It’s hard to believe we’ve already been in school for 4, almost 5, weeks! Wow! Here’s an update on what we’ve been up to.

Language Arts:

We have started to read How to Eat Fried Worms as a class. We are having class discussions & the students are completing vocabulary, comprehension & critical thinking worksheets. Recently we have taken time to make sure answers are written as complete sentences, that all questions are answered & that answers are complete, thorough & student’s have supported their ideas with examples.

Students should be reading a book they have selected for their book project. They each have a book project list to choose from. The lists are available in the classroom if they need another one. The due date is Thursday, October 23^rd.

Writing is incorporated throughout the other subject areas & we’re working on various writing assignments as well. I’m using our newly adopted Writer’s Workshop program by Ralph Fletcher, which emphasizes writing focused stories & using details to communicate their stories to others. We are still working on personal narratives.

Math:

We have just finished the Mathematical Thinking Investigations unit this week. We will now concentrate on adding & subtracting with three & four digit numbers with regrouping using the text book. Our next Investigations unit will be Arrays & Shares, which covers multiplication & division.

Social Studies:

We have been focusing on Washington’s Native Americans & explorers. Soon students will be working on a group project about the historical groups of Washington. More specific information will be coming soon.

Science:

Our first science kit, Electric Circuits, arrives this week. We will start the unit next week & the students will make discoveries about how electricity works with many hands on activities.

Odds & Ends:

• A reminder about grades: Remember, 3 is the new 4. If your student receives a 3 on an assignment it means he/she is meeting standard & has completed everything required for that assignment. If a student completes an assignment accurately & also goes above & beyond expectations or does extra credit, he/she would receive a 3+. You will see very few, if any, 4’s. A four means that a student is performing consistently above grade level with few or no errors. This means meeting standards for the grade above.
• Students seem to be adjusting well to the expectations of the classroom & our routines. Remember to expect to see the agenda filled out on a daily basis & the Friday Folder every Friday.

Upcoming Events:

October 1 - 15 ASB Fall Fundraiser
October 7^th - Individual Picture Day                                                             

October 9^th – PTSA Bingo Night
October 10^th  - No School—State In-service
October 23^rd  - ASB Costume Ball
October 24^th - No School—District In-service Day