News from Mrs. Cavoto's Room Jan. 5-9th

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful and pleasant break.

Things to Remember:
January 12-16th Iowa Testing

Spelling This week the skill will be words with ou and ow. The letters with ou are usually found in the beginning or middle of a word. The letters ow are usually found at the end of a word or followed b y one n, on l, or the letters er.

Reading We will continue the strategy of finding the main idea and supporting details of a passage.

Reading Club pary on Friday, Jan. 9th. All reading folders are due in on Thursday, Jan. 8th.

English- This week we will work with verbs of "be" and writing contractions. There will be a test on January 14th.

Math - We will continue our work with telling time. This week the students will work with elapsed time. They will use clocks to calculate the time that has elapsed. They will also work with the time that has elapsed on a calendar. They will have a quiz on telling time on Wednesday. They should know how to tell time to the minute before and after the hour. They should also be practicing their nine times tables. There will be a timed test on Friday of their 9 times tables.

Science - We will have our science test for chapter 3 on Tuesday instead of Monday. This will give the kids a day to review since it has been so long since we have gone over the material. Please look at last week's blog for the material to know.

Social Studies This week we will review the causes and effects of the civil war. The students will also learn about the gold rush in the U.S. They will be able to explain why Atlanta is an important transportation center and identify the causes of growth in the Southeastern cities.

A test is planned for Friday of this week over chapter 7.

Things to know:
all vocabulary
important people/accomplishments-George Washington, Robert LaSalle,
Sequoyah,Davy CrockettDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , Rosa Parks, Daniel Boone, Juan Ponce de Leon, Thomas Jeferson, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson
causes/effects of the Civil War
important places - Roanoke Island, Lexington, Massachusetts, Jamestown, Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia, St. Augustine, Florida
How did the Cherokee way of like change after the Europeans arrived? Be specific
2 Reasons for people moving into cities in the Southeast now.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Dec. 15-19th

Things to Remember:
Tuesday, Dec. 16 4th grade bowling in the P.M. - Homework Club 2:30-3:30
Thursday, Dec. 18th Homework Club 2:30-3:30
Friday, December 19 - Whole school Tivoli Theater - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
December 22-January 2, 2009 Winter Break

I wish all of you a happy and healthy winter break.


Service Projects: We want to thank all the students and parents for contributing to our Service Projects. We were able to provide many nice gifts for the families who are having such a difficult time financially and dealing with extremely sick family members at the same time. It will bring some happiness to these families during the holiday season. We thank you for your great generosity.


Spelling There will be no spelling test this week. We will work on dictionary skills and computer usage to help us with vocabulary development.

English - This week in English we will continue our work with verbs. The children will identify and write past tense verbs with the helping verbs has, have, or had, with singular or plural subjects. They will also write past tense of irregular verbs and proofread for forms of irregular verbs.

We will have an English test over verbs on Thursday, January 8.

Reading The reading stategy this week is finding the main ideas and supporting details of both fiction and non-fiction passages. The students will also be introduced to new vocabulary. The students will also role play The Polar Express.

Math We will begin a unit on telling time, reading a calendar and thermometer. I encourage parents to practice telling time with their children at home. They should practice telling time to the nearest minute, 5 minutes and both before and after the hour.

Social Studies This week we will learn about causes of the Civil War and discuss the positive and negative effects of the war on the Southeast.

Science We will have a science test over chapter 3 on Friday.

The students should know:
All vocabulary
the basic needs of all living things
examples of learned behaviors and instincts
What happens in hibernation
examples of extinct animals
examples of body adaptations and behavioral adaptations and how they help the animals/plants
be able to show examples of the cycle of life with plants or animals
why a change in ecosystem may cause an animal population to shrink
what might a scientist be able to tell from a fossil of footprint of an animal

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class Dec. 8-12

Dates to Remember:
Mon., Dec. 8th- Holiday Concert at LV 7:00 p.m. Fifth Grade Cadet Band Fourth & Fifth choir
Tues., Dec. 9th - Homework Club 2:30-3:30
Wed., December 10th - Holiday Service Project turn in day
Thurs., Dec. 11 - Homework Club 2:30-3:30
Tues., Dec. 16 - Bowling
Tues., Dec. 16 - Homework Club 2:30-3:30
Thurs. ,Dec. 18 - Homework Club 2:30 -3:30
Fri., Dec. 19 - Tivoli - How the Grinch Stole Christmas


Spelling - This week the pattern is letters with au are usually found at the beginning or in the middle of a word. The students will need to write their words 1 time each in cursive each night for homework. All tests will need to be done in cursive.

Reading - I found a great reading website. It will help your child find a book to read that is at his/her level and one that will be of interest. http://bookadventure.org/ You can also print out a quiz for that book. If your child brings the list into me I will see if I have that book in my library or if they have it in the school library.

