January 23, 2012- Weekly Reminders

WEEKLY SPELLING WORDS- This week is a REVIEW week for spelling. There are 15 words, and 3 challenge words. The first 15 words review each lesson we have done in this unit, with 3 words per lesson:

Lesson 1- HOMOPHONES- These are words that have the same sound, but different spelling and different meanings. The students have to listen to the words in the sentence in order to determine the correct spelling.

1. higher

2. would

3. phrase

Lesson 2- HOMONYMS- These are words that sound the same, are spelled the same, but have different meanings.

4. pitcher

5. hamper

6. concentrate

Lesson 3- COMPARATIVES- These words compare two things.

7. cloudier

8. scarier

9. quieter

Lesson 4- SUPERLATIVES- These words compare 3 or more things, and describe one of these to the HIGHEST degree. 

10. gloomiest

11. narrowest

12. scarcest

Lesson 5- CONTRACTIONS- These words are formed by putting 2 words together by taking out 1 or more letters and putting an apostrophe in for the missing letters.

13. don't

14. weren't

15. would've

CHALLENGE WORDS: 

16. tremendous

17. gigantic

18. delicious

READING- This week we are learning all about Florida's Role in the Civil War, and the Reconstruction that took place after the Civil War ended. While learning all about this important time in our history, we are working on reading strategies, too! We are learning all of this in preparation for our Blended Lives Field Trip on January 31st. Please look for more information on this field trip in your child's Wednesday folder this week.

WRITING- Our focus this week has switched back to a Narrative- writing to tell a story. The students need to plan their writing around a BIG MOMENT, and only tell about what happened JUST BEFORE their big moment, and JUST AFTER their big moment. They will take an assessment on Friday.

MATH- We are continuing our work on patterns, equations, and expressions. 

Monday- Homework packets are sent home; Narrative writing pretest

Tuesday- no announcements

Wednesday- Wednesday folders will be sent home with grade reports, field trip info., an important survey, and any report cards that have not yet been picked up. Please be sure to look through your child's work and discuss it with them. Sign any paperwork that needs to be sent back, sign the folder, and return it on THURSDAY.

Thursday- no announcements at this time

Friday- Homework packets are due; Spelling Test; AR Tests should be taken; Multiplication Quiz, Narrative writing assessment

We are getting down to the wire for the FCAT Writing Test. Please contact me ASAP to discuss your child's progress in writing, and I will be happy to meet with you to give you some strategies to work on at home. Thanks for all you do!!!