Hello! I hope you all have been enjoying the lovely, slightly unseasonal weather :)

This week in Language Arts we will be continuing our study of folktale genres. We have focused on traditional folktales, tall tales, and this week we'll be focusing on fables - specifically Aesop's. The reading groups will still be reading folktales out of the Junior Great Books anthologies, and meeting together - Literature Circle style - every day! They've done a really impressive job with this. I've seen some really thought-provoking questions and conversations between the students - way to go kiddos! :)

We are going to be working on persuasive writing over the next week or so. Our first assignment is going to be persuading me to bring in an apple-snack of their choice. (Since we've been so apple-themed lately!) We'll be doing this one together, then moving on to more independent writing as we approach November.

This week we will be focusing on addition and subtraction strategies - mostly addition. We'll get into regrouping next week, as well as further into subtraction.

Social Studies has turned towards communities! Different types of communities (urban, rural, and suburban) as well as communities in the past and present. This unit will tie in very well with our upcoming field trip to Frederick and New Market!

One of our science units in the spring will be Changes and Life Cycles. There is a focus on the life cycle of plants - and we do some seed planting during this time. I hope to have the students plant some bulbs sometime soon so they can see those in the spring as well! Keep an eye on the blog and their agenda books - I'll be sure to send some notification the day before so they don't come to school in their Sunday best to get dirty :)

Our Fall Festival is coming up Friday, October 29th! I have ordered the supplies for a fun little craft for the students to make, and we'll have a really fun pumpkin-carving activity to do in small groups! I'll be sending out some more information this week about volunteering, food/drink/paper product contributions, etc. Looking forward to it! So much fun! Details about times and costumes were in the UES News sent home last Friday, and can also been found by clicking here.

Have a wonderful week!! Thank you for your continued support!

:)

KM