This Weeks Reading Selection: “Patriotism”

Summary: We can show respect for our family in many different ways.

Essential Question: How do you show your respect for our country?

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

anthem             noun           a song that is important to a group of people

environment      noun           the community around you

exist                   verb            to be real or present

honor                 verb            to show respect to people who are admired or                                                       things that are loved

operates            verb             functions or behaves in a particular way

patriotism           noun           love that people feel for their country

represent           verb            to stand for something

salute                 verb           a sign of respect by moving your right hand to your

                                             forehead at an angle

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the prefixes un- and dis-

Spelling Word List:

Undo, unhappy, unkind, discolor, disorder, uncap, unclip, distrust, dislike, displace, uncurling, disconnect

Have your child name a word that contains each sound/spelling.

Vocabulary A to Z

Writing: Your child will be doing some different types of poetry.  They will write an acrostic, couplet, and an “I am” poem.

Grammar: Your child will learn how to change verbs to the past tense. For most verbs, add -ed to the end of the verb (jump→jumped, race→raced)

Reading: We will look at different types of poetry.

This Weeks Reading Selection: “How Animals Move

Summary: Animals move in many different ways, including swimming, walking sideways, jumping, waddling and slithering.

Essential Question: What parts of your body help you move?

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

downy           adjective      soft

length          noun             the distance from the end of one thing to the other

nectar          noun             a thick, sweet liquid

scales          noun             small pieces of skin on bodies of animals like fish                                                 or snakes

sleek            adjective      smooth and straight in shape

slither          verb             to move by sliding on the ground

propel          verb             to push

sprint           verb             to run very fast in a short distance

webbed        adjective      having pieces of skin that connect all of the toes on a

                                         foot

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn sounds and spellings for the /aw/ and /oi/ sounds.

Spelling Word List:

Caught, taught, daughter, naughty, haughty, ought, bought, sought, fought, brought, distraught, thoughtful

Have your child name a word that contains each sound/spelling.

Vocabulary A to Z

Writing: Your child will prewrite, draft, revise, edit, and publish his or her opinion piece about whom he or she would like to invite to their class

Grammar: Your child will learn that we can put two words together to make one shorter word called a contraction (I am→I’m, we will→we’ll, you are→you’re)

Reading: We will continue looking at the structure of non-fiction text.

This Weeks Reading Selection: “Grow, Ladybug, Grow!”

Summary: The stages of the life cycle of a ladybug are egg, larva, pupa, adult

Essential Question: What types of physical changes happen as babies grow into adults?

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

harvest        noun             the amount of food or product that a farmer brings in

larva             noun             a very young insect that looks like a worm

lays              verb             places someone or something gently on a surface

leap              verb             to jump pale adjective light in color

pests            noun             animals or insects that can cause problems for 

                                          people or their farms

pupa             noun             an insect that is in the stage of development between

                                          larva and adult

someday       adverb         a day in the future

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn sounds and spellings for the /ow/ and /aw/ sounds.

Spelling Word List:

Now, tower, flower, crowd, crown, loud, cloud, mouse, trout, scout, download, playground

HAVE your child name a word that contains each sound/spelling.

Vocabulary A to Z

Writing: Your child will draft, revise, edit, and publish his or her opinion piece about the school dress code. In addition, your child will begin the prewriting step of another opinion piece about whom they should invite to talk to their class.

Grammar: Your child will learn that synonyms are words that have the same, or similar, meanings (small/little, alike/same), and antonyms are words that have opposite meanings (hot/cold, tall/short).

Reading: We will continue looking at the structure of non-fiction text.

This Weeks Reading Selection: “Gecko Toes and Dragonfly Eyes”

Summary: Some animals can taste, touch, smell, see, and hear as we do

Essential Question: How do animals taste, touch, smell, see, or hear?

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

beak             noun             the hard and pointed part that covers a bird’s mouth

believe         verb              to accept as true

energy          noun             something with the ability to cause change or power  

notes            noun             specific musical sounds

pecks           verb              strikes sharply

resting         verb               to stop moving and sit or lie on something

sensitive      adjective        easily affected by something going on around you

tie                verb               to make a knot in something so that it stays in place

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the following sounds and spellings: /͝/ spelled _ew and u_e, /oo/.

Spelling Word List:

New, drew, stew, blew, flew, rule, tune, tube, rude, flute, unscrew, costume

Have your child name a word that contains each sound/spelling.

