Week of August 25-29
MATH
We have been working on place value including ones, thousands, millions, and billions. Students have practiced writing numbers in standard, expanded, and word form. They have also practiced reading numbers and comparing and ordering numbers. We completed the unit with an investigation into using benchmark numbers to estimate and several students visited the candy tub as a reward for their accurate estimating!!! We played a place value game as a class and will begin working on place value of decimals next week. We will have a test over chapters 1 and 2 when we finish the next chapter. I am currently collecting papers so that parents can see them at conference time. At that time, I will send them home. If students have had trouble, I have tried to visit with them personally to provide additional instruction and practice on the skill they were struggling with. Most seem to be doing very well!!
Keep practicing multiplication facts. We took our first timed test and will be taking another one at the end of this week.
WORD STUDY
We are working on basic core words that are used frequently in the English language. Students received a list of the first 100 words and also received an individual dictionary to keep with them at all times. We highlighted words that seemed to give individuals trouble. We are practicing correct usage of words like their, there, and they’re / your, you’re / through, thought, though, and tough / it’s, its and other “word demons” that are confusing. Students are taking notes that they will use to proofread their work. On Friday, we will do our first sentence dictation. Students will be allowed to use their notes and their dictionaries to proofread their work BEFORE handing it in to be graded. Our goal is accuracy–we are learning to use spelling resources and develop good habits! Even though the words may seen easy, many students have formed careless spelling habits and easily confuse some of these basic words that are used very frequently in the English language. As the year progresses we will continue working on frequently used words, but will also expand our speaking and spelling vocabulary. Watch for more information!!
