What are we up to this week?
Math: We have come back to the students' favorite topic in math: FRACTIONS! =) We are now learning how to add/subtract fractions and mixed numbers that have unlike denominators. This sometimes includes regrouping and borrowing, which can be pretty tough, so please make sure kids are practicing these skills at home with their notebooks and homework assignments! Our test will be on January 31st!
Social Studies: We are rolling on through our Midwest unit, and students have learned about some of the most important explorers in U.S. History - Lewis and Clark! Students will also go deeper this unit with the economic activities of the region by choosing a small-business that is connected to the natural resources of the Midwest. They will then research and display their information in their scrapbook! Our test will be on January 26th.
Science: We are heading into the second half of our matter unit, and we will be using several in-class experiments to learn about physical/chemical changes, mixtures and solutions, and properties of matter. Our matter test will be on February 2nd!
SCIENCE FAIR UPDATE: any students participating in science fair should be making sure their procedures and materials are all approved by their teacher so that they can begin their experiments. All students need to have the following turned in by February 1st: Experiment Observations and Results (Experiment should be completely conducted), Conclusions, and Graph(s).
LA: We have been learning all about figurative language! Ask your students for examples of hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, idiom, and personification. Moving forward, we will begin to search for these throughout poetry, as well as making figurative language books of our own! Finally, with all the days off we have been having due to the weather, students will be writing their own recipes for the perfect snowday! We will be focusing on how to use transition words to make our writing flow.
Important Dates:
January 24: Optional Science Fair Check-in (3:45-4:40)
January 26: Midwest Test
Parent Conferences (Optional) - HALF-DAY
January 29: Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL
January 31: +/- Fractions Test
February 2: Matter Test