Do you ever have that feeling like someone is secretly adding things to your to do list because it keeps getting longer and longer even though you are crossing things off from the top of the list??? Well, if so, you know how Week 13 felt for us!
In math, we introduced FUNction tables (...see what I did there?). STAAR loves function tables because it is essentially preparing kids for algebra. The way I was talking about variables and inverse operations, I felt like I was teaching a pre-algerbra class. The kids did really well looking for patterns and identifying the relationship between "x" and "y". We did tons of practice throughout the week and made posters explaining our strategy.
In Science, we have moved on to a new unit: Sun, Earth and Moon Systems. This week, we started with the water cycle (perfect with all this water cycle actvity recently, right?) We reviewed some vocabulary, added a few new words to the mix and then narrated a super adorable video on the water cycle (Click here to see.) I also handed out a lunar calendar for the kids to record the moon cycle. This will be used very soon in class, so make sure you are reminding your child to keep up with it.
In Writing, we have still been working to master Subject/Verb agreement. It seems like nearly everyone is struggling with this objective. It is verb tenses that really stump them. So we spent some additional time with this objective. We also concluded our reasearch on our tribe and started drafting our expository essay. We are a little behind, but hope to finish over the next few days.
Finally, in Reading, we practiced making predictions and finding eviedence in the text to support our thinking using our book study, School Story. The kids are very engaged in this book and we should finish it up Monday. This will conclude our unit on realistic fiction and we will move on to an author study of Chris Van Allsburg.
All in all it was a great week. Highlights for Week 14:
Math: Numberlines
Science: Clouds AND..... a visit from an astronaut! 11:30, Tuesday.
In math, we introduced FUNction tables (...see what I did there?). STAAR loves function tables because it is essentially preparing kids for algebra. The way I was talking about variables and inverse operations, I felt like I was teaching a pre-algerbra class. The kids did really well looking for patterns and identifying the relationship between "x" and "y". We did tons of practice throughout the week and made posters explaining our strategy.
In Science, we have moved on to a new unit: Sun, Earth and Moon Systems. This week, we started with the water cycle (perfect with all this water cycle actvity recently, right?) We reviewed some vocabulary, added a few new words to the mix and then narrated a super adorable video on the water cycle (Click here to see.) I also handed out a lunar calendar for the kids to record the moon cycle. This will be used very soon in class, so make sure you are reminding your child to keep up with it.
In Writing, we have still been working to master Subject/Verb agreement. It seems like nearly everyone is struggling with this objective. It is verb tenses that really stump them. So we spent some additional time with this objective. We also concluded our reasearch on our tribe and started drafting our expository essay. We are a little behind, but hope to finish over the next few days.
Finally, in Reading, we practiced making predictions and finding eviedence in the text to support our thinking using our book study, School Story. The kids are very engaged in this book and we should finish it up Monday. This will conclude our unit on realistic fiction and we will move on to an author study of Chris Van Allsburg.
All in all it was a great week. Highlights for Week 14:
Math: Numberlines
Science: Clouds AND..... a visit from an astronaut! 11:30, Tuesday.
Writing: Finish expository essay
Reading: Finish School Story