Weekly Update

Reading Workshop
As we finished up our goal-setting conferences with each students, we introduced more CAFE strategies to the class.  In the ACCURACY domain, we taught lessons about finding familiar word parts (chunks) in multi-syllable words and then blending the "chunks" together to read an unknown word.  We also introduced the "Cross Checking" strategy where students are encouraged to ask the questions, "Does it sound right?" "Does it look right?" and "Does it make sense?" when decoding an unfamiliar word in a text.  In the FLUENCY domain, we taught students how to properly attend to punctuation as they read to make their oral reading sound more like talk.

Writing Workshop
Students finished up their first personal narrative draft this week.  They tried to use strategies we have taught them in class including "reliving the story like a movie in your mind," using the "Show, Don't Tell" strategy to bring emotions to life, adding "true, exact details," and trying to incorporate the 5 senses into their narratives.  Students were also asked to use one of the 4 types of leads that they were taught at the beginning of their story and one of the 3 types of endings that they were taught at the end of the story.  We will look closely at these stories when marking report cards to assess their application of the skills we have taught thus far.

Math Workshop:
We finished up the first unit in math last week.  Students continued to practice solving division and multiplication numbers stories using both arrays and equal groups before taking the final test on Friday.  You will find the corrected assessment in your child's homework folder this week.  Please continue to practice math facts with your child based on his or her level using the at-home math folder that was sent home last week.

Social Studies
Students took the "Peopling of the United States" test on Tuesday after reviewing for the test with a fun Jeopardy review game.  Overall, the class did very well on the test!  Now we will begin our regional tour of the United States where students will visit 9 cities or landmarks in each of the 5 regions throughout the rest of the school year.

All-Star of the Week
Abby Z. was our All-Star this week, and she celebrated her birthday on Monday as well!  She loved sharing her favorite things from her sharing sack, and the class loved looking at her special family photos.  She also did an outstanding job reading her favorite picture book, Rhyming Dust Bunnies.