Feb. 4-9

LANGUAGE ARTS

READING

Synthesizing and Summarizing are still on our list of things to do well in Reading over the next few weeks.  

This week we will work with FICTIONAL texts.  We will use a few different graphic organizers to help us notice text elements and thinking as we read.
  
One strategy we will use is just like what kids did in class this week.  They will record their notes and thinking as they read.  THIS WEEK their notes will cover the sequence of events that happen in the story.  The thinking that they may record can be connections predication, questions and inferences.

Then we will begin to notice how thinking may change as you read a text.  We will use a graphic organizer called I'm thinking...now I'm thinking... and now.  We will read some picture books together that do a great job of demonstrating how our thoughts about the plot or characters may change as we read a text.
WRITING
This week in Writing, we will finish our how-to essays.  Then, we will start talking about what work will need to go into our BIG 6 research project.  BIG 6 is a great organization tool for research.  

SPELLING
Spelling continues to be more of the same.  Students should bring home new spelling words on Mondays.  Homework is due on Thursdays.  We will take our test on Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES

GEOGRAPHY

This week students will learn the parts of a map.  Some of the vocabulary we will cover is: map key, map scale, compass rose, intermediate directions, cardinal directions, scale and symbols.  Over the next few weeks, we will learn about different kinds of maps and globes.  At home, please talk to your child about when you use a map.  Let your child plug in an address the next time you use a navigation system.  Maybe you could have your child serve as a guide the next time you are at the mall or zoo.