Last Week, Today

We have been hard at work at school the past week. Here’s what we’ve been doing:

Math - measuring in centimeters and meters - subtraction and addition word problems with measurement	Social Studies and Science - designing solutions to river flooding - comparing the solutions from the point of view of town citizens - measuring the tulips we planted in the fall - thinking about our flag
Reader’s Workshop - working on new spelling words - read alouds: The Dark, Helen’s Big World, John Patrick Norman McHennessy, A Giraffe and a Half, Ivy and Bean	Writer’s Workshop - many types of poems! - wish poems - sound poems - used to, but now poems - comparison poems

Questions to ask your student:
- Which solution do you think the town should choose to prevent flooding?
- What is buddy reading?
- What is a wish poem?

In morning meeting, we have been discussing difficult questions. What does your student think about these:
- Should kids be able to drive cars?
- Should kids have homework?
- Should kids learn how to do math or just use a calculator?
- Should kids have recess?
- Should kids have a bedtime?
- Would you rather be invisible or read people’s minds?
- Should kids be allowed to take naps in school?

Soon, we will be starting to work on mental math strategies and estimation, writing persuasive letters and reviews, and starting animal research projects.