Hello everybody!!   I would like to start off by saying a belated thank you  for all the Christmas and Valentine gifts and treats. It was really nice of you!  ♥   Below, see what we have been doing since the new year and what the next few weeks will look like.

  MATH   We are currently working on our fifth Math Topic, focusing on rounding, place value, and addition/subtraction through 1000.  Students are learning to use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000.  They will learn to fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties or operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.  They will also be working on solving multi-step word problems using the four operations, and will assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.

Timed Math Facts – Students have been doing timed multiplication math facts daily since the beginning of the new year and many are already about halfway through.  Please have your child study their multiplication facts daily if necessary. It is very important that they have these math facts down by the time they go into fourth grade.  

READING  We are continuing our study of Non-fiction focusing on main idea and supporting details.  We are also working on writing a proper summary, and for the next few weeks students will have a week to read an article, take notes, and then write a summary. The following contains more information about this change.  The students will get their first article this coming Friday.

 

LITERACY / HOMEWORK CHANGE   For a few weeks, students will be bringing home a nonfiction text, usually a Time for Kids or a Scholastic News article which they are to write a summary to.    Attached to this text will be a paper for them to take notes on titled “Understanding Nonfiction”.  We have gone through this process a few times as a class.  Your child brought home a sample of one they did of this whole process.  Your child  also has a handout in their binder which will help guide them through this process. One side is  titled “Getting to the Main Idea”  which is to be used before, during, and after the reading.  The other side is titled “A Good Summary for Nonfiction” which is to be  used to help write the summary. On Tuesdays, your child will need to have completed the first three parts on the  ”Getting to the Main Idea” paper, which we will go over Tuesday mornings.  On Wednesday, the note taking paper needs to be completed, and on Friday the summary is due. It is important your child do what is due each day so that they can go over what they did with a partner or small group.  Those who don’t have what is due completed, won’t get the opportunity to edit and revise their work with their peers. If needed, any incomplete summaries will done over the weekend.   Your child can of course go ahead and get it all completed before it is due.  I will be sending home the new articles and the note taking paper on Fridays, a whole week before they are due,  in case your child would like to get a head start on it over the weekend.  They will all receive their first article this Friday. Your child will be writing what is due in the their planner as a reminder.   If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

SOCIAL STUDIES  We have started our study of the California Native American Tribe the Kumeyaay.  Students will learn about the Kumeyaay’s religious beliefs and customs.  They will also discuss the ways in which physical geography, including climate, influenced how the Kumeyaay adapted to their natural environment (e.g., how they obtained food, clothing, tools). Students will also learn about the Kumeyaay’s interaction with the new settlers.  We are doing the majority of this study on our Kumeyaay Moodle site.  You can check out this site by going to the link on our blog.

 

SCIENCE Students are on their second science unit, Physical Science, where they are focusing on Force and Motion. This unit is being done in Chinese class. The students are learning the concept of force and motion using a new science site through the district which aligns to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  If your child hasn’t told you about what they have done/learned so far in science, ask.  It sounds like they are really enjoying it.

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, February 24  –  PTA Science Night –  5:30 pm

Friday, March 3 – Family Friday –  7:45 am

Thursday, March 9 – Spring Pictures

Monday – Friday, March 20 – 24 – Parent / Teacher Conferences

Monday – Friday, March 27 – 31 – Spring Break – No School