The Read to Succeed sheet will be sent home on Thurs. Dec. 4. Your child should keep track of their reading hours on this new sheet instead of their reading folder. I will transfer those minutes to their reading folders for points. When the total number of minutes is complete please turn in the sheet and then they can start keeping track in their reading folders again.

This week the students will work on writing a response to A Christmas Carol. We will continue our work with story structure along with finding the main problem and solution of a story.

Math This week in math the students will find rules for number relationships and write equations for the rules.

The test over chapter 5 has been changed to Thursday, Dec. 11. Please review all the sheets in their math folder and their multiplication and division facts. They should also review the chapter and practice the end of chapter reviews to help them study.

They will be tested on their 7 times tables on Monday and their 8 times tables on Friday.

English- We will continue our work with verbs. The students will recognize correct present tense vebs for singular and plural subjects. They will also form the present and past tense of verbs including those ending with a single vowel and a consonant, and those ending with a consonant and y.

Science- The students will learn about Natural Selection (the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and produce offspring.) They will learn how change benefits an organism. They will also discuss the cycle of life. Why do we say that living things follow a cycle?

Social Studies - This week the students will locate the earliest European settlements in the Southeast. They will identify early leaders from the southest and describe their contributions to the United States.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Dec. 1-Dec. 5

Things to Remember:

Monday, Dec. 1 - Yearbook money is due
Monday - Wednesday, Dec. 1-Dec. 3 parent teacher conferences
Wednesday, Dec. 3 Field trip to Drury Lane Theater (Dress nicely)
Thursday, Dec. 4 John Lynn - Appalachian Trail Assembly
Friday, Dec. 5 No school

Holiday Service Project: Every year Prairiview School has a service project around the holiday season to help children and families in need. This year our efforts will benefit two organizations: Families of cancer patients who struggle financially and a family shelter service that supports victims of domestic violence. A note went home earlier explaining the details. If you would like another notice, please let me know.

Our class is responsible in providing for a family of four- a boy 14 years old, a boy 4 years old, and a mother and father. The children in our class have volunteered already for who they would like to provide a gift for. Some children chose the family of the cancer patient who struggle financially and other chose to provide a gift for the shelter. Some even volunteered to provide something for both. You may want to ask your child who they chose to provide for. If you would just like to send in gift certificates for the shelter, or as gifts for the family that is always welcome too.

Thank you so much for your generosity.


Reading This week we will continue our study of A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens. The strategy focus is sequencing and summarization. The students will also continue their vocabulary development as they use context clues as well as synonmys and antonyms to help them understand words in the text.

English - This week we will begin a unit on verbs. The students will identify and use action verbs in sentences. The will also identfy the main and helping verb in a sentence.

Math - The students will be responsble for knowing all their multiplication facts through 11. They should practice their 12 x's tables as well. They will write and solve multiplication and division equations. They will also learn the problem solving strategy, predict and test to help them solve problems.

Social Studies We will begin a unit on the people and events that shaped the Southeast Region. The students will learn about the culture of the Cherokee who lived in the Southeast before the Europeans came to America and compare that to their lives after they came. They will also learn about the important explorers of the region and the areas they explored.

Science - Adaptations is the subject of the new chapter we will be studying. The "Big Idea" for this first part is "Living things are adapted for survival in their environment." We begin this chapter by investigating the adaptations of birds to their environment, by comparing the way they get their food to the different shapes of their beaks. We will also look at the behavior of animals and how their behaviors help them meet their needs.

News From Mrs. Cavoto

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Nov. 17-21st

Important dates to Remember:
Nov. 18 - Roller Skating Party 4:00-6:45
Nov. 21- End of first trimester
Nov. 26-28 No school

2008-2009 Year book order forms will go home with the students on Friday, Nov. 14th. Usually the students really enjoy getting these at the end of the year. The year books have to be ordered by December 1, 2008. No orders will be taken after that date. Parents just a reminder -- Prairieview yearbooks are not paid for at registration, so please place your order now. They are $10.00 and checks are made payable to Lifetouch.

Thank you to all who contributed to the Book Worm drive. We collected over 200 books from our classroom.


Spelling- The pattern this week is consonant + y words with the endings ing and ed. The students should write their spelling words one time each evening and turn them in the next day.
The students will not have a spelling test this Friday.

English - This week the students will go over singular and possessive nouns. This is a difficult concept to learn, so any extra help you can give your child on this skill will be appreciated. The English test is on Wednesday of this week over nouns. There will be an English assignment each night to help them practice for the skills from this unit.

Reading We will finish writing our response to the reading prompt: "How does E.B. White show that Charlotte's Web is a book about friendship?" The reading strategy focus will be on problem solving this week. The students will read stories and discuss the problems and solutions throughout the story. Reading skills will focus on synonyms, antonyms and homonyms.

Remember Our Reading party is on November 21. All folders are due by Thursday, November 20th.

Math This week the students will identify and apply the multiplication properties: Zero Property, Identity Property, Commutiative Property, Associative Property, and the Distributive Property. They will also write and evaluate multiplication and division expressions. They should study their 6 times tables this week. A timed test over 6's will be on Friday.

