Language Arts:
Writing: Students began a fun writing program this week, called Tap the Deck, which reviews the concepts of grammar, mechanics, and sentence structure. Student have also done a wonderful job with expository writing—their mission reports and cursive write-ups reflect a good understanding of summary writing and self editing skills.
Reading: We continued to read Island of the Blue Dolphins together, where the main character, Karana, has weathered through hardships that seem unfathomable to us. Ask your child how Karana is evolving . We continue to read the Newbery book Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. Ask your child about the plot and setting of this depression era novel.
Students are finishing up their biographies (90 page minimum) of a person who has made a significant contribution or positive change in our world. As a final project, students will be writing a report and presenting their characters to classmates and parents in a ‘Wax Museum’, where they will inform us about their person while in character. (Thursday, April 4th, at 9:15)
The report outline can be found on the class website.
Math
Students continue to work on their geometry skills, and we are having a ball doing it! We are now masters of polygons and circles. Ask your child about the characteristics and angles of any polygon. This week students have been learning the characteristics of circles, and recognizing lines of symmetry.
Social Studies
We are wrapping up our California Mission studies this week and are ready to move on to the California Rancho Era.
Miscellaneous:
*Mark your calendars! Bel Aire’s open house is Thursday, March 21st at 6:30pm. (Note date correction.)
*There will be no school for children on March 18th: Staff Development Day.
*WAX MUSEUM BIOGRAPHY PRESENTATIONS will be Thursday, April 4th from 9:15-9:45. Come see your child ‘perform’ as his/her biography character!
*Our Gold Country field trip (overnighter) is scheduled for Monday-Tuesday, June 3-4.
Writing: Students began a fun writing program this week, called Tap the Deck, which reviews the concepts of grammar, mechanics, and sentence structure. Student have also done a wonderful job with expository writing—their mission reports and cursive write-ups reflect a good understanding of summary writing and self editing skills.
Reading: We continued to read Island of the Blue Dolphins together, where the main character, Karana, has weathered through hardships that seem unfathomable to us. Ask your child how Karana is evolving . We continue to read the Newbery book Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. Ask your child about the plot and setting of this depression era novel.
Students are finishing up their biographies (90 page minimum) of a person who has made a significant contribution or positive change in our world. As a final project, students will be writing a report and presenting their characters to classmates and parents in a ‘Wax Museum’, where they will inform us about their person while in character. (Thursday, April 4th, at 9:15)
The report outline can be found on the class website.
Math
Students continue to work on their geometry skills, and we are having a ball doing it! We are now masters of polygons and circles. Ask your child about the characteristics and angles of any polygon. This week students have been learning the characteristics of circles, and recognizing lines of symmetry.
Social Studies
We are wrapping up our California Mission studies this week and are ready to move on to the California Rancho Era.
Miscellaneous:
*Mark your calendars! Bel Aire’s open house is Thursday, March 21st at 6:30pm. (Note date correction.)
*There will be no school for children on March 18th: Staff Development Day.
*WAX MUSEUM BIOGRAPHY PRESENTATIONS will be Thursday, April 4th from 9:15-9:45. Come see your child ‘perform’ as his/her biography character!
*Our Gold Country field trip (overnighter) is scheduled for Monday-Tuesday, June 3-4.