Reading/ELA Overview:

In Unit 1.1 our focus skills are compare/contrast and multiple meaning words. Our grammar skills will all have to do with sentences. We will work on writing complete sentences, identifying types of sentences, and identifying simple and complete subjects and predicates. The assessments for Unit 1.1 should fall on or around September 12th.

There will be no spelling test this week.

Spelling will occur only when we have a full five-day week. Mondays will always be a pre-test, and homework will be assigned based on the scores of the pre-test. Tuesday through Thursday we will do small activities/lessons in our reading block. Homework will be due on Thursdays. Friday will be the test. Spelling words and homework options can be found on the Reading/ELA page. 

Reading Tests (Progress Monitoring Assessments or PMAs) are "cold reads," passages the students haven't seen before, that test the students on their ability to apply the skills that they have learned. 

Math Overview:

Topic One for math deals with place value, expanded form, writing number names, comparing numbers using place value, and rounding numbers to specific place values. We worked on lessons 1-3 last week, and will complete lesson 4 and do some review this week. The Test for Topic One should fall on Friday, September 5th. 

IXLs and Practice Buddies must be at a certain percentage to be considered "completed" as classwork or homework, however the students have until the day before the topic assessment to take those scores as high as they can. These scores are averaged and entered as grades, and can help boost the students' overall math scores.

There will always be a practice test for homework that we review very carefully the day before the topic assessment. This can be used as a study guide to help prepare for the actual assessment. Students will be permitted (and strongly encouraged) to use their math notebooks as a resource when taking assessments.

Knowing multiplication facts is very important now, as multiplication facts will be used for all upcoming math skills. Please practice multiplication facts at home, or math will become very difficult for your child.

Math grades are compiled from formative assignments such as assigned IXLs and Practice Buddies, and summative assignments including fact tests, basic concept quizzes, and the final topic assessment. Homework completion will also play a part in the final grade for the marking period.

Science Overview:

During the first marking period we will be learning about natural resources, ecosystems, and plant and animal adaptations.