Social Studies The test over chapter 6 is on Tuesday of this week. We will review on Monday of this week.

Things to know and study:
vocabulary
all sheets in their binder landforms of the Southeast and the characteristics of each
climate of the Southeast
What is a hurricane? (4 details)
How can a hurricane be destructive? (3 details)
reasons for lighthouses in the Southeast
animals of the Southeast (from the coastal plains and the Appalachian Mountain areas)
crops/products of the Southeast( Should be able to tell at least two main resources (renewable/nonrenewable) and where there are found in the Southeast. Tell about two crops and where they are mostly grown)
What is a product of the logging industry
power plants of the Southeast (What product do they need to run their machines?)

Science A test is planned for Thursday of this week. The students should study the information from chapter 2, Life Cycles, in their science books. They should know all the information on the sheets in their binders.

Things to know:
all vocabulary
Where do genes come from?
parts of the plant that feed the embryo
How do ferns, mosses reproduce?
tubers
life cycles of different animals
life cycles of a seed producing plant and a spore producing plant

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Nov. 10 - 14

Things to Remember :
Monday, November 10 - poinsettia order forms due
Tuesday, November 11 - No School Veteran's Day
Tuesday, Novemer 18 - Roller Skating party 4-6:45
Friday, November 21 - First trimester ends
Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, November 26-November 28.
Week of Dec. 1 - Parent/teacher conferences
Tuesday, December 2 - Report cards will be sent home

We are still collecting new and gently used books for Book Worm Angels. They are due November 14th.

Spelling- This week's spelling pattern is to make the er and est form of a noun that ends in y. This week the students will be asked to write their spelling words once each. They will need to do this every day.

English - We will continue our work with nouns. The students will review singular and plural nouns. They will also practice writing nouns ending in y.

**A test is planned for Wednesday of next week over nouns.


Reading - This week we will wrap up our Charlotte's Web unit. The students will share their character webs with the class. Together we will write a response to the question: How does the author show that Charlotte's Web is a story of friendship? The students will use text references and add their own ideas to write an answer to the question. We will watch the movie Charlotte's Web as a culminating activity.

Don't Forget: Reading folders should be turned in by November 19th. The reading party is November 21.

Math - This week the students will work on problem solving. They will choose the correct operation to solve the problems. They may have to add, subtract, multiply or divided. They will also work on their 4 times tables. Please work on the facts that go home this week with them.

**A test is planned for Friday of this week on chapter 4. There is also a timed test on Friday on their 4 times tables.

Social Studies A map quiz will be given on Wednesday of this week. The students should be able to write the names of the states in the Southeast Region where they belong on the map. They should be able to write the names of the bodies of water (Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean) in the correct places. I will give extra points for the capitals written correctly on the map.

Questions to think about: What are the major landforms in the Southeast and describe them. What is a hurricane and how can it be destructive? Be able to tell at least three ways that it can be destructive.

**At test is planned for Tuesday, November 18th over chapter 6.

Science This week we will investigate animal life cycles. The students will look for similarites and differences in animal life cycles. They will learn about direct development. Direct development describes the way an organism grows and matures. The offspring closely resemble the adults when they are born - they are just smaller in size. A metamorphosis is a different way that an organism grows and matures. In this way, the young offspring do not look like the adult. Offspring must undergo changes in shape or characteristics to look like the adult form.

A test is planned for Thursday, November 20 over chapter 2.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Nov. 3-7

Things to Remember:

November 4 - No school Teacher institute
November 5 - Bueno Beef School Fundraiser
November 6 - Picture Retakes, Parent Support Group Meeting 7-9 P.M.
November 10 - poinsettia order forms due
November 14 - roller skaing permission slips due.
November 18 - Roller skating party 4-6:45

November 3 - 14 - Book Worm Angels - Gently used books or new books should be brought in to school. They will then donated to the Chicago Elementary Schools where a majority of the children read below grade level, and they do not have the funds to purchase the books on their own.


The Social Studies committee is looking for two parents who have an education or history background to be involved in the adoption of new Social Studies textbooks. You would have to meet with the committee and provide input choosing our textbook for the coming years. The Social Studies committee will be meeting once every other month for the next two years. Please email mpellin@ccsd66.org if you would be interested in joining the Social Studies committee. Thank you!


Spelling: The skill this week is writing plural nouns correctly. Words that end with a vowel + y ad the letter s. Words that end with a consonant + y change the y to i and add es. The students will be asked to write their words once each night and turn them in .

Reading: This week the students will continue to study character traits as they read Charlotte's Web. They are making character webs for the characters in the story Charlotte's web. They will also learn to use the dictionary to look up meanings of words from the story. They will have a vocab. quiz on the words on Friday, Nov. 7th. They are also learning about the different types of questioning: Right There, Think and Search, Author and Me, On Your Own.

English - We will begin a unit on nouns this week. The students will review what a noun is, common and proper nouns, and practice writing sentences that combine the same predicate to create a sentence with a compound subject.

