Weekly Reminders: *Lesson 5 spelling pretest on Monday.
*Chapter 1 (Place Value -whole numbers & decimals) accelerated math test on Monday.
*Last magazine turn in on Tuesday.
*Quiz on lesson 1 in Earth Science on Wednesday.
*Capitalization and Punctuation test on Wednesday.
*English enrichment due Wednesday.
*Lesson 5 spelling test on Friday.
*Movie Night on Friday, 6:30-8:45.
Plan Ahead:
*Quiz on lesson 2 science on Monday, October 6.
*Tuesday, October 7 - Midpoint in Trimester. Check your child's grades online.
*No school on Monday, October 13.
*Book Fair on Thursday, October 16.
Classroom Happenings:
Science: This week we explored the physical properties of minerals. We found out that we need to consider more than one property when identifying minerals. The class observed the size of crystals in igneous rocks. We discussed where the rocks were formed based on the size or lack of crystals. During this upcoming week, we will observe sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. We will take a quiz on lesson 1 (see note sheet in your child's science pocket). We will conclude the week by discovering how rocks are formed through the rock cycle. The students will take a quiz on the rock cycle on Monday, October 6.
Social Studies: We will finish our study of the two presidential candidates. The children will work on making campaign posters this week. These posters will need to display the beliefs and promises of the candidate. We are going to hold off on doing a classroom presidential election because we are going to participate in a school-wide voting on Monday, November 3.
During the week of October 6, we will begin our United States Tour by visiting the northeast region. The children will receive a blank northeast map on Wednesday. We will have a test on the location of the northeast states on Tuesday, October 14. Spelling will count! The children will have the opportunity to earn bonus points by learning the capital cities of each state in the northeast. They can earn 1/4 point for each correct capital.
Accelerated Math: The children will take the Chapter 1 Place Value test on Monday. This week we will also begin our next unit on Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers and Decimals. I will be pretesting the children this week. My hope is to be able to combine or compact some lessons in this unit since many of these concepts are a review from last year.
Spelling: We will work on lesson 5 spelling this week. Keep practicing your cursive writing at home. This will help during the test on Friday.
English: At the beginning of the week, we will review for the Capitalization and Punctuation test. This test will be on Wednesday. Please note that English enrichment projects are due the day of the test. We will pretest on the next chapter on Thursday.
Here are some great links to help review for the English test:
http://www.childu.com/sample_act/34lang_confusion.html Find Comma Confusion.
Reading: This week we will begin our next novel study. We will read a wonderful piece of literature called A Family Apart. This (historically accurate) heroic tale follows the adventures of the six children who are sent out west on the Orphan Train by their impoverished mother in hope that they will find better life. Frances Mary, the eldest of the Kelly children, shepherds her siblings through the Orphan Train trip and struggles to find them good homes. Frances Mary and Petey are adopted by the Cummings’ and find themselves involved in the Underground Railroad movement. This book, as well as the accompanying activities, will challenge your students in various ways. Be sure to ask about this story! Find out more about the Orphan Train and other historical events that we will encounter while reading A Family Apart. Visit this website: http://www.bgcs.k12.oh.us/reinhart/apart/default.htm
