Behind the Scenes - Week of October 29

Weekly Spotlight:
*Spelling pretest on Monday.
*Last Book Club discussion on Monday.
*Chapter 4, lesson 3 Social Studies quiz on Monday.
*Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday, after school.
*Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, after school.
*Unit 3 Verb test on Wednesday.
*Halloween Parade at 1:00 on Wednesday.
*Halloween Party from 1:30-2:20 on Wednesday.
*Time For Kids Quiz on Friday.
*Spelling test for regular and challenge spellers on Friday.
*Chapter 4 Social Studies test on Friday.

Coming Attractions:
*No school on Monday, Nov. 5.
*No school on Tuesday, Nov. 6 - Teacher Institute.
*Vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, Nov. 7.
*No school on Monday, Nov. 12 - Veteran's Day.
*Bingo Night on Friday, Nov. 16 - Mrs. Sulima will be there.
*No school Nov. 21 through 23 - Thanksgiving Break
*Rollerskating Party on Monday, Nov. 26, 3:45-6:30.

Halloween News:  On Wednesday, we will have our Halloween Parade and Party.  The party volunteers have put together a "SPOOK"tacular event.  If your child would like to dress up for the parade and party, they should bring their costume in a bag.  The children will have a short time (5-10 min.) to change into their costumes.  They will not be allowed to go to the washroom to change.  Girls and boys will be changing in two separate classrooms.  I discussed with the children the need to bring simple costumes, possibly one that can go over the clothes they are wearing.  They should be able to put on the costume themselves.  There will not be a lot of time for putting on make-up either.

Homeroom Happenings:
Spelling - NEW PROCEDURE!!!  This week, we will begin the 2nd Quarter Spelling Procedure.  We will continue to take a spelling pretest on Monday (or the first day of the week).  If your child misses 2 or less words, they will become a challenge speller.  Challenge spellers will choose alternate words to practice throughout the week.  This list will include any words missed on the pretest.  These words should be new and challenging to your child.  They will still need to do 3 challenge activities throughout the week.  On Friday, they will take their challenge spelling test (10 words).  They will get 1/4 point added to their pretest score for each word spelled correctly.

English - We have completed our unit on verbs.  The children will take the Unit 3 test on Wednesday.  Many children received a 90% or higher on the pretest.  They have the choice of taking the test for a higher grade or keeping their pretest score.  If your child is not taking the test, they will need to work on something quietly at their desks.  All English enrichment projects are due on the day of the test.

Science - This week, we will focus on photosynthesis and the life cycles of plants.  The children should review their notes each night.  They will take a chapter 2, lesson 2 quiz on Wednesday, Nov. 7.  This quiz will be open book.

Social Studies - On Monday, the children will take a quiz on chapter 4, lesson 3.  This quiz will be open book.  We will also fill out a "how to study" sheet.  The test on chapter 4 will be on Friday.  We will play a review game on Thursday to prepare for this test.Here are items to review for the test:
*Key words: glacier, gorge, hydropower, hydroelectricity, lighthouse, peninsula, vineyard, bog, sap, mineral, quarry, bay, inlet, watermen, & crab pot.
*Identify the two Great Lakes between which Niagara Falls is located.
*Identify the two main features for which Niagara Falls is known.
*Identify the three mountain ranges in the northeastern part of the Appalachian Mountains.
*Identify the two states in the Northeast that do not border the Atlantic Ocean.
*Identify key steps in the production of maple syrup.
*Explain why grapes grow well in certain areas of the Northeast.
*Identify the largest of the Finger Lakes.
*Explain why water is essential to the production and growth of cranberries.
*Define the name of the people who fish Chesapeake Bay.
*Explain how pollution from a factory gets into Chesapeake Bay.
*Explain why Chesapeake Bay is important to the Northeast.
*Describe actions a resident of the Chesapeake Bay area could take to help preserve the bay.

Reading - Second Quarter Addition:  After analyzing our homeroom MAP data, I have noticed that vocabulary is a weakness.  We will begin weekly vocabulary lists.  On Tuesdays, we will be writing the words and definitions.  The following Tuesday, the children will take a quiz on these words.  They will need to match the definition with the word.  Also, they will be asked to use a few of the words in sentences.  They will not know ahead of time which of the words will be chosen for sentences.  Have your child come up with sentences for each word using the meaning we write down in class.
We will spend most of our reading time learning about the election process, the 2 main candidates for President, and each candidates' beliefs on issues including economy, education, and a few more.

Mrs. Sulima's Math Spotlight:
Monday:  Zeros in the Multiplier.  HW:  WB 22 & review for chapter 2, lesson 5-8 quiz tomorrow.
Tuesday:  Chapter 2, lesson 5-8 quiz.  HW:  None.
Wednesday:  No math due to Halloween Parade and Party.
Thursday:  Multiplying with Money.  HW:  WB pg. 23.
Friday:  Fill out "How to Study" sheet.  Extended Response example.  HW:  Study for Chapter 2 test on Thursday, Nov. 8.



