Epic Challenge!

I have challenged the kids to a reading challenge over break. Some students are going to work really hard to finish the book they are currently reading. This would be GREAT!
I also challenged them to visit Get Epic. This is a website we've been using to explore topics and research for some of our nonfiction writing. The great thing is, there are all kinds of books to explore!

Steps to visit the site:

Visit getepic.com 
Click on the sign-in
Scroll down to the classroom code login section
Our code is: MBX-6475

When students enter the code it will take them to their own personal icon to click.
Then READ, READ, READ!

Also, students can visit TenMarks. There are a lot of new tasks loaded for them to practice.

The past two weeks we've been working on conflict resolution.

Students have also been challenged to think about others instead of thinking of themselves.

In reading this week we talked about what questions we can ask ourselves as we read a book. We talked about what is in the book, in our head, and in our heart.

In math this week we began our fraction unit! I hope you received the letter last week explaining the unit. Each students made a fraction set to use during class. These will come home sometime next week. 

MATH TEST UPDATE:

Due to some data entering issues, I have not been able to enter your child's math unit three test scores. As soon as I am able to enter the scores I will send the tests home for your view. As I said before, I will be assessing these skills again before the end of the year. 

In writing, we talked through our nonfiction pieces and discussed many different types of text features we could include to enhance the information!

Several students have started to crochet in our class! We are up to about six-seven different kiddos who have been working on projects during our Makerspaces time. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL BREAK! SEE YOU ON APRIL 10TH!

March is BUSY!

READING

We have been reading machines this month! March has given us the kick of excitement and competition we needed to get ourselves back on track and completing more books! I have noticed the increase in reading at home as well. Keep it up.

WRITING

This week we worked on several note-taking strategies as we venture into our nonfiction unit for both reading and writing. We will be working on writing pieces that reflect a personal expertise as well as researching new information. Students will begin to learn how to site sources and synthesize information!

MATH

Next Tuesday (or Wednesday) students will be taking their Unit 3 math test. This test will cover two and three digit addition and subtraction, as well as rounding, one and two step word problems and graphing. Although I am giving this test next week, I do not expect complete mastery of all these skills as some students are only just beginning to understand three digit subtraction (this one has been tricky). I plan on giving this test or a similar version at the end of the year to see growth with these concepts. Students are bringing home some formative assessments and quizzes that we have used to see our strengths. They can use these to study and try making some of their own problems as well. I have also included three Troll word problems they can practice before Tuesday.

This week we really focused on graphing, picto-charts, and picto-graphs.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We continue to discuss early settlers of Michigan. We also began to touch on the Underground Railroad, what it was, and some of the key vocabulary associated with this escape plan. Students are bringing home the Part One test of this social studies unit.

I will be updating the snack calendar tab on the blog's main page soon to reflect April, May, and June. Remember, you can check your child's snack day anytime on the website!