Science: We'll wrap up our unit on environments and food chains Wednesday, and take the test on Thursday. We are in the process of creating food chains and writing an explanation about the flow of energy and the affects of environmental events, such as floods and droughts, on organisms and the food chain.
Reading: Everyone is enjoying their book club book and discussing their thinking with their group. I love listening in on their conversations! Sometimes, I'll facilitate by asking a few questions to push their thinking deeper, but for the most part the book club meetings are student led. Prior to beginning, we learned how to have a discussion where all voices are heard as well as how to choose and discuss big ideas/questions that promote deeper thinking. I was impressed with how well the first discussions groups went. This week, as we read our books, we'll continue to dig deeper into character analysis, theme, and cause & effect. Writing: Students will continue to work on their personal narrative this week. We'll revise and edit our drafts throughout the week as we learn craft moves to improve our writing. Our mini-lessons will include using sensory images, varying sentence beginnings and length, adding dialogue, and using strong verbs. We'll also write a few responses to PBL related videos, poems, or articles. Math: On Friday, we observed two different scales and learned about pounds and ounces. This week, we'll continue to explore weight while measuring a variety of items. Also, we'll compare ounces to fluid ounces while sorting real life items into the two categories. This can be confusing to third graders, so I want the kiddos to discover the difference between the two and make a conclusion about fluid ounces after noticing/wondering about final sort. It is great when the kiddos can make their own discoveries and they love it too! It is so much more powerful than someone telling them what something means. We'll also make discoveries while exploring capacity using water and various containers. Social Studies: Our focus will be on how communities have started and changed over time. We'll read a story about a boy who begins his own community, and continue to discuss how school has changed. Also, we'll revisit Henry Ford and discover how his innovations changed the automobile as well as the production of cars. Then we will find out how the inventions of Benjamin Franklin influenced and changed communities. Important reminder...This week 4th and 5th graders have STAAR testing, so our schedule will change on Tuesday & Wednesday. Lunch will be at our regular time, but specials will be from 12:35-1:15. We are not allowed to have recess on those days unless testing is finished prior to our recess time. Instead, we will have frequent breaks in the classroom that involve movement. Also, please keep in mind that classroom visitors/volunteers are not allowed on campus on testing days, (which includes Thursday and Friday of this week as those are make-up days). Upcoming Events April 18: Spirit Night at Dairy Queen (620) 5:00-8:00 April 20: England Talent Show 6:00 April 20: Run Wild Fundraiser sponsored by Environment Club (during PE)-more info to come
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November 2019
Mrs. Swyers3rd Grade Teacher |