Week of April 30th

Parents,
We will be having our PTO Auction  ice-cream sundae party on Friday, May 4th. A permission slip for a PG movie was sent home on Thursday. Please sign and return the permission slip by Wednesday, May 2nd. We are looking forward to this special day.

Important Dates:
Thurs., May 3rd- SciTech Electricity & Magnets  in School Field trip
Fri., May 4th  Ice-cream Sundae party

Reading:   We will complete the story of Edward Tulane. The students will complete a journal entry on Edwards final journey. We will then read The Velveteen Rabbit and compare and contrast the two stories. 
Time For Kids: There will be a Time For Kids quiz on Thursday. 

English: We will continue to focus on  Narrative writing. The students will learn how to select a topic for their writing and then use a timeline as a tool to help develop their story.

Spelling:    Unit 27 - Latin Roots: port, form, trans & flex
This week's test will contain words with the Latin roots listed above. We will learn the definitions of the roots and words that contain them. The final test is scheduled for Friday, 5

Social Studies: We will finish up learning about the Native Americans of the Southwest region.  There will be an open book/note quiz on Tuesday. 

Science: We will begin chapter 4,  The Human Body. We will learn how tissues and organs form systems. We will then take a look at the digestive system and learn how nutrients from the food we eat get to our body's cells. 

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will complete Unit 6, Multiplication, Division, Data and Fractions.   We will continue to learn strategies for division using a ratio table. The test is tentatively scheduled for Friday May, 4th. A practice test will be sent home on Monday to help prepare for the test. 

Week of April 23rd

Bring the Change Spirit Week- April 23rd- April 27th!
Prairieview is raising money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation while raising school spirit! Bring change for a great cause and wear something fun!  

Monday- PJ Penny Day (wear your pajamas and bring in pennies)
Tuesday- Neon Nickels Day (wear bright colors and bring in nickels)
Wednesday- Dazzling Dimes Day (wear something shiny or unique and bring dimes)
Thursday- Crazy Quarters Day (wear crazy socks or a hat and bring quarters)
Friday- Team up for Leukemia (wear team jerseys or colors and bring all coins)

Important Dates:
Tues., April 24th Inventions Due
Thurs., April 26th- Open House

Reading:   The students will continue to read The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane.  They will continue to complete journal responses in their Chromebooks. There will be an open book quiz on Chapters 15-18 on Wednesday. We will also complete some activities focusing on setting and character traits this week.

English: We will focus on  Narrative writing. The students will learn how to select a topic for their writing and then use a timeline as a tool to help develop their story.

Spelling:   Unit 26 - Words that end in "-el", "-al" and "-le" The final test is scheduled for Friday, 4/25.

Social Studies:   Our  study of the Southwest finishes with a look at the Native Americans of the region, The Navajo. We will focus on their culture and how they work to continue their traditions in present day society.

Science:  Inventions are due on Tuesday. The students will create a  written description in class this week. Presentations will also take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The students were given guidelines for their speech. They should be practicing their presentation for homework. Please ask your child what day they were assigned to present.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue Unit 6, Multiplication, Division, Data and Fractions. The Checkpoint quiz has been changed to  Monday, April 23rd. The students have 3 review sheets to help prepare for the quiz. Later this week we will shift from multiplication and division to collecting and representing data measured in fractions of a unit on a line plot. The students will solve problems that involve addition and subtraction of fractions using the line plot data.

Week of April 16th

Parents, 
The students will be taking the Math PARCC tests this week. All tests will be taken first thing in the morning. Please remind your child to make sure their Chromebooks are charged and headphones/earbuds are brought to school each day.  Thank you!

Important Dates:
Mon., April 16- Math PARCC  Test
Tues., April 17 Early Dismissal
Wed., April 18th- Math PARCC  Test
Thurs., April 19th- Math PARCC Test

Reading:   The students will continue to read The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane. We will continue working on vocabulary slides for chapters 11-14. We will also focus on identifying character traits of  Edward and the many people he encounters on his journey.  There will be a comprehension quiz of chapters 11-14 on Friday.

Spelling:  Spelling -  Unit 25 -
The prefixes "im-", "in-", and "un-" are the focus of this week's spelling lesson. In addition to the list of words to spell, students will study the meaning of these prefixes and how they change the meaning of the root words that they are attached to. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, 4/20.

