Week in Review, April 15-19, 2024

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Thank you Explorer parents and students for the lovely Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you for the Grab voucher and donations to the PTA Faculty & Staff Lunch.

In Writing, we learned how to write a good introduction by sharing the when and where right away.

One sunny Saturday in the park...
On a storm night in January Annie was at home with her mom and dad...
It was September in the Netherlands when...

Here is an example of a strong introduction:

"Dad, I'm ready!" shouted Annie. One snowy Saturday in January, Annie and her dad were getting ready to go sledding. "Don't forget your gloves," dad said. Annie and her dad bundled up, grabbed the sleds from the shed, and started walking to the big hill just behind their house.

We also learned how to get our character into a bit of trouble and how to get them out of trouble. We saw that a character might try to solve their problem in multiple ways (maybe the first few didn't work). By the end of the story the character needs to solve the problem in a realistic way.

We were also introduced to other words to use in the place of said (said is dead=use asked, replied, cried, etc.). For a review, please watch these videos:

In Reading, we learned how to notice when character's feelings change, how to put on the character's face according to the feelings they are feeling, and how to better understand the characters feelings by finding the evidence. We also learned about character traits. Characters, and real people, have physical traits and personality traits. Physical traits are what a character or person looks like on the outside. Personality traits are what the character or person acts like (inside). We also enjoyed an assembly with visiting author Kate Messner.

In Word Study, we learned that "ea" spells the long "e" sound like in the word "team". In some words "ea" spells the short "e" sound like in the word "head". We also learned that "a" can make a short "o" sound like in the word "watch". This usually happens when "a" follows "w" like in the word "water". We also learned diphthong "oi" and "oy". The "oi" can be found at the beginning or in the middle of words and "oy" can be found at the end. Please practice the new heart words "Monday", "Wednesday" and "February".

In Math, we we took our U6 Assessment and started Unit 7-Geometry and Telling Time. Watch for the U6 Assessment coming home in your child's zippy. In Unit 7, so far, we have learned the names of three-dimensional (solid) shapes, how to sort them, and how to compose shapes from other three-dimensional shapes.

In Science, we conducted our final sound student led investigation. Students worked to prove that sound makes material vibrate. Ask your child about their Cause and Effect Model and what they were able to prove.

Next week we will use what we've learned about sound and vibration to design a musical instrument. Student will use the design process, go to the Makespace and construct their instrument.

Upcoming Events:

April 22-Earth Day!
April 23-Math AIMSweb Assessment at 10:15. Please go to bed early the night before, eat a good breakfast and send a healthy AM snack.
April 24-Reading AIMSweb Assessment at 10:15. Please go to bed early the night before, eat a good breakfast and send a healthy AM snack.