Week 34

Dear Parents,

     We are heading into the last three week period of school. I can’t believe this year is almost over. We are all feeling a bit of summer fever, but please talk to your children about being focused these last three weeks as this is when we do our district end of year testing. This is a chance for your child to show how much he/she has learned this year! 

      In math we finished up our unit on graphing by reading  and comparing the data on both a pictograph and bar graph. We learned how to ask questions to make either addition or subtraction problems to answer them. On Thursday we began our unit on saving and spending money. This will continue into next week.

      In reading and writing this week the children are showing their research skills that have been taught in mini lessons over the last two weeks. They have learned to fill out a R.A.N. chart that organizes what they think they know, what they confirmed they know, misconceptions as well as wonderings they will continue to research. They have learned to organize their collected information into topics, then began to write their rough draft. We will continue this next week as we use our skills to write an excellent research paper in our own words.

      In Science we finished up our unit on life cycles of insects and began our last science unit of the year about how the environment can affect both plants and animals. We had fun realizing that bears only need shelter to hibernate as we watched  bear cam footage and learned that for about seven months during their hibernation a bear's heart slows down to 9 beats per minute. We also learned that they do not eat, drink or go to the bathroom during hibernation. There needs decrease because there is limited food and water. This helps them survive. We also began matching up scenarios how environmental factors may affect an animal’s behavior.

      In Social Studies we continued on reviewing our map skills. We then spent the rest of the week researching famous Americans to create a brochure.

* Don’t forget to send a pillow, a flashlight and any camping gear that you think would help us create a campsite in our room to school on Monday. If anyone has a tent and is willing to let us borrow it/ set it up, please let me know. Mrs. Shahwan has offered to purchase one over the weekend if we still need one. If you could let me know by Saturday, it would be appreciated so that I can get back to her and let her know if one is still needed.