Urbanek News

March 2008

CSAP	We have started out our CSAP testing strong.  The kids are working hard.  Please make sure they are getting enough sleep each night and good, healthy breakfasts.  Our remaining schedule is: Wednesday 3-12: Writing and Science Thursday 3-13: Reading/Writing and Science Tuesday 3-18: Reading and Math Wednesday 3-19: Writing and Math Thursday 3-20: Reading/Writing and Math
Reading	We will continue working on fluency and reading comprehension, as those are the biggest struggles as a class.  We have been working on informational texts through reading our National Geographic Magazine.  Still expect some light homework over the next two weeks, as we still have work to do before spring break.
Writing	Again, we still need to continue our forward progress while we are taking the CSAPs.  We have planned a fun group project for the students though.  We have combined with Mrs. Claus’ class and grouped the kids into teams of 4 or 5 to write and direct their own shadow plays.  Each team is responsible for choosing a fairy tale and changing it in some way to make it their own.   They will be responsible for writing a script and drawing at least 3 “sets” on transparencies.  The students will perform these plays as shadows next week.
Math	The next two weeks are going to be pretty light in math.  We will still review and touch on things that we’ve done in the past, but we will not be introducing much new material for the next two weeks.
Science	Now that we are done with Young Ameritowne (which was a HUGE success) we will be starting our Human Body unit.  This will not be started until after spring break.  We will be integrating art into this.
Thank you	Thank you to all of our volunteers that helped make Young Ameritowne such a wonderful event.  There was tons of work that went into it, and in return the kids had a lot of fun and learned many things about economics and free enterprise.
Important Dates	March 24-28: Spring Break April 2nd – Field trip to Powell Middle School for music performance