Weekly Update

Reading Workshop
Last week students were taught how to set up and use Google Docs on their iPads.  We're excited about Google Docs because it's a great way for students to complete their IDR task.  We are able to login to our Google account and view each student's response as he/she is completing the task.  Therefore, we are also able to see any students who are struggling to get started on the task and may need our help.  Finally, we are able to respond to each student's response...we did this in a red font.  We encourage you to ask your child to show you his/her IDR Reading Response Task sheet in Google Docs from last week.

Students worked with their reading partners last week to have many conversations about nonfiction texts.  They worked together to study the pictures in the texts as well.  On Wednesday readers noticed how similar information can be presented in different types of media.  They listened to a chapter read aloud about cheetahs and watched a video clip about cheetahs.  After listening and watching, students wrote the main idea and three details about the information presented.

For the last few reading lessons, students worked together to read a set of texts about a specific topic.  We set up several nonfiction text sets about various topics in Storia.  First, students picked one topic to focus on.  Then they previewed the texts to brainstorm a list of subtopics they were going to learn about.  Next, students read about one subtopic to write a summary.  Finally, students paid close attention to the text features in one book from their text set.  Readers discovered they can learn new information from nonfiction text features, such as photographs, diagrams, and captions.

A screen shot of Levi's Google Docs shows the thinking he did during Reading Workshop.

Writing Workshop
Students continue to work in their "Expert" draft booklets.  They have written an introduction and four descriptive chapters detailing everything they know about their chosen expert topic.  Students have also learned how to write a conclusion and an "All About the Author" paragraph.  We will take the booklets home over break to read through each one.  Students will write final drafts after break.

Math
We think Unit 5 is the most difficult unit of the school year.  The whole unit was learning how to solve word problems, word problems, and more word problems!  We are really impressed at the thinking our students were able to do to solve so many tricky problems, including problems with extra information, hidden information, unknown variables, problems with rounding and reasonable answers, and of course two-step problems!  Your child will bring home his/her correct math test after break.

Science
We have finished a major portion of our Structures of Life Unit.  Your child will take a science test over the plant and crayfish material on Wednesday, April 15.  Your child received an email with the Quizlet link to help him/her study for this science test.  In the last portion of the Structures of Life Unit, students will learn about owls.  There will be a date this spring the Troy Nature Center will visit us to teach us more about owls living in Michigan and help students dissect owl pellets.  Check out the pictures below of students investigating crayfish!

All-Star of the Week
Our most recent fabulous All-Star has been Isabella!  Students loved seeing the items in her sharing sack and listening to her read aloud her favorite book!  They also loved viewing the awesome video of pictures from Isabella's life her mom and dad put together.  Isabella enjoyed a special lunch with her mom on Tuesday and her very own cheer written by her parents on Wednesday!

Slurpee and Popcorn Party
Room 13 All Stars earned a Slurpee and Popcorn Party because we collected the most Box Tops!  Thanks so much for cutting out and sending in your Box Tops from home!!

Mystery Readers
Thanks so much for everyone who participated as a Mystery Reader during March!  The kids loved hearing the clues and guessing who might walk through the door!  Of course they also loved hearing the fun books you picked to read aloud and listening to someone special read the book!  Check out the pictures below of our last Mystery Readers...

Faisal's mom read aloud What's the Big Idea, Molly?

Elena's mom read aloud Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae Asks Why?

Reed's mom read aloud a nonfiction book about snakes while Reed held onto his python.

Charlie's mom read aloud Thundercake.

Isabella's mom read aloud Skippyjon Jones is Mummy Trouble.

Emma's mom read aloud What Do You Do With an Idea?

Autism Awareness Month

All students at Hill School are participating in a few activities to raise awareness of Autism.  Students brainstormed ideas how to help a student with Autism.  We wrote these ideas on blue ribbons to hang up at Hill.  We also met in the circle drive today to blow bubbles for Autism.  The rest of this month, we will be collecting change for Autism.  Your child can bring in any spare change at home to donate.  Thank you for supporting this great cause!