Language Arts- Last week we have been reading some interesting stories with the Essential question, What ideas can we get from nature?  We read  stories that were an Expository Text which is a piece of writing that has a purpose to inform the readers about something.  We read about the many things within nature that scientists have observed and have come up with useful ideas from.  For example, a cane for blind people that mimics the way that a bat finds his way around in nature.  The kids really enjoyed reading about all of these discoveries and inventions. We worked on main idea and details, root words, and summarizing the stories.  We also have been working on future-tense verbs and we are continuing to work on writing an opinion letter.
This week we have been reading a short story, a play, and a poem located in our Storyworks magazine. We have been working on text features, theme, comprehension and character traits.    

Math- This week we have been working on Topic 8, Using strategies and properties to add and subtract. Kids are learning different strategies to add and subtract using mental math.  This is not an easy skill for children, but we are building on skills previously taught last year and building a foundation for future topics.  Our test over this topic will be next Wednesday.

Social Studies-We are wrapping up our Social Studies Unit on Geography the past.  Kids have been working in small groups researching a type of communication or transportation and comparing it to the past and now.  The ill be giving a short Google Slide presentation when they are finished.

Report cards are going home today along with MAPS scores.  Please make sure that you sign the envelope and return them to me.  


Important Future Dates
February 12th -Library field trip 
February 15th - NO SCHOOL, teacher inservice
February 18th -President's Day, No School
February 19th -Jump Rope for heart
February 21st -Field trip to Great Lakes Science Center

March 6th- Evening Conferences 
March 7th- No School- Conferences 
March 8th- No School
March 22nd- End of the 3rd quarter

April- TBA Spring OST testing, (will be in the first two weeks of April) I will post dates when they are confirmed. 
April- TBA Spring MAPS testing, (will be in the third week of April) I will post dates when they are confirmed. 
April 18th- Class Spring party
April 19th through April 28th- Spring Break Begins

Have a great weekend.