Target

Fourth and Fifth Grade: Week of April 25, 2011

We have one more week of review for the dissection test.  Remember review and study your information in your study packets for your test NEXT WEEK MAY  3rd (4th) and MAY 4th (5th).  We are preparing ourselves for dissection and completed an information sheet on the Dogfish Shark, as well as viewing a virtual dissection.

We also worked on weekly HOE and used our word smarts to complete and activity with double meaning "fish" words with "Fish or Cut Bait."

Dissection will be on Tuesday May 10th (4th) and May 11th (5th).  We still welcome any brave volunteers, just let your teacher know you would like to join us for this awesome experience.

Please note:  Due to Career Day on Tuesday May 17th, our last Target session with our wonderful 4th graders will be on Tuesday May 10th. Fifth grade's last session will be on Wednesday May 18th.

 HOMEWORK:  STUDY FOR DISSECTION TEST!!!!!!

Second and Third Grade: Week of April 25, 2011

We briefly reviewed ancient Rome and  the components that create a civilization. Students  worked with a partner to complete an outline of their own lost civilization, and then together designed their artifact.  Over the week the civilization will be lost and buried, for a group of different archaeologists to discover it next week at our own dig.

Students also began their research with learning teams on an assigned civilization; ancient India, ancient China, and the ancient American civilizations, the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.  In the next weeks the students will jigsaw and share their discoveries with their classmates.

We went back into the archaeologist's lab and discussed Carbon 14 as a technique used to date certain artifacts, as well as as our weekly HOE lesson and Number Junction. Students are really excited about our dig next week.

First Grade: Week of April 25, 2011

We followed through on the Lorax's message this week, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."  We shared our Green Deeds in honor of Earth Day week and we almost had a totally empty trash can after snack practicing good recycling habits.  After brainstorming uses of a tree, we read the environmental inspired story by Dr. Seuss The Lorax.  We completed our vocabulary cards: pollution, extinction, deforestation, and conservation.  After reading the story we compared fanciful events in the tale to real life events.  We were also able to listen to the beautiful story The Great Kapok Tree, and complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two stories.  We used our analytical thinking skills to tackle two logic problems, Earth Day and Aluminum Can Drive. Together we wrote an Earth Day poem "It Only Takes One."

Due to the short day last week, we also spent time working on our own "Horton Story 3."

Fourth and Fifth Grades Week of April 18, 2011

We are happy that CRCT testing is over, and we are back to a normal schedule and a full learning day with our 4th and 5th graders!

The shark anatomy test is the week of May 2, and all students must earn an 85% or above in order to be allowed to dissect. Dissection will be on May 10 for fourth grade and May 11 for fifth grade. This week the students are completing a study guide to help them prepare for the test. Since they have 2 weeks to study, we are confident that they will all succeed in making the required grade. We will be reviewing sharks' internal and external anatomy and going through an online virtual dissection with your children in order to prepare them for what is to come.

Thank you to all of the brave parents who have volunteered to help with the dissection. We are still in need of more, so if you would like to put on an apron and assist in this memorable experience, please contact your child's teacher. Thank you!

 

Second and Third Grade: Week of April 18, 2011

"When in Rome do as the Romans do!"

 We were glad to be back to a full day this week. Third grade returned to their HOE lessons.  We spent the day on the peninsula of Italy and explored the power and spread of the Roman Empire as well as counting like a Roman and examining their influence on our language and culture today. We worked through a website on the ancient Roman civilization and completed our graphic organizer on the Roman Empire.  Since we did not have time last week to join Arizona Smith in Rome we were able to visit with him this week. 

 

First Grade: Week of April 18, 2011

Due to CRCT Testing in the school today, we had a late start and only a half day of Target class.  Still we were busy at work.  Our focus book was the second book about Horton, Horton Hears a Who.  We started the day with logic problems and a vocabulary match with the words ruckus, vigor, microscopic, speck and despair. We made a long list of Horton's admirable life skills and listened carefully for examples of Horton demonstrating these life skills in the story.  It was then our turn to write the next adventure sequel for Horton to again illustrate these positive life skills.  We carefully planned our story plot and characters, and then began to write.  During the writing time we were able to take a break and look into the microscope at a slide of a microscopic Who.  Early finishers were able to use their creative talents and illustrate a picture of Whoville and use their word smarts to tackle a word boggler.

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR "GREEN DEED" LETTER about this week's homework. In honor of Earth Day on Friday 4/22 we will want to try to be as "green" as possible this week.  Next week we will share the "Green Deeds" we did during the week and bring a snack that is totally recyclable (no trash in the can).  Our story next week will be Dr. Seuss's environmental message The Lorax.

First Grade Week of April 11, 2011

Welcome back!  We hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!

We had an "EGG"cellent day today!  We started with two logic problems and a word boggler to get our brains running.  Our focus book today was Horton Hatches an Egg. It was easy for us to understand why Horton was one of Dr. Seuss's favorite characters, since he demonstrates so many positive life skills.   We discussed all the ways Horton illustrated life skills like responsibility, patience, courage, problem solving, perseverance, integrity, caring, and pride in his personal best.  Our vocabulary words today were  faithful, immense, glee, and taunt.  From our fictional story about an egg, we examine the symbol of the egg and what it has represented to various cultures over the centuries.   We then saw a powerpoint and a wonderful book on the history of the Faberge' Eggs.  Our creative talents were used to design our own Faberge' Egg.  As students completed their eggs they created their own new animal combination to hatch from an egg.  The day ended with a scientific exploration of eggs in nature and reading the beautiful book An Egg is Quiet.  It was a very busy and "egg"cellent day!!!!

Week of April 11, 2011 Fourth and Fifth Grades

Welcome back! We hope you had an enjoyable Spring Break!

Due to the CRCT and new lunch and specials schedule, our time with the fifth graders will be shortened this week, and we will not be able to meet with our fourth graders. We will continue learning and reviewing shark anatomy in preparation for the dissection in May. We are still in need of parent volunteers for this dissection (moms AND dads). If you are able and interested, please contact your child's Target teacher. Thank you!

Week of April 11, 2011 Second and Third Grades

Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed your break!

Due to CRCT testing, our time with the second and third graders will be shortened. With the time we have with them, we will explore the architecture, clothing, lifestyles, sports, etc. of the Ancient Roman Times.