Good evening!  I can't believe we are almost halfway through December already.  I keep telling the students that they are getting closer and closer to being fourth graders every day! 

Quick Curriculum Update:

Reading:  We were super excited to read a selection from the chapter book, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary this week.  Our comprehension and target strategies are to understand character traits by inferring, using the clues the author has given us.  The students have been doing a very nice job improving upon these skills. 

Grammar:  We have been working on using the correct form and spelling of verbs in the past tense.

Spelling:  This week is focusing on the vowel + r sound in the word nurse.  The four patterns to spell this sound are ir, ur, or, and er. 

**Please note that we will not be continuing to the next lesson in our Language Arts materials next week due to the three-day week.  This also means the students will not have a spelling list next week.

Science:  We have completed our investigations on hot and cold water and have started learning about the water cycle.  New vocabulary words that have been (or will be) introduced this week include evaporation, water vapor, and surface area. 

Math:  Students took their Unit 5 math assessment today.  A parent letter was sent home to give you information about Unit 6 and its components. 

*Please encourage your child to read for at least fifteen minutes each night and fill out that reading log!  I really appreciate your support with this!

Have a great rest of the week and, as always, please contact me if you have any questions/concerns.

Mrs. Johnsen
johnsen.jill@iccsd.k12.ia.us