Ricks

Our September Focus

Don't Forget: Open House  Thursday, September 16th, 2011.

Happening Now In Math:

 In math we are working on evaluating algebraic expressions and identifying data in frequency tables.

Happening Now In Reading:

In reading we are continuing our focus on making predictions using text features in expository text. From there we will explore story elements (character, plot, setting,  and theme).

Happening Now In Writing:

Our focus is narrative writing. In our writer's workshop we will look at models of narrative writing and develop our ideas using sensory details and cluster webs.

Happening now in English:

We are continuing to work on subjects and predicates, types of sentences, and identifying simple and complex sentences. We are also working on identifying sentence fragments, and repairing them by adding either subjects or predicates. From there we will learn how to form two simple sentences to form one compound sentence. We will also fix run-on sentences.

Happening Now In Science:

We are  analyzing how weather is predicted by using scientfic weather instruments.

 

Our read aloud is "Who's Afraid of 4th Grade (Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Super Special)", by Nancy E Krulik.

 

 

February Issue

Don't Forget: Math/Curriculum Night is January 19th from 5:30-7:00!

 Happening Now In Math: We are relating decimals to the base 10 number system. We are also developing our understanding of the relationship between decimals and fractions. Another skill we are focusing on is rounding decimals to the nearest whole numbers. Our unit on fractions begins soon. We are reading and writing fractions, understanding the meaning of common fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and converting mixed numbers and improper fractions interchangeably.

 Happening Now In Reading:

In reading we are shifting our focus from learning to read to actually reading to learn. We are analyzing informational texts and ferreting out important information from what we've read. Specifically, we are analyzing both fiction and non-fiction texts and evaluating their visual sources. We are discussing why an author includes them and how useful they are in enhancing our reading comprehension. We will explore how visual sources can be used as a basis for making inferences in reading expository texts.

Happening Now In Writing:

We are learning how to write to inform. We are also learning how to conduct interviews and use our information to write articles. From there we are learning how to search various sources of media to write research reports. Stay tuned!!

Happening now in English:

We are continuing to examine the basic parts of speech, but we are adding adverbs. We are currently looking at  demonstrative, descriptive, number and verbal adjectives. We are also learning about antonym adjectives and adjectives of degree. In addition, we continue to  focus on our conventions: capitalization, abbreviations, and commas.

Happening Now In Science:

We are continuing our study of astronomy in science!

Our read aloud is "The Lemondade Crime" by Jacqueline Davies. This is a sequel to the highly popular "Lemonade War" by the same author.

Our Navigation Continues (January Issue)

Don't Forget: Math/Curriculum Night is January 19th from 5:30-7:00!

 Happening Now In Math: We are relating decimals to the base 10 number system:

 Happening Now In Reading:

In reading we are shifting our focus from learning to read to actually reading to learn. We are analyzing informational texts and ferreting out important information from what we've read.

Happening Now In Writing:

We are finishing up our realistic fictional short story. From there we'll be examining informational writing.

Happening now in English:

We are continuing to examine the basic parts of speech, but we are adding adverbs. We are currently looking at  demonstrative, descriptive, number and verbal adjectives. We are also learning about antonym adjectives and adjectives of degree.

Happening Now In Science:

We are studying astronomy in science!

Our read aloud is "The Lemondade Crime" by Jacqueline Davies. This is a sequel to the highly popular "Lemonade War" by the same author.

Happy October!!

Don't Forget: Cultural Arts Festival 10/14 , 2011 from Six to Eight O'Clock

Happening Now In Math: We are extending our understanding of Multiplication and looking at models of division.

Happening Now In Reading:

In reading we are analyzing character's motivations and interactions with one another. We are also using graphic organizers to create character profiles from descriptions and dialogue. We will determine how character's change over time. Overall we are analyzing story elements.

Happening Now In Writing:

Our focus is narrative writing. In our writer's workshop we will look at models of narrative writing and develop our ideas using sensory details and cluster webs.

Happening now in English:

We are examining the basic parts of speech. We are currently looking at nouns, including singular and plural nouns, common and proper nouns, compound and possessive nouns, and finally plural possessive and gender nouns.

Happening Now In Science:

We are beginning our unit on sound and light.

 

Our read aloud is "Who's Afraid of 4th Grade (Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Super Special)", by Nancy E Krulik.

 

Navigating the Seas Of Learning in 4th Grade!!

Hello Dowell family and welcome back.  This  is going to be a super 4th grade year.  We are ready to roll up our sleeves and learn, and have fun while doing it. Right now we are getting into a routine and establishing classroom/schoolwide expectations. So far, this seems to be a great group of 4th graders, and all of us are excited about working together to prepare all of our students not only for the spring CRCT, but for life!

Happening Now In Math:

 In math we are exploring number sense. Specifically we are looking at place value. We are analyzing how manipulating  digits  along the place value continuum affects their values. We are including decimal numbers and relating how these numbers are fractional parts of a whole number. From there we'll be rounding numbers.

Happening Now In Reading:

In reading we are exploring different genres and learing about the key components of becoming a good reader. All year we will be discussing the good habits that good readers possess.

Happening Now In Writing:

Our focus is descriptive writing. We are working on creating a writer's workshop and setting up writing conferences so we can work through the writing process using the six plus traits that good writers use.

Happening Now In Science:

We are exporing the water cycle. From there we will look at weather.

Our read aloud is "Who's Afraid of 4th Grade (Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Super Special)", by Nancy E Krulik.

 

 

 

 

End of the year!

Hello everyone. The end of the year is rapidly approaching. In 5th grade we are working on our final benchmarks and working on extension activities to prepare them for sixth grade changes. For example in math, we are working on probability concepts.

