January 2013                                                                      Monthly Class News                                                                                  Highlights  Over the course of the month in ELA students have focused on identifying the main idea, supportive details, topic, theme, and the inferred meaning expressed within the passages and stories they have read. Additionally, they have practiced writing summaries of what they have read.  Students have read non-fiction passages about Manatees, Puffins, crocodiles, Frank Lloyd Wright as well as numerous fiction short stories. Each day student have had an opportunity to read independently for approximately 30 minutes while at school. Students also practice writing each day. In Social Studies students have been learning about the founding of New York State by the early colonist.   In Math students have been introduced to and practiced identifying fractions and equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions as well as adding and subtracting fractions and converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and improper fractions to mixed numbers. In science students have been identifying what animal behavior is and types of behaviors that exist (inborn and learned). Students have also learned about reflexes, instincts, stimulus and response and have identified examples of each.                                                                   More News ·    On Jan. 17 4th graders performed a coral reading of a poem that highlighted and honored the life of Martin Luther King Jr.   ·    Students have continued to participate in Debate Club. This month students debated whether they thought the school day should be extended. This debate was featured on Channel 6 news. ·    Students are continuing to do research on the “Dust Bowl”. Students will identify a specific question that they wonder about and would like to research further in the weeks ahead. Students will have a variety of choices as to how they would like to present their findings.