Liquids and Solids

Our science unit on liquids and solids is coming to a close. We did an experiment on mixing different solids and liquids with water and observed the results. We learned about the water cycle and changes of state from solid to liquid and liquid to solid. We looked at how an egg changes state when it is cooked. We even talked about how lava changes from liquid to solid when it cools outside of the volcano.

In Social Studies we are studying homes around the world. We are learning about the globe, the oceans, the continents, the compass rose, and types of climate. We are comparing our home to a home in another climate.

Spring Reading Assessments

Good news - every student has made a step forward in their reading skills. Some much more than others. Look for my note in your child's agenda.

At this point in the school year, it becomes very obvious that students who are reading regularly - with interested support and opportunity for discussion of what they read - are developing more fluency in their reading.

What is fluency? It is the ability to read faster than word by word. When fluency is developing, the student can read phrases and entire sentences. They begin to notice the punctuation such as periods, commas, question marks and exclamation points, and it changes the tone of their voice. They also begin to use expression and inflection as they understand what they are reading at the moment they are reading it.

Students who do not regularly practice reading at their instructional level will be hindered in their development of fluency.

Our home reading participation this week has been at an all time low. We are averaging only 5 to 8 students a day who continue to take books home every day to read with a parent. Guess what? Those are the students who are showing the most improvement in their fluency.

GB

This week's list: long u words

use, used, uses, using, you, tube, cube, rule, true, blue, to list a few.

The full list is in your child's agenda.