Classroom News

May

Language Arts: 

This month in Language Arts, we will be studying poetry.  We are looking at how to read and write poetry.  We are focusing on the tools a poet uses when writing.  For example, using line breaks, stanzas, white space, alliteration, onomontepia, similes, metaphors, and more.  We are studying famous poets like Langston Hughes, Naomi Shihab Nye, Georgia Heard, Cynthia Rylant, Valerie Worth, and many more!  Soon we will start writing our own poetry, so look for that to come!

Math:

            This month in math we are studying Reflections and Symmetry in Unit 10.  We are using a Transparent Mirror to guide our exploration of 2-dimentional figures.  We are finding lines of reflections using the mirrors also.  We are learning about symmetry, and the connection between reflections and line symmetry.  Looking ahead, we’ll be finding out what the difference between a reflection, rotation, and translation is.  Lastly, we’ll start to practice with negative and positive integers. 

Social Studies:    

            Our economics unit has started and is off to a roaring start!  So far we have learned the difference between goods and services, and how natural, capital, and human resources all play a part in our economy.  We will be studying about taxes and fees, profit and loss, competition and incentives, stocks and how this all plays a part in our economy.  Soon, our class will be filling out job applications for our upcoming sale to the 3^rd and 5^th graders.  This year, the product we sell will be made out of a recycled good, so that we can GO GREEN!  We have not yet decided what that product will be, but our minds are hard at work to think of something creative. 

Science:

            We have finished our Water unit and we are moving on to our study of the Wetlands.  This unit will focus on what a wetland is, what it does for our environment, and how we can help save the wetlands.  This unit will come to life when we go on our field trip to the Meadowlands.  (Details on that to follow soon.)  This unit students will learn a lot about the environment and the wetlands, and may even be able to teach you something!  

Open Circle

            Recently, we have been discussing problem solving in Open Circle.  We have talked about dealing with anger, and how we can positively deal with it.  We have practiced deep breathing too as a way to calm down.  Hopefully these skills can stick with the students for life! 

 

Notes

        

*The specials for our class are listed on this website.  On P.E. days, please make sure the children are wearing sneakers. 

*Please feel free to contact me at any time.  You can reach me quickest by email at:  ewhitman@usrschoolsk8.com.  You can also get to my email address through my website. 

*Important information such as our schedule, important test dates, upcoming projects, and classroom news is posted on my website, which you can access through usronline.org.  Please note that not all homework is on the website, just long term projects and upcoming tests. 

*Please keep in mind that it is a school policy to request homework by 8:30 a.m., if your child is out sick.  You can do that by calling the front office, or by emailing me.  If I receive a homework request after 8:30, I will do my best to try to get work together, but it cannot always be done. 

*Bogert Curriculum Night is Tuesday, September 25^th.  I will go over any questions you might have then, and go into more detail about other things I have mentioned here.  If you have any questions prior to that time, feel free to contact me.