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Behind the Scenes - Week of October 22

Weekly Spotlight:
*Spelling pretest on Monday.
*Early Dismissal on Thursday, 11:00.
*Time For Kids Quiz on Friday.
*Spelling test on Friday.

Coming Attractions:
*Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30.  I will send out reminder emails.
*Halloween Parade (1:00) and Party (1:30) on Wednesday, October 31.
*No school on Monday, November 5.
*No school on Tuesday, November 6 - Teacher Institute.
*No school on Monday, November 12 - Veteran's Day.
*Bingo Night on Friday, November 16 - Mrs. Sulima will be attending!!

* No School on Wednesday, November 21 thru Friday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Break

*All School Roller Skating Party on Monday, November 26 - 3:45 to 6:30 p.m.

*Picture Retakes on Thursday, November 29.

Homeroom Happenings:

Spelling - This week's spelling test and activity grades will be on second quarter, but we will still follow the same procedure as first quarter.  Next week, October 29, we will change our procedure.  Watch next week's blog for more information.

English - We will finish our lessons on verbs this week.  The lessons we will cover are:  The Past with Helping Verbs, Irregular Verbs, The Special Verb Be, and Contractions.  We will fill out our "how to study" sheet on Friday for our test on Wednesday, October 31.  All enrichment will be due on the day of the test.

Science - The children will finish their Vertebrate and Invertebrate Slide Shows this week.  They have been having a blast creating these presentations.  We will share them throughout the week.

Social Studies - Our focus this week will be on Chesapeake Bay.  The children should review the vocabulary from all 3 lessons.  We will have an open book quiz on lesson 3 on Monday, October 29.  Our test on Chapter 4, lessons 1-3 will be on Thursday, November 1. 

Reading - Our 3rd book club is on Monday.  Please make sure your child come prepared with their novel and Book Discussion packet.  Our final book club discussion will be on Monday, October 29.  

Last week we reviewed many examples of figurative language and focused on "alliteration."  The children will be writing a fall poem this week that will need to include alliteration, onomatopoeia, and imagery.  A grading sheet will be in your child's binder on Tuesday.  We will be writing and word processing these poems at school.

Mrs. Sulima's Math Spotlight:

Monday - Review Friday's lesson and Estimating Products.  HW:  WB pg. 18 and review for chapter 2, lesson 1-4 quiz tomorrow.

Tuesday - Chapter 4, lesson 1-4 quiz.  Multiplying with Zeros in the Multiplicand.  HW:  WB pg. 19.

Wednesday - Multiplying by 2-digit numbers.  HW:  WB pg. 20 due Friday.

Thursday - No math due to early dismissal.

Friday - Multiplying by 3-digits.  HW:  Review for chapter 2, lesson 5-8 quiz on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Behind the Scenes - Week of October 15

Weekly Spotlight:
*Spelling pretest on Monday.
*Chapter 1, lesson 3 Science quiz (open book) on Tuesday.
*Second book club on Tuesday.  Bring book and discussion sheet.
*Northeast Map test on Tuesday.
*PIZZA party on Thursday (during lunch) from the P.T.O. for the Magazine Drive.
*Chapter 4, lesson 2 Social Studies quiz (open book) on Thursday.
*Book Fair on Thursday evening, 6:30-8:00.
*Time for Kids quiz on Friday.
*Spelling test on Friday.
*Mario Kart Assembly on Friday.

Coming Attractions:
*Third Book club on Monday, October 22.
*Early Dismissal, 11:00 on Thursday, October 25.
*Center Cass District 66 - Buona Benefit Day on Thursday, October 25. 
*Parent Teacher Conferences on October 29 and October 30.
*Halloween Parade and Classroom Parties 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31.

Homeroom Happenings:
Spelling - We will take a spelling pretest on Monday and a final test on Friday.  Students will become challenge spellers if they have 90% or higher on the pretest.  This will be the routine for the rest of 1st quarter.

English - In English this week, we will cover Present, Past, and Future Tense; Subject-Verb Agreement; Spelling the Present Tense, and Spelling the Past Tense.  Students who passed out of any of these lessons will continue working on their enrichment projects.

Science - TECHNOLOGY PROJECT - We are working on a Vertebrate and Invertebrate PowerPoint Slide Show.  We will be in the lab each day working on this project.  A description of this project is in your child's science pocket.

Social Studies - This week we will learn about the many resources of the Northeast.  Don't forget that on Tuesday the children will take the Northeast test.  They will need to correctly, locate, identify, and spell all the Northeast states, the 2 Great Lakes, and the ocean.  Your child can earn bonus points by also identifying the capitals - 1/4 per capital (spelled as best as they can).  The children will have an open-book quiz on chapter 4, lesson 2 on Thursday.