Social Studies We will leave the Northeast and travel down to the Southeast. The students will identify and secribe major landforms in the Southeast. They will also learn about the climate and hurricanes in the Southeast. We will learn about the Southeast resources. If anyone has anything to share that goes witht he Southeast Region, please send it in. We will have a map quiz on the states in the Southeast on Wednesday of the following week, November 12. A test over chapter 6 is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18th.

Science In science we will continue to study the life cycle of plants with seeds and with spores. We are looking for a large fern that shows the spores on the underside of the leaves. If anyone has one, and would like to send in one of the leaves, we would greatly appreciate it.

Math - At this point the students should know by memory their 2's, 5's, and square times tables. They will be given timed tests on them this week. They should also learn their 3's and continue to review the other facts. It is important to practice these facts each night. A test is planned for Tuesday, November 11 over chapter 4.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class October 27-31

Dates to Remember:

Friday, October 31st - Halloween Parties at 1:30- Parade 1:15
Tuesday, November 4th - Teacher institute No school
Thursday, November 6th - picture retakes
Tuesday, November 11 - No school


Spelling - This week is a review unit week. The students should study the patterns in the words from chapters 1-8. This test will be different. The students will have to choose the word that is spelled incorrectly from a list of words.


Reading The students will review the different types of questions ( Right There, Think and Search, and On Your Own). They will read Charolette's Web and identify and discuss the character traits of each character.

English The students will work on the final drafts of their descriptive paragraphs.

Social Studies - The students will learn about different landmarks from different states in the northeast. The students will discuss why cities attract a large number of workers.

A test is planned for Thursday of this week over chapter 5 in social studies.

Things to know:

All vocabulary
What did the Europeans bring to trade with the Native Americans?
Immigrants from Europe - Port most came to in America? Why?
Famous people of the northeast
Thirteenth Amendment
Nineteenth Amendment
How is Pittsburgh today different from Pittsburgh in the 1800's. Be able to explain at least two things about each.
Iroquois Confederacy
Cause of the American Revolution
First capital of the U.S.
Which NE cities began as ports for ocean-going ships?
What do Philadelphia, New York City and Boston have in common?
Landmarks and where they are located



We will discuss the upcoming presidential election. We will take a look at the mjor issues that the candidates are addressing and compare their strategies.

Science - This week the students will learn how plants live and grow. They will observe how seeds germinate and describe the life cycle of flowering plants. They will also describe how plants reproduce using only spores.

math The students will continue to learn about multiplication and division. They will learn to multiply and divide facts through 12. Please continue to help your child learn the facts. Look in their folders to see the facts they did not know when we quized them Friday. Thank you for all the time you spend working with them. It helps them so much.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Oct. 20th-24th

Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, October 22 - Early Dismissal at 11:00 a.m.
Friday, October 31 - Halloween Parties at 1:30 We will dress at 1:00. Parade will begin at 1:15. Party will begin at 1:30

Spelling The pattern this week - words with ie. Remember the rhyme: i before e except after c or when sounded like a as in neighbor and weigh.

Test on Friday over unit 7 words.

English - This week the students will continue the study of figurative language. They will share figurative language that they find in their independent reading as well as from magazines, newspapers, advertisement and t.v.

The students will use sensory words and figurative language to "paint a picture" in their readers mind as they describe their favorite fruit. They will use "voice" to make their description come alive for the reader.

Would anyone be interested in sending in a fruit salad Wednesday, Ocotober 29th, to help us in celebrating our hard work on our descriptions? Please let me know if you would be interested.

Reading - The students will finish their reading projects. They are making a flap book which shows the story structure of the book they read during their independent reading.

Towards the middle of the week we will begin reading Charlottes' Web. This will be their independent reading book for the next couple of weeks. They should bring this book home each night to read and then bring it back to school every day.

This week the children will analyze the characters in the story and identify their personality traits based on their behaviors.

Science We will begin a new unit. The students will begin to study the "Big Idea" Living things inherit traits, grow, and develop according to life cycles. The first essential question they will study is What is Heredity? They will investigate their own inherited characteristics. How do parents pass traits to their offspring?

Social Studies We will continue our study of the Northeast. The students will learn that the Northeast was the birthplace of the abolitionist movement. They will compare the similarities and differences of the abolitionist movement and the women's rights movement. Who were the reformers and why did they fight for the voting rights of women?

A test is planned over unit 5 on Tuesday, October 28th.

Math- A test over chapter 3 is on Monday. The students have a pretest to help them study the information that will be on the test. They should also have their books for extra practice.

We will begin multiplication this week. Please look for handouts to come home. Family involvement is going to be very important in the process of your child learning their facts.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class Oct. 13- 17th

Dates to Remember:

Monday, October 13 - No School
Thursday, October 16th - Book Fair - starts at 6:30 p.m
Friday, October 17th - Reading folders are due
Wednesday, October 22 - Early Dismissal 11:00
Friday, October 31st - Halloween Parties at 1:30 p.m. parade begins at 1:15 Costumes should be brought to school. We will dress at 1:00.

