Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Sulima's Scoop - Week of March 14

Weekly Reminders:
*Spring Ahead on Sunday.
*Spelling Pretest on Monday.
*Roller Skating Party on Monday, 3:45-6:30.
*Chapter 15 Science Test on Tuesday.
*MAPs parent meeting on Tuesday, 6:30-7:30.
*PTO Fundraiser at Nonnies on Wednesday. Click here for more information: http://www.ccsd66.org/PTO/FundRaisers/nonnies.pdf

*Math "Check your Progress" quiz (chapter 4, lessons 1-4) on Thursday.
*Spelling Test on Friday.

Plan Ahead:
*Support our school district by attending the Spring Fling at Cabana Charley's on Saturday, March 19. Hope to see many of you there! Go to the district homepage to find out more about this exciting event, bid on online auctions, and find out more about the wonderful raffle prizes!

*Spring Break: Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1.

Homeroom Happenings:
Science - The children will take the chapter 15 test on Tuesday. We will begin our unit on Simple Machines during the week of March 21.

Items to review for test:
*What is electricity?
*Constructing a simple circuit
*Explain static and current electricity
*Recognize how electricity moves in circuits (series and parallel)
*Key words from lesson 1 ~ static electricity, current electricity, series circuit, parallel circuit, conductor, and insulator.
*Compare the effects of a magnet and an electric current on a compass.
*Compare the properties of magnets with those of electromagnets.
*Recognize the usefulness of magnets, electromagnets, generators, and motors.
Key words from lesson 2 ~ magnet, magnetic pole, magnetic field, electromagnet, generator, and electric motor.
*Recognize that energy can change forms (potential to kinetic).
*Producing electricity from other forms of energy (wind, falling water, sun, heat from inside Earth, buring fuels).
Key words from lesson 3 ~ potential energy, kinetic energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal power, solar energy.
*Identify energy uses and their sources.
*Describe the uses of chemical and mechanical energy and how chemical energy can be changed to other forms of energy.
*Identify the need for energy conservation.
*Key words from lesson 4 ~ chemical energy & mechanical energy.

Social Studies - Each child will be researching a state in the Midwest this week. We are using trade books, Encyclopedias, and other resources for research. I have asked the children not to use the Internet for researching. We will use the Internet when we are looking for pictures and graphics to put on our brochure.

English - We will be exploring expository writing this week. Our focus will be on writing an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Spelling - Our spelling pretest will be on Monday. If your child misses 1 or none, they will be challenge spellers. They will receive their challenge list on Monday. On Friday, we will take our regular spelling test or challenge spelling test. Whichever test your child is taking must be done in cursive. Please practice at home.

Reading - Next week, students will read about Gloria Estefan, a famous singer whose acts of kindness have made her a hero to many people. Our strategy will be making judgments. Making judgments involves deciding whether or not a character's actions are appropriate for a situation. Readers can ask themselves, “Do I agree with this? Is this right or fair?

Accelerated Math Menu:
Monday - Factors, Primes, and Composites. HW: WB pg. 41.
Tuesday - Greatest Common Factor. HW: WB pg. 42.
Wednesday - Fraction Sense. HW: WB pg. 43.
Thursday - Check your Progress Quiz on lessons 1-4. Fractions in lowest term. HW: WB pg. 44.

Friday -Fractions in greater terms. HW: WB pg. 45