Weekly Update 1/11/19

In science the students are learning about forces and motion, including pushes, pulls, gravity, and friction. They are also practicing using the steps involved in the scientific method by recording what happens before, during, and after experiments in lab manuals. This week, I modeled for the students, and next week students will conduct more experiments using toy cars on ramps  while working in groups.

In math, we have continued to practice adding three-digit numbers with regrouping. We will wrap up Chapter 6 next week by doing the last lesson on word problems and then reviewing for a test on Wednesday. Look for review pages to come home on Tuesday. We have also added Prodigy to our math centers along with some new partner games and Seesaw activities. Students have been very excited to play Prodigy while reviewing important concepts from our previous chapters. Students can also play Prodigy at home with your permission. They should have the login information on their lists in their green folders.

In reading, the students have been learning how to identify both outside physical traits, as well as inside personality traits for the characters in their books. We are currently reading Frog and Toad are Friends and studying Frog's character closely. The children have been able to infer Frog's character traits by paying attention to the things Frog says and does in the story. We are just getting started, but so far Frog has proved to be positive, creative, and at times, sneaky!

We also read a Scholastic News article about firefighters. Students worked together to compare and contrast the methods and equipment that firefighters use today from those long ago.

Students were able to finish up a quick write piece answering the question, "Would you rather be a snowman or a snowflake?". They wrote their opinions, and we have displayed them with the wonderful snowmen they made in art class!

We have also started our informational writing unit. Students each brainstormed and selected a topic they already know a lot about. Next, they worked with partners to help come up with three subtopics. The children are using graphic organizers to web out facts for each of their subtopics. Students have chosen a variety of topics including, swimming, horses, fish tanks, coins, and soccer. I am impressed with all of their knowledge so far!

One of our Flat Stanley's sent back some pictures from his visit to Pittsburgh, PA!