Math: We explored converting measurements today in a station type of format. The energy was good and but I think thr learning was even better...our quiz should prove it! Tonight for homework they are to complete the 2nd and 4th pages of their conversion packet. They have already begun work on page two in groups today but they must explain their thinking prior to turning it in.

Language Arts:

JGB - We had our Shared Inquiry Discussion today. It went well but it seemed to take us awhile to "get it." I will review my feedback tomorrow in group with regards to their reflection sheet so be on the lookout for this coming home soon...the creative writing piece will be completed in class tomorrow so the packet should be home in the next couple of days (unless they choose to put it up on the Braggin' dragon wall).

Babe - They independently read chapters 4 and 5 today and composed summaries to explain the big ideas of the story in these two chapters. RRJs were graded so look for these tonight - some materials weren't brought in today so be sure to ask for their RRJs to determine how your child did this week! Specifically - title question, definition task, and the summery of 4/5.

The Clubhouse - We discussed their responses to last night's RRJ task - in a nutshell - the effort has to get better. It isn't enough to generally answer questions; rather, there must be some explicit, text support to explain their thinking...We'll get there but the expectation is clearly different than what they were thinking...it's tough to get better with a bar that never raises...please challenge them to provide more with their responses.

No reading homework tonight! Spelling is due tomorrow (yes, some of the words are odd but this is how they built upon our letter pattern!)

Math: Please review the formative assessment with your child. Additionally, they are to complete both the practice and the challenge sides of tonight's worksheet. They have been provided a ruler to complete this and every other activity requiring a measurement tool for the remainder of this unit. We will have a quiz on perimeter and area this Friday so it is important they are clear on these concepts - reviewing the formative and homework will help with this.

Language Arts: We discussed how to determine the importance in an informational text using text features (specifically, the table of contents).

JGB: No assigned homework tonight. They may choose to continue working on their creative writing piece, though. We will have our Shared Inquiry Discussion tomorrow.

The Clubhouse: They are to reread the story and retell the main events in complete sentences. we got started with the first but they must have at least 3 more tomorrow.

Babe: They are to define the following words:
instinctive (p. 16), confronted (p. 19), foster (p. 21), and reassurance (p.24)

Spelling is due Friday! I made some changes to the program to enhance the homework aspect a a bit...your student will have the new expectations copied into their spelling journals.

Math: We had a number of levels in play today with our perimeter/area content. Ultimately, we introduced how multiplication can be used to determine the area of an object (you know - the formula you probably want to teach them - length x width) We developed our understanding as to how this formula works through repeated addition, in addition to using square tiles to illustrate how the shapes could be broken apart and grouped equally...the foundation is being poured but give it time (and practice/exploration) to harden!

Homework:

Everyone completes the practice side of the worksheet. They should use the formula and repeated addition on problems 3, 6, 9, and 12.

The challenge side is a bonus for the night (those who worked with the tiles last night must do it, though). Everyone has worked with estimating area in warm-ups but this is an opportunity to show how well they understand it.

Language Arts: Each group met with an adult today...

JGB - We discussed courage and bravery in their story prior to working on the Interpretive Words task in their packet. They also listened to the story on tape. They must complete the Interpretive Words task for homework.

Babe (Ramona is done!) - We read the first chapter and discussed what they have learned thus far. In their RRJs, they must answer the question: Why did the author give chapter one this title?

Kangaroo book is finished...Read Mack's Big Day - We read and discussed the problem and solution in this story. Additionally, we created a web to get our ideas regarding the problem and solution from our brains onto paper...this has been copied in their RRJs. Using this, they need to compose an answer to question: How did they solve the problem in the story?