March 12,

Classwork:
In math class over the course of the past week students have continued to practicing naming fractions as well as identifying equivalent fractions. Students will also learn this week how to compare and order fractions and identify mixed numbers. 


In science class we have continued with our study of electricity.On Thurs. students built models of atoms (the smallest particles that make up all matter or elements). Students will have an opportunity to build electrical circuits as well.


Picture here are students creating clay models of an atom complete with a nucleus that contains both neutrons and protons.  

In social studies students will begin to learn about the early Dutch settlers that first came to the area that is now NYS.   


In Language Arts students continue to work on improving their reading comprehension skills by reading numerous non-fiction articles and passages as well as fictional stories from various genres. 
Students have been practicing identifying the main idea of passages, as well as significant details, and the meaning of new words basis on its context. 


Students have been reading the Landry News by Andrew Clements.  


Students have also continued to practice writing complete sentences when answering questions in short essay format.


Additionally, students have and will continue to practiced identifying nouns, adjectives and action verbs as well as the use of appropriate verb tenses    

Pictured here students are using square cubic units to determine volume during math class.

The week of March 5, 2012

Classwork - 
Math-  
Last week students studied measurement and capacity and familiarize themselves with both the Customary and Metric units of measurements. Students had an opportunity to practice determining the mass of various objects along with the volume of liquids and some rectangular solids. Students took a quiz on these topics at the end of last week to prepare them for the test given today to check their understanding of these concepts.This quiz was returned to students today March 5th. 


Students also have and continue to practice multiplication, subtraction, addition, and division facts as well as word problems. 


As noted above this week began with a test of the measurement and capacity concepts taught last week.
A new unit of study on fractions will began on Tuesday of this week. Fractions that are part of a whole, or part of a set. will be discussed and identified along with equivalent fractions this week.   
  


Science- Last week students began a unit of study on Electricity. This topic of study will be continued  throughout the month. Specifically, this week students will be introduced to the terms atom, proton, electron, neutron. The definition of electricity, static electricity, conduction, and insulation will also be introduced to students.  


Language Arts- Students have and will continue to practice identifying the main idea, important/supporting details, and the inferred meaning of the  passages and stories they read throughout the week.


  Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady Series of books visited our school last Wed.  The boys and girls seemed to really enjoy his visit. Talk to your student about this event and see what they had to say.




More news- We will test pilot the use of  iPads within the classroom setting over the course of 3-4 weeks. We are the first classroom within the district to begin to use iPads within the classroom. The same security filters that are used to screen websites use when students work on the computer will be in place as students use the iPads.
I am expecting to receive them at some point this week. 


The applications chosen for use on the iPad will allow students to practice all of their math facts, read, write, learn new vocabulary, as well as access science, social studies and current event information in an interactive way. We are all very excited about this opportunity.        
          

March 1, 2012 Classroom News

A reminder to all the boys and girls of Room 352 that tomorrows spelling test will involve words using un and dis- Sight Word List 17.

I hope you are enjoying your snow day - I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow :)