Book-it Due Tuesday

Today we took our spelling test over words ending with the suffixes ation, ition, al, ial.  It was a difficult spelling unit.  You can find Unit 24 words here:
http://highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~tarters/spelling

We also reviewed verbs, finished reading a story, and worked on some dog projects to go along with our Because of Winn-Dixie theme.

Our very last Book-it is due on TUESDAY!

Study for Spelling!

Students should be practicing for their spelling test on Friday.  It is not an "easy" unit.  Today we completed workbook pages 93 and 94 in spelling for practice.

We also worked on the grammar skill of action and linking verbs on Practice workbook page 131.

Fluency is another good skill to practice.  In class we often complete one minute reads for speed and accuracy.  Timed reading practices are a good way to chart progress.

Book-it is due on Tuesday!

My Diary From Here to There

Today we took our story and vocabulary assessment over "My Diary from Here to There."

Friday's spelling test seems like it will be a bit challenging, so please remember to review the words often.

Book-it is due on Tuesday!  It's our last Book-it, and it is a homework requirement.

My Diary from Here to There

Today we read "My Diary from Here to There" on pages 574-589 and will be rereading it for homework.  Please keep in mind that it should also count toward Book-it minutes.  We discussed vocabulary words and will be taking a selection test over the story and vocab tomorrow.  The story is about a girl moving from one place to another.  She writes about her personal account in her diary, which provides the opportunity to express experiences, ideas, and feelings.  We continue to work on character, setting, and plot. 

In grammar, we are working on verbs.  Action and linking verbs are our focus.

Please continue to practice nightly for the spelling test on Friday.  This week's words seem to be a bit of a challenge.  We are on unit 23.  Here's a word list for each unit:

http://highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~tarters/spelling

Spelling Suffixes

Today we took a look at our new spelling list of words that end with the suffixes -ation, -ition, -al, -ial. We completed workbook pages 91 and 92 in spelling.

We are also continuing to work on fluency by practicing one minute reads.  Students will have a practice paper in their folder.  These fluency papers are valuable tools to use at home as well.  Any oral reading practice helps your child's reading grow with confidence.

We will be reading the story "My Diary from Here to There" in our reading text book tomorrow.  Our story theme is learning about personal narratives.

Book-it is due April 1, next Tuesday.    

Friday!

Friday means spelling test day!  This unit was a bit "easier" than last week's unit.  A few minutes of studying every night can make all the difference.

We read about dogs that help people, and we also finished our "Ideal Pet" paragraphs.

Please continue to read for Book-it, due April 1.

Spelling Test Tomorrow

Our spelling test tomorrow is over words with the beginning letters of in, out, down, and up.  Students completed workbook page 90 in spelling today for extra practice.

We are continuing to work on the focus skill of identifying Characters, Setting, and Plot.  We are also continuing to write our short compositions about our ideal pet.  We are reading from the chapter book "Because of Winn-Dixie."

Today was our library (LRC) day, and Book-it is due on April 1.

Character, Setting, Plot

This week we are working a bit more on the focus skills of Character, Setting, and Plot.  Students completed a skill sheet after reviewing these terms.

We are also continuing to work on our "Ideal Pet" stories and pictures.

There is a spelling test on Friday, and Book-it is due on April 1st.  This is our last mont for Book-it.

Spelling and St. Pat's

Today we discussed our Unit 22 spelling words and divided them into categories of in, out, down, up.  Last week's spelling test was a bit difficult, and grades were a bit lower than usual.  As the year progresses, our words are becoming more challenging.  Please set aside some time at home to practice.  We completed workbook page 87 and 88 in spelling today.

We also completed some St. Patrick's Day activities, we read more of "Because of Winn-Dixie," and we continued to work on our "Ideal Pet" paragraphs.

Enjoy the day off school tomorrow.  Please use a few minutes at home to read for Book-it.  March Book-it is due on April 1st but can certainly be handed in earlier.

Friday!

Looking ahead to the coming week, we will not be reading a new story from our Reading book.  Instead, we will keep with the dog/pets theme and continue to read about different animals.  However, we WILL have a Unit 22 spelling test next Friday.  Remember that the students have no school on Tuesday.

Today we took our Unit 21 spelling test and we started a writing project about "The Ideal Pet."  We are also continuing to learn about action and linking verbs, as well as helping verbs.  Today we completed Grammar workbook pages 73-74.

Keep reading for Book-it!

Winn-Dixie Story Test

Hopefully everyone enjoyed our "Snow Day."  Today we reviewed the "Winn-Dixie" story and took a story test over comprehension and vocabulary.  We will NOT have a new reading story next week, as we will continue working on the skills from this week, due to our snow day and Tuesday's upcoming Teachers' Institute.

We WILL have a spelling test both this week AND next week.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Tonight's homework assignment is to read pages 546-559, "Because of Winn-Dixie."  This story is about a new girl in town who makes friends with a dog.   We are using this story to work on characters, setting, and plot.  If your child enjoyed this selection, you can look for the entire novel "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo at the library.  She has written many other fantastic children's books.

Please keep in mind that the last Book-it calendar is due on April 1st, and there will be a spelling test on Friday.

Spelling Unit 21

Today we are learning our new spelling words which have the word endings of -ant, -ent, -eer, -ist, -ian.  We will be completing workbook page84-85 in spelling.  Our focus skills this week will include character, setting, and plot.  We will be reading a selection (pages 546-559 in reading book) from the novel "Because of Winn-Dixie."  This will be tomorrow's homework story.  It should also be recorded on the Book-it calendar.

We will be learning about different types of verbs this week, and we will be writing a short description of our "Perfect" pet.

State Testing - Last Day!

Today we are taking our last Science test and an extended response Math test.  The students were well prepared for their math written response.  

There's no spelling test this week, but please prepare in advance for next week's test.   A newsletter with the words is being sent home today.  

We have been learning about Tall Tales and read and watched a movie about Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill.  

Reading at home is one of the best thing that your child can do to help improve fluency and comprehension.  Please help your child keep up with Book-it each month.

State Testing - Day 3

Today we are taking our last Reading test and a second Math test.

There's no spelling test this week, but please prepare in advance for next week's test.

Reading at home is one of the best thing that your child can do to help improve fluency and comprehension.  Please help your child keep up with Book-it each month.

State Testing - Day 2

Today we are taking a Reading test with an "Extended Response" question.  I'm sure the children are prepared and will do well.  We also will be taking a Math test.

We worked on reviewing literary terms such as alliteration, simile, onomatopoeia, personification, and metaphor.  We also discussed fact and opinion.

There's no spelling test this week, but please prepare in advance for next week's test.

Reading at home is one of the best thing that your child can do to help improve fluency and comprehension.  Please help your child keep up with Book-it each month.

State Testing - Day 1

Students worked in their homerooms to take their first set of ISAT tests.  Today we took a Reading and a Science test.  These tests are long and require careful concentration.  Working slowly and double checking answers is encouraged.  As your child's language arts teacher, I know that they are good readers.  Now is the time for each child to "show off" and earn the test scores that they deserve.  I am proud of all of our students.

Have you seen our ISAT videos?
What DOES the teach say? Click on the link or paste it into your address bar to find out!

https://nelsonridgeschool.wikispaces.com/ISAT+Videos

No spelling test this week.  No homework this week, except to continue reading at home for Book-it.