We have a winner!!

After tons of work and lots of persuading our class has decided how to spend the $166 raised by our Art Sale to benefit Heifer International!  Yi Chee has written a beautiful essay that convinced the class to donate a flock of ducks, geese and chicks, honeybees, and a house!  Thanks to all who donated.  This is a project they will not soon forget. : )

Shensational Essay Contest

Another exciting opportunity is upcoming this month.  Shensational, which is a wonderful, family day that highlights student achievement and creativity will be held March 23 in HS West.  A part of the celebration will be readings from the essay contest held for elementary students grades 1-5.

I'm sending home information and the essay forms if any student thinks he/she would be interested and be able to attend Shensational if their essay was picked!  This is optional but I will be encouraging students to give it a try.  : )

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

Check out pictures of our Art Sale on the Class Pictures Link!

Art Show invite Due

As you know our class art show is Friday morning (3.1.13) in the library.  If you or anyone you know would like to come support our mission of helping Heifer International, please RSVP by tomorrow.

Heifer International Website

Check out our cause!

http://www.heifer.org/

Library Event

This Saturday February 9th, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon library will host "The Paper Crane Project" at the Clifton Park Center - Food Court from 10:00-2:00
Students can participate in the Paper Crane Project during the Town of Clifton Park's Winterfest. Create a one-of-a-kind folded paper crane and other animal origami to be sent to the Children's Peace Monument in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Before the origami are mailed, we will display the creations at the Library and around the community including at Shensational.