Reading
This week, we will be working on comparing and contrasting fiction texts. We will be using paired texts and analyzing how their characters, setting, plot, and theme are similar and different. The students will be locating text evidence to support their observations. We will also be working on using context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words. As readers, we know to look for synonyms, antonyms, and examples to help. We can also make inferences based on clues in the text. Our phonics study this week will be on syllable types. This will help the students with decoding multisyllabic words.
Writing
In writing, the students will be working on writing a RACES (Restate the question, Answer the question, Cite text evidence, Explain the evidence, and Summarize) response when comparing and contrasting two nonfiction texts about space exploration. Our main targets will be multi-paragraph organization when comparing and contrasting and explaining our text evidence.
Math
We will start this week by reviewing Topic 12 over fractions. The students will be bringing home their practice assessment to review on Tuesday, and they will be testing on Wednesday. On Thursday, the students will be taking the Topic 13 pretest, which is a continuation of fractions, so that I may properly place them in a small math group for this unit. We will begin Topic 13 on Friday.
The students continue to take multiplication timed tests every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We have a handful of students that will be starting division timed tests this week. Please make sure your child is practicing his/her basic multiplication and division facts at home.
Science
This week in science, the students will be continuing their study of living things and their inherited traits and learned behaviors. We will be learning about some specific traits that help species survive and thrive. We will also be looking at how the environment affects all living things (environmental traits).