Miss Pellin's Post
November 23rd - December 4th

Happy Thanksgiving!!  There will not be school from Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th due to Thanksgiving. 

This blog will cover the two days next week and the following week!

The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Week of 2015 at School: 
Science: We will focus on social studies.  

Social Studies: We will begin the study of modern day Downers Grove.     

Math:  We will finish unit 3, module 1 on equivalent fractions.  Then we will begin unit 3, module 2 on comparing, composing, and decomposing fractions and mixed numbers.  Students will also take a multiplication by 12 test on Tuesday, November 24th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.  On Tuesday, December 8th students will take a mixed multiplication test.  I will send home practice tests beforehand.  

Spelling: The "Words Their Way" spelling menu/homework has changed for Trimester 2!!  Please check it out on  Monday, November 30th, when your child brings it home.  I am requiring only 6 activities over the 2 week time period, but they are lengthier.  The assignments should be stapled to the homework menu.  The next due date for homework is Friday, December 11th.  The test will also take place on that date.  There will not be spelling next week.  

ELA: On Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th our students will be presenting their "Biography Person Pouch" to the class.  They will be reading their information from the trading card.  The directions were given out this past Monday. Students should be practicing their presentation and should also bring in artifacts (in a pouch/bag) and could choose to wear some type of costume to represent their biography person.  I will be grading the students on how they present their trading card and how well they "become" their person.  There will also be a prefix/suffix quiz on Tuesday, November 24th.  

In the week of November 30th, we will begin a new unit titled, What is Culture?  We'll introduce this unit with a close read of the song "Circle of Life" from the Lion King.  

Biography book contracts are due on or before Tuesday, December 1st.  Next month, we will be reading non-fiction books.  November reading logs will also be due Tuesday, December 1st.  

Things to Remember:
Monday 11/23: There will be biography presentations. 
Tuesday 11/24: There will be a multiplication by 12 test and biography presentations.  There will also be a prefix/suffix quiz.  
Wednesday 11/25: No School
Thursday 11/26: No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday 11/27: No School

Tuesday 12/1:  Biography contract packets and November reading logs are due.

Miss Pellin's Post
November 16th to November 20th 



Downers Grove Field Trip:  We will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our Social Studies unit about our city on Wednesday, November 18th from 9 am to 1 pm.  We will go on our tour of Downers Grove and stop at various places such Pierce Downers house, which is pictured above.  Then we will go to the Downers Grove museum.  Next, everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch).  Please send the permission slip to school with your child on Monday, if you have not already done so.  Thank you!

The end of the first trimester will be on Friday, November 20th.  

The Thirteenth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies: We will finish the studying the history of Downers Grove.  There will be a Downers Grove history quiz on Friday, November 20th.  Students will receive a study guide on Monday, 

Math:  We will continue unit 3, module 1 on fractions.  Students will also take a multiplication by 11 test on Tuesday, November 17th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   

Spelling: Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Friday, November 20th.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Friday, November 20th.  

ELA:  This week we will work on our biographies unit.  Students will begin filling out a planning packet in order to create a trading card on the person they read about.  I will give students explicit instructions on their presentation for their biography person on Monday, November 16th.  Students will put their instructions in their homework pocket of their binder.  They will read their final product from their trading card to the class for their presentations which will be on Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th.  Students will need to have a costume and/or artifacts as well.  We will work on this in class, but practice will be necessary at home.  

Next week we will also be working on a writing project pertaining to Thanksgiving.  Today you will see a bare turkey coming home.  Students need to "disguise" him so the farmer lets him go!  Students should bring back their disguised turkeys on Tuesday, November 17th.  It is not necessary to buy any crafty items, just use what you have at home.  I've seen feathers, beads, googly eyes, cloth, construction paper, and just plain old crayons used.  We will complete the writing portion of this project in class.

Things to Remember:
Tuesday 11/16:  Turkey disguises are due.  There will be a multiplication by 11 test.
Friday 11/20: The 8 spelling activities are due and there will be a spelling test.  Also, there will be a Downers Grove history quiz.  

Miss Pellin's Post
November 9th to November 13th 


Wednesday, November 11th is Veterans Day.  The students have already started making cards to honor our veterans.

I really enjoyed meeting with each of you for conferences.  It was so nice to sit down and talk with you about your child.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.  

There will not be school on Friday, November 6th or Monday, November 9th.  Please plan accordingly.

Downers Grove Field Trip:  We will be taking a field trip to Downers Grove as part of our Social Studies unit about our city on Wednesday, November 18th from 9 am to 1 pm.  We will go on our tour of Downers Grove and stop at various places such Pierce Downers house.  Then we will go to the Downers Grove museum.  Next, everyone will eat at Giordano's restaurant (please send a cold lunch if your child decides not sign up for a pizza lunch).  After lunch, we will return to school.  I will send home a permission slip on Tuesday, November 10th. I will need two chaperones.  Please email me if you are interested in coming by Monday, November 9th.  Thank you!

The Twelfth Week of 2015 at School:

Science: We will focus on social studies this week.  

Social Studies: We will continue studying the history of Downers Grove.  

Math:  There will be a unit 2 test on Wednesday, November 11th.  The study guide should be completed by Tuesday, November 10th.  Then we will begin unit 3, module 1 on fractions.  Students will also take a multiplication by 10 test on Tuesday, November 10th.  Students will have two and a half minutes to complete 26 problems.   Students who pass on Tuesday, November 10th will receive the full amount of points (13/13).  If students don't pass the test on the first day, they will take the test the next day and receive 12/13 if they pass.  Students will continue taking the test each day until they pass and one point will be taken off each day.  

Spelling: Students will be given a new word sort.  Students should complete 8 activities from their homework sheet and turn them in on Friday, November 20th.  Some of activities listed cannot be turned in.   Please initial next to the activity name so that I know the activity was completed if needed.  The spelling test will also be on Friday, November 20th.  

ELA:  We will finish the study of myths.  Then we will begin our biography unit.  This goes along nicely with the book your child picked out for their contract work.  There will be a project and presentation coming up as well.   


Things to Remember:
Monday 11/9: There will be no school due to a Teacher Institute day.   
Tuesday 11/10:  Math unit 2 study guides are due.  There will be a multiplication by 10 test.
Wednesday 11/11: Today is Veterans Day. There will be a unit 2 math test.