Dear Parents, 

     Last week in math we explored fractions.  We used fractions to name parts of collections and discussed equivalent fractions. We learned how to use fraction cards to play two games: Equivalent Fractions and Fraction Top It.  The students also created and solved number stories involving fractions.  This week we will review the concepts from Unit 8 on Monday and the <strong>students will take the Unit 8 Test on Tuesday</strong>.  On Wednesday, we will start Unit 9 “Measurement.”  We will discuss using “nonstandard” units of measure, and measure objects using yards and meters.  On Thursday we will review measuring with inches, feet, centimeters and decimeters.  On Friday, the students will take their weekly timed tests and we will work together to solve the Unit 8 Open Response question.

     Last week during writing workshop we made sure to check the endings of our small moments and shared examples of strong endings.  We also discussed revising <span style="text-decoration: underline">while</span> we are writing; we don’t have to just revise old stories, we can also revise as we are writing new stories. This week we will discuss how to use partners when revising.  We will discuss that the students can revise their stories by changing its genre; turning a story into a poem, turning a letter into a song.  Finally, we will discuss how to use authors and the books in our classroom library to help us when revising.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Passport Check:</span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>A new map is coming home with this week’s targets: Japan and the Philippines.</li>
	<li>We are looking forward to two Passport Presentations this week!  Daisy’s mom will be presenting on Japan and Joden’s mom will be presenting on the Philippines!</li>
	<li>Thank you to Mr. Karlstrom, Livia’s dad, who taught us about Sweden last week</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes and Reminders: </span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>On Wednesday, we will be meeting Jana Laiz, who wrote “A Free Woman on God's Earth, The True Story of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, The Slave Who Won Her Freedom.”  It is a wonderful book and we can’t wait to meet her!</li>
	<li>The students’ 3<sup>rd</sup> quarter midterm reports were sent home last week.  Please sign the bottom portion and return it to school if you have not done so yet.</li>
	<li>We have a field trip next Monday, March 22<sup>nd</sup>.  Permission slips must be returned this week.</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Questions to ask at home:</span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>Make up fraction number stories like: There are 7 students.  3 of the students went to lunch. What fractions of the students are at lunch? (3 / 7)  What fraction of the students are not at lunch? (4 / 7 )</li>
	<li>What are examples of nonstandard units of measure?  (books, students, fingers, pencils…)</li>
	<li>What do you want to ask Jana Laiz when we meet her on Wednesday?</li>
</ul>
<span><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Homework</span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">: </span></strong>

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<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="74" valign="top"> </td>
<td width="110"><strong>Monday</strong></td>
<td width="110"><strong>Tuesday</strong></td>
<td width="110"><strong>Wednesday</strong></td>
<td width="110"><strong>Thursday</strong></td>
<td width="110"><strong>Friday</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="74"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Math</span></strong></td>
<td width="110">Unit 8 Review</td>
<td width="110">Home Link 8.7</td>
<td width="110">Home Link 9.1</td>
<td width="110">Home Link 9.2</td>
<td width="110">Unit 9 Family Letter</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="74"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Passport</span></strong>

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Check </span></strong></td>
<td width="110">Study the 2 target countries</td>
<td width="110">→</td>
<td width="110">→</td>
<td width="110">→</td>
<td width="110">Passport Check Today!</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="74"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Reading</span></strong><strong></strong></td>
<td width="110" valign="top">Read at least15 minutes</td>
<td width="110" valign="top">Read at least 15 minutes</td>
<td width="110" valign="top">Read at least 15 minutes</td>
<td width="110" valign="top">Read at least 15 minutes</td>
<td width="110" valign="top">Read at least 15 minutes</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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