Ahoy, Mates!

This week in language arts we will be going on a pirate adventure.  After reading Discovering the Atocha last week, we will be learning about other sunken ships, including The Titanic.  We will also be reading some fun fiction stories, such as the Pirates Don't Change Diapers series by Melinda Long.  We will be designing our own "Treasure Island" maps, and our fun unit will conclude with the showing of Walt Disney's Treasure Island which was originally released in 1950 as Disney's first all-live action feature.  It is based upon Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless tale of buccaneers and buried gold.  Since this movie is rated PG, I will be sending home a permission slip for viewing.  Shiver me Timbers!!!

Bowling Day

Today we have our spelling review test and our bowling field trip!

Readers' Theater

Our class worked in groups to reread "Discovering the Atocha" as a Readers' Theater presentation.  Practicing fluency and expression is an important part of becoming a stronger reader.  We also took our story comprehension and vocabulary assessment.

Friday's spelling test will be a review unit.  This will be our last spelling test.

The New Lenox Public Library presented their summer reading program to our school today.  It is my hope that all students will continue to read over the summer, whether it be books, magazines, comics, or newspapers.  Find a summer reading spot (for me, it's in my hammock!) and try to make it a fun, daily habit.

Discovering the Atocha

Today we read the story "Discovering the Atocha" on pages 776-784 in our reading book.  We also discussed the vocabulary words in the story and completed practice workbook page 173.  Students are expected to reread this story as their Tuesday night reading homework assignment.  This will be our last reading book story!

This week's spelling test is a review unit.  Next week we will be playing some spelling review games and having a spelling bee.  Today we completed spelling workbook pages 119-120.

Idioms, Similes, & Figurative Language

After taking our spelling unit 29 test, students worked on idioms and other forms of Figurative Language, including similes and metaphors.

Adverbs

We worked on learning about adverbs today.  Adverbs tell how, when, or where something happened. We completed an adverb practice sheet and worked on an adverb assessment.  We also completed spelling workbook pages 117 and 118 to review for tomorrow's spelling test.

John Muir and Stickeen

Today we took our story assessment over the comprehension and vocabulary from the historical fiction story "John Muir and Stickeen."  Students enjoyed learning about the real life adventures of this extreme explorer and his friend's dog, Stickeen.

We will have a spelling test on Friday.

Next week will be our last Tuesday night reading homework assignment!