Everyday Math
During the month of October, the students will be studying place value, traditional multiplication, traditional division, unit conversions, and interpreting remainders from a division problem. We will begin unit 3 during the middle of October. Unit 3 consists of adding and subtracting fractions, as well as word problems involving fractions. Ask your child about Khan Academy and their assignments. These assignments will be used for a grade, but they will only be given points for the completion of an assignment, not their score. They have been working on these assignments since the end of August. Thank you for help and support at home. We’re off to a great start!
Writing/Science
We are working feverishly to finish our first narrative piece for this unit. This will be their first major grade for writing. Over the next few weeks, we will be working on our second piece. At the end of the unit, they will be given time to revise both and then students will choose which piece they will be turning in for an final grade. We will then begin our informational writing unit.
In Science, we are continuing our discussion about space, the solar system, and the planets. As we close that unit, we will look a little closer and begin to study the geology of the Earth.
Reading/Social Studies
One thing I love about our reading and writing curriculum is the way each one compliments the other. In reading we are reading fiction texts and we are digging deep into the stories and discussing theme, characters and other story elements. The discussions I am hearing in book club groups demonstrate a deeper understanding of literature already. We are enjoying our mentor text, Home of the Brave and we are thinking a great deal about what the author’s motives might be in writing this story.
In social studies we continue to work on reading and understanding nonfiction texts. We have been reviewing information about the Spanish explorers, the Virginia Colony and the Plymouth Colony.
Homework
We wanted to reiterate the expectations regarding homework. The homework assigned for math is due each day, as assigned. The homework for both reading and writing are due on Friday, or the last day we are in school during a given week. In your child’s homework book, we will break down the assignments in manageable bits, but as long as all the work is turned inon Friday, everything will be fine. We recognize that this is new, so there may be a learning curve as we begin. We will email parents when there is a missed assignment, although this does not mean that your child is “in trouble”. We just want to keep the lines of communication open. As always, if you find that a particular assignment is too difficult or your child does not understand, please sign that part of the homework. Better yet, have your child write a note telling the teacher they did not understand and would like help with it. Our philosophy is that homework is a tool to help us solidify skills, not something that should take up all of our time.
Upcoming Dates
10/13LJM Cross Country Meet
10/18Parent Visitation
10/26Byrnes Health Center
Grow and Know Lesson
A Note about the Cross Country Meet
If your child needs an inhaler, please be sure it is sent in on the day of the cross country meet, and include a doctor’s note. If you send in cough drops, we need a parent note on file. Finally, it is a good idea to have a water bottle to use on the day of the meet. Remember that water bottles should only contain clear, unflavored water.