Social Studies:   We will continue our study of the Southwest. We will  read and learn how the technology of the Southwest has impacted the United States. The chapter 10 test has been changed to Thursday, April 19th.

Science:  Students should be working on their Inventions. They are due Tuesday, April 24th.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue Unit 6, Multiplication, Division, Data and Fractions. There will be a Checkpoint quiz on next Monday, April 23rd.  The students will have review guides to help prepare for the quiz. The students will also be taking the PARCC tests this week.  

Week of April 9th

Parents, 
The students will be taking the PARCC tests this week and next. All tests will be taken first thing in the morning. Please remind your child to make sure their Chromebooks are charged and headphones/earbuds are brought to school each day.  Thank you!

Important Dates:
Mon, April 9th- ELA PARCC  Test
Tues, April 10th - ELA PARCC  Test
Wed,. April 11th- ELA PARCC  Test
Fri. April 13th- Math PARCC Test

Reading:   The students will continue to read The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane. This week's journal response will ask How is Edward beginning to change?  We will also continue to work on vocabulary slides.

Time For Kids: There will be a Time For Kids  quiz on Friday.

Spelling:  There will not be spelling this week.

Social Studies:   We will continue our study of the Southwest.  Travel Brochures are due on Friday. We will also read and learn how the technology of the Southwest has impacted the United States. The chapter 10 test is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday April 17th.

Science:  We will be having our Marshmallow Catapult contest on Thursday. There are many good websites that explain how to build a simple catapult. Please ask your child about this.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue Unit 6, Multiplication, Division, Data and Fractions.  This week we will revisit perimeter and area. We will focus on the role division plays in area and perimeter problems.

Week of April 3rd

Important Dates:
Mon, Mar 26th  Spring Break begins
Tues, April 3rd - Classes resume

Reading:   The students will continue to read The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane. This week's journal response will ask How is Edward beginning to change?  We will also continue to work on vocabulary slides. A comprehension quiz for chapters 7-10 will be given on Thursday.

Spelling:   Unit 24 - Greek & Latin Roots
This week's words each contain the root "auto", "homo", "tract" or "phobia". We will study the meaning of these roots and how to determine the meaning of a word that contains them. The final Test is scheduled for Friday, 4/6.

Social Studies:   We will continue our study of the Southwest.  The students will continue to work on a travel brochure for one of the southwest states. We will also read and learn about the climate of the Southwest.

Science: We will complete chapter 17, Simple Machines.  The students will be given an assignment to construct a catapult on Wednesday.  Please ask your child about the specific instructions in building their catapult.  We will have our marshmallow catapult contest on  Thursday, April 12th.  The chapter test will be given Friday, April 6th.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue Unit 6, Multiplication, Division, Data and Fractions.  There will a checkpoint quiz on Thursday which will cover Module one.

Week of March 19th

Important Dates:
Mon, Mar 26th  Spring Break begins
Tues, April 3rd - Classes resume

Reading:   The students will continue to read The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane. They will understand the meaning of the word persevere as it relates to the story and a poem entitled Try, Try Again.  They will describe a time when they have had to persevere and how they handled it.

Spelling:   Unit 23-  Words with "oi" and "oy" & Proverbs
 This week's list includes words with the letters "oi" and "oy". Students will learn that these letter combinations make the same sound and are both diphthongs. "Oy" is usually found at the end of a syllable and "oi" is usually found in the middle of a syllable. We will also study proverbs - what they are and what some of them mean. The final test is scheduled for Friday, 3/23.

Social Studies:   We will continue our study of the Southwest.  The students will  be assigned  a state and create a travel brochure.  Class time will be given however, some may be assigned for homework. We will also continue to learn about the Grand Canyon this week.

Science: I will be introducing  our "Invention Convention" project. The students will be asked to identify a problem in their lives and come up with an invention that helps to solve this problem. Think simply...this does not have to be a complex invention. An informational letter, project timeline/calendar, rubric and contract will be handed out in science class on Monday, March 19th. All students are expected to complete this assignment. The contract, or plan, for the invention is due in class on Thursday, March 22nd. I will then review each contract with students, to make sure they are on the right track. Once I confirm that they are moving in the right direction, students will be free to begin constructing their inventions. Inventions aren't due until after spring break; April 24th. The construction of the invention will be done at home.


Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue Unit 6, Multiplication, Division, Data and Fractions. This week we will focus on multiplying  a 2 or 3-digit whole number by a 1-digit whole number and two 2-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. The students will learn how to use equations or rectangular arrays to explain strategies for multiplying with multi-digit numbers.

Week of March12th

Important Dates:
March 15-- Wheels Levers and Pulleys program
Mon, Mar 26th  Spring Break begins
Tues, April 3rd - Classes resume


Reading:   We  will continue to read The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane.  The students are completing journal response questions as we read through the chapters. The focus is making sure text evidence is provided in their response as well as answering the question completely.

Time For Kids: There will be a Time For Kids quiz on Thursday.

Spelling/English:  Unit 22 - An adjective is a word that describes a noun. This week's lesson consists of a collection of adjectives and a review of similes and metaphors. The final test is scheduled for Friday, 3/16.

Social Studies:   We will begin our study of the Southwest. There will  be a map quiz on Thursday.  The students will also be designing a travel brochure for one of the southwest states.  They will use a variety of resources for their brochure.

Science: We will begin our unit on Simple Machines. This week the students will learn what a scientist means by work, what a simple machine is and how a lever changes the way work is done.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:   We will complete Unit Five Geometry and Measurement.  The unit test is Wednesday, March 14th.  A practice test will be sent home on Friday. This will help the students prepare for the test.

Week of March 5th

Important Dates:
March 2-- No School Institute Day

Reading:   This week we will continue our "Journeys" Unit. We will begin reading the novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This story tells the tale of a china rabbit who goes on an adventure and learns how to love. We will begin by close reading an excerpt from the first chapter.

English:   Final copies of Hero essays are due on Wednesday. We will also focus on adjectives in our writing this week. We will  learn the correct way of ordering adjectives when describing a noun.

Spelling:  Unit 21 - Relative Adverbs, Relative Pronouns, Reading content words
This week's lesson will include the spelling and use of relative adverbs, relative pronouns, and content words. A relative adverb relates back to a time, place or reason to provide more details about a noun. A relative pronoun relates back to something or someone else. The reading content words are familiar to students, and they should be able to spell them and to apply them (Example: identify a simile or a metaphor.)The final test is scheduled for Friday, 3/9.

Social Studies:   We will complete our study of the Midwest. There will be an open book quiz on Thursday covering what we have learned about the Ojibwa.  On Thursday we will also have our Midwest Resource Day and enjoy some of the foods from the Midwest.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:   We will continue Unit Five Geometry and Measurement.  This week we will focus on symmetry and polygons. We will review different types of triangles, quadrilaterals and other polygons. There will be a Checkpoint Review on Wednesday covering module two.  A study guide will be sent home on Monday.  Later in the week we will focus on area and perimeter.

Week of February 26th

Important Dates:
February 27--Six Flags Reading Logs Due
March 2-- No School Institute Day

Reading:   We will continue our "Journeys" Unit.  We will complete the story of Grandfather's Journey. The students will be taking an open book comprehension quiz on Wednesday.  Later on the week the students will close read and analyze the song, The River. 

Time For Kids:   There will not be a quiz this week.

English:   In English  the students will continue to work on the final copies of their Hero essays. We are working on using precise language as we write to make our writing interesting. We will also focus on how to use the correct transition words to help make our writing flow.

Spelling:   Unit 20 - Homographs
This week's list includes homographs, which are sets of words that are spelled the same but have multiple meanings (Examples: bank or ring). The final test is scheduled for Thursday, 3/1.

Social Studies:   Just Look State books are due on Tuesday.  Presentations will  take place on Tuesday and Thursday. Students should practice their presentations at home. We will also read and learn how  the Ojibwa have maintained cultural traditions and have contributed to the Midwest.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:   We will continue Unit Five Geometry and Measurement. There will be a Checkpoint quiz on Tuesday, February 27th. The students should know how to use a protractor and also be able to identify the different types of angles.  They have a Math Journal in Google classroom which can help them prepare for the quiz. A study sheet was also sent home on Friday.

Week of February 19th

Important Dates:
February 16-- No School
February 19-- No School Presidents Day
February 27--Six Flags Reading Logs Due

Reading:   We will begin our "Journeys" Unit.  We will continue to read the story Grandfather's Journey and complete a writing activity.  The students will use the vocabulary from the story to create their own story.  

Time For Kids:   There will be a quiz on Thursday. Students should thoroughly read the magazine and have it at school on Thursday to use while taking the quiz.

