Hoppy Easter!

Dear Parents and Students,

Hoppy Spring Break! The students were excited for a long weekend of fun this past week. Many were "hopping" and "hoping" for Easter eggs, swimming, warm weather, baseball, and short getaways. I hope the Easter Bunny brings lots of fun for all of them.

In our short week together, the students worked hard! We continue to investigate weather. This week we studied weather maps and graphs. I guess just looking outside won't help a meteorologist predict the weather accurately. Instead, students have carefully studied data to help predict weather like a meteorologist, including air pressure, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, and temperature. They are getting quite good at making weather forecasts. Next week when we return, students will put their skills to practice in grading the weather man on the news. Will the students be better at predicting the weather than the news? My bet is on the students!:D

Be sure to look for science homework in which students need to watch and record the daily forecast NEXT WEEK, BEGINNING APRIL 26TH.

Customary or Metric System? Everywhere else in the world uses the Metric System but the United States. We use the Customary System. This week students explored customary units of capacity, including cups, pints, quarts, and galloons. We brainstormed all that could be measured with these units. Students were great to think of baking examples, so be sure to let them help you with some Easter cookies or cupcakes!

Our CRT Celebrations will soon on May 2. In an effort to help students CONTINUE build confidence and perform to their best ability, students’ homework will focus on reviewing all that we have learned this year. Each week students are expected to complete 2 practice tests on the computer at home! I am so pleased with their diligence to do them!

To take the tests on line, follow the directions below. If you do not have access to the Internet, please let me know ASAP, and I will get you a paper copy to take at home instead. The advantages to the computer tests are that students get immediate feedback on their performance. They will know right away what their scores are, if they got the question correct, and if not, what the correct answer is and a possible explanation. Practicing computer testing will also help students prepare for our CRT computer testing. Thank you for your help and support with this! Here are the directions to login. DIRECTIONS TO LOGIN 1. Log on to: www.myutips.org/~ryates2. Click ONE of the following tests DUE BY THE END OF THE WEEK: language arts, math, or science. 3. Enter your first and last name, then click on login and start button. 4. Please record your score on the homework cover sheet.

Our curriculum goals for the week include:

Reading: Weather Nonfiction & Literacy Groups
Spelling/Vocabulary: Long/Short Vowels & Prefixes/Suffixes
Writing: A to Z Utah Bare Book

Math: Triangle Area & Probability

Science: Weather
Social Studies: Pioneers

I love learning and growing with your students each day. Each day I look forward to their sweet smiles, giggles, and hugs! It is hard to believe they are almost on their way to another year. I wish they could stay, but so glad I was able to teach them this year. Thank you for all your support through emails, phone calls, donations, and bright smiles.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Yates