Dear Parents, 

     Last week in math we started Unit 8 “Fractions.”  We reviewed the basic concepts of fractions and used fractions to name parts of collections.  This week we will continue to explore fractions.  We will use fractions to name parts of collections and discuss equivalent fractions, for example ½ = 3/6. We will learn how to use fraction cards to further explore equivalent fractions and to compare fractions.  On Thursday, the students will create and solve number stories involving fractions.  These lessons end our short fractions unit!  <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">The Unit 8 test will be next Tuesday, March 16<sup>th</sup>.</span></strong>  The review sheet will be sent home on Thursday.  It is not due until Tuesday, the day of the test.

    Last week during writing workshop we discussed our goals as the students and I meet for writing conferences.  We also discussed “showing not telling” when the students write.  On Friday, the students took an inventory of what they have completed during writing time in February.  This inventory will be sent home this week.  This week we will check the endings of the students’ small moments and share examples of strong endings.  We will also discuss 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.

     Last week in science the students will balance a beam with cubes by only changing the position of the fulcrum under the beam, not the position of the cubes on the beam.  This week the students will build Equal Arm Balances.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="623" valign="top"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Passport Check:</span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>A new map is coming home with this week’s targets: Sweden and Botswana.</li>
	<li>Thank you to Mr. Thompson, Nicholas’s grandpa, who showed us an exciting presentation about his trip to Botswana.</li>
	<li>We are looking forward to a presentation this week focusing on Sweden from Mr. Karlstrom.</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes and Reminders: </span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>ISAT testing will continue for grades 3-6 only Monday and Tuesday mornings.</li>
	<li>We are excited for our Guest Readers this week: Ms. Gustafson, Tayen’s mom.</li>
	<li>The students’ 3<sup>rd</sup> quarter midterm reports will be sent home this week.  Please sign the bottom portion and return it to school in your child’s Ray School folder.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="623" valign="top"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Questions to ask at home:</span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>Which fraction is bigger ¼ or ¾?</li>
	<li>How is a beam balance different from an Equal Arm Balance?  How are they the same?</li>
	<li>What is the contraction for did not? (didn’t) for would not? (wouldn’t) for will not? (won’t) for we are? (We’re) for they are? (they’re)</li>
</ul>
 </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<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="74" valign="top"> </td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Monday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Tuesday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Wednesday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Thursday</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Friday</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="74"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Math</span></strong></td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center">Home Link 8..4</p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center">Home Link 8.5</p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center">Fractions worksheet</p>
</td>
<td width="110" valign="top">
<p style="text-align: center">Unit 8 Review(due Tuesday!)</p>
</td>
<td width="110" valign="top"> </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">
<p style="text-align: center">→</p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center">→</p>
</td>
<td width="110">
<p style="text-align: center">→</p>
</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 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>
<td width="110" valign="top">
<p style="text-align: center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>