Finally! Spring!

Reading: We read a story about the creation of the Statue of Liberty this week. We learned about the friendship between France and the United States.
Math: We finished up our unit on measurement. Ask your child about the "measure man" we made on Tuesday to help us remember units of capacity.
Writing: We worked on expository paragraphs this week about a frog's life cycle. Students needed to support each detail.
Science: The big excitement of the week was watching the caterpillars turn into chrysalises. They quickly emerged as gorgeous painted lady butterflies. Fortunately we got to release them into gorgeous weather.

Our field trip was a blast and we are so grateful for the many chaperones who joined us on this trip. I've linked pictures. There are also some pictures from our trip to release the butterflies.

Upcoming Dates:
May 23: All Library books are due
May 24: Tribute to Excellence 8:30 am
May 27: Olympic Day and Final spelling test
May 30: No school
May 31: Math Facts tests (This will be repeated every day this week for students who do not pass the first time.)
June 1: Board Game Day-students can bring in a board game from home to practice our Room 204 Promise. We will play from 1:00-2:00
June 2nd: 2nd grade Picnic at Barrie Park-We will walk to Barrie Park to have a picnic lunch and play. Students can bring balls, hula hoops, etc. We would love lots of parents to join us!
June 3: Cleaning Day: Please send in an extra bag for extra supplies, books, art projects, etc.
June 6: Reading Celebration Day-students can bring pillows, stuffed animals and favorite books to read with friends.
June 7: Shortened schedule, last day of school!

May 9-13

Reading: Students continue to read either George Washington or Molly's Pilgrim. We are practicing the reading strategy of drawing conclusions as we read these great stories.

Math: We are practicing measuring and looking at longer distances. Next week we will learn about capacity, volume and area.

Science: We carefully observed our Painted Lady caterpillars this week. We learned that these caterpillars spin silk like a spider. We also learned that a caterpillar has 6 true legs and 12 prolegs. Ask your child about these features.

Students took the final MAP test this week in the computer lab. Results will go home in the last report card.

Ask your child about

• the fire safety house
• math center measuring
• cursive practice

Upcoming Dates:

2010-11 Irving Yearbooks
The 2010-11 Irving yearbooks will be for sale after school Wednesday and Thursday, May 18 and 19, outside the school office. Cost is $15 per book (cash or check to the Irving PTO). Yearbooks also will be available for sale in the school office Thursday and after. Don’t miss this chance to capture your child’s school memories! This year’s book features a color-it-yourself cover (chosen by the fifth-graders) that students can personalize with markers.

May 14-Irving Yard Sale
May 16th Public Library Presentation
May 19th-Field Trip to Peggy Notebaert Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo, Poetry Slam 7:00pm
May 23rd-Library Books due
May 24th-Tribute to Excellence awards 8:30
June 1rst-Tea for Volunteers (Invitations will go out soon)
June 2nd- Second Grade Picnic (11:00-1:00 at Barrie Park) and PBIS celebration 1:30
June 3rd Full day of School (Make up Day)
June 6th Full day of School (Make up Day)
June 7th Last day of school-shortened schedule

We Have a Lot Going On!!!

Reading: We continue to read stories about America and It's People. Students are working on comprehension packets for a book about George Washington or book about a girl who immigrated from Russia, called Molly's Pilgrim.
Math: We are measuring with standard units such as inches, centimeters, yards and meters.
Social Studies: You may have seen the banks that came home last Friday after a cool presentation on economics and being money wise. We will continue to work on these concepts for the remainder of the year.
Science: Our painted lady caterpillars have arrived and we will be observing them until we are able to release the butterflies later this spring.
PBIS celebration: The class has earned their second PBIS celebration. They voted to have another movie... (I tried to steer them in a different direction, but they really wanted the movie...) I will make the movie selection this weekend and let you know when that is happening. This will not be a pajama day.
Dates:
May 10-Fire Safety House Presentation
May 14-Irving Yard Sale
May 16th Public Library Presentation
May 19th-Field Trip to Peggy Notebaert Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo, Poetry Slam 7:00pm
May 23rd-Library Books due
May 24th-Tribute to Excellence awards 8:30
June 1rst-Tea for Volunteers (Invitations will go out soon)
June 2nd- Second Grade Picnic (11:00-1:00 at Barrie Park) and PBIS celebration 1:30
June 3rd Full day of School (Make up Day)
June 6th Full day of School (Make up Day)
June 7th Last day of school-shortened schedule