24 April-1 May 2011
First of all, thank you to the parents who accompanied us on our amazing Study Trip to the Farm in Pasiano. We worked so hard, that we almost didn't have anytime to play, but we left tired and excited to bring home the pasta. We enjoyed sunshine, wonderful Italian hosts and a delicious lunch, as well. Thank you to these parents: Dad Knight, Mom Lovelace, Mom Brown-Williams, Mom Keomanila, & Mom Hall! Couldn't have done it without ya'!
PLEASE SEND A WATER BOTTLE IN WITH YOUR CHILD DAILY--We NEED HYDRATION!
Also, no flip-flops or sandals that they may have difficulty playing on the outdoor equipment safely. Thank you!
As you can tell, I'm still recovering from Spring Break. It was great to see another quarter of the year pass and send home progress reports, have a few conferences, and begin our last quarter of the year on last Monday. We're still working hard and our displays in the room and hallway, show 'what we know' and how much we've learned this year. We welcome our Advance Ed review team next week and we've prepared and worked together for this school-wide review.
Remember that P.E. is on Tuesday and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
This week we'll begin our 2nd of the last six stories of the year in our Reading Street series. Here are a list of the skills we'll be working on.
Title: Mole and Baby Bird
Author: Marjorie Newman Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Genre: Animal Fantasy (one of our class' favorites!)
Comprehension Skill: Sequence (putting story events in sequential order)
Comprehension Strategy: Summarize
Study Skill: Using a Glossary (in the back of a non-fiction book)
Spelling/Phonics: -ou as in mouth /ou/ syllables VCV
-Spelling Words-
1. mouth
2. house
2. found
3. our
4. out
5. cloud
6. ouch
7. shout
8. round
9. count
10. should
11. loved
Language/Vocabulary: descriptive words (adjectives)
Grammar: Exclamations (sentences using a exclamation point for punctuaation!)
Writing: Endings for writing stories
In math we're still working on mental computation and strategies to increase our ability to add and subtract to 18. Some of us still use manipulatives, but many have transitioned from fingers (and toes!!) to the use of other techniques to get the job done w/o compromising accuracy. We're also continuing work on Problem Solving using UPSL (Understand, Plan, Solve, and Look Back). We're also taking a few timed math facts (+ & -) quizzes. We're making great progress, and using our strategies really helps.
We have 3 students who will be departing from Aviano at the end of the year and return to the U.S. We'll really miss our friends David, Blake W. and Blake B. Good Luck!
We will be learning about the different states of Matter this month: solids, liquids and gasses, Simple Machines, and what kind of things happened in America since we became a country in 1776. Listen for new vocabulary and information learned by your student throughout the month.
Please read the Administrations' letters sent home to you via e-mail. Many of the end-of-year activities will be listed in their communication.
On Wednesday, we'll begin our 1st Research Project with Ms. Huhra in the Information Center. We'll each select an animal that lives in the ocean and follow a template for beginning research paper. we'll spend various periods in the IC and we'll be finishing up in 3-4 weeks. We'll be using technology to publish, as well.
Please continue with the on-line homework. Some of us have slacked off since we have longer days, so find time at least 3 times a week to participate. A few students have completed Sight Words w/Samson! Congratulations!!!
Have a wonderful week and thanks for your continued involvement in your child's education.
Mrs. Petty
