11/11/11 Veterans Day!

Thank you to our veterans on this special day. We know that freedom is not free, and we appreciate your sacrifices.

Homework:
Reading - Please read chapters 3-5 in Number the Stars, and complete your role for Thursday.
Writing - Make sure your journal is complete and ready to share on Monday.
SHARE YOUR TEST PACKET AND HAVE IT SIGNED, ALONG WITH YOUR FRIDAY FOLDER.

New Novel!

This sand artist is amazing! Watch the video, and see if you can follow her story. Tomorrow, we'll discuss what you were able to understand from her art.

During our Readers' Cafe today, we were introduced to our new novel, Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry. The novel is a Newbery Medal winner that tells the story of Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen. It takes place in Denmark during 1943, a time when Jewish people are being persecuted. During our cafe, Mrs. Rader and Mrs. McIlvaine shared some historical information as well as the first two chapters of the story. We are in new discussion groups and are looking forward to reading this book.

This afternoon, we gathered for our class meeting. It was time to think about all the rules we've learned in regards to anti-bullying. To review, we worked in our groups with Bullying Rules Roundup Cards. Each card gave a scenario, and we were to apply a specific rule. We had great sharing in our groups, and we brought our ideas to a close with the whole class at the end.

Homework:
Reading - Review vocabulary and story. Quiz tomorrow on story and assigned spelling list.
Math - Do one practice page. Study - quiz tomorrow.
Science - Quiz tomorrow.
Readers' Cafe - Read chapters 2-5 in Number the Stars. Prepare your assigned role based on the first 5 chapters.

Report Card Day

Students received their report cards today. An overall great effort is being rewarded! In addition to the report card, look for a fluency letter, parent/teacher conference information, classroom newsletter, and other important documents. The report card can be kept, but the envelope needs to be signed and returned.

In Language Arts, we thought more deeply about the characters and events in The Telephone Call. The main characters were all dealing with grief in different ways. John, for instance was objective and knew all the right things to say and do, while Vicky was empathetic and felt helpless to act or speak. Each character was hurting, and their actions and conversations they had with each other in the story helped us to know them better. On Friday, we will conclude our review of the story.

Tomorrow is the kick-off to our new novel, Number the Stars. Our group will join with Mrs. Rader's group to build some background knowledge, hear Mrs. Rader and Mrs. Mac read the first two chapters, and receive our reading and roles in our new groups.

On Friday, Social Studies books will be exchanged. We are moving on to Latin America.

Homework:
Reading - Quizzes on Friday. Review your vocabulary and story.
Math - A Weighty Decision
Science - Quiz on Friday.
Spelling - Quiz on Friday. Study your words.
SHARE YOUR REPORT CARD WITH YOUR PARENTS/GUARDIANS. RETURN THE SIGNED ENVELOPE AND CONFERENCE FORM.

One Day Here, One Day Off!

The extra hour helped us to see a brighter morning! It was nice seeing the sun come up earlier, but it will be hard seeing it set so early. We'll all have to make the most of these seemingly shorter days.

To help you ease into this change, you will have tomorrow off! The teachers have an in-service day, so you can enjoy the sunshine all day long. Please remember to return on Wednesday!

Our shorter Language Arts period did allow us to review and put finishing touches on our Reading benchmark tests. Some had needed a little more time, so we all checked our work. The teachers will be reviewing benchmark results tomorrow. These results will tell us what skills need more attention.

In Social Studies, we concluded our presentations. The final projects will be on display in our hallway. They're very interesting journals!

Homework:
Reading - Please reread The Telephone Call in your reading book. Read it to your cat, dog, goldfish, brother, sister, mom, or dad. OR...quietly to yourself.
Math - finish workbook p. 18 (front and back)
Spelling - Study your list! You may use Spelling City on our links! Test Friday.
Social Studies - Study. Quiz on Wednesday.
Science - Study. Test Friday.