Dear Parents, 

     Last week, we continued working in Unit 5, “3-D and 2-D Shapes.”  We explored polygons, discussed different types of quadrangles (4 sided shapes), and discussed 3-D shapes (prisms, cubes, spheres, pyramids, and cones.) On Thursday and Friday we built pyramids using marshmallows and toothpicks! This week we will complete our last lesson in Chapter 5, which focuses on symmetry.  <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">The students will take the Unit 5 test on Wednesday.</span></strong>  On Thursday we will start Unit 6, “Whole Number Operations and Number Stories.”  We will practice solving addition problems, focusing on adding three numbers together.  On Friday, the students will take their weekly timed tests and we will work together to solve the Unit 5 Open Response question.<strong></strong>

     In Writing Workshop the students made a list of “small moments” from winter vacation that they would like to write about.  We reviewed my expectations for what the student should complete during our independent writing time- think, sketch, plan, write, check and fix up.  I was able to conference with many students about the story that they wrote on 12-14 and a self-reflection that they completed.  I will continue conferencing with students this week.  We will review the concept of being a good writing partner- helping our friends make their stories better while taking care of their feelings.  The students will then begin revising their favorite stories with a writing partner.

     Last week in science we made “zoomers.”  We discussed that zoomers, just like tops, are put into motion by a force.  This week we will make “twirlers.” We will discuss that they spin when air pushes against their wings.
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<td width="623" valign="top"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes and Reminders: </span></strong>
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	<li>The students have phonics homework to complete this week focusing on past tense words; words with -ed endings.  <strong>It is due on Friday, January 15<sup>th</sup>.</strong></li>
	<li>We are excited for our Guest Readers this week- Mrs. Pickens.<strong></strong></li>
	<li>We have a field trip this Thursday to see a performance of <span style="text-decoration: underline">A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  </span>Because of the trip, <strong>the students must bring a lunch to school on Thursday. </strong></li>
	<li>There is no school next Monday, January 18<sup>th</sup>.<strong></strong></li>
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<td width="623" valign="top"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Questions to ask at home:</span></strong>
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	<li>What are vertices, edges, and faces of a 3-D shape?</li>
	<li>What is symmetry?  Find things in your house that are symmetrical.</li>
	<li>Practice addition problems with three numbers.</li>
	<li>How are twirlers, zoomers, and tops the same?  How are they different?</li>
	<li>What new words have you learned in Latin?</li>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Homework</span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">: </span></strong>
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<p align="center"><strong>Monday</strong></p>
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<p align="center"><strong>Tuesday</strong></p>
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<p align="center"><strong>Wednesday</strong></p>
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<p align="center"><strong>Thursday</strong></p>
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<p align="center"><strong>Friday</strong></p>
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<p align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Math</span></strong></p>
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<p align="center">Unit 5 Review-</p>
<p align="center">due Wednesday</p>
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<p align="center">Home Link 5.8</p>
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<p align="center">Math Boxes</p>
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<p align="center">Home Link 6.1</p>
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<p align="center"> </p>
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<p align="center"><strong>Phonics</strong></p>
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<p align="center"> </p>
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<p align="center">Start -ed word hunt</p>
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<p align="center">→</p>
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<p align="center">→</p>
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<p align="center">-ed word hunt due today!</p>
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<p align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Reading</span></strong><strong></strong></p>
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<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
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<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
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<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
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<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
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<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
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