English:   In English  the students will continue to work on the rough drafts of their Hero essays and begin the final copy. We are working on using precise language as we write to make our writing interesting. We will also focus on how to use the correct transition words to help make our writing flow.

Spelling:   Unit 19 - Greek Roots The spelling packet was sent home on Friday.
Words this week will contain the Greek Roots "uni", "bi", "tri" and "quad". Students will study the definition of these roots and words that contain them. The final test is scheduled for  Friday, 2/23

Social Studies:   We will continue our Midwest State Project. The students were assigned a state and and are working on their "Just Look" book which will include many details on their particular state. There will be time to work on the project in class and parts will be assigned as homework.

Science:  We will complete chapter 3,  Adaptations.The chapter test is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23rd.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:   We will continue Unit Five Geometry and Measurement.  This week we will focus on measuring angles with a protractor. There will be a Checkpoint quiz on Tuesday, February 27th. The students should know how to use a protractor and also be able to identify the different types of angles.  They will have a Math Journal in Google classroom which can help them prepare for the quiz.

Week of February 12th

Important Dates:
February 12-13 Parent Teacher Conferences
February 14- Valentine's Day parties 1:30
February 15-- Spring Picture Day
February 16-- No School
February 19-- No School Presidents Day
February 27--Six Flags Reading Logs Due

Reading:   We will begin our "Journeys" Unit.  We will read the story Grandfather's Journey and complete a writing activity.   

Time For Kids:   There will be a quiz on Wednesday. Students should thoroughly read the magazine and have it at school on Wednesday to use while taking the quiz.

English:   In English  we will continue to  work on Explanatory Writing. The students will complete the rough drafts of their Hero essays and begin the final copy.

Spelling:  Unit 18 -The final test that was originally scheduled for 2/9 will be given on Monday, 2/12. There will not be a new lesson this week due to the short week/snow day.

Social Studies:   We will begin our Midwest State Project. The students will be assigned a state and create a "Just Look" book which will include many details on their particular state. There will be time to work on the project in class and parts will be assigned as homework.

Science:  We will continue chapter 3,  Adaptations.  In lesson 3 we will learn how living things of long ago compare with those of today. The chapter test is  tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21st.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:   The math test that was originally scheduled for Friday, 2/9 will be given on Monday 2/12. We will then  begin Unit Five Geometry and Measurement.  This week we will focus on angles. The students will become familiar with acute, straight, obtuse and right angles. We will learn how to use a protractor to measure angles later in the week.

Week of February 5th

Important Dates:
February 12-13 Parent Teacher Conferences
February 14- Valentine's Day parties 1:30

Kid with a Cape on the Go! - We've gotten some response from students with pictures of themselves spreading kindness. This initiative was the result of a visit from the author of A Girl with a Cape,  Amy Logan.  Her message to us was that WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE by spreading kindness. Students can take a picture of  spreading kindness, with or without their "Kid with a Cape." A photo, drawing, or a written paragraph of the student and the event are alternative activities that can be turned in to the teacher. While this is optional, students have had fun posing with his/her "Kid with a Cape. 

Reading:   "Profile in Courage" projects are due on Tuesday.  Presentations will begin on Wednesday. The students should practice their presentation as part of their homework. A rubric for the project and presentation can be found in your child's Reading Google Classroom.

English:   In English this week we will work on Explanatory Writing. We will  continue to work on a class essay on why Lou Gehrig is considered a hero. Later in the week the students will be assigned to write an essay of someone they consider to be a hero in their life.

Spelling:  Unit 18 - Words with "ch" & "tch"
Words this week will contain the letters "ch" or "tch". Students will learn that if the final "ch" sound comes after a consonant or a two letter vowel, the ending is -ch. If the final "ch" sound follows a one letter vowel, it's usually written -tch. The final TEST is scheduled for Friday, February 9th.

Social Studies:   We will complete chapter 8. The Midwest. The test is scheduled for Thursday. We will review in class on Tuesday and Wednesday. A study guide to help prepare for the test was sent home on Friday.

Science:  We will continue chapter 3,  Adaptations.  We will  read and learn how instinctive behaviors and learned behaviors can help animals survive. Animals can migrate or hibernate to avoid severe weather. We will also learn how fossils form and how animals of the past compare with those of today.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:   We will complete Unit Four. There will be a test on Friday. The students will be bringing home a practice test on Tuesday to help them prepare for the test. Unit 4 concludes with a two-session project that gives students an opportunity to apply some of their measuring skills in a new context—data analysis. 

