All week we will be continuing to read Bud, Not Buddy. We are focusing our attention on plot, conflict, and themes. In addition, we will continue to work in our learning centers. I have designed reading, writing, and conventions (grammar) focus groups that will be a great review. The groups also will cover new material.

Reading Group: This group will be choosing one of two fictional stories to read. They will be graded on their ability to analyze, critique, and respond to the story. The concepts being worked with are genre, type of literature, stages of plot, figurative language, sensory details, imagery, tone, mood, vocabulary, theme, and ability to evaluate the work with personal opinions. They will have a choice of producing a poster, flipbook, or mobile.

Writing Group: This group will produce a persuasive letter/essay based on one of four real-life scenarios. They will be graded on their ability to write with logical ideas (with quantity and quality), organization, and voice.

Conventions Group: This group will practice multiple grammar concepts using technology in the classroom. Groups will be using the Mimio board and the netbooks to complete various activities. Concepts being covered are dependent and independent clauses, subordinating conjunctions, direct and indirect objects, predicate nouns and predicate adjectives, parts of speech, revision, etc.

Also, there will be a change in my first flexible group. If your child is in this class, they will be transitioning into a program called SRA. It is a corrective reading program focusing on word sounds, spelling, vocabulary,  and reading comprehension. I am very excited about this opportunity for them. I know we will see much improvement and great success with our reading!

Grades this week for 2nd and 3rd Flexible Group:
- group participation and completion of group activity
- Daily Grammar Practice
- Friday notebook quiz on dependent and independent clauses/Bud, Not Buddy
- homework each night

Grades this week for 1st Flexible Group, SRA:
-small and whole group participation/ workbook activities
-Daily Grammar Practice
-homework each night
-spelling/vocabulary/comprehension quiz on Friday