The highlight of our week was working on writing an article to inform our SWS audience about El dia del nino. We spent time crafting the expository writing pieces collaboratively, as well as doing news role-playing. What a fun project! Don’t miss the Noticias jovenes!
This week we also started our last book club: Baisbol en abril. Students received a rubric stating the expectations for this project, which are similar to previous literature circles; most of the reading will be done in class, with just a few clear homework assignments. Students are expected to come prepared for book discussions. Let me know if you have any questions.
Science
Observing Crystals
Focus Question: What is the shape and patter of a salt crystal?
Students observe salt crystals left when a water in a salt solution has evaporated.
Science concepts:
• The solid material separated by evaporation from a solution forms distinctive patterns.
• A crystal is the solid phase of a material that forms in an identifiable shape or pattern.
• When a solid dissolves into a liquid, the solid seems to disappear.
• When liquids evaporate, they change into a gas and disperse into the air.
History and Geography
Election of 1860 presidential speeches!
This week we began learning about The Civil War. Our objectives were:
Describe life before the civil war for different groups
write a thoughtful reflection about slavery and freedom
summarize and explain the effects of five events that led to the Civil War
summarize and explain the effects of five events that led to the Civil War
Mathematics
Finding missing angles!
This week we took our chapter test and began working learning about the properties of triangles. Our objectives were:
demonstrate an understanding that the sum of angle measures on a line are 180º, the sum of angle measures at a point are 360º, and that vertical angles have equal measures
Classify triangles by their side lengths and angle measures
Understand and apply the property that the sum of the angle measures of a triangle is 180*
English Spelling
This week we finished our rotation and began a new one. Our rotation days were:
Blind Sort Test: Students tested each other on their spelling using the Blind Sort method.
Word Search: Students received a word search with their new spelling words. They were tasked with finding and sorting their new words.
Teacher Meeting: I met with each student to discuss and clarify their new sort.
Our next spelling test will be on Monday, May 15th.
A reminder that book reports are due Tuesday, May 29th!
What do you think about when you hear the phrase “going west”? Why did pioneers explore west? Why was it important the settlement of the west?
Read selection: Bill Picket, un vaquero de rodeos/ Make connections to the unit’s theme.
Genre: Biography – Review Biographies
• A biography is written about a real person’s life.
• The story includes details about how the person talks, feels, and thinks about things.
• Often focuses on the most important events in a person’s life.
• It usually describes the person’s achievements or talents.
• Many times it is written chronologically ( Make connections to sequencing)
Comprehension strategies and skills: Predicting, Visualizing, Summarizing, Identifying Facts and opinions and Making Inferences. Writing:
This week in writing, students worked on describing an object,
generating a word bank of descriptive language, giving examples of these words in sentences and using vivid and descriptive language to write a paragraph, incorporating metaphors and similes.
Science
Focus Question: How can a mixture be separated? How can a solution be separated?
Students discovered that water and salt make a special kind of mixture, a solution, which cannot be separated with a filter. We compared and contrasted the characteristics of mixtures and solutions. Students predicted ways in which a solution can be separated. They found out that they need to look at the different states of matter in order to answer this question. They compared the total mass of a mixture to the mass of its parts and we discuss key vocabulary.
Evaporation can separate a solid from a liquid in a solution.
A mixture combines two or more materials that retain their own properties.
A solution forms when a material dissolves in a liquid (solvent) and cannot be retrieved with a filter.
History and Geography
This week we finished our unit on Westward Expansion before the Civil War. Our objectives were:
The students will discuss the early efforts of Stephen Austin to settle Texas through a read aloud
The students will read discuss and summarize the events of the Mexican War by writing what they learned
Students will list the Mexican lands ceded to the United States (California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona) and label them on a map
Next week we will begin learning about The Civil War!
Mathematics
This week we began our new chapter Angles. Our objectives were:
Understand and apply the property that the sum of angle measures on a line is 180°
Understand and apply the property that the sum of angle measures at a point is 360°
Understand and apply the property that vertical angles have equal measures
English Spelling
This week we continued our rotation. Our rotation days were:
Teacher Meeting: I meet with each student to check their understanding and completion of their sorts.
Vocabulary Day: This week our lesson was about clips. We added and to our word wall.
Our spelling test is on Tuesday, May 1st!
Music with Ms. Erin
In April we worked on elements of songwriting, singing, writing for instruments and percussion, and recording. We wrapped up the songwriting project, getting final recordings of student written songs!
