Learning Update-Dec. 15-19

Math
5th Grade-Took the Unit 3 assessment.  Most of the kids did a great job!  Those that needed additional practice were given some extra time and then retook a portion of the assessment.  It's great to see kids persevere through some of the tougher math topics!  Next up, in Unit 4, we will be looking at comparing numbers using multiplication and division.
4th Grade-Students are working on using all four operations to compare numbers.  We have also started to review graphs and charts, and use their information to compare numbers.
3rd Grade-Students are working with telling time, elapsed time and reading charts and graphs. 

Reading
This week in our reading groups we wrapped up our conversation about comparing and contrasting and started to take a peek into the idea of cause and effect.  It ties really nicely into our social studies unit!  Book clubs will have pages to read over the break next week.

Social Studies
We are diving into the causes of the Revolutionary War!  So far we have discussed the French and Indian War, the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act.  Next up, we will talk about how the colonists that weren't Loyalists reacted to the King's demands.

Writing
We are working diligently on our persuasive pieces.  Students took the time at the beginning of the week to write about a problem and a solution that they see around them.  They finished off the week with some peer reviewing.  Look for a special piece of writing to come home the day before break. 

Special Thanks:
We would like to thank the volunteers that have been working in our room every week: Mrs. Oelhafen, Mrs. Maas, Mrs. Uelmen and Mrs Kreuser.  Your help is extremely appreciated!  We would also like to think the parents who have been able to come in and help during our parties and other special events.  It's so exciting for the kids to see these special people come in and work with us!

Class Update 12/8-12/12

As Christmas is approaching, our class meet to discuss a Christmas party.  There is a sign up genius that went home through Skyward to sign up for supplies.  There will also be a letter coming home to explain the day once we get all the details sorted out. Students voted to participate in a secret Santa gift exchange similar to what they did in third grade with Mrs. Mentink.

Reading/Writing/Social Studies

This week we finished up main idea detail and introduced text structure (compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, and chronological order).  Our focus is comparing and contrasting.  Students were introduced to this topic with an activity comparing and contrasting Hershey's hugs and kisses.  We created a Venn diagram and then practiced writing a comparison essay. Students will continue to work in small groups at their reading level to focus on this skill.  They will also have the opportunity to practice this skill in social studies where they are learning about the 13 colonies.  

Math

Grade 3 - Third grade is continuing to work on our measurement unit.  This week we have been focusing on telling time to the nearest minute.  We are also talking about telling time before and after the hour (2:22 is 22 minutes after 2 and 38 before 3) and elapsed time (how much time has past from the start to the end of an activity).  

Grade 4 - The fourth graders have been working on division!  We completed the Unit 3 assessment early in the week and are now tackling number expressions and number equations-another comparing and contrasting activity. 

Grade 5 - Fifth graders are working on reviewing adding and subtracting fractions and practicing multiplying and dividing fractions.  All four operations should be fairly fluent at this time.  We will be taking the Unit 3 assessment in the beginning of next week.  A review will be coming home tonight to study over the weekend.