March 5th-9th

Hello Students & Parents,

     No doubt you heard about all the excitement last week.  Maleficent was declared innocent due to a lack of "concrete proof" (and a shock admission by her security chief) and the Cat in the Hat also swung by on Friday to spend the day with us.  This week is going to be just as exciting...because...Mr. Tom Birdseye is finally here!  This Tuesday you can meet him from 8am-9am and enjoy a bagel with this acclaimed author.  I was privileged to talk with him both Sunday and Monday and he has some terrific stories to tell you.  The students spent forty-five minutes with him today hearing about events in his life that have helped shape his stories.  Tomorrow, the students will have a workshop with Mr. Birdseye so please be looking for some exciting work samples to be heading home this week!
     There are also a lot of "happenings" in our academics this week.  We are beginning Unit 10 in Math which deals with Geometry.  Today and all this week we will be exploring congruent/similiar shapes as well as classifying shapes based on their characteristics.  This is a short unit but very important so please encourage your child to have their homework done each night so that we can go over it in class the next day. 
     In Spelling...a.k.a. Fundations we are going full force into Unit 7 featuring open syllables.  The most important thing to keep in mind with this unit is that open syllables are when the syllable ends with a vowel.  Up to this point most of our syllables have split in between two consonants.  Please also be sure that your student understands their long and short vowel sounds.  Last weeks spelling assessments are coming home today, I was pleased with all of the students performance but did notice how there was some difficulty regarding vowel sounds.  We are working very hard in class to correct this for the future but please help support me with this at home.
     In Reading/Writing this week we are working on writing imaginative texts!  Your child will be writing fantasy stories and specifically using fantastic details to capture their ideas.  In Reading, we will be analyzing the actions that character have made in the text and asking ourselves "what would I have done in that situation?" and "how can I apply that solution to my life?"  Both of these are very "higher level thinking questions" but questions that your child will be expected to answer under the new common core.  A great way that you can help at home is by modeling what you would do based on what you read.  For example, you could share how in Watch Out Jack, the Giant's Back by Tom Birdseye, Jack caused a lot of trouble by stealing the Giants' gold and harp.  You could mention how that is one reason why it is important not to take things from others. 
     Finally, in Science this week we are continuing to learn about Matter and the various mixtures that can be created through combining solids and liquids.  We will be attempting to seperate tissue from gravel and water (spoiler alert...it doesn't work well) as well as trying to melt solid water (ice) the fastest!  Be prepared for some funky homework parents!

                     Have a great week and please email me with any concerns,

                                                    Mr. H
Dont' Forget...
     *Next week is Healthy Hunter "Move It, Move It" week.  Be sure to stay active at home because we will be staying very active at school.
     *Next Friday (March 16th) is an Early Release Day.
     *Third Quarter Electives end NEXT THURSDAY! (March 15th)
     *Science Night is coming up on March 26th  at 5:30 pm.  (the Wednesday before Spring Break)