Week of March 8th - 12th

MATH:
We finished our lesson in perimeter and have started on Area. We discussed area in general being the square units that cover a space by counting each square. Tomorrow we will be instead looking at the formula to find the area of a rectangle (Area=length x width, or A=LxW). We will continue and review this concept. The test will be Thursday. Friday we begin looking at Volume.
During the extra literacy blocks that we have once every 6 days, we've been having extra Math periods, during which time I have mostly been covering problem solving and word problems. Starting today, we are changing things up a bit and students will be working independently on Math centres, while I pull small groups for problem solving. I am hoping this will help to improve students' problem solving skills, but also gives students more one-on-one attention while others are reviewing past concepts in the forms of centres.

Timed Test: This week we continue with division: 3 as a divisor

SCIENCE:
Today we reviewed our first 2 lessons on the Rainforest. As stated last week, tomorrow will be the quiz for these lessons. In order for students to be able to study at home, I have made copies of both interactive editing/shared reading lessons that we used for these topics. They have glued them into their Science notebooks and have been reminded to take them home to study. Please review material with your child so that they are well-prepared for tomorrow's quiz.
Wednesday we will begin to dicuss (through an interactive editing piece) the Rainforest Strata (layers of the rainforest). Thursday, students will be working on an assignment where they have to draw the layers of the forest, including the plants and animals that live there. This will be done during class time. Friday will be a quiz on the layers (strata) of the rainforest.

LITERACY:

Dear Parents,

This week, I will be attending a Literacy Training in California and will be presenting at the International Literacy Conference in Mexico. I have planned projects, activities, and the daily homework assignment. Mrs. Bradley will be in charge of all these activities and will be teaching Literacy this week. We are very grateful for her help and hope she enjoys working with our students. As always, Ms. Willett and Ms. Aguilar are there for you if you need any help.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Leary

This week students will be working on:

Read Aloud
So You Want to be President?, by Judith St. George and David Small

Shared Reading
Fascinating Facts about the Rainforest, Animals, and Plants

Independent Writing
Father's Day Project
The children have been working with much effort and love on this project. They will continue to work on it throughout this week. Well done 4-A! Keep up the good work!

Rainforest Project
Students are working in groups on a Rainforest Project-My Favorite Rainforest Animal. It includes a written report and an oral presentation. The guidelines have been explained to the students in detail. They will have enough time to work on it at school. Other than to research online (to be done individually), it is not necessary to work on it at home.