IOWA Tests: Good Night Sleep & Good Breakfast

First off, I would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful caring mothers out there. This week we began new units of study in Reading and Social Studies and finished our current Math topic. Next week students have their annual IOWA tests to look forward to. Students should remember the following:


Reminders:

• May 10: Mother's Day
• May 11-15: IOWA Tests
• May 18: Mid Semester Break
• May 26: Art Exhibition
• May 29: School Assembly

This Week
Reading: Students began reading in their biography book clubs. We began reassessing student read levels. Shogo improved four reading levels and Yu improved an additional three reading levels. She has improved eight reading levels over the course of the year!
Read Aloud: We began reading In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord. 
Writing: Students learned how to write concrete poems and rhyming poems. Then they began creating their poetry anthologies and learned how to use simile and alliteration in their poetry. 
English: Students learned that proper nouns needs to be capitalized. 
Math: Students learned how to solve word problems by solving a simpler related problem and by using try, check, and revise. Students also learned how to determine and estimate area as well as how to find volume. 
Social Studies: Students learned that citizens in a democracy have rights and responsibilities. They also learned that citizens need to work together and make good choices. 

Next Week:
When students aren't taking their IOWA tests they will be drafting poems for their anthologies or preparing their artwork for the Art Exhibition.