In May we will focus on:
Music theory elements
Music notation reading
Rhythm counting and percussion
Improving vocal melody and harmony skills
Learning about the composer Felix Mendelssohn
Art with Ms. Kelly
We spent the month of April working on a Weaving Project for a Mother’s Day gift. This project involved painting the Loom, putting the Warp yarn on the loom, and then weaving the Weft yarn to create some beautiful designs. I don’t want to give you any more detail, but I know you’ll be impressed with these beautiful weavings. All the students did a great job following directions, choosing colors, and going “over and under” many times!
• Students explore the different properties of matter, specifically solids and liquids.
• Students manipulate different types of earth materials and describe their properties. (Descriptive Language)
• Students predict what happens with the properties of these materials when a solid and a liquid is mixed.
• Students predict if materials can be separated and go back to their original form.
• Students experience a hands-on activity to understand all these concepts in context, applying accurate content vocabulary and language structures.
History and Geography
This week we continued learning about Westward Expansion before the Civil War. Our objectives were:
Students will be able to describe the pioneers, the Mormons, and the 49ers who they were, where they were going, and why
students will compare and contrast Mormons and the 49ers
Mathematics
This week we finished our chapter on Graphs and Probability. Our objectives were:
Find the experimental probability of an outcome
Compare the results of an experiment with the theoretical probability
review how to display data in a double bar graph with a key
review how to use probability to measure the likelihood of an event occurring
English Spelling
This week we finished our rotation and began a new rotation. Our rotation days were:
Spelling City: Students had a chance to work on computer skills as well as spelling on spellingcity.com. If your kiddo would like to work on spelling city at home they can follow this link www.spellingcity.com/users/34SpellingSWS
Blind Sort Test: Students tested each other on their spelling using the Blind Sort
This week we started our new literacy unit, Hacia el oeste. What made it extra meaningful was having the opportunity to attend the Lelooska Cultural Center for our field trip. Students were able to make significant connections to the wonderful presentation, during our first reading piece, La caza del buffalo. We will continue to read this expository text next week. Some of our literacy objectives for this and next week:
Using maps, students accurately identify the different regions of the US, particularly the American West and explain its historical importance.
Students read articles and books about the pioneers and settlers.
Students read stories and poems about Native Americans.
Students understand and apply vocabulary related to our new unit and selection
Student activate prior knowledge, share personal experiences and make connections to social studies.
Understand and apply the concepts of grammar, usage and mechanics in context providing examples in both orally and written form.
Students apply accurate vocabulary and language structures in oral and written form.
Students use descriptive language in context.
Students understand and apply the use of abbreviations in Spanish.
Science
This week students were introduced with our spring science module Mixtures and Solutions. The following are the overarching objectives for this module:
Gain experience with the concepts of mixture and solution.
Gain experience with the concepts of concentration and saturation.
Gain experience with the concept of chemical reaction.
Apply an operational definition to determine the relative concentrations of solutions.
Use group problem-solving techniques to plan investigations.
Use measurement in the context of scientific investigations.
Apply mathematics in the context of science.
Acquire vocabulary associated with chemistry and the periodic table.
Be introduced to the concept that all matter is made of very small particles called atoms and that atoms combine to form molecules.
Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, organizing, and relating.
History and Geography
Exploring the museum on our field trip to Lelooska!
This week we took our last field trip and began our Westward Expansion unit! Our objectives were:
Students will be able to explain why Daniel Boone was important to the settling of the west
students will listen to a read aloud then discuss as a class the importance of Sacagawea to the Corps of Discovery
Students will locate, label, and trace Lewis and Clark’s route to and from the Pacific on a map
Students will be able to describe Zebulon Pike and his contribution to westward expansion in an oral discussion
Mathematics
This week we continued working with Graphs and Probability. Our objectives were:
Read and plot points on a coordinate grid
graph an equation
list and count all possible combinations
draw a tree diagram to show all possible combinations
use multiplication to find the number of combinations
English Spelling
This week we began a new rotation. Our rotation days were:
Word Search: Students received a word search with their new spelling words. They were tasked with finding and sorting their new words.
Teacher Meeting: I met with each student to discuss and clarify their new sort.
Vocabulary Day: This week our lesson was about words from other countries.
