Classroom Summary for December 4-7

Here's what we did this week...

In Fundations we completed our sixth unit of study that focused on two new syllable types: the vowel-consonant-silent e syllable (i.e. v-c-e) and the vowel-consonant-silent e-exception syllable (i.e. v-c-e). In learning about these two syllable types, we discovered that there are times when the glued sound 'i-v-e', pronounced /iv/, (an example of a v-c-e syllable type) isn't always a glued sound. Sometimes it acts as a suffix. In the word below, can you tell whether i-v-e is being used as a glued sound or a suffix?

active

There is an easy way to tell. Using our prior knowledge about suffixes, we know that we can cover over a suffix with our finger and we are left with a base word. If you cover over the part of the word that you think is suffix and you are NOT left with a base word, then it is not being used as a suffix and is actually a glued sound that is part of the base word. Try this word:

give

Did you figure it out? Look for the answer at the end of this post!

In our math book, Investigations, we began our third unit of study. We learned a new math vocabulary word: addend. An addend is a number that is added to another number to get a sum. We know that at any one time we can only add two addends at a time. However, that doesn't mean that we can't add a string of multiple addends together! We practiced adding these types of problems by creating 'mini equations'. Take a look at the videos below to see how we solved some of these problems.

In Miss Varrell's reading group, this week we focused on how authors often use figurative language in their writing to help give us a vivid picture as we read. One example of figurative language is the simile. We wrote our own similes during the week and will produce a published book showcasing some our best examples. Ask us which two ordinary words must be used in order for a sentence to be considered a true simile!

Click to check your answer here!

In Writing we continued working on our stories but introduced the idea of revising. We learned how to add details to our writing to make the stories more easy to visualize. At sharing time we began using the prompt "I like your story because..." to let our classroom authors know what makes their stories successful. Next week we will work on asking questions at sharing time to help our authors know what might make their stories even better! Revising is a very important part of the writing process. We watched two short interviews of Jeff Kinney and Dav Pilkey as they explained how long it took them to write their popular books (Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants, respectively) and how young they were when they started writing. :)

In Social Studies we finished working on our world maps. We identified and labeled the seven continents, four major oceans and we also included a map key and a compass rose as details on our maps. We also learned the Oceans song! Next Tuesday we will have a test on what we learned about maps, continents and oceans. Use your completed map (sent home on Friday) and the images below to help you study.

Special Spotlight: Art

Here we are working hard in art class!

Answers to Glue Sounds vs. Suffix question:

Active is a two syllable word (act/ive) that uses i-v-e as a suffix. When you cover over i-v-e you are left with the word act, therefore i-v-e is not being used as a glued sound. 

The word give is a one syllable word that demonstrating the v-c-e exception syllable type. The i-v-e sound in this word is a glued sound and not a suffix. To be sure, cover over i-v-e with your finger and you are left with the letter 'g'. The letter 'g' by itself is not a base word, therefore, in the word give, i-v-e is not a suffix but a glued sound that is part of a base word.

F.Y.I. 

• If you are interested in having Snowflake and Cupcake come stay with your family over December vacation, please be sure to send a note/email by Thursday, December 13. 
• This is the time of year when many hats, mittens and gloves go missing. If you can, please be sure to label your child's winter gear in case of loss.
• Please keep the green report card folders coming in. We will reuse them in March when second term report cards are sent home. Thank you!