February 19, 2010

Calliope Weekly Update
February 15-19, 2010
Week Twenty-three
Reading and Writing: Our research reports are in final form! Students did an excellent job using the “big 6” model for research and writing 4 or 5 paragraph reports on their choice topic. We will be sharing this exciting product the week after break. Students have also spent time reviewing parts of speech through the coveted “P.O.S. ball” (parts-of-speech), as well as fun with Mad Libs. Students have also had some solid time for independent reading. Please encourage your child to read for pleasure over break. Often we’re so busy during the week that it’s difficult to really “get in” to a book. Teachers do some of their best reading over school vacations!

Math: Fourth graders took their end-of-the-unit math assessment on fact extensions (50 x 600, for example), word problems, and multidigit multiplication. Fourth graders also dabbled a bit in fractions this week. Third graders also completed the end-of-the-unit assessment in multiplication and division. Students took a pre-assessment for our upcoming unit on fractions. Both classes continue to work on multiplication facts on a weekly basis.

Word Study: Mr. B’s spellers reviewed homophones and tricky spelling “demons.” Ms. Schoolcraft’s spellers completed unit 6 with a look at multisyllabic words with open syllables, open syllable exceptions, and the addition of suffixes to these words.

Science: All students completed the science inquiry task, “playground trash” this week. The guiding question for the investigation was “Will putting magnets together make a difference in the distance needed to attract objects?” Students worked in small groups to conduct an experiment, and then worked independently to analyze and apply the data collected. Ask your child about this experiment. Later in the week, we reviewed student responses to the “NECAP practice” questions regarding this experiment, and compared student responses to the questions asked. We will continue to practice writing about our science thinking in weeks to come.

Responsive Classroom: Both classes have really enjoyed combining classes for Friday morning meetings. We continue to hold students accountable for their work, reinforcing complete work with team choice time on Fridays and upholding the logical consequence of “work room” for incomplete work. Please encourage your child to turn in homework daily.

Ask me about:
• Student of the week: Dominic
• Four Winds: Animal tracking
• My research project!

Other: Thank you for all that you do to support our 3-4 Calliope endeavors. Just a friendly reminder, there is no school for students on Monday, 3/1 (teacher professional development), and we will be going to the Flynn on Wednesday, 3/3 to see Frindle. We have emailed the parent volunteers who will be attending (we had to do first-come, first-served for chaperones)…sorry we couldn’t take all of you! Have a fantastic vacation and we’ll see you in March!