Welcome back! I hope that everyone had a restful Spring Break. The students deserve a round of applause for doing a great job creating and presenting their conference slideshows! With Spring Break coming to an end, it could only mean one thing... the countdown to summer has officially begun! We are looking forward to all the fun and learning that's ahead of us within the last couple months of school!
Literacy
This week, we read and learned about the Navajo code talkers. During World War II, the code talkers played a crucial role in helping the U.S. Marines send coded messages using the complex and unwritten Navajo language. Using texts from Reading A-Z, Newsela, and Epic, we are practicing our skill of compiling information from multiple sources together in order to demonstrate a deep understanding about a specific topic. Throughout the readings, we are also working on explaining relationships and interactions, such as cause/effect and problem/solution, while using text evidence as support.
In the upcoming weeks, we will be taking the series of literacy assessments used for middle school placement. The writing assessment will take place on Thursday, April 13th, and the reading assessment will be on Monday, April 17th.
Writing
We started to wrap up our analytical choice essays, which involved students choosing from a list of topics that included binge-watching television shows, electric cars, student lunches, and homework. After planning and drafting, students worked to refine their essays to ensure that they effectively stated their stance on the chosen topic, provided sufficient supporting details from credible sources, and edited any grammar and punctuation errors. We will continue to work on various analytical writing skills with prompts that encourages students to provide their opinion about topics, such as the necessity for movie theaters or daylight saving time.
Math
We are continuing to practice skills in the area of geometry in Unit 6. We have been exploring the hierarchy of polygons, with an emphasis on triangles and quadrilaterals. Using academic language related to angles and sides, students have been classifying and describing shapes based on their attributes. Next week, we will review and extend our thinking on the concept of volume, which was covered in Unit 1. Our next math placement assessment will be on Wednesday, April 26th.
Science
In our current unit, we are exploring the concepts of matter. To observe the properties of different white powders, the students engaged in a fun hands-on investigation! The students conducted different experiments to test various properties of the powders, such as appearance, water solubility, chemical reactions, and color changes. Students really enjoyed acting like a chemist during this investigation! We will have another great hands-on investigation in the coming weeks, which will involve combining various substances to see if new substances are formed.
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 7th - No School (District Holiday)
Thursday, April 13th - Literacy Placement Test (Writing)
Monday, April 17th - Literacy Placement Test (Reading)
Tuesday, April 18th-Thursday, April 20th - Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
Wednesday, April 19th - Pizza Bingo/PTO Book Fair (@ PM)
Friday, April 21st - Half Day (Dismissal @ 11:45 AM)
Tuesday, April 25th - Early Release (Dismissal @ 2:05 PM)
Wednesday, April 26th - Math Placement Test
Friendly Reminders
Please remind your student to charge his/her iPad and Logitech Crayon every night
Please remember to send your student with a healthy snack - nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
Please continue to have your student practice their multiplication facts up to 12
Band and orchestra students should remember to be prepared with their instruments and music books on the days of lessons
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