Language Arts:
Today in Language Arts we switched for Vocabulary Vine, took our spelling pre test for the week and jumped into Unit 4 of our basal. This week we are reading Goin' Someplace Special. It is a story that is easy to read and the students can relate to the main character right from the beginning. We also reviewed the vocabulary that goes along with the story, picking out the homophones and finding synonyms as well. We also found only 5 minutes to start another chapter in our read a loud before heading off to double specials.

Homework:
***Weekly Homework Packet- due Friday
***Read and record your minutes- Calendars are due on Friday
***Tomorrow is the last day to turn in a book order for the month.
***Our Word Master test will be on Thursday. Please review your definitions over the next two nights.
***Study your spelling words each night. It would help to practice writing them in cursive and have a parent check your work.

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Math:
Today in math we completed our minute, worked on number stories that involved multiple steps and showing our work, and problem solving. Our lesson of the day involved the Golden Rectangle. The students used the idea of the Golden Rectangle and used it in writing ratio proportions as well. Tomorrow we will work on a practice test on huge sheets of butcher paper, working as a team, showing our work, and working as a group to solve the problems through explanation and a step-by-step- approach. This practice test, which will resemble the Unit 8 test which will be given on Thursday. The test will cover rates, ratios, and dividing decimals. Reviewing the practice test is an excellent way to review for the test.

Homework:
***None

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Social Studies:
Today we started a matrix which will display information about 8 different explorers who explored North America. I started by demonstrating how the matrix will work by reading about our first explorer, Christopher Columbus. As we read, we filled our matrix with pictures that showed the following: his personal background, who sponsored him, the dates of his exploration, the route he took, the motives behind his exploration, and the impact that his journey made. The students were then divided into teams and given their own explorer to read about and identify these key concepts about. Tomorrow the students will take turns presenting and teaching the other groups about their explorer so that they can fill in their matrices in their Independent Student Notebook.

Homework:
***None-However, this is a chapter that contains a lot of information. It is helpful for the students to review the material a little each night.

Until tomorrow...