Dear Parents,

I apologize for not writing this in last week’s overview: <strong> thank you</strong> for all of your kind wishes and treats for the holidays!  The holidays are truly one of my favorite times in the classroom, and I am sad to see them go.  Now it;s the time of year we get down to business.  We got the ball rolling early after break and there will continue to be momentum building into March.

Students are finishing up projects in Social Studies and Writing this week, and I look forward to seeing the results of their independent and group work.  ISATs are the first week of March, and we will begin preparing this week.  The principals have purchased workbooks for both reading and math for each student to use, so I will be assigning weekend work for the students to do.  I hope by assigning it over the weekend, you may have a chance to work with them.

Finally, we could really use Kleenex.  If you think about it and can donate some, our runny noses would really appreciate it!  If you have any questions, please contact me via email:  agkrecik@cps.edu.

<strong>Reading</strong><strong>: </strong>We will review the rubric for Extended-Responses this week and students will write one in class for our shared reading book, <span style="text-decoration: underline">Maniac Magee</span>.  Students will be taking another Benchmark assessment in Reading on Tuesday.  As usual, students will be responsible for completing their letters in their Reader’s journal.  <strong>Students should be reading books to accomplish their AR goal for the quarter.</strong>

<strong>Writing: </strong>We will complete and present our group writing project:   “Make A Menu”.  <strong>In addition, we will write expository essays to practice for ISAT and read, analyze and write poetry in class.</strong>

<strong>Math:</strong> This week, we will continue working in Chapter 4:  Division.  We will clarify different methods for division and dividing decimals and work on Short answer Responses and extended responses.  <strong>Homework:</strong> SL 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and Math Journal pp:  108, 110, 113-114.  Students will also take a Benchmark assessment in Math on Wednesday.

<strong>Science: </strong>This week we will make observations on a penny and become familiar with using a hand lens.

<strong>Social Studies: </strong>This week, students will give their oral presentations on their Explorer Treasure boxes.  We will read about and take notes on the first colonization of the New  World.  Students will take a Unit 4 assessment on Friday.  I will hand out a study guide on Wednesday.<strong> </strong>

<strong>Spelling: </strong>Students should study weekly spelling words for the week.  <strong>Our test will be Friday.</strong>