Math: This week we will start solving 2-step word problems, which will really put all of our math skills to the test! As always, we will focus on the process: underlining the facts, circling the question, then working through the problem using a strategy. We will also learn and practice adding 2-digit addition problems, such as 23+45.

Reading: Students will be reading with a purpose this week. We will be reading nonfiction books about animals while taking notes on different, specified categories. We will then turn these notes into a research paper on animals.

Writing: We are excited to see you all this Thursday for our Author’s Tea! This week we will dabble in fiction writing, incorporating an animal theme. We will also be learning about using conjunctions: or, and, if because, so, before, but, and then to expand our sentences. At this point in the year, students are expected to start all sentences with capital letters, and end with the appropriate punctuation marks!

Phonics: This week we will be learning how to spell the /u/ sound as in push, would and took.

Science: We will be wrapping up our unit on Animals through completing our research reports as well as through creative writing!

Social Studies:  We will start our unit on Goods and Services. We will focus on money, needs and wants, producers and consumers, making choices,  generally, understanding the basis of how our world operates, ha! This will be in preparation for our Tritt Tiger Town where they will be exchanging their money for Goods and Services of their choice!

S.T.E.M.: Students loved creating their animal habitats with their groups. This week we will partake in an Eagle Challenge, where they will have to create an eagle that will soar. We will incorporate producers and consumers in this challenge!

Melissa

Math: We will continue reviewing and reinforcing addition, subtraction, missing addend, and our problem solving abilities utilizing these skills. Also, students have started to earn dimes for Tiger Town. We’ve started exchanging our dimes for dollars, so please reinforce this concept at home! They need to earn $8.00 to participate in Tiger Town!

Reading: We will continue working on our higher level comprehension skills including the students’ ability to successfully identify the cause and effect of events in the stories that we are reading. Students will get to practice this skill in their reading logs this week.

Writing: We are busily preparing our books for our Author’s Tea. Also, we will try our hand at writing realistic fiction which will then segue to fiction/fantasy writing. We will continue focusing upon building our vocabulary and using more interesting, or “sparkling” words in our writing! Students are becoming more adept at using these words in their writing, as well as identifying them in the books they are reading. This is something we will be focusing upon for the rest of the year.

Phonics: This week we will be learning the /ar/ sound as in shark, charm and start.

Science: We will continue our exciting unit on Animals. This week we will start creating a book about all that we are learning. I continue to encourage you to send in any favorite books your child loves about a particular animal/animals!! We have received quite a few and I am enjoying reading these with the class!

S.T.E.M.: We started our Zoo Challenge! Students had to select an animal that was NOT at the Atlanta Zoo. They then had to work with a group to design a habitat for this animal that could fill the vacant building at the Atlanta Zoo.  We researched these animals and will CREATE these habitats this Thursday.  Students will need some materials from home, so please send these in BY THURSDAY. They all know what they need, but feel free to email me with questions.

Melissa

Math: This week I will be assessing 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. We will start reviewing and reinforcing addition, subtraction, missing addend, and our problem solving abilities utilizing these skills. Also, students gave started to earn dimes for Tiger Town. They are LOVING this! This has been a wonderful way to introduce money, as well as reinforcing their ability to count by tens.

Reading: We will be working on our higher level comprehension skills including the students’ ability to successfully identify the cause and effect of events in the stories that we are reading.

Writing: We are busily preparing our books for our Author’s Tea. Also, we will try our hand at writing realistic fiction which will then segue to fiction/fantasy writing. We will continue focusing upon building our vocabulary and using more interesting, or “sparkling” words in our writing! Students are becoming more adept at using these words in their writing, as well as identifying them in the books they are reading. This is something we will be focusing upon for the rest of the year.

Phonics: This week we will be learning the diphthong /oi/ sound using the letters “oi”  as in coin and “oy” as in toy.

Science: We will begin our exciting unit on Animals. Our Zoo trip will be the perfect event to kick this off. I encourage you to send in any favorite books your child loves about a particular animal/animals!! He/she will be given the opportunity to share this with the class.

S.T.E.M.: Students enjoyed creating 2 and 3-dimensional solid figures using toothpicks and mini-marshmallows. This effectively reinforced the defining attributes of each shape and also served as a healthy challenge for their building skills. We will introduce our next S.T.E.M. challenge, our Eagle Challenge, and students will start observing the habits of the Berry College eagle.

Melissa