Time flies when you are learning!

I can't believe the middle of December has already passed. If your house is like mine it is buzzing with planning and getting ready for the upcoming holidays. There is nothing like wrapping presents, grading papers, baking, hiding the elf that is currently living in my house (Elf on the Shelf), writing lesson plans, and having that cycle around while still enjoying my two little ones! :) Life is hectic at times, but I love it!

Math- For the last month we have been working on fractions. We have discussed the numerator and denominator, equivalent fractions, mixed fractions, and improper fractions. The class has learned how fractions are made by breaking something into equal parts. We experimented with this with paper brownies and pattern block cookies. You should hear the groans from both math classes when we talk about food, since math is usually before lunch! :) After learning and practicing our fractions, we started turning our fractions into decimals. We discussed how the place value turns around. After the decimal you have a tenth, hundredth, thousandth, but the kids only practiced tenths and hundredths. They had to write decimals from their mixed fractions as well. All the kids seemed to really enjoy this unit. Our assessment was today, but I have a lot of students from the other class whom need to make it up. As soon as everyone has taken the test and I have them graded, they will be sent home. Next week, we are going to review place value, addition (single, two, and three digit), subtraction (single, two, and three digit), and have some fun winter math activities.

Reading-  Last week we read On Granddaddy’s Farm by Thomas B. Allen. This is an autobiographical account of the author’s life as a child on his grandparents’ farm in the 1930s. He describes how life on the farm revolved around his grandfather’s job with the railroad. He also recalls the farm chores and playtime typical of the era. We worked on sequencing events and applying the text to the knowledge we had of farm life. This week we did not have a story. We review material covered in the last unit and took our unit quiz. We were also introduced to some new characters of Reciprocal teaching. A reading strategy your child will practice often in whole group and guided reading. Reciprocal teaching works on predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing. We worked a lot on making predictions this week!

Text Talk- This week we read The Princess and the Pizza by Mary Jane and Herm Auch. This is a story about a princess named Paulina who thinks she wants to get back into princessing since her father has given up the throne. She undergoes a series of princess tests (pea under the mattresses, an essay, etc.) to prove she is fit to marry Prince Drupert. After accidentally inventing the pizza, she decides not to become a princess but to open a pizza palace instead. Words we discussed were: fragrant, gracious, humble, muttered, fret, and practical. 

Social Studies- Student have been working in their Map Champ atlases to discuss government and timeline of the United States history events.

For the last four weeks, we have had a volunteer named Dru Bridges, come into our classroom and teach Junior Achievement.  Junior Achievement is about a community. So they have volunteers from the community teach lessons about what makes a community, and what types of communities do we live in.  Our class has built a town, run a doughnut business (Sweet O' Donuts), worked with financing the company, and talk about government (we even elected Samantha S. as our Mayor!).

Mrs. Jodie Yuska

Welcome December!

News of the week:Thank you to everyone who attending their child's conference or still has one pending! :) I know it is not always at the most convenient times for you or there is a wait to be seen. All teacher's greatly appreciate your dedication to your child's education!

Math- This week we started with discussing division with remainders. These were only introductory lessons and did not need to be fully mastered. Most students did an excellent job with the assistance of a picture or using cubes. On Wednesday we started our fractions unit. This seems to be the favorite of the year so far. They just can't seem to get enough fractions! :) We have talked about fractions as parts and as parts of a whole. We discussed the meaning of fractions is how we divide something up, how many pieces were given away, are a certain color, etc. out of how many pieces were there total. Yesterday we had paper brownies we had to cut and show how we would evenly share them with friends and write the fraction. Today we created fraction circles to use when we discuss equivalent fractions next week.

Reading- This week we read Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary. Ramona is showing a range of emotions as she gets ready for a new baby in her family. She is anxious about her mother's condition, then disappointed and humiliated when she is too young to see the infant in the hospital. In the end, an excited Ramona takes center stage, as she shares how intrigued she is by her new sister Roberta. During this story we analyzed Ramona and her wide range of feelings and behavior. We also made inferences about how Ramona was feeling different times in the story when the author did not come straight out and tell us.

Text Talk- This week we read A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. This is a story about a girl named Camila Cream who is too busy worrying about what everyone else thinks, to be her true self. She comes down with a case of stripes, which then changes into other things as she is easily influenced by others. Only when she is true to herself and honest about her love for lima beans does she go back to normal. The words we studied were: altered, contagious, distraction, remedies, perplexed, and vanished. 

Science- Student have been discussing various inventors and inventions. They wrapped up their unit on Ideas and Inventions with reflections and using mirrors. Please look for a study guide from Mrs. Clark for this assessment to come home soon.

Notes for people bring items for the winter party will go home next Thursday in brown envelopes. For our winter party we will be watching a movie and spending time with 3C students (they will enjoy their own treats), so no other volunteers will be needed at this time. :) THANKS!

Mrs. Jodie Yuska