2/10- Robotics Club 2:30-3:30

2/13- Valentine's Day 1:30

2/14-2/17- NO SCHOOL MIDWINTER BREAK

2/18- El Salto Give Back Night

2/20- PTO Meeting 6:00

2/21- Lunchtime Box Tops & Frozen Friday

2/22- Robotics Competition @ WIS 8:00 am 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Last week students completed a persuasive paragraph supporting their opinion that answers the question "Should parents buy first-graders a cell phone?". Each student had to provide an introduction, three reasons to support their opinion, and a conclusion. 

Next, students began peer editing each others paragraphs. We will go into more depth on the editing process next week.  




MATH

Students took a Chapter Check-Up last week to monitor their progress on the chapter about measuring area. They all did fantastic!

Then, we began talking about measuring length. Students used cutouts that resembled our friends Imi and Zani's beaks. Imi and Zani couldn't figure out why they kept getting a different answer when they measured the same thing using their beaks. The kids quickly realized that the birds beaks were different sizes! We discussed the importance of using a standard form of measurement, such as an inch. We read Inch by Inch to reinforce that idea. We will dive into this topic more next week. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

We finally finished reading My Father's Dragon last week! The kids were excited to learn that Elmer Elevator actually saved the dragon. Next we reviewed the elements of Freytag's pyramid. We discussed how we could break the whole book down to follow Freytag's Pyramid. Then, we will use pyramid on individual chapters and discuss the difference between chapter structure and book structure. 

MATH

Last week we continued examining 3-D shapes. Students were given a set of Tangram Blocks and worked with a partner to identify the number and types of faces, number of edges, and number of vertices. We then went over all of these together to ensure that everyone noticed the similarities in the Triangular Prisms. The next day, students traced all of the faces of several 3-D shapes. They were given stickers to adhere to each face after they traced it to keep track of which ones they had already done. We then discussed which shapes had the the same attributes. Next week we will begin designing our floor plans for Imi and Zani's playground. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

We finished our discussion comparing Jane Goodall and Anna Sewell. Next, students defined several of the vocabulary words that are important for the first ten chapters of Black Beauty. This will lead us right into reading the book. Look for it to come home with your student on Monday. 

MATH

Last week in math, we finished up our discussion over arrays. Next, we spent some time reviewing concepts the students had learned earlier in the year. Students will be taking a test over everything we have covered so I just wanted to retouch on some things they haven't worked on in a while just to refresh their memory. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Last week, we finally solved the mystery of who stole Mrs. Moneybag's will. It was her nephew! The kids had a lot of fun trying to figure out the clues. They also all realized from the mystery packet that betrayal and greed get you no where! We will be starting our mystery novel soon. 

MATH

Last week in math, we began talking about grids. Students learned that the horizontal axis is X and the vertical axis is always labeled Y. We also talked about ordered pairs and why they are called that. The students figured out that it is because they have to go in (x,y) order. We discussed and labeled the four quadrants of a grid. Then the students were given sets of ordered pairs that made a shape on their grid. Next, they were given a different set of ordered pairs that translated the shape to a different location on the grid. We will continue working on this. 

I hope everyone is having a good week!

-Mrs. Marquardt

golB ytilibA hgiH

. yad doog a si sihT

January 31st honors everything backwards! This day provides an opportunity to reverse our ways, our direction, or simply our shirt. 

Dessert before dinner, perhaps? There are many ways to celebrate this fun day, so let your imagination be your guide!

This day is very popular with kids, but there is no age limit on who can participate! So everyone lets's have some fun!

HOW TO OBSERVE#NATIONALBACKWARDDAY:

• Say, "goodbye", instead of "hello", when answering the phone
• Put ice cream on your chocolate
• Wear your shirt backward
• Write your name backward
• Read a book starting with the last page
• Play a game from finish to start

2/3- Robotics Club 2:30-3:30

2/6- Talent Show Dress Rehearsal @ CMS 2:30

Title 1 Family Game Night 6:00

2/7- Bailly Talent Show

2/10- Robotics Club 2:30-3:30

2/13- Valentine's Parties 1:30

2/14-2/17- Mid Winter Break

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week we revisited the book E-Mergency. I introduced them to acronyms and we found several in that book. We looked at ASAP, EMT, ER, and many others. We discussed how acronyms and Wumbers were alike. They are both shortcuts that can be used to replace words. We talked about when someone might want to use a shortcut in place of a whole word. We decided that texting might be a situation in which you could use acronyms or Wumbers. Next, we reviewed what persuasive writing is and I presented them with the question, "Should first-graders have a cell phone?". Based on their opinion, they will be completing a hamburger model outline and then writing a persuasive paragraph. 

MATH

This week students completed a Think Deeply over area. They were given written clues about three different targets and had to decipher which would be the smallest, middle, and largest. Next, students had to draw three different targets of their own design based on those clues. They did a great job!! 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students finished up their prediction paragraphs this week. Next, I introduced them to Six Thinking Hats. This is another tool they can use to help them analyze and understand what they are reading. We went through each hat's meaning and how to apply it to a specific situation in My Father's Dragon. 

                              

MATH

We began this week doing a Think Deeply comparing a square and a cube. I asked students to list similar attributes between the two as well as differences. Together we made a list of the attributes of each and then they had to write them in sentences on their math journal page. 

                                                                                              

Then, we received a new letter from Dru and Teller asking for help in building a playground. Students will be constructing model playgrounds that will have to fit into a specified area. We will continue this next week. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students read a biography this week on Anna Sewell. Next, they wrote in their journal comparing Jane Goodall and Anna Swell. They were asked to list similarities and differences between the two activists. If they did not complete their journal entry in class it was sent as homework. We will discuss the comparisons on Monday. This will lead us into our novel. 

MATH

This week we reviewed what the students had discovered about patterns on a 100's chart. Next, they were introduced to using arrows to find numbers on the chart. We discussed how to use arrows that go up and down, diagonal, and left to right. We will expand on this next week. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

This week students were introduced to a miniature mystery to solve. They were introduced to the suspects, setting, and given clues as to who was responsible for the crime that had been committed. They have really enjoyed working on this. We will finish it up next week and then go into our mystery novel. 

MATH

Students continued working on transformations this week. They completed a worksheet on which they had to use different transformations to move a shape 5 times and end up in the same position that it started in. Students had to demonstrate two ways to accomplish this. After completing the transformation, students had to write down the steps they used. Then, without showing their partner their work, they explained the steps they used as the partner followed the instructions to try and execute the correct transformation.  

Have a great weekend!

-Mrs. Marquardt