Writing
We are beginning our next writing unit on expository and informational writing. This week, students will focus on exploring and explaining from personal knowledge and experience. We will examine several examples of expository writing, and learn how to state and connect our ideas using transition words, clear topic sentences, and strong conclusions.
Reading
It’s pumpkin book report presentation week! Last week, we wrote our book reports in class. Students wrote about the setting, character, problem, solution, and their favorite part of the book. This week, students will present their book report and pumpkin character at school beginning Tuesday, October 27th, and then bring their pumpkin home on Friday, Oct. 30th.
Your child’s pumpkin character is due on Tuesday, Oct. 27th.
Math
We are continuing our study of length this week. We will learn to estimate a distance and then use our ruler to check. We will also measure our buddy and practice deciding between centimeters, inches, feet, and yards. On Wednesday, we will review everything we’ve learned and we’ll assess on Thursday.
Friday will be lots of fun as we participate in a Halloween STEM challenge! Kids will be working in groups to build a pumpkin catapult, a marshmallow tower, and a spider web that catches critters. For this exciting activity, we will need a few supplies:
6 small decorative pumpkins (not real, we don’t want them to be heavy since they are being launched)
Plastic spoons
Rubber bands- different sizes
Painter’s tape
Miniature marshmallows
Toothpicks
Yarn
Small plastic critters
Plastic cups
A few volunteers will make this run more smoothly. If you can come help our class on Friday from 1-2:30, please let me know.
Social Studies:
This week we will continue our study on our family heritage and ancestry. We will become familiar with the celebration, Dia de los Muertos, that the Latin American culture celebrates. The focus is on the symbols in the culture and ancestry compared with other cultures. It has been neat to see all of the similarities and differences between cultures. We will make a “heritage box” or “ofrendas box” that represents our family heritage or ancestry. Please send in a shoe box, colored tissue paper, and battery-lit votives for this activity.
Science:
This week we will continue to study patterns in the sky. The overall theme is that there are patterns to the activity we see in the sky with the moon, sun, stars and clouds. We will discuss what we see in the sky and then talk about what patterns we can recognize. This week we will wrap up looking at the moon with a fun Oreo moon phases activity, then look at clouds and constellations. We will assess at the end of the week with the focus being patterns we see in the sky.
Some great websites to go to to continue your child’s science experience:
http://www.kidsites.com/sites-edu/space.htm
Question of the week: Why do cats purr? Hint- it’s more than being happy!
Reminders:
10/28 Early Release DayHere are a few pictures from our field trip:
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