Hart Magnet Elementary School

Literacy
We are hard at work in our Non-fiction Reading and Writing Unit. In Readers Workshop we are studying various types of non-fiction texts and learning how to better understand the information presented to us.
During Writers Workshop, students are working on their own non-fiction writing. We are learning how to research a topic, organize our information and write a clear and concise 5-paragraph essay.
Math
Our current unit focuses on reading and writing large numbers, estimation and multiplication of large numbers. Continue to have your child practice his/her multiplication facts every night.
We will begin our next unit in about two weeks. This unit will focus on division and measurement of angles.
We will also use math games to reinforce the skills being taught. The students can also play these games online while at home.
Science
We have just begun our unit of Magnetism and Electricity. The students will able to learn key concepts using various hands-on activities. Please look forward to your child sharing what they learn.
Social Studies
We will begin our unit on The Colonial Period in the next few weeks. Our study will begin with the early English settlements and end with American Revolution.

Stamford and State Grade Level Expectations

Students will have Math homework each night, Monday through Thursday.
Every student is expected to read for 30 minutes every night.
They might also have additional homework in Reading, Social Studies or Writing.
Please check your child's Assignment Book for their homework assignments each night.

Weekly Spelling Procedures / Activities
Spelling will be tested each week that has 4 or more days of school.

Spelling words come from a 4th Grade spelling resource.  Each unit contains 20 Basic words, along with 10 Challenge words that follow a specific pattern or theme.

The weekly procedure is as follows:

Monday:   Pre-test of the 20 Basic words (prior to students seeing the words) / collect when finished.

The pre-test will be scored by the teacher and incorrectly spelled words will be highlighted on a list for each student.  Additional words may also be highlighted for the student based upon individual need and challenge level.

Students will receive an individually highlighted list that must be copied into the Spelling Notebook.  Students should only copy highlighted words.  The full list will be placed in the Spelling Folder for use with some worksheets.

Homework:  Copy highlighted words into notebook.  (This may be done in class if there is time.)
Write highlighted spelling words in alphabetical order in notebook.  Select 5 of your words and write definitions in the notebook.  Each student has a Spelling Dictionary in his/her Spelling folder and is encouraged to use it.  (Follow format modeled by the teacher.)

Tuesday: Homework:  Choose 10 spelling words from your individual list.  Write 1 sentence for each word.  The sentence must show that you understand the meaning of the word.  Each student has a Spelling Dictionary in his/her Spelling Folder and is encouraged to use it.  (Follow format modeled by the teacher.)  Some students may be asked to write a paragraph or story, rather than individual sentences.

Wednesday:  Homework:  Word work.  This may require use of the 20 Basic words (1st 4 rows of the spelling list).  Some worksheets also require use of the spelling dictionary.

Thursday:   Homework:  Write your spelling words 5x each.  (Follow format modeled by the teacher.)  Study for test tomorrow!


Friday:  Spelling test.  Students take turns reading spelling words to their spelling partner from each other’s spelling notebook.  Teachers will then collect and grade all tests.

If a student does not have his/her Spelling Notebook, a grade of zero will be given as a spelling test grade.