October 17th

Reading

Reading this week we finished up our informational text features reading groups. We have been searching through informational books for: close-ups, diagrams, cutaways, comparisons, glossaries, fonts, etc.

The students also practiced retelling narratives (fiction) using character, setting, events, problem, and solution.

With informational books we have just started identifying the main idea and 3 details that support the idea. We read some good fall books about bats. J

We have really been focusing on telling the difference between informational text and narrative text. This is some new language for kids, we are using them in pace of non-fiction and fiction. 

As you read a book this weekend ask if it is narrative or informational and why. Also have your child either retell the story or tell you the main idea and 3 details that support the main idea.

Poetry reading for fluency

Writing

This week the students chose one of their stories from the past month to publish. They added to the story, then rainbow edited with a partner and published the story to put in to their portfolio.

Have your child tell you the story that they published!

Practicing spelling

Editing a story to get ready for publishing

Math

We finished unit 2 and did a check with addition, subtraction, time, counting coins, and place value. We will continue to work on these skills with reteaching and extensions. The next unit is connecting subtraction to addition.

The students took their first math minutes this week. The students are given an addition or subtraction page and do as many problems in 2 ½ minutes as they can. The kids then set a goal for their fact fluency and then track their progress on a graph. As they become automatic with their facts they move on to the next operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).

Ask your child about why fact automaticity is important.

Practicing math talk and explaining their thinking

Science

I pulled some small groups reteaching how much force it takes to push an object up a short ramp versus a long ramp or lifting it straight up. Through our investigation we learned that it takes the least amount of force to move a heavy object up a long ramp.

We then moved on to magnets and how they push and pull objects with a quick investigation.

Ask your child to tell you about moving objects up ramps and how much force it takes.

Ask what they did to explore using magnets on Thursday!

Magnet fun!

Extra Fun

In celebration for Mr. Neppl on Bosses’ day the kids wore button up shirts and ties. We also wrote a book about why Mr. Neppl ROCKS for Rock Creek.

Dress like the boss

Friday was our Fall party! Thanks to everyone who helped by sending in donations from home and who were able to come to the party to help run the rotations

Fall party class picture

Snack table

Crafts

Treat Bag

Roll a pumpkin