Week of Jan. 29th

Important Dates:
February 1-- Early Dismissal
February 12-13 Parent Teacher Conferences
February 14- Valentine's Day parties

Reading:   The students will be introduced to a culminating project for the courage unit, titled "Profile in Courage". Your child will research a historical figure who showed courage, create a slide presentation  and present his/her project to the class.

Time For Kids: There will  not be a quiz this week in Time For Kids.

English:   In English this week we will continue to  work on Explanatory Writing. We will write a class essay on why Lou Gehrig is considered a hero. Later in the week the students will be assigned to write an essay of someone they consider to be a hero in their life.

Spelling:  Unit 17  Greek Roots
 This week's list includes words with the suffix "-tion". Students will learn that when the suffix -tion is added to a verb, the word becomes a noun. When -tion is added to a word that ends in an "e" or "t", the "e" or "t" is dropped. The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 2/2.

Social Studies:  We will continue our study of the Midwest. In lesson three we will read and learn how the Midwest is one of the largest farming regions. 

Science:  We will continue chapter 3,  Adaptations.  We will learn what basic needs are shared by all living things and how adaptation allow living things to meet their needs. We will also read and learn how instinctive behaviors and learned behaviors can help animals survive. Animals can migrate or hibernate to avoid severe weather.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue with Unit Four Addition and Subtraction.
 We will then  Module 3, "Measurement."   We will review rounding multi-digit whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousands. We will also. focus on  the relative sizes of centimeters, meters, and kilometers.

Week of January 22nd

Important Dates:
February 1-- Early Dismissal
February 14- Valentine's Day parties

Reading:  We will complete our close read of Lou Gehrig.   There will be a vocabulary and comprehension quiz on Thursday.  The students should be reviewing their vocabulary slides and the Quizlet in Google Classroom. We will also continue to work on text dependent questions.

Time For Kids: There will  be a quiz this week in Time For Kids on Friday.

English:  We will write an essay on why Lou Gehrig is considered a hero this week.

Spelling:  Unit 16  Greek Roots
This week's list includes words with the Greek Roots micro, mega, hydro, astro, hydra and path. Students will study the meaning of these roots and words that contain them. The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/26.

Social Studies: We will continue our study of the Midwest. In lesson two we will read and learn how erosion shapes the landforms of the Badlands and exposes the fossils there. We will also learn how the Badlands was once much warmer and more humid than it is today.

Science:  We will begin Chapter three,  Adaptations  in Science this week. We will read and learn how the bodies of animals help them meet their needs.

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue with Unit Four Addition and Subtraction.
This week we will focus on subtraction strategies.  We will learn how to fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using an algorithm or another strategy We will compare pairs of 3-digit numbers, based on an understanding of what the digits in each place represents. We will also focus on problem-solving strategies.

Week of January 16

Important Dates:
January 15-- No school
January 17-- Math MAP test

Reading:  We will continue our close read of Lou Gehrig.   There will be  vocabulary work for homework this week.  The students should be reviewing their vocabulary slides and the Quizlet in Google Classroom. We will also work on Text Dependent Questions this week as we do our second read of the story.

Time For Kids: There will not be a quiz this week in Time For Kids.

English:  The students have been working on a rough draft of how they spent their winter break. This week we will focus on adding more details and conclusions.

Spelling:  Unit 15  Greek Roots
The focus for the lesson this week will be on Greek Roots. Students will learn the meaning of the roots "audi", "bio", "geo", "ology", "meter", and "thermo". Knowledge of these roots will help them to find meaning in unknown words when they are reading. The final test for this lesson will be on Friday, 1/19.

Social Studies: We will continue our study of the Midwest. In lesson one we will read and learn how the Great Lakes link the Midwest region to the Gulf of Mexico and to the Atlantic Ocean. The Midwest map quiz has been changed to Thursday. 

Mrs. Bucklin's Math Class:  We will continue with Unit Four, Addition and Subtraction.
This week we will focus on addition strategies.  We will learn how to fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using an algorithm or another strategy We will compare pairs of 3-digit numbers, based on an understanding of what the digits in each place represents. We will also focus on problem-solving strategies. There will be a checkpoint quiz on Thursday.