Spelling - No spelling test this week

Reading - We will continue to work with story structure. The students will read stories and fill out story maps to go with them. We will also work on the visualization strategy. The students will listen to poems and stories and draw what they visualize in their minds.

We will begin our Reading projects on Thursday, October 16th. The children must have the books they have been reading for their silent reading in class to do this project.

Reading folders are due on Thursday. This is the last day to turn them in to earn the full 4 points credit. You may check your points under your grades to see how many you have. If you have 4 than you do not need to turn your folder in.
Our reading popcorn party will be on Friday, Oct. 17th.
You should already be reading for the next 4 points, if you have finished the other 4.

English We will review the skills that were learned throughout chapter 1. A test over chapter 1 will be on Thursday of this week. Homework will go home each day to help them study for their test.

Math - This week we will work with the problem solving skills of working backwards and finding patterns. It is very important that they review this at home. A test is planned for Monday, October 20th of the following week.

Science - This week the students will make posters to illustrate the information they have learned about invertebrates. The will have a test over chapter 1 Classifying living things on Friday, October 17th.

They should:

Know all vocabulary
Study all sheets in their binder
Review main concepts of each lesson
Know why plants are classified vascular and nonvascular
Know the characteristics of arthropods
Know the differences between plant and animal cells
Explain at least 2 ways bacteria can be helpful
know characteristics of living things
know the 5 classes of vertebrates (at least 2 facts of each)
know invertebrates ( be abe to name at least 2 groups of invertebrates and give examples of invertebrates in that group)

Social Studies - In social studies this week the students will learn how the Northeast played an important role in our nation's history. They will learn about people and events that helped shape and develop our nation.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room October 7-10th

Reminders:
Tuesday, October 7th - Midpoint in the trimester- check your child's grades on line
Monday, October 13 - No School Columbus Day
Thursday, October 16th - English Test
Thursday, October 16th - Book Fair
Wednesday, October 22 - Early Dismissal

Reading This week the students will study story structure- setting, characters, plot, problem and solution. They will read Akiak and complete a story map. They will study the vocabulary from the story and use those words in good sentences to show they understand their meanings.

English The students have been working on finding the simple subject and simple predicate of a sentence. They should continue to practice this at home as it is a difficult skill to master. This week they will review writing run-on sentences correctly, and using and, but, and or to write better sentences.

A test over chapter 1 in English will be given next Thursday, October 16th.

Math This week the students will be writing expressions to go with word problems and finding the value of the expressions. They will also understand that a variable is a symbol or a letter that represents a missing number in a problem. They will solve problems with missing variables. Remember if you are not sure of how to help them with an assignment, you can look in their math binder for a worksheet of the skill that we have gone over that day.

Science The students will learn about vertebrates, invertebrates and insects this week. The Chapter 1 science test is planned for Friday, October 17.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Room

Things to Remember:

Tuesday, September 30th - Last magazine turn in day. Our class is in first place keep up the good work!

Friday, October 3 - map test in social studies on Northeast Region

Tuesday, October 7 - Chapter 4 Social Studies test

Friday, October 16 - Reading folders due (please see the change of date)

Spelling: The skill this week is words with oi. Test will be on Friday. They should practice writing their words in cursive at least one time each day.

English: I will be giving a DOL test on Friday. This will be a test where the students will have to find the errors in the sentence and then write the sentences correctly. The students should practice writing sentences correctly, using punctuation (commas, quotation marks, periods, question marks, exclamation pts.) and capital letters. It will help them review the skills that were just tested.

This week we will review the different types of sentences. They will understand what makes a sentence and be able to identify the complete subject and complete predicate of a sentence.

Reading The reading strategy this week is predicting probable outcomes. The students will read stories and fill out prediction sheets which will help them to make predictions of future outcomes.

This week we will continue our work with prefixes and suffixes.The children will understand that these can help them recognize the root word and find the meaning of words. We will also review compound words. The children will recognize that you can tell the meaing of a word by determing the meaning of each part.

Students should not forget to be reading every night. Folders should be turned in after 7 days of reading. The last day for turn in is October 16th. This is worth 4 points of their reading grade.


Math This week in math we will review the Break Apart mental math strategy. We will also review fact families and estimating sums and differences. The students will add and subtract 3 and 4 digit numbers. A test is planned for Friday, October 3 over chapter 2. Please review all sheets in their binders. They should bring home their books so they can review.

Science This week the students will study the question: How are Plants and Fungi Classified?
They will observe the function of a plant stem and describe the structures of vascular and nonvascular plants. They will also describe the structure of fungi and compare and contrast fungi to plants.

Social Studies We will continue our study of the Northeast. The students are making maps and labeling the states with the different physical traits that they are known for. The Appalachian Mountain Range is the oldest chain of mountains in North America. The children are locating the smaller mountain ranges that make it up, and they are placing them on their maps. They will also identify some of the products of the Northeast such as quarries, maple syrup, grapes, and minerals.