Vocabulary A to Z

Writing: Your child will revise, edit, and publish the opinion piece about his or her favorite book. Your child will also begin writing an opinion about the school dress code by completing the prewriting step of the writing process this week

Grammar: Your child will learn what prepositions are. Prepositions are words that tell where (above, below, beside) and when (after, before, during) for a noun or pronoun

Reading: We will continue looking at the structure of non-fiction text.

This Weeks Reading Selection: “Protective Plants”

Summary: Some parts of plants, such as roots, spines, and thorns, thick stems, thin stems, trunks, and bark, help protect plants from dangers, such as bad weather and insects.

Essential Question: Why would plants need to protect themselves?

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

defend              verb             to protect

digest               verb             to break down food so it can be used by the body

growth              noun            the process of developing or changing

harm                 verb             to cause injury

important          adjective      having a lot of meaning, worth, or value

layers                noun            parts that lie over or under

respond             verb             to react to something that happened

spines               noun             the sharp points on an animal or a plant

system              noun             a group of related things that work together

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the /͝/ sound spelled oo, u, and _ue

Spelling Word List:

too, zoo, tools, shoots, soon, hoop, scoops, loose, moose, boots, balloon, scooter

Have your child name a word that contains each sound/spelling.

Vocabulary A to Z

Writing: Your child will begin writing an opinion by writing a book report about his or her favorite book. He or she will complete the prewriting and drafting steps of the writing process

Grammar: Your child will learn how to expand sentences by adding adjectives and adverbs

Reading: We will continue looking at the structure of non-fiction text.

This Weeks Reading Selection: “Pond Plants”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

coating         noun             a thin layer or covering

contain         verb             to have something inside

edible           adjective      safe to eat

float              verb             to sit on top of a liquid

place            noun             in the same spot

purpose        noun             the reason why something is done

store            verb             to collect and save

structures   noun             things made from multiple parts, which have been put  

                                        together

survive         verb             to continue to live

Phonics Focus: /mb/ and /kn/ pattern

Spelling Word List:

lamb, lamb, numb, comb, thumb, know, knob, knee, gnat, gnaw, plumber, knitting

Have your child name a word that contains each sound/spelling.

Vocabulary A to Z

Writing: Your child will revise, edit, and publish his or her opinion piece.

Grammar: Your child will learn that possessive pronoun take the place of possessive nouns and show ownership (my, mine, yours, her, hers, his, its)

Reading: We will continue looking at the structure of non-fiction text.

This Weeks Reading Selection: “Plant Life Cycles”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

base                noun            the lowest part of something, which also provides                                                  support

bulb                 noun            the underground, rounded part of a plant that grows                                              into a new plant

carries            verb               moves (something) while holding and supporting it

decay              verb               to slowly break down

factories        noun                places where many products are made

life cycle        noun                the series of stages through which a living thing                                                    passes

nutrients        noun                substances that plants, animals, and people need                                                to live and grow

reproduce      verb                to make babies, young animals, or new plants 

Phonics Focus: Your child will be reviewing the following sounds and spellings: /ō/ spelled oa_ and _ow, /ū/ spelled _ew, and _ue

High-Frequency Words: Have your child review and practice reading the following words: away and their

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: Your child will prewrite and draft an opinion about which kind of animal makes the best pet and why.

Grammar: Your child will learn that pronouns take the place of nouns and help make writing easier and more interesting to read. Examples of pronouns include I, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, you, us, and them.

Reading: We will look at the structure of non-fiction text.

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

ceremony     noun      a formal event that often features special, traditional actions

                                 or things

dipped          verb      put something into liquid and pulled it out quickly

instrument   noun      an object used to make music

join              verb      to become a member of a group

memories     noun      things that are remembered from the past

originally      adverb   at or from the start or beginning

probably       adverb   very likely

recipe          noun       a list of ingredients and directions for cooking

Phonics Focus: Your child will be reviewing the following sounds and spellings: /s/ spelled cy; /ā/ spelled ai_, _ay

High-Frequency Words: Have your child review and practice reading the following words: could, should, great, some, come

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: Your child will continue summary writing.

Grammar: Your child will review declarative (telling), interrogative (asking), exclamatory (strong feeling), and imperative (command) sentences

Reading: We will review story elements with character, setting, problem and solution

Writing: We will work on writing summary paragraphs

This week’s reading selection: “Family Roots”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

ceremony     noun      a formal event that often features special, traditional

                                  actions  or things

dipped          verb      put something into liquid and pulled it out quickly

instrument   noun      an object used to make music

join              verb        to become a member of a group

memories     noun      things that are remembered from the past

originally      adverb    at or from the start or beginning

probably       adverb   very likely

recipe          noun        a list of ingredients and directions for cooking 

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the following sounds and spellings: /s/ spelled cy; /ā/ spelled ai_, _ay

Words to practice blending with your child include

High-Frequency Words: Have your child review and practice reading the following words: could, day, way, pail, sail

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: Your child will learn to do summary writing.

