Weekly Update

Research Workshop
We Started country research this week, so we are now combining reading and writing workshop into research workshop.  We will do research workshop two times during the school day.  Students were so excited to get the library books they will be using for their research!  They created webs to determine the six main topics they want to research about their country.  Sample topics included food, clothing, housing, holidays and festivals, school, animals, etc.  Using the table of contents and the index int heir books, students placed sticky notes on the pages in their books that included information about their topics.  This task was in preparation for the notes they will begin taking this week.

Word Study Centers
Each week in class students practice their assigned patterns by playing word study games and doing activities that help them study and sort words by their patterns.  Below are some pictures of students working in their small groups.

Math
We wrapped up Unit 3 with a review and assessment.  The unit test covered the various skills which were taught throughout the unit, including: reading and creating a bar graph, telling time, measurement, and elapsed time.  The test will go home by the end of the week.  We will begin Unit 4 this week--Multidigit Addition and Subtraction.  Front Row is the latest math app we've asked students to install on their iPads.  Please have your child practice various math skills at home using this app.  It will provide a lot of data for us, which we can share with you in the near future.

Science

Students enjoyed visiting the Michigan Science Center.  Our field trip started with a show in the DTE Sparks Theatre where Megan had a "hair raising" experience and Zavier became a Jedi for a moment.  In the Toyota 4D Theatre we went for a "ride" and got a little wet as we learned more about engineers. We also learned more about the sun, moon, stars, and planets at a show called "Junior Astronomer" in the Planetarium.  The last show we caught was the Chrysler Science Stage Show where students learned some experiments they could try at home.  Students also had a lot of time to explore the many exhibits throughout the center.  Below is an Animoto video of pictures from our trip.  You can also check out photos from the trip in the slideshow below or click HERE to see the photos individually. 

All-Star of the Week
Faisal was our fantastic All-Star last week.  Students enjoyed listening to him read a classic by Dr. Suess.  They also liked seeing his pictures with his family and checking out the items from his sharing sack.  Faisal enjoyed a special lunch with his mom and dad last week too.