This week we have a regular schedule Monday through Wednesday. During that time we will continue our study of mysteries. Students have mastered identifying the attributes within stories. Now they are working on comprehension skills in mysteries. In addition, we began planning for a mystery that we will be writing. Tomorrow we will continue planning, and I'll meet with students to be sure they have a plan that works. Then they'll have time to write, write, write. This time students will be given two options. They may hand write their drafts, or they may create their drafts on the Chrome books using Google Docs. In this way, you can see what they are doing right along with them. For homework, the kids have a relatively simple mystery with some questions. The last question requires a written response that they can do on the back. This is due Friday, May 19th.
In addition to writing our mysteries, we will continue our study of Greek and Latin roots. Students are keeping a record of the ones we learn, along with a definition and a picture symbol to remember the meaning.
In Social Studies, we are moving into the time of Reconstruction followed by frontier life in Texas. Students will learn about ranching and farming, the invention of barbed wire, and how the railroads changed daily life for farmers and ranchers. We will do a simulation of the cattle drive so that students might see how difficult it was for ranchers to move cattle from one location to another.
This Thursday is Track and Field Day. I'm making sense of all the information that was given to me right now, but if you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them. I think they are looking for parent volunteers, so if you are willing and able, you might contact Mrs. Spellman.
This Friday is Brilliant Bobcat day. It's our last one for the year. Your students will choose the activity in which they want to participate Thursday.
We are still stamping our rewards charts daily for students to earn a number of fun activities the last few days of school. In order to earn a stamp, a student needs to have not lost a paw. I stamp the charts for the behavior from the day prior. If your child hasn't missed anything, he/she should be stamped up to the word "drink." Three "oops" days are built in as well for absences and days when behavior wasn't up to par. Our hope is that all students will participate in as much as possible.