And just like that, we have concluded another memorable book club. These have been the most amazing 2+ weeks, where we have taken Jack London’s classic, and have, literally, turned it inside out, analyzing and interpreting the most profound corners of this remarkable masterpiece. The Call of the Wild and its main character, Buck, made a special paw print and we will hold it dear in our hearts forever!
This week we had a very special visitor, Ruby, that helped us celebrate the end of our book club in a very meaningful way!
Science
Focus Question: What behaviors are instinctive and what behaviors are learned?
In connection to our book club, students where introduced with this question. Next week we will explore the ways non-humans communicate though sound, visual displays, and smell. We will talk more about the role that instinct and learned behavior plays in the life of animals.
We are so excited about our science field trip on March, 29th 2018 at 1:00 pm. Please make sure that you have made transportation arrangements to the site. Everybody should be prepared to spend the afternoon outside. Wear clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty, and layers for the cold. We will be outside rain or shine! Please contact maestra Paola, should you have any questions.
This week, we finished reading and analyzing the literary elements of chapter 5 of our book The Call of the Wild. Students have done an outstanding job not only keeping up with their reading assignments following our calendar, but also writing detailed notes for every chapter and sharing their insightful comments. They were assigned to finish reading chapter 6 at home, and be ready for our discussion on Monday. We will be ready to finish reading our book on Monday and spend the rest of the week working on our book project in class (please refer back to our previous newsletter to see the objectives for this project).
Students were invited to create an art piece that captures the theme of the book. They are welcome to use any medium and be as creative as they choose. Art pieces will be shared on our last book club day, March 23rd.
We also continued with our literacy routines, spelling, grammar and usage. We read the nonfiction piece Cazadores de tornados. This piece talked about how storm chasers help us understand the weather. As we read the selection aloud (everybody had a chance to read a part) we monitored our comprehension and adjusted our reading speed and fluency accordingly.
Science
Focus Question: How are nutrients transported to cells in a plant?
This week students continued their exploration of plants by observing the veins in leaves. They planted seeds in straws to allow detailed observation of the development of the leaves, and to investigate their functions. Students watched a video, Estructura y crecimiento de las plantas, that reviewed the concepts and key vocabulary learned during this investigation.
We are so excited about our science field trip on March, 29th 2018 at 1:00 pm. Please make sure your child turns in their permission slip and that you have made transportation arrangements to the site. Everybody should be prepared to spend the afternoon outside. Wear clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty and layers for the cold. We will be outside rain or shine! Please contact maestra Paola, should you have any questions.
This week we continued to learn about Feudal Japan. Our objectives were:
Describe the lives of artisans, merchants, and peasants in feudal Japan.
Explain the differences between Kabuki theater and a Noh play.
Mathematics
This week we began working with percents. Our objectives were:
relate and compare percents, decimals, and fractions
express fractions as percents
English Spelling
This week we continued our rotation. Our rotation days were:
Vocabulary Day: This week we worked on homographs and compared them to the homophones we worked with last time.
Writer’s Workshop: This week we are working on writing a research paper. Our topic is Feudal Japan, the students will use this week’s spellings words within their paper as well.
This week we started our unit 4, La energia en accion. During this unit we will be making significant connections to our science studies. We spent time preparing the vocabulary and structures for the reading of our first selection – Las chispas que vuelan. This was an interesting non-fiction piece that allowed us to learn and have a great discussion about the historical figure Benjamin Franklin, his studies in the field of science, and our own inquiry inclinations. Our main focus, however, was on our literature circle: La llamada de la selva by Jack London. We spend an average of 30 minutes everyday working on individual reading and comprehension work as well as group discussions. We have a reading calendar that we follow as a class. Although most of the work is done in class, it is very important that students follow the calendar and work on the assignments given. If we stick to our reading schedule we will be finished with the book and a culminating project by March 23rd. The following are the objectives for this project:
Objectives and standards during literature circle and book studies:
• Students quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.
• Determine the theme of a story, the big ideas and the details.
• Explain how characters respond and develop, and how they interact throughout the story.
• Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, events drawing on specific details in the text.
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases and expressions including figurative language, metaphors, and similes.
• Explain how a series of events fit together to provide the overall structure of a story.
• Describe the narrator’s point of view.
• Make comparisons and connections to similar stories and personal experiences.
Reading homework alert! Students are expected to have read through chapter 4 this weekend. They need to have their notes completed and be ready for our discussion on Monday. This reading can be logged as their daily reading in Spanish.