A map test is planned for Friday of this week. They will need to be able to identify the names of the states in the Northeast region and the important bodies of water. They will be given extra points for also identifying the capitals of each of those state. A chapter 4 test is planned for Tuesday, October 7th over the Northeast Region.


Things to know:
Concept reviews at the end of each section
all vocabulary
Study all sheets in their binders
Differences between the coast of Maine and the Coast of New Jersey
Challenges that threaten the fish population of Chesapeake Bay and ways to save the Bay
How is Niagra Falls important to the people in the Northeast region?
How are the Green Mountains and the White Mountains alike/different? Be able to compare and contrast

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room

Things to Remember:

• Tuesday, Sept. 23 & Thursday, Sept. 25 - Magazine turn in Days
• Thursday, Sept. 25 - Picture Day
• Tuesday, Sept. 30 - Last Magazine turn in day

Spelling The skill this week is words with ea. Many words with ea have different sounds. We will have a test on Friday. Please have your kids practice writing their words at least one time each in cursive.

English We will review writing quotations correctly. The students will also practice writing the title of books correctly.

The test over the skills in unit 5 has been postponed until Wednesday of this week. They should bring their books home to go over the review sections at the end of the chapter.

Reading The children will be reading stories and using their strategies to find phrases and clues which will help them determine the author's view point and probable outcomes of the story. The word study for this week will be on rootwords, prefixes, and suffixes, and compound words.

Math This week in math the students will continue to learn about rounding whole numbers through the millions. They will also use front end estimation to estimate sums and differences, and use mental math strategies to find sums and differences.

Please have them practice addition and subtraction at home. This will help them with the higher level skills in this chapter.

Science In this unit the students are learning the "Big Idea" that living things are grouped according to their characteristics. They learned a cheer to help them know the 5 kingdoms that scientists use to classify living things and some of their characteristic. Ask them if they can teach it to you. This week the children will compare the cells of plants and animals and make their own cells. They will study the characteristics of the one celled organisms - bacteria and protists. You may review these questions with them: What is the building block of all living things? (Cells) What is the part to the cell that controls the functions of the cell? (nucleous) What are one celled organisms with a nucleous? ( protist) What is an organism? ( a living thing) What is the most abundant of all living things? (bacteria)

Social Studies The students will identify the states in the Northeast Region. They complete a map of the Northeast Region labeling the states and the important bodies of water. They will have guidelines as to how it should be filled in and a grade will be taken on accuracy and neatness. We will begin our "train tour" of the Northeast Region at Niagara Falls. The students will identify the two Great Lakes between which Niagara Falls is located, and the two main features for which Niagara Falls is known for.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class

Dates to Remember:

Monday, September 15- Magazine Kick Off
Monday, September 15 - Band information Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16 - Early dismissal at 11:00 a.m.


Thank you for attending the curriculum night last night. If you were not able to attend, I have sent the notes that we discussed with your child. Please return the information sheet and the fourth grade policy sheet. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. ccavoto@ccsd66.org

Spelling - We will have a test on Friday. Please have your child practice writing their words at lease one time each night.

Reading There will be a vocabulary quiz on Friday of this week. The students have the words in their reading folder and should be reviewing them. They should know the definitions and be able to write them in a good sentence to show they understand the meaning of the word.

Language Arts -This week we will go over more uses for commas, and the correct way to write direct quotations and titles. A test is planned for Tuesday, September 23 on Unit 5 in our English books.

Math - This week in math we will have a test over chapter one. It will be given on Wednesday. Please review writing numbers in standard form, and expanded form. Please have them practice identifying the value of a digit in the numbers up to 100,000,000. They should also be able to put numbers in in the millions in order from greatest to least and least to greatest. They should bring their books home to practice the skills and review at the end of the chapter and the problem solving.

We will also begin a unit on adding and subtracting whole numbers. They should practice their addtion and subtraction facts. They will be rounding whole numbers through the millions.

Science - The test over Inquiry skills will be on Tuesday. The students should study the sheets that are their folders, and their textbooks. Homework will go home on Monday to help them review the skills and study.
They should know:
all highlighted vocabulary
the tools used for inquiry
inquiry skills
variables- What are they? Why are they important in an experiment?
how to find the volume of a solid
the steps of the scientific method in order and be able to identify them
Why is building a model important?

Social Studies - This week the students will learn about their freedoms and rights as a U.S. citizens. They will also identify at least three responsiblities they have in being a U.S. citizen.

Our test in social studies has been postponed. It will now be on Thursday of this week.

The children should study all the sheets in their binders. They will have worksheets and their "Patriotic Quest" in their folders. They should study that as well as the vocabulary from the unit and the key concepts at the end of each lesson.

