The News According to Greta! 3/28/14

Reading and Writing

In reading the past two weeks (sorry for the late report!) we have been doing many things. First, we have been reading historical-fiction books as part of our U.S. history unit! We got to pick from a selection of historical-fiction books (such as Hope’s Crossing, Toliver’s Secret, The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Calico Bush) and then whoever picked the same book, was your partner! Also, some kids have read two of the books this month! Along, with historical-fiction books, we have been working with Joan, a woman from the Flynn Theatre, on acting out famous events from the past! She will be coming every Monday for four weeks! Ask your child for more info! And check out these pics from the first week!

Patton and Connor dressed as Mohawks!

Ben, Macy and Mackenzie dressed as a Blacksmith, Farmer, and a Shopkeeper!

Ben dressed as a Blacksmith!

     

Greta and Hunter dressed as a Shopkeeper, and a Farmer!
Juliet, Janson and Will dressed as a Writer, a Printer’s Apprentice, and A Printer!
In writing the past two weeks, we have been preparing for our big U.S. History report at the end of the unit, and the upcoming On Demand writing! To prepare for these upcoming projects, we have been working on taking notes, planning our writing, and writing Flash Drafts on historical info we already knew! We have been really trying to do a Painted Essay (3-4 paragraph essay) in not a lot of time. It all payed off when we completed the On Demand and Mrs. Crowther said we did a great job! Also, we have started planning out our big U.S. history report! Ask your child what topic their report is going to be!

Math and Number Corner

In math the past two weeks, we have been continuing to work on solving big division problems with multiplication menus. We are well into Unit 4, and we have gliding into long division using the well-known multiplication menus and area models. It is a fun, new strategy!

In number corner the past two weeks, we have been doing a couple things. One of the things we have been doing is working on the calendar. This month, we have been working with Mumford the Mole to plot points. Mumford is a mole who is digging nests and feeding areas in the ground. Each day, we get directions of where Mumford’s next nest or feeding area is. Along with this, we have been plotting points to go along with the amount of daylight and darkness for each day of March! So much plotting points this month!