Have a Good Week and Happy Holidays!

We are looking forward to our field trip this Monday to the Shedd Aquarium!  Take a look at what else we will be working on this week of 12-19-11.  Best wishes for a great week and a wonderful holiday season!




In Word Work, we will define and discuss important words in the novel Ninth Ward. Students will use context clues and the dictionary to determine the meanings of the words.  In literature study, we will continue to read and discuss Ninth Ward. Students will also go deeper with their understanding of visualization as we act out parts of the novel.  In writing workshop, students will type the final drafts of their personal essays.

This week in math, we will begin Topic 9: Fractions. First, we will use plastic fraction pieces to explore what we notice about fractions and what that makes us think. We will discuss the meaning of a fraction, how to divide a whole into parts, and we will explore mixed numbers and improper fractions. There will be a timed facts test on Tuesday.

In science we will begin the week with a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. Students will be paying special attention to animal adaptation and camouflaging animals. Back at school, students will watch the film March of the Penguins: a look at the annual journey of Emperor penguins as they march to their traditional breeding ground. Students will also take a penguin quiz.