking forward to reading it with the class.

Math: We are continuing to work on fractions and our next lessons will be about Equivalent Fractions. We touched on this last week as we worked on Fractions on a Number Line and the students were discovering how when they plotted certain fractions on a number line they lined up with other fractions on a number line. We also used fraction bars to start investigating how we could create equivalent fractions. This week we will take a short break from fractions and participate in some review centers in anticipation of the Math AIR Testing next week. 

Writing: We have finished our final opinion writing piece. During this process the students worked hard to create a three paragraph writing using two texts they were given. They expressed their opinion regarding what character traits they believed Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela had in common that made them successful and helped them make a difference or change. The students participated in all aspects of the writing process and especially saw how writers have to edit multiple drafts before they have a final copy. We are now beginning work on a personal narrative.

On April 19th Mr. Hartland came to visit Chippewa and told us all about Central School.

On May 4th we will be having our Banana Split Party in celebration of completing our multiplication facts. Please look for an email coming out shortly regarding a Sign Up Genius to provide the needed supplies for this celebration.

On May 11th we will be going to Central School for a visit and tour. The permission slip for this will be coming home soon. 

On May 18th we will be taking a field trip to Progressive Field and on Lolly the Trolley. Information regarding cost and the permission slip will be coming home shortly so please keep your eyes open for this in your child's mail pocket or Friday folder.

April 25-Biodome at Chippewa School
May 2-3-Math AIR testing
May 11-Central School visit
May 16-Science DZ
May 18-Progressive Field Lolly the Trolley Field Trip
May 29-Memorial Day-No School