Friday, April 21, 2017

Week in Review: April 17-21

In social studies, we are continuing to learn about how communities have changed over time. We have already spent time talking about how schools have gone from one-room schoolhouses, to our giant 2 story structure with nearly 1,000 students. This week we focused on how travel and communication have evolved over time.

In science, we are discussing plant and animal adaptations and how they help the living creatures thrive in their particular environment. We also  had a parent from Mrs. Lilleboe's class donate enough fig tree cuttings for each student to plant and take their own home. That was a fun and educational experience...I can't wait to hear from the kids about how they grow at home.

Learning new adaptations vocabulary with "Touch and Talk" vocabulary charts.







Continuing the vocabulary lesson with card sorts...matching words, definitions, and pictures.






Learning about fig tree propogation









In math, we are doing a review of place value, and extending our knowledge to the hundred thousands place. After place value, we will move onto a 2 week STAAR review where we will try to touch on all of the skills we have learned so far this year.

Counting grains of rice...we estimated what 10,000 grains would look like.
It was not nearly as much as we thought it would be!



Using place value number strips to build larger numbers.




Plotting numbers on a number line.









We had a busy week in language arts as students wrapped up final copies of their personal narratives, completed a reading STAAR practice test and then made corrections, and wrote letters to Mother Earth in honor of Earth Day.

It's been a busy week as you can see, and it is hard to believe there are only 2 weeks now before the STAAR math and reading tests on May 8 and 9. I hope everyone has a great weekend!


Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Week of April 10-14

As you probably know, I was out on Monday and Tuesday this week. Wednesday and Thursday were spent focusing on our Planet Protector Assembly, and Friday was a school holiday. Because of this choppy schedule, there is no weekly update this week.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Week in Review: April 3-7

This week in language arts, students are wrapping up their book clubs by working on a group project of their choice.  I will share those on the blog when they are done. They are also continuing to work on their personal narratives in writing. One morning, after discussing writing a lead that catches the reader's attention, we created a class Padlet where everyone share the lead of their story.







In math, we are continuing strategies for multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit numbers. We have done lots of hands on work with base 10 blocks to really help them visualize these larger numbers.









Our science and social studies time this week has been filled with a variety of things...an extra E-SLOT rotation on Monday, our guest speaker from Round Rock Honey on Tuesday, STEAM day  / early release on Wednesday, a technology lesson with Mr. Weiler on Thursday, and preparing for our PBL assembly on Friday.

Round Rock Honey Owner

Mr, Radjendran, one of our student's dad, speaking to the class about his career in engineering






Mr, Radjendran brought lots of cool things for the class to see!

Creating tessellations on STEAM day


Building a roller coaster for a marble out of only 1/2 posterboard and some tape!










Hard at work on a poster design to share at our assembly!







It's been a whirlwind week, and I'm sure next week will be the same, as we focus on Thursday's PBL assembly presentation. There will not be a blog update next week, as I am out on Monday and Tuesday, and it is already a shorter week with no school on Friday April 14. We hope to see everyone at our assembly on Thursday at 1:30pm in the cafeteria. Have a great weekend!