Things to know:
all vocabulary
branches of government, location, main person in the branch, jobs of each
levels of government
constitution-ways it can be changed
facts about becoming a U.S. citizen
responsiblities as a U.S. citizen and children of the U.S.

Think at discuss with your child:
Why is it important to vote?
Which branch of government would they like to be in? Why? Reasons should show knowledge of the branch they choose.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Room

Things to remember this week:

Curriculum Night is Thursday, September 11th at 7:00.

Math This week in math the students will be working on comparing and ordering whole numbers through the millions. Any extra practice that you can have your child doing will help them greatly. They can practice reading numbers in the millions and the hundred thousands. They can practice writing the expanded form of numbers. Look in their folders for terms and examples. It will also help them to review and go over the things in their math folders.

A test is planned for Friday of this week over Unit 1.

Reading This week we will be reading stories and applying the preview and predict reading strategies. We will also continue discussions about the author's view point and purpose for writing the stories. New vocabulary will be introduced with the different stories and the children will be assessed on their knowledge of the skills that we have been working on over the last few weeks.

Their independent reading folder will go home this week. The directions are on the top of the folder, and I willexplain them to your child. This is an independent program, however, they will be given a grade on their participation. A point will be given everytime they turn in their folders. Each session is worth 4 points. There is a deadline for each session and it shown on the inside of their folders. I will explain this more on curriculum night.

English This week the students will continue to learn about capital letters and writing abbreviations correctly. They will have a quiz on abbreviating and capitalizing the names of the days of the week and months on Friday. They should practice each evening at home. They will also review putting commas in a series.

Spelling This week the rule is keep the silent e with endings that begin with a consonant. Test on Friday.

Social Studies The students will go on a "Patriotic Quest" as they learn about the U.S. Constitution, three branches of government, and the responsibilities of each.

A test is planned for September 17th. It will cover the information in unit 1 lessons 2 & 3. The children will be bringing home papers, in their social studies binder, that they should review and know the information on. The concepts can be difficult so it is a good idea to review each night.

Science This week the students will understand and explain how inquiry skills help scientists learn and understand. They will apply those skills as they create staw models. They will also explain the steps in the scientific method and how this method helps scientists gain knowledge.

A test in science is planned for September 16th. It will cover the information on pages 1-37.
They should study:

• study all worksheets/graphic organizers in science folder
• vocabulary and concepts throughout the chapter
• the tools of inquiry/uses (use the quiz they took last week to help you study those facts)
• finding the volume of a solid (lenth x width x height) they are allowed to use a calculator for this
• variables
• inquiry skills
• the steps in the scientific method
• application of knowledge

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room

Hello,

Welcome to 4th grade. This year will be filled with many exciting changes and new concepts to learn. As you know already your child may have three different teachers that they work with throughout the day. If your child is in my homeroom, I will be their science and social studies teacher.

As you read through my news letters, I will let you know of important dates, tests and other things to remember. However, you will need to go to your child's language arts and math teachers' web site to get the information from those classes. It may different than mine.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Things to remember this week:

No School on Monday - Labor Day

Thursday, Sept 4th, at 7:00 p.m. RTI Meeting for K-5 at Prairieview for those people who would like to find out more about it.

New to lunch: Chicken patty will be offered everyday

Curriculum Night will be on September 11th at 7:00 p.m.

Reading This week in reading we will continue our review of the previewing and predict reading strategy. We will work with "Puzzlers" to help reinforce this skill. We will also discuss Authors' View Points. The students will learn new vocabulary words and read the story Grandfather's Journey.

Language Arts This week we spent some time getting to know each other. The students conducted interviews with their classmates. We reviewed the rules of giving oral presentations and then then they practiced speaking in front of the class as they introduced their friends.
This week the children will begin a capitalization and punctuation unit. They will review the different kinds of sentences and and correctly place capital letters and end marks in them. They will review captialization of names of people, places, things, pets, and titles of people.

Spelling We will begin our first spelling unit this week. There will be a spelling test on Friday.
Look for the list to come home on Tuesday of this week.

Science Last week in science the students reviewed the safety procedures to be used in science. This week we will begin a new unit. The unit will focus on the Big Idea: "You can answer your science questions by carrying out careful investigations". The first lesson will focus on tools for Inquiry. The students will compare the difference between standard and nonstandard units of measure and draw conclusions based on their findings. They will experiment with different tools used for Inquiry and categorize them into their different uses: handling, measuring or observing.

There will be an open book quiz over lesson 1 on Friday. The students should bring home their books to review the tools and their uses. They should also be thinking about why it is important to use standard units of measure.

Social StudiesThis week the students will begin a unit on The U.S. government. They learn about the constitution and why it is important. They will learn about the three levels of government and describe the responsibilities of each.

Congratulations on a successful year in fourth grade! I can't believe that the last week of school is here, and I just want to thank you for your support all year long. Your children have all been wonderful students and they are truly amazing children. Most of you know, that although I have been in the district for many years, this was my first year teaching fourth grade, and I have to say that I loved it. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and patience, and thank you for guiding your children through their learning experiences throughout this year.