Ciencias
Investigation 3 – Transport Systems Focus Question: How are nutrients transported to cells in a plant?
Students continued their exploration of plants by observing the veins in leaves. Students went outdoors to find samples of different leaves and classified them according to their attributes. We studied relevant vocabulary that we will be applying in context during the following parts of this investigation next week. Learning Outcomes:
• Scientists classify objects and information by organizing them into groups with similar attributes.
• Vascular bundles are arranged in predictable patterns of veins in the leaves of vascular plants.
• Vascular plants have specialized tissues for the transport of water , minerals, and sugar to cells: xylem tubes carry water and minerals from the plant’s roots to all the cells in a one-way flow; phloem tubes carry sugar from the leaves to all the cells that need it.
History & Geography
This week we began studying Feudal Japan. Our objectives were:
Describe Japan’s geography.
Identify influences on Japanese culture.
Summarize Shinto and Buddhist beliefs.
Summarize feudalism in Japan.
Describe the lives of artisans, merchants, and peasants in feudal Japan.
Mathematics
This week we finished our chapter on Multiplying and Dividing Decimals. Our objectives were:
Estimate decimal, sums, differences, products, and quotients
Solve real-world problems involving decimals
prepare for the chapter test by playing Decimal Jeopardy
demonstrate mastery and understanding of decimals being multiplied and divided in the same way as whole numbers
Next week we will start working with percents!
English Word Work
This week we finished our rotation and started a new one. Our rotation days were:
Writer’s Workshop: Students began working on a Japan Research project by choosing a topic and writing some starter questions.
Blind Sort Test: Students tested each other on their spelling using the Blind Sort method.
Word Search/Teacher Meeting: Students received a word search with their new spelling words. They were tasked with finding and sorting their new words. I also met with the students to discuss and clarify their new sort
Writer’s Workshop: Students began their research for their Japan Research projects
Our next spelling test will be Monday, March 19th!
Specialists
Character Ed with Ms. Jennie
This month in Character Ed we are talking about how to “take personal interest in others”. I’m encouraging kids to do this by asking questions and offering compliments to their family, friends, teachers, and acquaintances. Questions like, “how was your day today, mom?” or “what are you doing this weekend?” can help kids take the focus off themselves for a moment and become more engaged with the people around them. To go along with this, our quote of the month is “The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” When we take notice of others around us, we become less self-centered and more compassionate, tolerant, and empathetic. And then of course, with spring around the corner, we can also take notice of the beautiful details of new life all around us. To celebrate spring, we are reading The Daffodils, the famous poem by William Wordsworth and discussing the rich language Wordsworth uses.
-In 4th/5th grade, we celebrated the end of our chapter book Save Me A Seat by having a mini-feast of Indian and American food (ask your kid about it). It was super fun and yummy! Next we read Newberry Honor book Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai, about a Vietnamese immigrating to the US during the Vietnam War. This book is written in prose which is fun and different!
Our class has officially launched or book club The Call of the Wild.
4/5 grade Dr. Seuss fun!
Students worked on diferent Dr. Seuss projects including quotes and a book review. Make sure you stop by the bulletin board to see their work.
Ciencias
Having so much fun measuring our intestines!
Having so much fun measuring our intestines!
This week week our focus on science was on the human digestive system. We defined words related to digestion as the process used by animals to break down complex food items into simple nutrients. We watched a video that showed the chemical digestion in the stomach. We took a close look at all the parts involved in the human digestive system. We read El sistema digestivo humano, and shared our personal experiences with food, dietary needs, and discussed what it means to be informed consumers when it comes to making good food choices.
Students checking on the decomposers
Checking our decomposers.
History & Geography
Czar project!
This week we wrapped up our Early Russia Unit.
Our objectives were:
students will collect, organize and interpret information from appropriate sources and communicate their findings by completing the Czar Research Project
Sophia’s mom also came into class on Monday and did a presentation on Russia! It was great learning about their alphabet, holidays, and food!
Mathematics
Dr. Seuss read-in!
This week we continued working with multiplying and dividing decimals.
Our objectives were:
Multiply tenths and hundredths by 10, 100 and 1,000
Multiply tenths and hundredths by multiples of 10, 100, and 1,000
Divide tenths and hundredths by a 1-digit whole number
round quotients to the nearest tenth or hundredth
Divide tenths and hundredths by 10, 100, and 1,000
Divide tenths and hundredths by multiples of 10, 100 and 1000
I also asked students to bring in store ads and (if possible) a receipt from the same store for our math lesson on Tuesday!
