Science / Language Arts
We had a full science week! We started the week reviewing concepts previously seen: 1. A system is a collection of interacting parts that work together to make a whole or produce an action. 2. A system can also be a collection of interacting ideas and/or procedures that together define a physical entity or process. Students did a great job turning in their homework with examples that illustrated this concepts. After sharing these, we moved on to the next part of our investigation. The guiding question for this part was: Is planet Earth a system? Based on their prior knowledge, students generated many different explanations to answer this question, compiled all the answers and observed patterns. It all lead to the identification of the four subsystems of planet Earth—the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. During this unit, we will be focusing particularly on the biosphere. It was so interesting to observe students describe ecosystems by looking at feeding relationships and energy transfers, described as food webs. After working on key vocabulary and making connections to concepts learned during our field trip, we discussed how food webs are made up of producers (organisms that make their own food), consumers (organisms that eat other organisms to obtain food), and decomposers (organisms that consume and recycle dead organisms and organic waste). Students had lots of fun constructing food webs according the characteristics of the different organisms. We all finished the investigation fascinated by the complexities and intricacies of our biosphere!
Even though our focus during Spanish this week was science, this did not compromise our Literacy routines including:
- New spelling list ( bl – br)
- Spelling sentences
- Relationship amongst words and how they refer to a same idea or topic
- Word work -Determining the meaning of the words by their structure and/or context (discuss different strategies)
- Book Club (Beisbol en abril) facilitated by Carsen, Azalea and Bailey
Last but not least, and in preparation for our much anticipated Mother’s Day Tea, we worked on our poetry unit (Poesia de verso libre).
We hope everybody had a great time during our special day dedicated to all our wonderful SWS mothers! Students worked so hard this week getting all the details ready, as well as the beautiful program. We are so fortunate we get to celebrate with you all on this significant day! Happy Mother’s Day!
Maestra Paola
History & Geography
We learned so much in History this week! We began by learning about the Mormon Trail. We compared the hardships on the trail to what we learned about the Oregon Trail as well as the pioneers themselves. We learned that while pioneers on the Oregon Trail were not kind to each other, pioneers on the Mormon Trail helped each other with everything. We also learned that while although both trails were very difficult there were good times as well. We then acted like historians and read letters and watched
a video biography to make inferences about what the California Gold Rush was like. We were also able to look at the perspective of a woman who was a large influence in the Gold Rush. Finally, we learned about the Trail of Tears and Manifest Destiny.The class was split into 2 groups and, using our techniques to make inferences, the students used their textbook, websites, and direct sources to make a mini lesson. Each group then presented to the other and answered any questions. It was great to see the students doing research, collaborating, and answering questions for others. They all did such an amazing job!
Math
This week we finally finished up Chapter 13! We learned how to find the missing leg length of various triangles. We discovered that if you add to legs of a triangle their length must be longer than the third leg. We were then able to use that 
information to give various possible leg lengths. We then discovered how to find the missing angles in parallelograms, rhombuses, and trapezoids. We played with different polygons by cutting off their angles and seeing which combinations made 180° and which make 360°. On Friday we reviewed the entire chapter by playing math baseball! I took the practice test and divided the questions by difficulty into 4 groups. The class was divided into 2 teams and while one team was up to bat the other worked on ALEKS. The student up to bat decides how hard of a question they want if it is correct they can move to its base it not that was 1 out. After 3 outs we switched. The students loved it and it was 
such a fun way to review the information. Next Monday will be our Chapter 13 tests! I reminded the students to look over past homework assignments and I will be available through e-mail all weekend.
I also wanted to send out a quick reminder that students should be working on ALEKS at home as well to help reinforce past and new material. As well as give them a head start on future topics.
English Spelling/ Vocabulary
This week we used our rotating routine with our spelling sort groups. Each group had a spelling test this week, although they were all on different days. The class as a whole did very well and I am super pleased! Everyone has received their new words for next week. Orange has a test on Tuesday, Green has a test on Thursday, and Blue has a test on Friday. This is the same routine that we will follow for the rest of the year. I will be switching up activities randomly to keep them on their toes. We have been working a lot on writing in history. Specifically, using evidence, paraphrasing, and inferring to make an argument. We will continue working on this next week as we begin a new history project!
Art
First of all, thank you everyone for all the Teacher Appreciation gifts and treats! All the goodies were delicious and the coffee wonderful. Thank you for the sweet notes and gifts from your students. It was a very special day!
The 4th and 5th graders learned about Native American Dream Catchers in art this week. They started their own dream catcher by wrapping a brass ring with either pipe cleaners or jute string, and then used yarn to begin weaving the “web” that catches the dreams. These are looking great so far, and we’ll finish them next week.