Grammar: Your child will review declarative (telling), interrogative (asking), exclamatory (strong feeling), and imperative (command) sentences

Reading: Start talking about character traits using adjectives.

Writing: We will continue working on a descriptive paragraph.

This week’s reading selection: “The Zoo Trip”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

Check           verb         to look at something carefully to make sure nothing is                                           wrong with it

enjoyed        verb           liked and was happy about

equipment    noun         supplies needed for a special purpose

fight              verb           to work hard to defeat something

local            adjective      located nearby

spread         verb             to open wide; to stretch out

station         noun             a certain type of building for public services

worry            verb            to think about problems or that something bad will                                                 happen 

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the following sounds and spellings: /ē/ spelled e. e_e, ee, and ea.

Words to practice blending with your child feet, meet, be, he, she, team, teach, green

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: We will continue our descriptive writing

Grammar: Your child will learn how to make nouns that end in y plural (penny→pennies), and how to add commas to a list. (Sam brought a sandwich, grapes, and water for lunch.)

Reading: Focusing on main idea, and story elements when reading

Writing: We will start drafting a descriptive paragraph.

This week’s reading selection: “Places in our Community”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

citizens            noun             people who live in a specific place and have rights  

                                             in that area

common           adjective     something shared by multiple people or things

commute           verb            to travel to and from where you live and where you

                                             work

facilities               noun            buildings that are built for a specific purpose

fewer                 adjective      a smaller number of

hectic                adjective     very busy; lots of activity

recreation         noun             activities that people enjoy types noun particular

                                                  groups or kinds

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the following sounds and spellings: /ō/ spelled o, o_e; /ū/ spelled u, u_e

Words to practice blending with your child include find, mild, bike, five, ice, cent, circus, circle, page, large, margin, and over

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: We will continue our descriptive writing

Grammar: Your child will capitalize the days of the week and months of the year and correctly use commas in dates (Sunday, January 1, 2017)

Reading: Focusing on main idea, and story elements when reading

Writing: We will continue our snowman writing.  We will go through editing and writing their final draft.

Literacy

This week’s reading selection: “City Life and Town Life”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

citizens             noun             people who live in a specific place and have rights                                               in that area

common             adjective     something shared by multiple people or things

commute             verb            to travel to and from where you live and where                                                     you work

facilities              noun            buildings that are built for a specific purpose

fewer                 adjective      a smaller number of

hectic                 adjective     very busy; lots of activity

recreation           noun             activities that people enjoy types noun particular                                                  groups or kinds

Phonics Focus: Your child will learn the following sounds and spellings: /ī/ spelled i, i_e; /s/ spelled ce, ci_; and /j/ spelled ge, gi_.

Words to practice blending with your child include find, mild, bike, five, ice, cent, circus, circle, page, large, margin, and ginger

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: We will be doing descriptive writing

Grammar: Your child will learn about using capitals when writing proper nouns.

Reading: Focusing on main idea, and story elements when reading

Writing: Your child will design a snowman and use descriptive language to write about their snowman.

Literacy

Between our snow day and MAPS testing, we didn’t get very far in our literacy unit, so not much will change from last week's update.   

This week’s reading selection: “Just Listen”

Vocabulary Focus: The words below appear in this week’s reading selections.

bounce verb                 to hit a surface and move in a different direction

 contagious      adjective        easily shared with others

forget              verb                to not remember

however           adverb            different from

ray                   noun                one of the lines of light that you can see coming from an object

signals             noun                messages

sounds             noun                things that are heard

vibrating           verb                moving back and forth or side to side with quick movements

Phonics Focus: We will learn the following sounds and spellings:  /y/ spelled y, /v/ spelled v, and /ā/ spelled a and a_e

Words to practice blending with your child include yes, yard, verb, seven, table, April, ate, and gave

Vocabulary A to Z

Language Arts Writing: We will be doing expository writing explaining how to do something.

Grammar: Your child will learn what determiners are. Determiners tell more information about nouns. Articles, such as a, an, and the, are special kinds of determiners.

Reading: Focusing on main idea, and story elements when reading

Writing: Your child will complete each step of the writing process as he or she writes instructions on how to play a game.