Text Features!

This week we are working with text features in non-fiction text.  Text features are things like headings, illustrations, captions, diagrams, labels, maps, and graphs.  Text features help a reader by supporting the text with a visual aid or other helping feature.  This week, look at a newspaper like USA Today, which is FULL of text features.  Magazines like Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report also depend on text features.

Here are some examples... (Thanks to whiteslitgroup.wikispaces.com)

Helping my Child With Fact and Opinion...

Repost from last year...

This week's target skill is fact and opinion.  A fact is something that can be proven true or untrue.  An opinion is based on feelings or thoughts of a person.  Discerning between fact and opinion is essential to becoming an informed and active citizen.  As your child goes through school, and into higher education, they will be presented with facts, and many varying opinions.  Critical thinkers are trained to see facts and opinions, and be able to accurately interpret and process them.

This week, have your child look at a newspaper or news magazine like Time, Newsweek, or US News and World Report.  See if they can find facts and if they can find opinions. 

Also try out this online games to practice fact and opinion...

http://justkidsgames.com/play.php?EvelynsExpedition

http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/factsopinions/

Homework, Week of 2/18/13

This week's homework is the Fact and Opinion Packet, being sent home today.  It is due Friday, 2/22/13.

FACT: Our homework is the Fact/Opinion Packet
OPINION: The packet will be fun!

Don't forget...
Early Release, Wednesday, 2/20/13

Boosterthon pledges are due back in ASAP!!

Have a great week!

No spelling until further notice...and other reminders

As we ramp up for FCAT I have decided that spelling will need to be cancelled the end of April.  In its place will be occasional homework assignments and review sheets to be done at home.  Any homework sent home during the week will be announced on this blog.

What? No Spelling!!!

Don't forget...
Tuesday, February 12, FCAT Night, 6:00 AM, Multi-Purpose Room
Wednesday, February 13, Boosterthon Fun Run, 10:00-11:00 AM
Monday, February 18, NO SCHOOL, President's Day
Wednesday, February 20, Early Release

Spelling Words, Week of February 4, 2013

Spelling Packet,

Week of 2/4/13

(Museum words)

1. museum

2. gallery

3. painting

4. sculpture

5. circle

6. cube

7. form

8. oval

9. sphere

10.  pattern

11.  palette

12.  rectangle

13.  triangle

14.  circle

15. shape

16. symmetry

Spelling Packet Instructions

1. Write each word 5 times

               

2. ABC order

3. Definitions (these will be done in class with Mr. Nix)

DUE FRIDAY, 2/8/13