English Word Work
This week we continued our rotation:
Our rotation days were:
teacher meeting: I met with each student to discuss and clarify their new sort
vocabulary day: This week our lesson was about homophones. We are adding bridle and fowl to our word wall!
Our spelling test is on Tuesday March 6th!
Specialists
Music with Ms. Erin
In February we learned about the movie score composer John Williams, learned famous love songs from the 1950s to present, and we listened to the African American spirituals such as Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, and Wayfaring Stranger. We learned and sang Down by the Riverside,and We Shall Overcome.
In March we will be learning about the elements of songwriting:
– Writing lyrics, and learning to rhyme
– Creating a melody in which to sing our lyrics
– Drumming a rhythm we create for the songs on hand drums
– Choosing major or minor chords to fit the mood of the songs
– Deciding on other instrumentation to add to each song (piano, violin, synth, etc.)
– Recording our songs with a multi-tracking program
– Sharing our creations with you!
Dear SWS families,
It was so fun having Valentines Day on a Wednesday this year! Thank you so much for
all the sweet Valentine cards, chocolate, and beautiful flowers!
This month the students did a variety of art projects:
• Clay Pottery
Many thanks to Ms. Karen for teaching the students about coil pottery and
showing them how to use glazes to create Native American patterns.
• Valentines Day Pictures
The 4th and 5th grade students did a variety of Valentine projects, including a
Woven Paper heart.
• Snow Day!
• Black History Month: Faith Ringold Story Quilts
We discussed Faith Ringold’s book Tar Beach, which is based on one of her
famous Story Quilts of the same name.
The Objectives were:
Draw a picture of yourself doing a favorite activity, using basic
shapes, with oil pastels. Great start everyone!
Review correct proportions in a body, such as size of head
compared to body, and length of arms and legs.
Next week:
Add background shapes to create a setting. Use this as the center of
your quilt design.
Use scrapbook papers as “fabric” to create a quilt border.
Students working collaboratively on a language task..
Students working collaboratively on our language task..
Students working collaboratively on our language task..
This week we continued to work on Spanish language literacy routines. One of our class’ favorite activities is always writing! This week we used Ezra Jack Keats’ wonderful piece Un dia de nieve, as a mentor text. We explored the different literary elements. We were so moved by the beautiful simplicity of this piece. We were impressed by the beautiful illustrations. Students were assigned to write their own Un dia de nieve stories. We cant wait to publish!
Ciencias
This week we concluded our Plant Nutrition investigation. This was such a fun and interesting investigation. Students experienced first hand the action of chlorophyll and its role in the manufacture of sugar- the plant food. We also talked how a food pyramid describes the levels in a feeding relationship involving producers, consumers and decomposers. Lastly we discussed, described and gave examples of heterotrophs and autotrophs organisms. We are hoping to get the human digestive system next week.
Taking advantage of the snow, we did a fun little experiment. Students were ask to predict the amount of water that will be in the glass jar, after the snow melts. Predictions are shared! We are excited to find out the results week.
History & Geography
Building our “tents” on the 100th day of school!
Our finished “tents”!
This week we finished our Early Russia unit by completing a project.
Our objectives were:
students will collect, organize and interpret information from appropriate sources and communicate their findings by completing the Czar Research Project
Mathematics
Building our “tents” on the 100th day of school!
Building our “tents” on the 100th day of school!
Building our “tents” on the 100th day of school!
This week we started working with multiplying and dividing decimals. Students already showed mastery of adding and subtracting decimals!
Our objectives were:
Multiply tenths and hundredths by a 1-digit whole number
English Word Work
Blind Sort test!
100 seconds of pretending to be a tree blowing in the wind!
100 seconds of pretending to carefully cross a river!
This week we began our rotation.
Our rotation days were:
Word Search: Students received a word search with their new spelling words. They were tasked with finding and sorting their new words.
Literacy
Observing Crystals 
This week we began learning about The Civil War. Our objectives were:
This week we took our chapter test and began working learning about the properties of triangles. Our objectives were:
This week we finished our unit on Westward Expansion before the Civil War. Our objectives were:
Art with Ms. Kelly
This week we continued learning about Westward Expansion before the Civil War. Our objectives were:
This week we finished our chapter on Graphs and Probability. Our objectives were:
This week we finished our chapter on Percents. Our objectives were to:
