What a great time we are having in Room 203. Everyone has learned so much and we are applying what we've learned in our reading, writing, math and science activities.
The author visit with Mr. Deneke was wonderful! He shared all about his creative process, the steps in publishing a book, and his ideas for the artwork. Since Mr. Deneke was with District 103 for so many years, this book is a wonderful reflection of our staff and students both at Sprague and Half Day Schools. There will be copies of the book in our library for check out if you did not purchase a book. It truly is a masterpiece!
In Reading we are working in book clubs for the next few weeks. Each child has joined a literature group. The children have daily reading assignments and activities to do while they are reading. Ask them to tell you about "Think Marks" and to summarize their book for you so far- The groups meet every three days to discuss what they have read and to reread parts of the selection to find evidence to answer questions.
We have also started working on our animal research project. The students chose an animal and have begun researching that animal's habitat, structural adaptations, behavioral adaptations, and looking for other interesting facts. Our first source was a Nonfiction book on RAZ-Kids. We will also be using World Book Online and National Geographic Kids. The children will learn to site the sources and to blend the information from multiple sources for their final report.
In Math we have been working on using rounding to find estimates. We have first been rounding the addends and then adding the rounded numbers to find the estimated sum.
Example:
267 -> 300
+521 -> +500
800
We have also been adding to find the actual sum of 2, 3 and 4 numbers. Next week we will be working on subtraction with regrouping (borrowing). The most challenging aspect of subtraction is regrouping across zeros.
Example:
400
-127
The students who have exhibited mastery in these areas have been working on an addition/subtraction enrichment menu of activities. All students have access to this enrichment menu when their class work is successfully completed.
In Science we had a great visit to Rivershire on Monday. The students worked through three stations to learn more about Physical/Structural Adaptations and Behavioral Adaptations. 6 of our students were turned into Beavers and we discussed the many parts of a beaver that help it survive. In class we are using this information in our animal research. We have also been talking about how animals are classified. Thank you so much for our parent volunteers for making this trip so successful!
Online Information -
Full Online access to our math programs is available at
https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login
Students use the same username to log on to this site. We have been working in Topics 1, 2, and 3.
Raz-Kids.com is available for at home use for reading if you desire- the students do not have their own accounts but they may access my teacher account using the Teacher Username: halfday03
Click on "McLelland" and then "Book Room on your Own"
The author visit with Mr. Deneke was wonderful! He shared all about his creative process, the steps in publishing a book, and his ideas for the artwork. Since Mr. Deneke was with District 103 for so many years, this book is a wonderful reflection of our staff and students both at Sprague and Half Day Schools. There will be copies of the book in our library for check out if you did not purchase a book. It truly is a masterpiece!
In Reading we are working in book clubs for the next few weeks. Each child has joined a literature group. The children have daily reading assignments and activities to do while they are reading. Ask them to tell you about "Think Marks" and to summarize their book for you so far- The groups meet every three days to discuss what they have read and to reread parts of the selection to find evidence to answer questions.
We have also started working on our animal research project. The students chose an animal and have begun researching that animal's habitat, structural adaptations, behavioral adaptations, and looking for other interesting facts. Our first source was a Nonfiction book on RAZ-Kids. We will also be using World Book Online and National Geographic Kids. The children will learn to site the sources and to blend the information from multiple sources for their final report.
In Math we have been working on using rounding to find estimates. We have first been rounding the addends and then adding the rounded numbers to find the estimated sum.
Example:
267 -> 300
+521 -> +500
800
We have also been adding to find the actual sum of 2, 3 and 4 numbers. Next week we will be working on subtraction with regrouping (borrowing). The most challenging aspect of subtraction is regrouping across zeros.
Example:
400
-127
The students who have exhibited mastery in these areas have been working on an addition/subtraction enrichment menu of activities. All students have access to this enrichment menu when their class work is successfully completed.
In Science we had a great visit to Rivershire on Monday. The students worked through three stations to learn more about Physical/Structural Adaptations and Behavioral Adaptations. 6 of our students were turned into Beavers and we discussed the many parts of a beaver that help it survive. In class we are using this information in our animal research. We have also been talking about how animals are classified. Thank you so much for our parent volunteers for making this trip so successful!
Online Information -
Full Online access to our math programs is available at
https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login
Students use the same username to log on to this site. We have been working in Topics 1, 2, and 3.
Raz-Kids.com is available for at home use for reading if you desire- the students do not have their own accounts but they may access my teacher account using the Teacher Username: halfday03
Click on "McLelland" and then "Book Room on your Own"