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Monthly Archives: February 2020

February 24th, 2020 – Conferences Week

Hello Families!

This week our focus in reading will shift to realistic fiction stories.  Through them, we’ll practicing summarization and point of view again.  We’ll also practice homographs and pronouns in our grammar lessons.  It’s week 2 of unit 5, so you can expect a spelling list and literacy homework to come home Monday evening.

In math, we’ll begin unit 5 which will focus on perimeter and area, as well as more fraction practice.  In my math class, I anticipate homework on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as the first several lessons are two-day lessons.  Last week, I still had a number of kids that simply did not grasp the concept of elapsed time, and scored poorly on their unit 4 test.  For some reason, elapsed time is often like a “light switch” with kids.  Once it clicks on, they get it!  However, the process is tough!  We will keep reviewing that skill, but any extra practice at home would be great.

In writing class, the kids are writing their personal essay rough drafts, and will continue to do so this week.  Hopefully we will begin the final drafts towards the end of the week.

Finally, I am looking forward to visiting with you all during your child’s conference.  There are many great things to celebrate, and I look forward to sharing the good news.  If your confirmation letter didn’t make it home last week, just click on the conferences tab of our web page to find your time.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

February 19th, 2020 – Fairy Tales, Math Tests and Conference Notes

Hello Families!

This week, the kids will learn through a variety of different fairy tale stories.  We’ll practice summarizing, discuss various points of view, pronouns and root words.  We’ll also practice compound words with their spelling words.  You can expect that list to come home Tuesday, along with a Literacy Homework.

In my math class, we’ll spend a couple of days reviewing time and graphing to start the week.  Then, the kids will take part 2 of their Unit 4 test towards the end of the week.  I anticipate homework on Tuesday and Wednesday nights prior to the test on Thursday and Friday.

In writing class, we’ll begin our Personal Essay rough drafts.  Our topic is, “A Person I Admire.”  Last week the kids chose their topic, and this week we’ll begin the process of adding detail and description to their supporting reasons.

Lastly, you can expect a conference confirmation note to come home on Tuesday, as well.  I look forward to meeting with you all on the 25th and 27th to celebrate the progress your child has made.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

February 10th, 2020 – Unit 4 Reading Test and Valentine’s Day

Hello Families!

This week, the kids will take their Unit 4 Reading Test.  Thus, there won’t be a spelling list this week.  However, you can expect a literacy homework coming home on Monday.  Thank you so much for helping your child get into the routine of completing that assignment, and returning it to school by Friday.  Our big state test is fast approaching, and the repetitive skills practiced on that weekly assignment are great practice in preparation for that exam.

In math class, we’ll continue to practice elapsed time, as that’s such a tricky concept.  However, our main focus will be studying various types of graphs.  Bar graphs, line plots, pictographs…we’ll explore them all.  In my math class, I’m anticipating homework on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week.

In writing, we’ll begin the process of writing a personal essay.  We’ll brainstorm topic ideas, discuss how to organize our thoughts, and likely start a rough draft by the end of the week or early next week.

Lastly, the class will have a Valentine’s Day party at the end of the day on Friday.  If you would like, your child is more than welcome to bring Valentine’s cards and candy for their friends. We will also create “Love Monster” bags in class to house their Valentine’s. Please don’t feel obligated to bring anything for the party.  It will just be a fun way to end the day and a week of testing.  If anyone needs a spare set of Valentine’s cards, please let me know.  I’ve accumulated lots of extra sets of cards over the years!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

February 3rd, 2020 – Poetry Week

Hello Families!

This week, the class will read a variety of different poems during reading class.  From them, we’ll learn the difference between narrative and free verse poems, and discuss the theme of each.  We’ll also practice a variety of different literary devices, like metaphors, similes, idioms, alliteration and imagery.  This is the last regular week of Unit 4, so you can expect a spelling test and literacy homework to come home Monday evening.

In math class, we have switched to studying time.  We’ll continue that this week, and begin to explore how to determine elapsed time.  This is always a tricky concept!  Any help you can give at home would be appreciated.  For example, if you’re heading on an errand, see if your child can determine what time it will be in 15, 30 or 60 minutes when you arrive at your destination.  Little practice like that can go a long way!

In writing, we are practicing writing “extemporaneously.”  The kids are given a new topic every day, and they must write for 10 minutes about that topic.  It’s been fun to see their reflections on “summer” and “winter” last week, and we’ll explore some new topics this week.  The goal is to write without a beginning-middle-end, unlike a traditional story, and write freely.  This will serve them well when they begin their personal essays in a few weeks.

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Eric Wachter