Monday, March 4, 2013

March Newsletter 2013

ELA

Reading:

Ø  We got a little carried away in our study of Historical Fiction so we will begin mythology this month. J  We will determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). Exploring all of the gods and goddesses should be really fun!

Writing:

Ø  We’ll finish persuasive writing and begin writing essays using resources from two text (fiction and nonfiction).

Grammar:

Ø  Greek and Latin roots or affixes

Spelling Patterns: All tests are Thursdays!!!

Ø  List 19 – changing y to i

Ø  List 20- suffixes

Ø  List 21 – words with er or and ar

Math

Concepts:

o   Quadrilaterals in geometry

o   Congruent and Symmetrical figures

o   Different triangles

o   Measurement

o   Customary and metric

o   Perimeter and area
 
Vocabulary:

o   See notebook for important vocab

Assessments:

o   Each unit of study will have a pre and posttest.  You will see how much your child has grown with each concept!

 
We will be having the geometry math test 3.15.13

Science / Social Studies

We will finish learning about electricity and test on 3.8.13.  Our labs have been extremely interesting as we are taking the WISE approach to learning. During each lab students have a chance to Wonder (predict and questions), Investigate, Synthesize their learning and express their new knowledge. By discovering the wonders themselves the information is that much more ingrained.

We will also begin our animal study late in the month.


In between electricity and animals we’ll travel back in time to NYS as an English colony. Students love this chapter as they can really begin to see NYS as they know it today.
 
Reminders  
ü     Fin Friday ~ wear green
ü 3.10.13  Daylight savings time begins
ü 3.15.13 Geometry test
ü 3.22.13 No school ~ Superintendents Conference Day for staff
ü 3.29.13  to 4.5.13  ~ No School ~ Start of Spring Break
ü 4.16.13 to 4.18.13 NYS ELA tests
ü 4.24.13 to 4.26.13 NYS Math tests