March 17, 2013


Multiage News

March 17, 2013

What We’ve Been Up To

We have wrapped up our science unit, begun our Colony Project in social studies, have a great start on our Country Research Paper and have moved on to converting fractions, decimals and percents in math.  Super busy—thanks for helping us keep up!

This Week

READING             This week we will continue to work on the skill of finding the main idea in a selection and looking for details to support that main idea.  Many of our book clubs will be presenting this week.  We are continuing to Work towards our reading requirements of the quarter:  traditional literature (perhaps a folk tale, fairy tale collection), science fiction and/ or fantasy, nonfiction and a few choice.  Ask your child if he/she has met his/her requirement.

WRITING             We spent several days learning how to effectively take notes on a nonfiction topic (our countries).  We are now in the process of drafting – and eventually editing and revising.  Finally we will publish our pieces.  After Spring Break, students may bring in something to help them tell their classmates about their countries.  For example, someone who researched Canada could bring in some Canadian coins or a maple leaf.  A Japanese researcher may bring in origami paper or a kimono.  Food from that country may also be considered.  Watch for more info after Spring Break.

MATH                   We have been working hard on converting fractions, decimals and percents.  We will be locating fractions and decimals on a number line.  Friday we will have a short quiz.

SCIENCE               We are taking a short break and will hit Energy and Magnetism in April.

SS                           Your child chose a location to set up a “pretend colony”.  The colony is either in New England, Middle Colonies area or the South.  Based on our learnings, students have many decisions to make in order for their colonies to be successful.  For example, what type of government should be set up, what type of products and economy will be present, and the culture of the land.  The last step will be to actually plot out the layout of the community on graph paper. 

Some Notes

Our Book Swap is this Friday.  Please bring up to 5 gently used books on Thursday.

Running Club is every Monday/Friday that it does not rain.

No new spelling for our Spelling Club until after Spring Break.

We will miss our fifth graders while they are gone at camp next week.  I plan to use the week to catch up on 4th grade skills with our 4th graders.  I will be driving out to the camp at some point next week to visit my favorite fifths.  Have a wonderful time!!  Fingers crossed for warmer weather…

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