Math- This week we discussed the meaning of fractions, how to divide up 12 into equal pieces, and how to compare fractions using a number line.
Reading-
This week we read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry.
Before chopping down a
huge Kapok tree, a woodsman falls asleep. While sleeping, he is visited by the
animals who inhabit the tree. They explain why the Kapok tree is important to
the environment. When the man awakes, he decides not to chop the tree down.
With this selection, we worked on the skill of cause and effect, looking deeply
into what would happen to the animals of the rain forest if all the trees were
cut down.
Text Talk- This week we used The Great Kapok Tree again. Our
text talk words will be different from our reading vocabulary words. So
the kids will get a double dose of vocabulary from this text. Our text
talk words are: ancestors, lulled, slithered, withered, defenseless, and
intentions. We will continue talking about these words this week.
Writing- This
week we continued to study the rain forest and discuss our animal reports.
The kids are so interested in this topic that we have just kind of taken it and
ran with it. Next week we will spend a lot of time collecting information for
our animal reports and other animals of the rainforest.
We will be working on rainforest based topics during writing for the next month or so. :)
Social Studies-
The students are
finishing up their Map Champs Atlas' this week. This past week we have compared Marion, Iowa to the rest of the continent of North America, to South America, and to Africa. Next week, we will look at the continents of Europe, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia. They will complete a study guide on Thursday. Please take time to
review the study guide with your child as it will contain ALL the answers on their Social Studies test on Monday, February 3rd.
A look a head-
* I will send
home names for Valentine's in tomorrow. Please do not
yet send these to school with your child. I will let you know when our bags are up and ready! :)
*Early dismissal Wednesday, February 6th.
Valentine's Party Tuesday, February 14th.
No School Friday, February 15th. Teachers will be working on 2nd Trimester report cards.
Snow make-up day Monday, February 18th.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Jodie Yuska
