Dear Parents,

This week in Room 304, we will complete our ISAT test preparation.  Students will complete final Black History projects.  In addition, we will listen to Blues music and explore its connection to Black history.  On Friday, we will walk over to the Museum of Science and Industry to view the exhibit, Black Creativity exhibition, <em>Taking Charge of YOU! </em><strong><em>Because this is a walking field trip, I could use several parent chaperones.  I will be sending home a permission slip on Monday. </em></strong>If you have any questions, please contact me via email:  <a href="mailto:agkrecik@cps.edu">agkrecik@cps.edu</a>.

<strong>Reading</strong><strong>: </strong>We will continue to identify poetic devices in poetry, and we will create our own original poetry using poetic devices.    In addition, we will investigate the poetry of Langston Hughes and its connection to Blues music.  Students will make their own Blues poems in the style of Hughes.  As always, students should be reading AR books at home nightly.  AR is 10% of the overall reading grade.<strong></strong>

<strong>Writing: </strong><strong>Students will be completing Black history essays/projects.  This week, we will begin to explore fractured fairy tales.  Then, we will begin planning and writing original stories in class.</strong>

<strong>Math:</strong> This week, we will focus on lessons in our ISAT Coach books.  We will focus on measurement, geometric shapes, and algebraic expressions.  Students will respond to an extended response question for Monday and Wednesday homework.  We will play Math Jeopardy to review concepts we have learned throughout the year.

<strong>Science: </strong>This week we will learn how to prepare different slides for our microscopes and determine appropriate slides for specimens.  Students will have Sum It Up pages to write in their notebooks for Tuesday homework.

<strong>Social Studies: </strong><strong>We will continue our study of the Middle Colonies this week.  Students will examine the differences between the </strong><strong>New England</strong><strong> colonies and the Middle colonies.    Monday homework:  define key vocabulary and focus questions.  Wednesday homework:  define key vocabulary and focus questions.  Thursday homework:  Using details from the reading, students will write letters to colonists in the </strong><strong>New England</strong><strong> colonies describing the differences.</strong>

<strong>Spelling: </strong>Because of the important work we are doing in class for ISAT prep, we are suspending spelling until after ISATs are complete.  We will resume weekly spelling in March.<strong></strong>

<strong>Reminders!!!!!  There will be no school Monday, March 1.  Please try your best to get your child to school on time!  With ISAT testing fast approaching, we want to ensure all students get into a routine that will have them at school on time, awake, and well-rested.  Thank you!</strong>