Eighty-Sixth Day of School

In Writing today, we wrote opening statements for our informational pieces. The opening statement will catch a reader's attention while giving them an idea of the direction of the writing.

Eighty-Fifth Day of School

In Writing today, we drafted the two facts we sketched and planned on Friday. That means one sentence for each sketch. We didn't begin our first sentence on the first or second line in order to save room for our opening/introductory statement (tomorrow).

There will likely be a Math Test tomorrow.

Eighty-Fourth Day of School

In Writing today, we made plans for drafting by 'quick-sketching' and labeling our ideas. Keep in mind that quick sketches are just that, very simple representations of a writer's ideas which come directly from their 'touch and talk' which can be labeled with words likely to be used later in drafting.

In Science, we kicked off our weather unit by discovering the basic elements of weather (tested).

Eighty-Third day of School

In Writing today, we touch and talked our first 'all about' piece. Basically that meant telling something about our topic, and then telling something else. Hopefully both of the things we told were related by by our focus word (see previous entry).

In Social Science, we reviewed the elements of a quality map and discussed and examined aerial views.

Eighty-Second Day of School

In Writing, we reviewed our lists and decided upon one for our first topic. We attempted to pair our topic with a focus word. For example, if one were to choose the topic motors, a focus word could be parts. A main idea for the writing could then be: A motor has many parts. Another example of a topic: Roberto Clemente, with a focus word of hero may yield the main idea: Roberto Clemente was an American hero. Still another example of a topic could be puppies, with a focus word of do may produce the main idea: Puppies do many things.

Students are bringing home the template paper for writing an 'all about' informational selection today.

In Social Science, we discussed and examined the important parts of a quality map: title, cartographer's name, key or legend, and date (tested).

Eightieth Day of School

In Writing today, we began our unit on "all about" informational texts. This is the unit where students will share their expertise on particular topics which interest them. Today we brainstormed a list of areas of knowledge.

In Music, we continued to explore the difference between rhythm and beat.

Math Test

Of the 17 students taking the Chp 3 Math Test, 9 passed with an adjusted score of 13 or better. One student achieved a perfect score.