Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, October 11th

Math - 3.7 - We worked on solving multi-step word problems today.  For most word problems, we had to solve two 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication problems, then add or subtract to compare.  This was our last lesson in this chapter.  We will review tomorrow and take the chapter 3 test on Thursday.

Science - None - We read about plants that come from spores today (moss, ferns), and created a life cycle diagram for our science journals.

Language Arts - None - We completed a spelling and grammar page in class today, and reread our selection story.  We also read two versions of the tall tale Pecos Bill.  We continued our writing packets today, focusing on using a web graphic organizer to determine a topic sentence and supporting details.

Social Studies  - None - We did not have social studies today.

Reminder:  Crazy sock day tomorrow

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, October 6th

Math - 3.6 - We combined both multiplication methods today, and students were allowed to use the one they were most comfortable with.  Those students that weren't able to complete the assignment in class need to finish it over the weekend.

Science - None - We continued observing our plant project, and made a foldable life cycle diagram on plants that grow from seeds for our science journals.

Language Arts - None - We completed a spelling and grammar page in class, and the students reread their unit selection story.  We answered some comprehension questions, and worked on identifying the main idea in our writing.  In small groups, we reviewed vocabulary with our leveled readers.

Social Studies - None - We completed a foldable graphic organizer for our last lesson, and started our daily geography packet.  Our current packet focuses on using a map grid.

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, October 5th

Math - corrections & word problems - We continued reviewing 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication today.  Students have 6 multiplication word problems to solve for homework tonight.

Science - None - We continued observing our seeds in the light and dark today.  We also read about the life cycle of plants that come from seeds.

Language Arts - None - We finished reading our selection story today, and completed our cause & effect graphic organizer.  We also completed a spelling and grammar page in class.  We played an "I have, who has" cause and effect game today too.

Social Studies - None - We did not have social studies today.

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, October 4th*

Math - None - We continued reviewing 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication using regrouping today.  Students should have had plenty of time in class to complete their assignment for lesson 3.5.

Science - None - We started reading about life cycles today, and started a lab activity on sprouting seeds.  We will be monitoring seeds in the light and seeds in the dark to compare the results over the next week.

Language Arts - None - We completed a spelling and grammar page in class today.  We read the first half of our selection story, and started a cause and effect graphic organizer.  In guided reading groups, we reviewed vocabulary words and previewed our books.

Social Studies - None - We did not have social studies today.

*These plans are tentative.  I am in the Chicago area today for a reading workshop.

Lessons & Assignments Monday, October 3rd

Math - None - I introduced 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication using "mom and dad" math today, or regrouping.  This was very difficult for us, and we will continue to review it tomorrow.

Science - None - We skipped science today to practice multiplication.

Language Arts - vocabulary packet - We introduced our new vocabulary words today and worked on our vocabulary packets in class.

Social Studies - None - We read about the hills and valleys in Southern Illinois today.

Vocabulary Slide Show - Wild Horses

Please click HERE for this unit's vocabulary slide show.

Language Arts 10/3-10/14

Reading:  determine cause & effect - We will be doing repeated readings of the story Wild Horses by Cris Peterson over the next two weeks.  This is an expository story about the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in South Dakota.  We will be discussing cause and effect in this story, and using evidence from the story to support our decisions.  You can practice this at home by asking your child questions such as "Cause:  You didn't tie your shoes...What is the effect?"  (Possible answer, "I tripped.")

Phonics/spelling :  r-controlled vowels /ar/ and /or/ - all spelling words for this unit are words with r-controlled vowels, or bossy r.   Have your child look for these patterns in each word, and sort the words according to the pattern.

Grammar: possessive nouns - for this unit, we will be discussing possessive nouns, or nouns that show ownership (example:  Kyle's dog, Alyssa's book).  These are easily confused with plural nouns and contractions, so we will work on distinguishing them from other types.

Vocabulary:  Our vocabulary words for this unit are descendants, sanctuary, threatened, fragile, habitat, and emerge.  Students can review using Spelling City, their vocabulary packets, or the slide show posted on my blog.

Writing:  We will be using writing packets for this unit to help develop ideas in our writing.  

Our assessments over this unit will be on Friday, October 14th.