February 24-28

Welcome Back Friends!

It's good to feel the seasons changing and feel the warmth of the sun!  Did you get outside to play over break?

This week we will begin new units of study.  Pourquoi tales are stories that have been told from one generation to another as a way of explaining something that happens in nature.  As we study biomes on our field trip this week and start learning about Michigan's Native Americans we will use what we are learning to craft our own pourquoi tales in writing.   We'll also start our new unit of science-light!

Speaking of our field trip--have you returned your permission slip?  The weather is going to be cold, please dress to be outside.  That means hats. coats, gloves, boots, and snow pants!

Lights...Camera...Action!

Throughout January and February we have been learning to write movie reviews as a form of persuasive essay.  First, we studied lots of reviews to determine what are the most important parts of a movie review.  Then we chose movies we knew well, and, using the trailers to help us, we began crafting our own reviews.  After revising and editing students drew movie posters and then created a display to showcase our work for movie night.

On movie night students encouraged attendees to vote on the movie they are most likely go home to watch based on our reviews.  And the winner is...(drumroll, please)...Frozen!

This week!

This last week before vacation is turning out to be a busy week in our classroom!

NAAPID Monday 2/10/14
Parents and families you are invited to visit our classroom and spend time with your child throughout the day this Monday.  We will be keeping a regular classroom schedule which will help you better understand your child's day and the kinds of academic work they do each day.  Please feel free to stop by at anytime during the day even if you only have a few minutes!  There will be an assembly at 2:00 in the multipurpose room.

Count Day Wednesday 2/12/14
Please help ensure that each child is present for school this Wednesday.

Valentine's Day 2/14/14
We will be having a celebration on the afternoon of 2/14.  Children may bring Valentine's for their classmates.  Healthy snack donations are appreciated.

Storyteller Assembly 2/14/14
Donna Williams will be presenting a storytelling assembly this afternoon from 2:45-3:30.  For more information about Ms. Williams and her work her website is dlwstoryteller.com 

Check back later this week to hear more about our movie review project!

Week of February 3rd

Movie Reviews
In writing we have been studying the qualities of movie reviews and have been writing our own reviews of favorite movies.  Come see all of our hard work at movie night, this Friday.  You'll be able to read our reviews, and who knows, maybe you'll choose one of our top picks for your next family movie night!

Book Fair
The book fair takes place this week from Wednesday-Friday.  Students will be able to browse the books on Wednesday and make purchases after that.  All book fair proceeds support the work the PTO does to support your student!
   
Upcoming Events
February 10th-NAAPID
February 14th-Valentine's Celebration--Check your child's take home folder for more information. 

Week of January 20th

1/20- No School-MLK
1/21-3:45-5:15 Mighty Mustangs after school math program begins
1/28 No School-Teacher Professional Development
1/29 Planetarium Field Trip--please return permission slips

Week of January 13th

Science Fair
Hopefully you've had a chance to look at the science fair packet that went home last Friday.  All students are encouraged to participate in the science fair.  If you need help deciding on a project please join us this Tuesday 1/14 5:30-6:30 in the Mitchell Media Center.  Teachers and resources will be available to help you pick a project!

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year! 

I'm excited to share new learning with the kids and hear all about their winter vacation adventures. 

I spent a lot of my winter break reading books with my family.  Did you?  Here are some of our favorites...

Grandpa's Tractor by Michael Garland
Farmer John's Tractor by Sally Sutton
The Train to Maine by Jamie Spencer
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

Our work in January and February will focus on...
Writing-Did you have a chance to watch a good movie or two over break?  As we begin our next writing unit we will be looking at how movie reviewers tell about movies and the ways in which they analyze a movie and then  persuade their audience as to the quality of the movie.

Reading-We will be noticing the ways in which authors write to make their stories and characters both interesting and believable.  We will looking to identify these characteristics in our reading, but also to help us as we learn to analyze and write movie reviews.

Math-We will continue our work with place value, larger numbers, and begin to learn about decimals.

Science- Just as soon as we can get a "warmish", clear winter day, we will compare what we learned about the sun in the Fall with what we can observe about the sun in winter.  We will the study electricity and electrical currents.

Social Studies-We are just finishing up our study of how historians learn about the past.  We will then continue our study of Michigan by learning about Native Cultures.

Upcoming Events
Science Fair- Science Fair packets will go home shortly after break.  Participation is encouraged for all students.
1/14 NWEA testing-Reading
1/16 NWEA testing-Math
1/17 MLK Assembly-AM
1/20 No School-MLK Day
1/28 No School-Teacher Professional Development
1/29 Planatarium Field Trip 12:30-2:30