Week of 3/3/14 - 3/7/14

They say March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb. I detect that lion; let's hope we see the lamb sooner rather than later!! This week and next week we’ll be taking ISAT exams.   It’s always nice to have some healthy snacks for the kids.   If any of you wonderful families would want to send in a snack for everyone (19 students,) please email me.  I have heard from 3 very generous parents who will be sending in snacks so far.  Also, a healthy breakfast and plenty of sleep are always important particularly during testing!   Thank you!!

Coming up next week: 

Spelling: We will be taking a break from Spelling for the next 3 weeks.  We’ll resume with Lesson 21 on Monday, 3/24.

English:  We are finishing up our autobiographies. We’ve successfully used googledocs.  I hope your child is not having any problems using this at home.   

Reading:  This week, we are continuing to read our novel, Stone Fox.  Our first vocabulary quiz on chapters 1-4 will occur on Monday.  Our second quiz on chapters 5-7 will take place on Friday.  Students will also continue working in their Learning Logs.

Social Studies:  We will continue our Chicago unit.  This week, we will focus on the early history of Chicago, first Chicagoans, and the railways.

Science:   The chapter 14 test will take place on Tuesday, 3/2.  We’ll start chapter 10, Earth’s Place in the Solar System on Monday, 3/10.

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We are refreshing our minds daily for ISATs with mini lessons on various math concepts.  We’re also plugging along in our fractions unit, specifically covering fractions as a whole and comparing fractions.  I have a test on chapter 10 (fractions unit) on Wednesday, 3/12.   

Also, please sign up using sign up genius for a math conference!   You should have received my email and the link by now.   I look forward to meeting you all.  

Important Dates:

2/28 - Teachers’ Institute (no school)

Weeks of 3/3 and 3/10 - ISAT Testing

3/17 & 3/18 - Teacher’s Institute (no school)

Have a great weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 2/24/14 - 2/28/14

What a weird week of weather we’ve experienced!   Let’s hope spring is on the horizon…   

The week after this upcoming week we’ll be taking ISAT exams.  It’s always nice to have some healthy snacks for the kids.   If any of you wonderful families wish to send in a snack for everyone (19 students,) please email me.  Also, a healthy breakfast and plenty of sleep are important particularly during testing!   Thank you!!

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 20.   Pretest on Monday, cursive due on Tuesday.   Challenge activities OR ABC order due on Thursday.   Test Thursday for all those using the regular words.   No test for “challenge” words.  (This is the lesson we were supposed to do last week.)    REMEMBER!   There is no school on Friday!

English:  We are working on our autobiographies.  This week begins the typing phase, using googledocs.  

Reading:  This week, we are starting a novel, Stone Fox.  The story focuses on a young boy and his grandfather, who suddenly has a stroke and can’t financially keep up the family farm.  The young boy must decide what to do to help his grandfather and his farm.  As we read, the students will be keeping a Learning Log.  Please make sure it is always returned to the “reading pocket” after any work is added.  

Social Studies:  We are starting our Chicago unit.  We will focus on the early history of Chicago this week.

Science:   We are continuing chapter 14 on Heat, Light, and Sound.  Lesson 4’s graded review will be on Wednesday.   Remember, books and notes may be used!   The chapter 14 test will take place on Tuesday, 3/2.  

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We are starting our next chapter on Fractions!   We’ll also be refreshing our minds for ISATs with mini lessons on various math concepts when we can.   

Important Dates:

2/28 - Teachers’ Institute (no school)

Weeks of 3/3 and 3/10 - ISAT Testing

3/17 & 3/18 - Conference Day & Teacher’s Institute (no school)

Have a great weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 2/17/14 - 2/21/14

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I’m writing this before our Valentine’s Day party, but let me thank my helpers in advance…   I’m sure the party will be terrific considering I have the best moms and dads in the world!!   I hope you all enjoy this special day with your own families.   We’ll be celebrating President’s Day on Monday -- 3 day weekend!   Enjoy!!

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 19.   Pretest on Tuesday, cursive due on Wednesday.   Challenge activities OR ABC order due on Friday.   Test Friday for all those using the regular words.   No test for “challenge” words.  (This is the lesson we were supposed to do last week.)

English:  The final chapter 4 test will occur on 2/18.  A study guide went home with your child and it includes examples of everything that will be covered.  We will then start our autobiographies.  

Reading:  This week, we will focus on Black History Month by creating a “Snapshots of African American History” project.  The students will each choose a book focusing on a specific African American.  Your child will need to read the book and choose 4 important events/items to explain in his/her project.  Directions and a rubric will be coming home on Tuesday.  

Social Studies:  We are taking a Social Studies break this week.  However, the week after next we are starting our Chicago unit.

Science:   We are continuing chapter 14 on Heat, Light, and Sound.  Lesson 2’s graded review will be on 2/18.  The Lesson 3 graded review will occur on Friday.   Remember, books and notes may be used!

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  We will continue and finish up Chapter 8 this week.  Our final test is Friday.  

Important Dates:

2/14 - Valentine’s Day (Parties start at 1:30)

2/17 - President’s Day (no school) 

2/28 - Teachers’ Institute (no school)

3/17 & 3/18 - Teacher’s Institute (no school)

Have a great 3-day weekend!   Mrs. Klacza

Week of 2/10/14 - 2/14/14

This week we will celebrate Valentine's Day with a party on Friday. I am sending home a class list today with names so you'll know how many total students, boys, and girls we have. Also, if your child's valentine includes some sort of candy, make sure it’s wrapped. Please send in the valentines on or before Friday.  Thank you!

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 18.   Pretest on Monday, cursive due on Tuesday.   Challenge activities OR ABC order due on Thursday.   Test Friday for all those using the regular words.   No test for “challenge” words.  (This is the lesson we were supposed to do last week.)

English:  There will be a short quiz on Wednesday covering Lessons 5-7 on Adverbs.   The final chapter test will occur on 2/18.

Reading:  This week, we will read a story in our basals entitled The Talking Cloth.   It goes along nicely with our immigration unit in Social Studies.  We’ll continue our Word of the Day and also work on some Valentine’s Day activities.

Social Studies:  We are taking a Social Studies break this week.

Science:   We are starting up chapter 14 on Heat, Light, and Sound.  Our first open book graded review will occur on Wednesday.  Lesson 2’s graded review will be on 2/18.

Mrs. Klacza's Math Class:  There will be no math on Monday due to a PBIS assembly.  A quiz on the first 3 lessons of chapter 8 will take place on Tuesday.    Please have your children practice their 7’s because they’ll be taking a quiz on those facts on Tuesday as well.  Thursday and Friday we’ll take our 8’s and 9’s tests. The children will be allowed to take each test 3 times.  PLEASE have your child practice their facts.   I do not time them so no added pressure!!

Important Dates:

2/14 - Valentine’s Day (Parties start at 1:30)

2/17 - President’s Day (no school)

2/28 - Teachers’ Institute (no school)

Have a great weekend!   Mrs. Klacza