Word Study
We are
diving deeper into words that have the same consonant cluster. Students played Consonant Cluster Dominoes,
they had to match a domino with the beginning or ending cluster. Then we moved on to words with the vowel
sounds of ou, ow, and aw, like in the
words, house cow, and paw. To practice
the skill the children played Crazy Eights were they had to match words with
the same vowel sound. The last lesson we learned this week was all about the sound
of “a” as in cake, pail, and day. Then the phonics groups
sorted words into the correct spelling pattern.
Reader’s Workshop
The readers
this week are doing an author study on Gail Gibbons. The readers are making a list of things they
noticed as they investigate Gail Gibbons’ books. During this time we read several of her books
and pointed out many features that are used in her books. We also filled out an author study chart
looking for: voice, writing structure/style, illustration style, page layout,
titles, and features. During this
author study the readers became more comfortable with Gail Gibbons as an
author, they knew what to expect from her books. Gail Gibbons writes non-fiction pieces in
“third person”, she reports on a certain subject.
Writer’s Workshop
Did you know
that the Blue Jay is not really blue? (Ask
your child why the blue jay is not blue).
This is an example of an interesting fact that students are working on
this week in writer’s workshop. The
writers are finding so many interesting facts about their Michigan bird and
putting these facts into their own words.
All students have completed the research part of their project and they
will begin to write their own magazine article soon. Students
created a picture of their Michigan bird using Kidpix in the computer lab.
Math Workshop
This week we
worked on multiplication and division.
Students have begun to make division number stories, many students drew
pictures or used their chips to solve the problem. Then we focused on multiplication facts,
students made arrays to solve various multiplication facts. They learned that multiplication facts can be
turned around (2 X 3 = 6 and 3 X 2 = 6).
It’s important that students know how to solve these problems for third
grade. The mathematicians also filled
out a multiplication product table from 0 to 100. They discovered many counting patterns in
each row and column. We discussed the
number zero, anything X 0= 0, so 5 X 0 = 0.
This all moved nicely into learning all about fact families, which is
very similar to addition and subtraction fact families. Students practiced with their fact triangles
to learn some multiplication and division facts. Please
practice these facts throughout the summer to be prepared for third grade.
Social Studies
The students
shared their Venn diagram of NOW and THEN of schools. So much has changed, yet much is the
same. We also talked about the Walled
Lake Amusement Park that was built and operating from 1918-1968. Now we are working
on a written piece about why a new amusement park would be both a good idea and
a bad idea depending on your perspective.
Science
We have
completed our final science unit this year.
Please look over your child’s science test. Grades for Air and Weather will be posted on
the 4th card marking period.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Friday, May 10th: Field day –AM
May 24th and May 27: Off
For Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 29th: Jiffy
and Teddy Bear Company
Please send in your permission slip
and money on Monday, May 6th for the field tripJ
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