McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of December 1, 2014

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Reading Workshop

We have shifted our focus to nonfiction texts in reading workshop.  We’re reviewing text features, such as index, glossary, headings, etc., but my intent is to build on these basics which the kids have already had experience with, and to teach strategies to become stronger, more critical readers of nonfiction text.  Soon, we will embark on a research project.  In the meantime, students will be reading lots of nonfiction in the classroom, while still maintaining a lot of fiction reading, mostly to be done through their at-home reading.

     Thank you for your support of the Read-a-Thon last week!  Mrs. Waterhouse is tallying up minutes read and dollars earned, and I am proud of our readers’ participation and achievement.  Sometimes it’s hard, when you’re nine, to feel like you can have an impact on others’ lives in the way of donations, and the Read-a-Thon is one way for children to truly make a difference!

Writing Workshop

We have also started a new unit in writing workshop: Informational Writing: Personal Expertise.  The kids are bringing what they have learned in previous grades to refine and deepen their writing skills during this fun unit.  Some kids have also already made connections between this new work and essay writing moves we focused on during the last unit — I love it when that happens!  Your child may assign her-/himself some homework over the next couple of weeks, which will be to look up a quick fact or two to support the writing project.  This is a project about a topic kids already know about; it’s not a research unit.  So these look-ups should be quick (checking a date, finding the spelling of a breed of dog), and they are 100% student-driven.  So if your child asks to go online at home for some info, this is most likely what it’s about.  Thanks in advance for your support!

Math

This week we spent time reviewing all the major concepts for unit 3 and students took the end of unit assessment on Thursday. Assessment packets will be sent home by the end of next week. Students also did some pre-assessment work for the next unit. Our next unit has a strong focus on decimals and measurement while continuing to solidify skills around multiplication.  

Spelling

This week we learned that the suffix -er can be added to words to mean “one who” or for comparison.  For example, a teacher is one who teachers.  The word bigger is used to compare sizes.  We also looked at words with tricky schwa endings: or, ar, and er.  

Theme

This week students completed the final activity in the Pilgrim simulation, trading with the Wampanoag tribe.  Everyone finished their Pilgrim journals, and they are in take home folders today - happy reading!

     We spent the rest of the week preparing for our end of unit quiz.  We filled out a study guide together and students had a class period to make a tool (flash cards, Jeopardy board, Memory game, etc).  I did not dictate the type of tool they made this time, as I’d like the kids to start making choices about what works for them as a learner.  We will review in class on Monday and the quiz will be Tuesday. 

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Child

This is a great time of year to ask your child about replenishing her/his school supplies, particularly colored pencils and skinny markers.  We have a few projects coming up that will involve some art work, and everyone needs a full (basic) set of each.  Many students are all set; others have used theirs a lot and need more.  Another stocking stuffer idea for some kids is Sharpie markers.  We use black ones, specifically the fine point and extra fine point, for outlining artwork and tracing lettering.  I have had a plentiful supply in the classroom, but this fall many of them have disappeared.  So, that makes me think that this group of kids really likes to use them!  It might make sense for your child to have one of each in her/his pencil box.

Penny Drive

Mr. Brookes’ class has started their annual penny drive to benefit the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund.  Members of his class came by this week to describe the purpose of this event.  We have a big baggie in our class to collect change until December 17th.  

Color Guard News

Many students on our team are involved in color guard as an extracurricular activity this year.  We wanted to let everyone know that the color guard will be holding an Arbonne fundraiser at Doc’s Cafe on Saturday, December 13th from 10am-1pm.  15% of the sales will go to the group to help pay for competition fees and flags.  We would love for you to come by and do some shopping to support our team.  

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, December 8th - Reading logs due / No study link will be assigned / study for Colony quiz

 Tuesday, December 9th - Colony quiz

Wednesday, December 10th - Early Release 

Thursday, December 11th - Spelling due / ABL

Friday, December 12th - Study link due