The students will be reading a variety of genres throughout the year.

We use Harcourt Trophies as the core of our reading instruction.

The series provides a sequential schedule of teaching reading skills and

strategies through a variety of interesting stories.  There is also associated

spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and writing instruction.  This connectedness

allows for seamless and consistent literacy instruction. For more information,

you may visit www.harcourtschool.com/index.html.

No matter the type of book the students are reading, I always stress that they must be ACTIVE readers. Active reading involves many different activities:

* Discussing a book throughout reading

* Taking notes on a chart or freehand

* Responding to the reading in a journal

* Underlining or highlighting the text

* Relating the reading to a previous story or life experience

* Asking questions about the reading

Being an active reader keeps the students focused on the task

at hand of comprehending a text. Completing a related activity during reading helps the students better process what they are reading and remember it better later.

        The students will be completing several different

 types of writing this year.

 The students will  write friendly letters, poetry, and

original stories. The students will also learn correct

 grammar and mechanics.

* The students will have a new spelling list every week that has 15 list words and 5 challenge words. These words are an extension of the weekly basal story.

* There will be written homework every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. There are various homework choices that the students may choose from each night. (During this first week or two I will be assigning which choice may be done but after a bit the students will make their own choice.)

* There is 1 spelling test during the week.

* On Friday, there will be a list word and challenge word test. Although I will say the word in a sentence, the students are only responsible to write the actual spelling word correctly. Every student must attempt to spell the challenge words receiving credit only for those spelled correctly but not losing points for those spelled incorrectly. There are also 2 dictation sentences that assess a student's punctuation and capitalization skills.

* There is also follow-up practice homework for misspelled words on the tests. This is not assigned in an effort to be punitive but to help reinforce the correct spelling of the word.

The students will be learning many fun and exciting concepts

in science this year!

First quarter, the students will explore simple machines, such as the

screw, pulley, and inclined plane. The students will be

able to identify each simple machine and its use.

They will also learn how compound machines are formed.

Second quarter, the students learn about sound. They will learn about

how sound is formed through vibration and how an ear

detects sound. The students will also create an instrument

 utilizing the aspects of sound that they have learned.

Third quarter, the students will soar into space as they learn about

 the sun, moon, planets, stars, and how they are all in balance.

 They will observe the moon’s phases and understand why it

appears to change throughout a month. They will also read, research,

and create a presentation about a planet of their choice.

 Finally, the students will grow a green thumb and learn about the

environment. They explore the processes of reducing, reusing,

and recycling. They also learn about ecosystems and

how ecosystems stay in balance.

The students start out the year studying maps and globes.

They learn how to decode maps by using symbols, boundaries,

directions, and scale. They also learn how to identify various

 landforms and bodies of water. We also explore latitude, longitude,

and where they intersect at a global address. By the end,

the students are able to read political, physical, and even

 road maps. Throughout the unit, the students learn these

concepts through a hands-on program of maps and globes that

they can write on and manipulate.

They are very lucky to have such wonderful supplies!

Next, the students study the history of Illinois. Here, they are able to broaden their perspectives to see that Illinois is more than

 just Chicago. We explore the agricultural side of our state,

as well as some its important individuals, such as

Abraham Lincoln and John Deere.

Next, the students study the history of Chicago. We start

 out at the very beginning when the land belonged to

the Potawatomi Indians and progress through the Chicago Fire

and the Columbian Exposition. At the end of unit, the students

will choose one interesting place, event, or person to

research and create a report about. This is a very

interesting topic to study because the students

are so close to it – literally!

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