Dear Parents, 

     Last week in math we started Unit 4 “Addition and Subtraction.”  We learned about Change Diagrams and Parts and Total Diagrams which help us math solve number stories.   This week we will solve number stories about temperature change.  We will discuss how to make estimates and use estimation to solve problems when an exact answer is not necessary; when we want to know “about” how much items cost.<strong></strong>

     Last week in Writing Workshop we focused on the most important parts of our small moment stories and added as much details as possible to those parts.  We also discussed including the “internal” stories (thoughts, reactions, etc.) in our writing.  This week we will learn to write close-in endings which stay focused on our story, instead of ending our stories with something like “Then I went home.”   The student will choose a story to share at our next Author’s Celebration.  They will start working with partners to “fix up” (edit) their stories with partners.  When it is all “fixed up’ the students will publish their stories.

     In science we have finished up our Air and Weather unit and will be starting a Balance and Motion unit.  On Wednesday we will balance paper crayfish, using “counterweights” to help us balance these crayfish in many different ways.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes and Reminders: </span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>We have a field trip this Tuesday, November 24<sup>th</sup>.  The students must bring a lunch to school.<strong></strong></li>
	<li>Directions for the students’ American Indian projects were sent home last week.  <strong>These projects are due by November 30<sup>th</sup></strong>.  Please contact me with any questions.<strong></strong></li>
	<li>There is no school this Thursday and Friday.  Have a great Thanksgiving!</li>
	<li>There is no school next Friday, December 4<sup>th</sup>.</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Questions to ask at home:</span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>Ask estimation questions- A pencil costs 28¢ and a pen costs 52¢.  ABOUT how much do they cost together?    (30 + 50 = about 80¢)</li>
	<li>What is a “close-in ending”?</li>
	<li>What does balancing mean? How can we use counterweights to help objects balance??</li>
</ul>
What was your favorite part of Tuesday’s field trip? What new information did you learn about the First Americans?

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Homework</span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">: </span></strong>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="80" valign="top"> </td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Monday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Tuesday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Wednesday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Thursday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Friday</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="80">
<p align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Math</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 4.4</p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 4.3</p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 4.5</p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center">No School</p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center">No School</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="80">
<p align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Reading</span></strong><strong></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>