Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot believe we are already in OCTOBER!! Time flies when you're having fun :o)
Here is the rundown for this week!
Homework
I'm sure your child has already told you about the changes to our homework routine. Math homework will go home everyday and is due the following day. We want students to have nightly math practice and feel this is the best way to achieve that. The rest of their assignments will go home on Monday and are not due back until Friday. I loved hearing about their research last week. I'm so glad we have decided to make it part of their weekly routine. Let me know how this week goes!
Math
This week we are wrapping up our second math unit,. Students have learned to multiply 2x1 digit numbers using a variety of strategies. We have also learned how to multiply by 10s, 100s, and 1,000s, used arrays to show multiplication and division, and worked on problem solving using multiplication! We are taking the unit two assessment on Wednesday, they are going to do wonderfully, and our unit three preassessment on Thursday. Unit three will cover patterns and algebraic relationships.
Language Arts
Last week students dove into nonfiction text and nonfiction text features. This week we are learning about expository text and how it is different from personal narratives. Students will need to include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. This week they are writing examples of expository text in their writer's notebooks. I can't wait to read their final pieces!
In reading we are practicing our fluency, reviewing the differences between fact and opinions, and learning to summarize nonfiction text. Summarizing can be tricky! Some kiddos want to tell you EVERYTHING about their story and have a hard time keeping it simple.
Science
Last week we worked on identifying and comparing the different properties of matter. This week students are reviewing what particles look like when they are in each state of matter. Today students wrote personal narratives from the perspective of a particle that transitions from a solid, to a liquid, to a gas. They came up with some really creative stories! Tomorrow we are going to measure the different properties of matter out in the neighborhood.
Texas History
We have been discussing the different Native American groups here in Texas. We are going to continue our study by learning about the people in the Central Plains, High Plains, and Mountains & Basins regions.
I don't think I can say this enough- YOUR KIDS ARE THE BEST!!! They have earned four hearts this week and it's only Tuesday :o) I'm one lucky lady!
As always-let me know if you have any questions. I'll see most of you on Monday!