Week at a Glance February 27 - March 3

Language
     This week we have new words for the Word Wall.  They are: that's, I'm, it's, we're, its, with, where, wear, threw, through, question, vacation, confusion, another.  Students need to read two books on Raz Kids as usual.  


     For writing we have been writing short pieces based on writing prompts.  Then we read what we've written to each other.  It has been a great way to do a lot of writing.  This week we'll be working on improving our writing by having topic sentences.


Math
     We are continuing to learn about measurement.


PBL
     The next thing that we are going to in PBL is design a way to protect an egg that has been thrown off of the roof.  This is related to Space since NASA has to protect people and rovers from crashing down onto a planet.


Bible
     We are continuing to learn about Joseph.  This week we'll learn about how he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and became the second in command of all Egypt.  There are 2 memory verses.  They are Genesis 39:3 (NKJV), and Genesis 39:23 (NIV).  (I chose the NKJV for the one verse because it makes that verse into a complete sentence.)


Trip
     There was an opportunity for the class to go on a trip on Thursday.  It is a tubing trip.  There are forms sent home on Monday.


Running Club
     Running club is starting again at lunch on Mondays and Thursdays.  Students need to have running shoes and some warmer clothes until Spring really comes.

Thursday Trip Opportunity

There was a last minute opportunity for us to go on a trip.  The trip is on Thursday March 2.  It is a trip to go tubing.  There is a form that was sent home tonight.  It must be filled in by Tuesday.

A Journey Through The Universe

How Big is the Universe

Here's a cool video that compares the sizes of planets and stars.

The Math Contest

Yesterday we wrote a math contest. We did it in the computer lab. It was fun. The last question was a game called Mine Sweeper. Our class did very well on the test.  The highest score was 30. The average score was 13. The last time we did this test in October, the average score was 7. Good job everyone!

Perfidy

God Working Behind the Scenes

We are learning about Joseph from the Bible.  His is a remarkable story of how God works to make things happen.  We talked about a sports player who had some very remarkable "coincidences" happen to give him an opportunity to be an NBA starter.  Last night he made the winning shot against the Raptors.  Here's the interview he did after the game.

This Week's Activities Feb 13-17

Important Events
     There will be a Valentine's Day Party on Tuesday.  Cards should be made for all the students.  There is a separate CandyGram fundraiser that the 7/8's are doing.  Those CandyGrams cost $.50 each.  They are optional.
     We are going to have a Math Test on Thursday covering the Money Unit.  We are also entered in a Brock Math Contest on Tuesday.  There is no studying that needs to be done for that, and the results are not for report cards.  We are trying to memorize the 7 times tables this week.
     We are going to finish our space books this week.  There may be homework for that project.  But, there will not be new spelling words this week.  Instead I'll quiz the students on our word wall words.  I've sent home a page that has those words on it.
     We have a corner of a desk reserved for some food that we might bring to space with us.  We're testing it to see if it will last.  We have some bread, grapes, dehydrated blueberries, a granola bar, pepperoni and a few other items.  Send something in if you think we could take it with us on our trip to another planet.
     It's very important to keep reading.  Students need to listen to, read, and pass a quiz on two books each week on Raz-Kids.  If you don't have internet access, I can give real books instead.  Just ask.

PBL Update

We are doing a space story for a class book. In PBL we are learning about space. There are 3 different
groups. We are looking  for information about our planet.

By; Meera

Space Food

• They dehydrate all of the food.  They add water on board.
• They eat healthy food.
• They need a lot of protein because they have to try to build muscle.
• They need food that will last for months.
• They drink water from plastic containers.  They are like our juice bags with special straws.
• Sometimes they bring special items.
• They eat together.
• They always share.
• The food can float away.
• They can't bring crackers because the crumbs would float everywhere.

This Week's Activities Feb 6-10

Language
     This week we are finishing our space stories.  I'm enjoying them so far.  It will be great when we read them to each other.
     The grade 3 spelling words are: vacation, station, untie, fine, slice, third, skirt, alive, circus, supply, rely, party, worry, multiply, circle.  As you can tell we are focussing in on the i and y sounds.  We are going to be practicing by doing word sorts.
     The grade 4 Nifty Thrifty Fifty words are deodorize, different, employment, international, invasion, prehistoric, and signature.  I will also test the students ability to generalize the patterns by asking them to spell words like absentee on Friday.  It will be tough, but they can do it!
     The homework for the week will be to listen/read/quiz 2 books on Raz-Kids.  The top 2 students last week were Ronnie and Gabriel.  Way to go!  There is also a spelling assignment due on Friday.


Math
     Both grades will be playing with money this week!  We should be ready for a test early next week.


CLC
     We have been studying the life of Jacob this past Month.  There is a test on Wednesday.  I have given them a practice test that they can use to study from.


PBL
     We are learning about what life is like in space as an astronaut.  See if you can find some food that an astronaut could take into space.  The groups should be finishing gathering information about training, life on the shuttle, problems that might happen, and what life would be like on their planet by Tuesday.  Then students will work to write a chapter of a book.


On Friday I did a little demonstration that I should have videotaped, but I didn't.  Ask your child about it.


Guitar and Singing
     I don't know if the class is really interested in singing at school.  I have put a survey on the side for them to vote whether they are interested or not.


Have a great week!

Solar System

We're learning about how astronauts need to prepare to go into space. I think it is really cool that we're learning about the solar system and astronauts. Astronauts need to train to go into space by doing tests, survival on a island, they train underwater they also train in the gym, they learn how to use no gravity and a space shuttle.

by:
Halle-Yolanda and Levi Fokkens