Science Discovery Day This Week

Last week we began a study of Vincent Van Gogh's artwork.

Science Discovery Day
This Wednesday is Science Discovery Day.  On Wednesday, during school, all students will attend three different classes taught by TPES parents and community members.  Students will experience different types of sciences and science activities.  In past years students studied static electricity, butterflies, ocean tides, even maggots.  On Wednesday have your student wear clothes that are easy to move around in and okay to be messy in.

Star Test Strategy
This week I will practice with students how to eliminate answers on a multiple choice test.  This is a little tricky as they cannot cross out answers on their exam (those marks will confuse the computer that scans their test).  I will send home some practice for your students to try on Tuesday.

Writing Journal Homework
I hope the assignment for last week went well.  I will read the student journals today.  In the Writing Journal for this week I would like your students to research and write about an animal of their choosing.  It should not be the same animal they are researching in class.  They can find information from books or encyclopedias at your home, the Riford Library, or online at National Geographic for Kids.
If you wish to do more online research I have found that a google search that has "for kids" in it usually works.  For instance you could google "lobsters for kids".
After their research, students should write two sections (with topic sentences) on their choice of anatomy, habitat, diet, life cycle, or threats for their chosen animal.  You can tell them that this project does not need to be as detailed as their in-class report.

Spring Break
There is no school next week, 4/2 - 4/6, for Spring Break.


Curriculum Overview

Literacy - As a class, writing a non-fiction report on blue whales. Organizing our collected notes into paragraphs of similar information with clear topic sentences.  Adding to and editing our initial writing.  Creating a Bibliography.

Math - Multiplication

Writing - Individually writing a non-fiction report on a wild animal. Organizing our notes into paragraphs of similar information with clear topic sentences.

Language Conventions and Word Study - Syllable review.  Understanding that most words with double consonants split across those letters (rabbit / rab-bit, little / lit-tle).  Understanding that some syllables will have only one letter (avalanche / av-a-lanch, elephant / el-e-phant)

In-Class Art - A study of Vincent Van Gogh