Reading - Students should have already started their next reading assignment and role sheet for the second book club discussion which will be on Tuesday.  We will also learn about imagery, alliteration, and onomatopoeia this week.  The children will begin writing a fall poem using these 3 concepts.  We will finish these poems during the week of October 22.

Mrs. Sulima's Math Class:
Monday - "Dynamath" Tournament to review for the chapter 8 test.  HW:  Study for test tomorrow.
Tuesday - Chapter 8 Test with Extended Response (see example done in class).  HW:  Prepare for Multiplication Timed Test on Thursday.
Wednesday - Chapter 2 Pretest.  Factors and Products.  HW:  Prepare for Multiplication Timed Test on Thursday.
Thursday - Multiplication Timed Test.  Properties of Multiplication.  HW:  WB pg. 15.
Friday - Special Factors and Patterns in Multiplication.  HW:  Finish WB pgs. 16 & 17. 
A LOOK AHEAD - We will have an open-book/notes quiz on chapter 2, lessons 1-4 on Tuesday, October 23.

Behind the Scenes - Week of October 8

Race Results:
Congratulations to all our worms!  The children did a wonderful job designing their race tracks and choosing variables to help their worms win the race. 
1st Place:  Megan
2nd Place:  Patrikas
3rd Place Matthew
I hope you enjoy some of the pictures included with this Blog.

Weekly Spotlight:
*No school on Monday, Columbus Day.
*Choir after school on Tuesday.
*4th Grade Cheer Clinic from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
*TFK Quiz on Friday.
*Spelling Test on Friday.
*Text Organization Quiz on Friday.
*Movie Night: Journey 2 - The Mysterious Island from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. on Friday.

Coming Attractions:
*Choir after school on Monday, October 15.
*Art Adventures - 4th and 5th Grade - 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17
*Project Challenge - 2:35 to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17
*Book Fair - 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 18
*Choir - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23
*Chess Club - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
*Art Adventures - 4th and 5th Grade - 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24
*Early Dismissal - 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 25
*Center Cass District 66 - Buona Benefit Day on Thursday, October 25
*Parent Teacher Conferences Week on Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30
*Choir - 2:30 to 3:30 on Tuesday, October 30
*Halloween Parade and Classroom Parties 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31

Homeroom Happenings:
English - We will begin a new unit this week on VERBS.  Our lessons will include:  Action Verbs; Main Verbs and Helping Verbs; Present, Past, and Future Verbs; and Subject-Verb Agreement.

Spelling - The students will be doing a special unit this week.  We will not take a pretest on Tuesday.  Each child will be completing a packet throughout the week.  The packet is due Friday.  We will take a spelling test on Friday using these special words.

Science - We will begin a lesson on how animals are classified.  The children will be taking notes in class. They should review these notes each evening.  A quiz on this lesson will be on Monday, October 15.  The quiz will be open book, but not open notes.

Social Studies - Our study of the Northeast will officially begin.  The students will have new vocabulary in their S.S. spiral this week.  They should review these words each night.  We will have an open book (not notes) quiz on Thursday.  This quiz will cover chapter 4, lesson 1.

Reading - The children have been assigned a book club book and role for the first book club meeting.  Our first book club discussion will be on Wednesday.  On that day, they should have the first reading assignment done and their role sheet complete.  Please make sure they bring their book to school each day.  Some time will be given in class to work on their reading assignments.  They will complete only one role sheet for each book club meeting.  Please do not have your child read ahead.  It is very frustrating to other members of the group when someone talks about something that happened in a part of the book that was not assigned.
This week, we will also discuss "text organization."  The children will have a quiz on Friday.  They will need to identify the parts of a non-fiction article.

Mrs. Sulima's Math:
Monday - No school.
Tuesday - Finish lesson on Subtracting Decimals.  HW:  WB pg. 96 #1-21 (odds) and WB pg. 98 #6-26 (evens).
Wednesday - Estimating Decimal Differences.  HW:  WB pg. 98 and Quiz tomorrow on lessons 4-6.
Thursday - Quiz on lessons 4-6.  Decimals and Expanded Form.  HW:  Finish blue sheet due tomorrow and BONUS "Swish" sheet (4 pts.) due Monday.
Friday - Fill out "how to study" for Chapter 8 test on Tuesday, October 16.  Extended Response samples.  HW:  Review for Chapter 8 Test on Tuesday and BONUS "Swish" sheet (4 pts.) due Monday.

Tech Time:
During "Tech Time" this week, Mrs. Csorba shared with us a website to make word clouds.  The link is:  http://www.tagxedo.com/.  This would be a great activity to practice challenge spelling words.