Red Ribbon Week: This week is an opportunity for us to make our students aware of the dangers of drug use as well as prevention in their own lives and the lives of those around them. Students will be discussing different topics ranging from drug abuse, awareness, and prevention, as well as dressing up for different “theme” days throughout the week (see the Weekly Peek for the dress up schedule).

Schedule Change: Now that library and computer classes have changed to Wednesdays, we will also be changing our homework schedule in order to reduce the impact of instruction time. Beginning Wednesday, October 31st, homework will come home each Wednesday and be due the following Wednesday. Spelling tests will also be given on Wednesdays beginning November 7th.

Halloween: Students are allowed to wear costumes on Halloween, as long as they are appropriate for school (no blood, gore or weapons). We will be having lunch together in the classroom on that day. If you would like to send treats, we have 27 students and would appreciate your consideration of some more healthy snacks (crackers, pretzels, cheese, fruit, veggies, etc.) as we know the kids get plenty of candy on that day!

Penny Harvest: Our Penny Harvest is going strong! Keep those pennies (or any other coins) coming as we work to raise money for others in need.

What are we learning this week?

Reading: We are learning about Expository genres and the reading strategy Determining Importance as we begin our new unit The Sun. Our vocabulary words will be daily, orbit, solar, ray, rotate, and position.

Writing: We continue our work on personal narratives through writing small moment stories. We are really focusing on ensuring that our stories have a strong lead (topic sentence), mighty middle (3 or more details) and a satisfying ending (concluding sentence).

Math: We have begun working on story problems in Unit 3. Students are working on reading a story problem, correctly identifying the equation, and drawing a proof picture to match. Keep practicing those math facts - they are essential in successfully solving the story problems!

Science: We continue our study of the moon and an extension to the solar system. All students are encouraged to observe the progress of the lunar faces each night, as we track the progression in class.

Social Studies: The presidential election is our focus in Social Studies. Students are learning about the election process and the importance of being an educated voter through a mock election of popular Angry Birds characters!

Word Study/Spelling: This week's spelling focus is a short vowel followed by CK. (lock, pack, sick).



Weekly Peek...

Monday: PE, Give Drugs the Slip (wear your favorite bedroom slippers)
Tuesday: Music, Picture Retakes, Hats Off to Being Drug-Free (wear a crazy hat or any hat)
Wednesday: Art, I’m Too Bright For Drugs (wear sunglasses), Grandparents’ Day homework DUE (on the back of the spelling list)
Thursday: PE, Living Drug-Free Is No Sweat (wear sweatshirts and sweat pants)
Friday: Music, Team Up Against Drugs (wear your favorite team jersey/shirts)



Upcoming Events:
Grandparents’ Day will be November 8th.
Wednesday, October 31st - Say “Boo” To Drugs (wear Halloween costumes)