Weekly Gazette (Week of March 2-March 6)

What is My Child Learning This Week?

Reading-This week, we continue to read "How Machines Affect Our Lives". We will focus on important vocabulary and  prepare for the test this coming Friday. 

Writing-We begin the trait of organization. This trait focuses on having a good lead (beginning sentence), conclusion, and sequence of events. As books are read aloud during class this week, students will evaluate whether the books have good leads. 

Math-double-digit subtraction with and without borrowing.

Science-Students will visit the science lab three days this week to work in three science stations. These stations are mini experiments that students will complete in groups. The stations are as follows: 1) Water as a force that changes nature, 2) Wind as a force that changes nature, and 3) Magnetic Attraction. While doing these experiments, students practice recording data in a chart and review the steps of the scientific process. 

Cursive Writing- This week, we finish the lowercase letters! Students will learn f, r, s, v, and z. Beginning next Monday, March 9th, students will be required to write in cursive at all times. We will begin learning the capital letters on Tuesday, March 17th. 

Word Wall words: before, caught, could, house, use

Tests and Quizzes This Week

• Double-digit subtraction quiz Wednesday, March 4th. Study guide went home today, March 2nd. 

• Word Wall/spelling assessment, Thursday, March 5th. Students will be assessed on spelling using sentence dictation and familiar spelling patterns. This assessment helps me evaluate each student's growth. This is not an assessment for which students need to study; it is taken as an authentic assessment of their spelling skills.

• Reading/Science vocabulary quiz ("How Machines Affect Our Lives), Friday, March 6th. (Study guide went home today, March 2nd).

• Reading quiz on "How Machines Affect Our Lives" Friday, March 6th. (study guide went home today also).

• As you may have noticed, timed tests have not be given recently. Beginning next Friday, March 13th, students who passed the last subtraction timed test with an A+will begin a weekly double-digit addition timed test. (It's not as bad as it sounds.:) Those students will have five (5) minutes to complete twenty (20) problems (with or without carrying). The students who have not passed the one-digit subtraction test will now have five (5) minutes to complete fifty (50) subtraction problems. These students should be studying flash-cards daily/weekly. Now,the grading skill for the one-digit subtraction will be harder. Students are expected to learn these basic facts in order to progress. Grades of B and A- are unacceptable at this time of the year. 

Important Reminders

• Please return graded papers by the due date. If you need them longer, just let me know.

• Students need to read daily. Although we attend library once a week, students are free to visit the library to check in/out books throughout the week. Please encourage them to do so.

• Third (3rd) quarter ends Friday, March 13th. How time flies!

• Please make a note that March 25th will be a late start. Students will report to school at 9:30 a.m. 

• Family Day is this Saturday, March 7th at 9:00 am. Don't miss out on lots of food and fun! Hope to see you there! :) 

Any questions or concerns, email me: thurmiere@gmail.com. You may also send a note or stop by after school. Thanks. HAVE A GREAT WEEK! :)