Welcome to Stupendous 5S

Students arrived back to school on Wednesday, January 2 a little bleary eyed, but ready to work.

In Social Studies, we continue to study the early expeditions of the European Explorers. Students are working with a partner as interviewer/explorer and creating a newspaper article about the explorers’ journeys. Our chapter test is Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

Students will begin to explore the world of fractions, decimals and percents in math. We will use pattern blocks to discuss the whole item and fractions of the whole. We continue to learn about solving for a variable by using Hands On Equations. We will also become familiar with MCAS terminology and Reference Sheets by practicing open response questions and answers in Math.

Writng prompts for Happy Time and our creative writing journals continue to challenge students to express their thoughts and feelings. We have started an autobiography of each student and will create a book of their thoughts and writings for the next 6 months. Our next Happy Time essay is “My Favorite Singer” and the poem is “Song”. Look for our previous Happy Time essay on “SuperBowl Sunday” and poem on “Football” to be published on Sunday, February 3, 2008.

In Readers’ Workshop, we continue to review and refine the comprehension strategies which good readers use. We begin the month by reviewing the strategy of questioning while reading. We will also learn how to infer as we read a piece of fiction text. Students will confer with the teacher on a weekly basis as well as read independent reading books which are at their “Just Right” level.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns about you chil’s homework or classwork. Students should be completing at least 45 minutes to 1 hour of homework each night. The second semester report cards will be distributed on Friday, January 25, 2008.

Happy New Year to all the families of 5S. May you have health and happiness in the new year.