The Jungle Journal - Week of September 9-13

Reader's Workshop

This week we will begin exploring clues in the context, recognizing how these clues can help us determine the meanings of unknown words.  Pronouncing words correctly is part of reading, but an equally important part is understanding what those tricky words mean.  Often times, students think if they can pronounce a word, they can move on and continue reading.  This often leaves them confused as to what is actually happening in the story. Below is a passage from the book, The Chocolate Touch.  Have your child use context clues to determine possible meanings for the unknown, bold words.  

   “Hey, sleepy!” Mrs. Midas called.  “Everyone else is up!”

   John put on his bathrobe and ambled to the bathroom.  His sister, Mary, was still brushing her teeth, and he had to wait until she finished. 

   “Come on, Mary,” he said a little crossly.  “Don’t take all morning.”

   Not wanting a quarrel to begin, Mary spat out her toothpaste and swiftly left the bathroom. 

Writers’ Workshop

We will continue drafting our memoirs this week.  Our focus will be to include oodles of exact, true details in our pieces.  Students will be reviewing and ultimately adding sensory details (details that appeal to the five senses) to their drafts.  These details will help bring their stories to life and let readers feel as though they were in that moment with the author.  Your child is welcome to bring their writing home and show you their progress.

Skills
Spelling begins this week.  Students should study and complete one of the homework options for list 1.  Our quiz will be Friday. The quiz will also cover our skills topic of the week, complete sentences vs. fragments.  Students will have a study guide in their ROAR folder. 
 

Math Workshop

Students are recognizing and representing the groups of 10s in 3-digit numbers.  We are using place value to determine the size of any number up to 1,000 and finding pairs of numbers that add to 100. 

The students have a quiz on Groups of 10 on Wednesday, September 11th.  Here are questions you can discuss with your child: 

·     If Mrs. Durkin has 142 stamps and wants to put them in rows of 10, how many rows will she have?  How many extra stamps will there be? 

·     Ms. Symons went to the Sticker Station and bought 2 sheets of stickers, 4 strips of stickers, and 7 singles.  How many stickers did Ms. Symons buy?

Students are developing a number of awesome strategies for adding 2- and 3-digit numbers.  We are also beginning to discuss different ways to start solving addition problems. 

Science                                                                    

This week our focus is on the tools scientists use to make observations and the importance of keeping records and communicating with other scientists.  Ask to see your child's Interactive Science Journal to check out our class lessons.

Social Studies                                                                                 
The students have a quiz on Chapter 1, Lesson 2 on Friday, September 13th.  Our lesson focuses on types of communities.