Week of February 16-20, 2009

Friday 2/20/09

• Math 3: We took a test this morning, then worked on math puzzles.
• Language Arts 3: We took spelling tests and also read "The Country Mouse and The City Mouse" to learn about comparing and contrasting. Homework: Daniel and Alizza didn't finish the skill sheet during class.
• Language Arts 4: We took spelling tests and worked on process writing some more. We peer edited our first drafts and will work more with this next week. Homework: Write a second rough draft for Monday, writing on every other line.
• Religion 3/4: We talked more about the book of Daniel and heard about how he was thrown in the lion's den for refusing to bow down to anyone but God, but God protected him and used him to change the king's heart. Homework: Everyone but Laurie, Craig, and Kevin still have memory work that they need to catch up on - let's try to get it done this weekend!
• Art 3/4: In our continuing discussion on African American History Month, we read a bio on Jan Ernst Matzeliger, an immigrant from Dutch Guiana who revolutionized the shoe industry in the 1800s. To celebrate his work we used the soles of our shoes to create crayon rubbings and experimented with textures that we found in the classroom.

Thursday 2/19/09

• Math 3: This morning we spent some time learning to find the sum in problems with three addends. Since we are already addition experts, we found adding three addends to be just as easy as adding two addends. Everyone finished 89 A and B in class. Homework: Oral Facts 89.
• Language Arts 3: We finished reading "Whatever Happened to the Baxter Place?" and took a quiz, then we used the rest of class time to catch up on any unfinished assignments in our literature folder. Homework: Spelling sentences, and study for the test!
• Language Arts 4: Students read the first story in our new literature unit, Technology. The piece was about how the Pyramids were built and was a great example of writing that described a process. We will be working on a lot of writing projects during this unit and will begin with writing our own "process" piece. Homework: Spelling sentences and study for test!
• Religion 3/4: We did some memory work and learned about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. Homework: Specific memory work assignments are listed in each person's planner.
• Social Studies 3/4: After learning about lines of lattitude, lines of longitude were very easy. We learned about the eastern and western hemispheres and found that the continent of Africa touches all four hemispheres! We also discussed the Prime Meridian, which is 0 degrees longitude. A few students finished all the workbook pages today but many did not. Homework: Finish any missing pages in 57-61.
• PE 3/4: Volleyball with Mr. Bretscher!

Wednesday 2/18/09

• Math 3: Our work with arrays yesterday helped us today as we learned about area. We were able to use the same number sentence to find area that we used to solve the array. This concept will test our multiplication skills so find a set of flashcards and practice those facts! Everyone completed all their work today, so no homework!
• Language Arts 3: We read the first part of a story called, "Whatever Happened to the Baxter Place," which tells the story of how a once large family farm was eventually put out of use due to technology, modernization, and changing times. Homework: Spelling words 3x.
• Language Arts 4: We read an informative piece today about slavery and how slaves used music to inspire hope and survive their terrible times. Homework: Spelling words 3x.
• Social Studies 3/4: This afternoon we learned about lines of lattitude on the globe. We learned that the earth is divided into two hemispheres and that the Equator lies on the 0 degree line. We did several activities in our workbook to enforce this concept and will learn about lines of longitude later this week.
• Scholastic News 3/4: The title piece of this weeks' paper was about earthquakes and spotlighted the May 2008 quakes that devastated China. We also read articles about Black History Month and a cute story about scientists who used teddy bears to test new space suit designs in outer space.
• Music 3/4: Those who completed all their work were able to spend some time working on their two recorder songs, "Aura Lee" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Tuesday 2/17/09

• Math 3: We learned how to draw and label an array as well as how to write number sentences to go along with them. An array is an orderly arrangement of objects in the shape of a rectangle, and they are designed to help us learn and remember our multiplication facts. Everyone finished 87A in class. Homework: 87B and oral facts 87.
• Language Arts 3/4: We took our spelling pre-tests this morning and spent some time journal writing. The rest of class time was spent browsing the Usborne books and selecting the ones we wished to order with our fundraising money. Three people still need to bring their forms and money in NO LATER THAN TOMORROW. Homework: Spelling words in ABC order.
• Religion 3/4: We continued with our memory work and Bible races. We also read in Jeremiah and talked about God's comfort during sad times. Everyone except Craig and Laurie have memory work to catch up on - see your planner for your specific assignments.
• Science 3/4: Our chapter review was completed today on force and motion. We worked a little more with simple machines and read some books that go into more detail about each specific machine.
• PE 3/4: Volleyball with Mr. Bretscher!

Monday 2/16/09 - President's Day! No School!