Dear Parents,

Happy October! Your students have been incredibly busy over the last few weeks. Here are some of the highlights.

In math we have finished our first unit and taken the unit test. We are now learning about place value, powers of ten, and decimals. In science we finished states of matter, and have moved on to mass, weight, volume and density. We are learning how they relate to each other in measuring objects.

During writing your children have had three assessments already: descriptive writing, note-taking, organization, summary and paraphrasing writing, and a district-wide writing assessment. Next week we will publish our first informational essay. In social studies they have finished their free-hand map assessments (check out the hallways) and moved on to the early civilizations of the Western Hemisphere. They are doing projects about the Mayans, Aztecs, Olmecs, Toltecs, Incas, Inuits, and the Algonquians.

In reading we have been going over how to monitor their reading. There is daily small group guided instruction on character analysis and literature discussions in their reading books. We give them plenty of time to read their independent books too.

Thank you to all parents who kept our “spaghetti and meatball lunch” a big surprise and who fed us wonderful food. The kids were surprised and thrilled to be eating a yummy lunch outside.

Remember that math mates are a Thursday to Thursday homework piece, and weekly geography is a Tuesday to Tuesday homework piece. Thank you for your support in helping them stick to the due dates. Conferences are next Wednesday Oct 24 and Thursday October 25. If you have not scheduled one, please email us ASAP. We look forward to visiting with you and your child at conferences next week.

Mr. Lupo and Mrs. Story