Bringing January to an end...

I'm always amazed as we near the end of each month just how much we have accomplished! Your child has grown so much up to this point and will continue to grow as a learner in the upcoming months.

In reading workshop we are nearing the end of our first mystery. We have just learned about red herrings and love trying to figure out who committed the crime! This week we'll begin a new mystery in the same series to see how we can use our knowledge about our characters and how the author writes to assist us with a new mystery!

We are investigating non-fiction books to help us with our own non-fiction topics. We're discovering how authors include various features to make their book look appealing. This week we'll begin organizing our topic and thinking about how we can include various features to enhance our own writing.

Division will be our main focus this week in math. We'll begin each math class with a review of our multiplication facts. PLEASE continue to practice these facts at home. It is necessary for your child's success in math! Their chapter 6 math test will come home this week. They will need to make corrections and you'll need to sign it and return it for homework.

Social Studies and Science continues this week with discussions about civil rights and the solar system. We became so wrapped up in our conversation about segregation and integration last week that we lost track of time and went right up to the bell! I loved how each child was engaged and asking really complex questions while expressing outrage over laws that were in place in our recent history. It is discussions like these that make me LOVE what I do.

HOMEWORK CHANGES: Spelling homework has changed! On Friday, your child came home with a letter describing the nature of their new assignment. Every Monday night, your child will need to write a spelling story including all 5 of their spelling words. They will need to think of a "big idea" for their story and include appropriate mechanics. We did a sample story together in class. They understand that they may need to include sentences in their story that may not contain a spelling word to be sure their story makes sense.