We are reading "The Watsons Go To Birmingham" and completing comprehension activities.

Please get on FRACTION NATION!  Here is a link to the website: 

https://nj3-education.scholastic.com/600002645/slms-static/s_app_fad/FractionNation.html

April 12-12-2011

Good luck to all students who are taking the CRCT right now!

Our read aloud is "Things Not Seen," by Andrew Clements.

March 7th, 2011-It's 'March Mathness' Month!

In Math we are working on our cumulative skills for the 3rd nine weeks-in preperation for county-wide Benchmark testing.

In Math Mania, we're working on graphing and data analysis.

In Guided Writing we'll focus on R.A.F.T.S, and relating it to our persuasive writing unit this next nine weeks.

In Language Arts we'll review subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, phrases, and clauses. We'll also work with different kinds of sentences, proper and common nouns, singular, plural, and possessive nouns.

In Guided Reading  we'll continue our focus on applying great reader strategies and integrating science concepts (cells and microorganisms).  

In Integrated Social Studies, we'll look at the impact of the Great Depression on America, and discuss ways  our culture changed during that time period. We'll also analyze and discuss the different powers of the world and whether they were part of the Allied or Axis powers. This will lead up to the key causes and events of  World War II.

Our read aloud is "Things Not Seen," by Andrew Clements.

1/24-2/4 2011

Hi. We hope you had a restful break during that unexpected snow storm!  Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work because we have a lot of catching up to do! I'm sure the Ricks/White Racers will be up to the challenge.  Please  prepared to be on your best behavior AND have a positive attitude for learning.

Math- our geometry unit continues. Beginning 1/2/11, we will be  deriving the formula for the area of a circle. From there we'll look at diameter and it's relationship to PI. We also will be revisiting the concepts of areas of : square, parallelogram, rectangle, and compound figures. It is imperative that students master the following concepts: multiplying and dividing decimals. Students will need to write down the formulas for each problem they solve, and show their work at all times. Please remind them when working on homework assignments.

In Guided Writing we'll focus on R.A.F.T.S, and relating it to our persuasive writing unit this next nine weeks. Beginning 1/24/2011, we will start lookng at writing topics and using the R.A.F.T graphic organizer to narrow them down.

In Language Arts we'll review the types of sentences, and from there we'll go over compound-complex and complex sentences,

In Guided Reading  we'll continue our focus on applying great reader strategies.  

In Integrated Social Studies, we'll look at the impact of the Great Depression on America, and discuss ways  our culture changed during that time period. We'll also analyze and discuss the different powers of the world and whether they were part of the Allied or Axis powers. This will lead up to the key causes and events of  World War II.

For Integrated Science, we will soon begin looking at Electricity and Magnetism..stay tuned!!

Our read aloud is "Time Windows". We're almost finished, and from there we'll read "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements.

Welcome back, Dowell Class of 2011!

Hi. We hope that all of you had a very safe and wonderful holiday. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work! This "half" of the year will be challenging and full of new ideas and opportunities, so I hope that all of you come prepared to be on your best behavior AND have a positive attitude for learning.

In Math we are beginning our geometry unit. Beginning 1/4/11, we will be analyzing and identifying congruent figures, estimating area of fundamental geometric figures, and deriving the formula for the area of a parallelogram.

Beginning next week, we'll derive the formula for the area of a triangle, find the area of a triangle using formulae, and find the area of regular and irregular polygons.

In Guided Writing we'll focus on R.A.F.T.S, and relating it to our persuasive writing unit this next nine weeks.

In Language Arts we'll review the types of sentences, and from there we'll go over compound-complex and complex sentences,

In Guided Reading  we'll continue our focus on applying great reader strategies.  

In Integrated Social Studies, we'll look at the impact of the Great Depression on America, and discuss ways  our culture changed during that time period. We'll also analyze and discuss the different powers of the world and whether they were part of the Allied or Axis powers. This will lead up to the key causes and events of  World War II.

Our read aloud is "Time Windows". We're almost finished, and from there we'll read "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements.

Upcoming Events (Holiday Season Is Here!) 11/8-11/19

I want to thank all of you who came out to support Math 101 night. While it would have been wonderful to have more turnout, we covered a lot that night and parents left with a game to play at home!!

Newsy notes: VIP lunches are coming soon! Also, please, PLEASE don't forget to return those veteran's forms. We want to honor our veterans with our wall of honor (located in the front hall of our building).  

In guided math, we will continue to review how to simplify and convert improper fractions to mixed numbers, convert fractions to decimals, and find common denominators so that we can add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators ( new lessons begin Monday 11/8/2010).  Looking ahead, we are also going to be multiplying and dividing fractions.

In Guided Writer's Workshop, we're integrating 6+1 traits with the writing process to write a fantasy narrative essay. We are working on developing sensory details and organizing our ideas in a logical sequence.  We are also working on revising our fantasy narratives for organization. We are also developing strong a strong beginning, middle and ending to our fantasy narrative essays. This 1/2 of the 2nd nine weeks will be on developing stronger ideas through revision.

In Guided Reading we're learning about story elements: character, plot and setting. We are also identifying the main idea and supporting details in expository text (integrated science and social studies).

In Science (upcoming week of  11/15) we be will exploring matter and its properties.

In Social Studies we  are developing our historical understandings by describing how life changed in America at the turn of the century (20th century). We will  continue our discussion of cowboys and cattle trails, discussions about the Chisolm Trail, famous inventors like Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers, George Washington Carver, and Alexander Graham Bell.

 

 

  

Our current read aloud is "Time Windows ", by Kathryn Reiss. So far it's a big hit!! We will begin chapter 10 on 11/8/10.