Welcome Back

I mentioned that last Wednesday was Science Discovery Day.  Students had the opportunity to learn about all sorts of science topics.
In this photo a scientist from UCSD explains how embryos are formed.

Welcome back to TPES, I hope you had a great Spring Vacation.  From talking with students it sounds like you all did a wide variety of things during the break.  My wife and I spent most of the week in the Caribbean on Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Important Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, April 17th - Spring School Picture Day
Friday, April 27th - TPES Gala Fundraiser at 6PM

Writing Homework
This week continue working on the non-fiction animal research project that was started during the last school week.  I expect students to complete only one or two sections this week as I will be sending home other literacy work.

Guidewords
One of the areas students will be tested on in May is how to use a dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, and atlas.  We have spent time in class studying the structure and features of these reference books.  One aspect that we have covered, but that is somewhat difficult, is the guidewords that appear at the top of every dictionary page and sometimes in an encyclopedia as well.  We are covering them again this week.  Please take a minute to look through a dictionary with your students, I will also send home some practice on this esoteric skill tomorrow.

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 and Division

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 - guidewords, plurals, review of vowel sounds.

In-Class Art - A study of Vincent Van Gogh