Happy Halloween!

Fall has definitely arrived and I absolutely love the crisp, cool air!  It is hard to imagine that we are now a fourth of the way through our year, but we are and we're still chugging along!  Here are some updates for our classroom.

Reading - We are nearing the end of our second reading unit with Reading Street.  We have been focusing on the skills of author's purpose and comparing and contrasting text as well as text features.  We still have one more week of reading that will center around the theme of "doing the right thing" and we will then move into a week-long novel study.  We will be reading "Rachel Carson: Pioneer in Ecology."

Math - Prior to going on fall break, we wrapped up our unit on dividing and division strategies.  We are now working through a unit focusing on comparing fractions, ordering fractions, equivalent fractions, adding fractions, and a bit of data analysis.  Our current test date for this unit will be Friday, November 13 so be on the lookout for a Test Alert early that week.

Writing - Late in the first quarter, students each wrote a narrative piece of writing making it a mystery using a picture.  For that piece of writing, we focused on the skills of story elements (mainly climax), as well as adding dialogue using quotation marks appropriately.  We are currently working on writing pieces that compare and contrast two different things.  Next week we will begin a short unit on persuasive writing.  This will be a very unique piece of writing as we will be doing a White Elephant Gift Exchange!  Students will put a "gag" gift in a sealed bag THIS WEEKEND!  Next week, they will begin writing a piece that will convince a classmate to select their gift over someone else's, but using only curiosity provoking ideas.  In other words, they cannot tell what is in the bag!  This is always a fun writing unit and the kids enjoy being creative with their clues while still learning about the basic elements of persuasive writing.

Social Studies - After discussing the three branches of the government, we have now moved on to the election process.  We are discussing the political parties, learning about the qualifications for the presidency, what responsibilities are assumed as President, and how one becomes a leader.  Today we held a primary election after students "nominated" a person of their choice.  We will be filling out voter registration applications and holding a general election next week.

Science - During our Science time, we are currently studying health.  We have been reading about how alcohol, drugs and tobacco can affect one's health.  We have learned the importance of taking both OTC and prescription medications according to the label directions and how to read the labels. 

I hope everyone enjoys their Halloween!  Happy Haunting!