This week in review:

We will finish our study of the west. The students will finish their region scrapbook.

We will finish our mystery unit and have a detective day on Tuesday. The students may dress up as their favorite spy. We will try to solve some interesting mysteries using some of our forensic skills that we have learned.

Tuesday: bowling in the P.M.

Wednesday: We will make our memory books. The PTO will sponsor a picnic and games.

Thursday: Last day of school. Report cards go home. 9:00 dismissal.

Have a wonderful and safe summer!

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Class May 27-30

Important District News:

RTI - Center Cass School District #66 is in the process of implementing an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) mandate, Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI is an array of procedures that can be used to determine if and how students respond to specific changes in instruction. RTI provides an improved process and structure for school teams in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational interventions.

Please look for the additional information on RTI, which will beincluded with your child's end of the year Report Card.


YEARBOOKS: will be handed out to students on June 5th. Any students who did not purchase a yearbook may do so on a first-come-first-serve basis on June 5th; they will go on sale after morning announcements. The cost will be $10.00 and children wishing to purchase should have exact amount. Checks can be made out to Prairieview. There is a limited supply. Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid for at registration. A flyer was sent out in November and orders were due by Monday, December 3, 2007.


Classroom news:

Field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry will be on Thursday of this week. The children should bring money to buy lunch, at least $9.00, or a disposable sack lunch.

The children did a wonderful job with their "Living Wax Museum". Thank you for helping them to put this together.

Reading: This week the students will continue to read and solve mysteries.

English: The students will review contractions with pronouns and pronouns with homophones this week. We will have a test on pronouns on Thursday of this week over pronouns.

Science: The students will continue their study of sedimentary rocks. They will learn how and where sedimentary rocks are formed. They will then begin their study of Metamorphic rocks. The students will understand that metamorphic rocks are rocks which have been changed by heat, pressure, and chemical action.

A quiz over the different rocks will be given on Friday. The students should study

the meanings of : metamorphic, igneous, sedimentary, magma, volcano

They should know the following concepts:


What are rocks made of? (minerals)

Igneous rocks with ____________ crystals form inside the earth slowly. (large)

Sedimentary rocks with ____________ sediments were formed far from shore. (small/light)

How are metamorphic rocks formed? (by heat and pressure upon other rocks)

How can igneous rocks be classified? ( large crystals , small crystals, or no crystals)

How is graite formed? ( It has large crystals so it cooled slowly whe it was formed.)

How does a rock with no crystals cool? (immediately)

What are minerals? Know your four facts about minerals.


Social Studies This week an optional test over chapter 11 will be given on Wednesday. This is for those students who feel they need a score to help raise their grade. So if your child is on the border line between an A or a B or a B or C or C or D etc. They can take the test if they choose. The students have their books in their bags to study over the weekend if they need to. Vocabulary and key concepts will be tested. No essay questions.


Math No formal math this week.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class May 19-23

We will be going to Robert Crown Health Center on Monday. We will eat lunch at the regular time.

Our final Reading Club party will be on Wednesday of this week. Sorry about the confusion with the date in their folders. All folders need to be turned in by Tuesday of next week to get the full 4 points for their grade.

We will also have a "Wax Museum" on Thursday of this week. A letter will follow inviting parents to come.

Reading We will continue our mystery investigations. The students will work in with their detective agencies to solve the crimes.

Language arts- The students will begin a unit on pronouns. They will learn what pronouns are and then be able to distinguish between subject pronouns and object pronouns. They will also learn the correct way to use I and me in a sentence. A test will be given on pronouns on Wednesday of the following week.

The students will write an expository essay to explain the impact of air conditioning and irrigation on the life in the Southwest desert.

Social Studies The students will review the influence of the Spanish on Mexican culture. They will learn how irrigation has affected the economy of the Southwest. A test over chapter 11 will be given on Thursday.

The students should study:

Vocabulary

Concepts at the end of each lesson of the chapter

Be able to explain in detail the impact that air conditioning and irrigation had on the life in the Southwest dessert.

Math Since there is a class that is going to the museum on Tuesday. We will not have the math test on Tuesday. There will be an assignment on Tuesday to help the children review. They should still study over the text book as well. The test over chapter 6 will be on Wednesday.Please help your child review the concepts in this chapter. Some need to review their math multiplicaation facts as well as estimation skills in order to be successful on the test. Also, there will be a division mixed facts test on Friday of next week. We will begin a unit on on long division chapter 8.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's class May 12-16

Reading - Our detectives have been busy solving mysteries all week. You may want to ask them what mystery was their favorite so far. This week the students will take a vocabulary quiz on the mystery words/terms that are in their detective notebook on Wednesday of this week. They should know the meanings and be able to identify a specifc term when given an example.

English We will review expository writing this week. The students will be asked to write about things in science or social studies that they have learned, while learning the elements of expository writing.

They have been busy working on their famous Illinoisan report and are ready to make their "Just Look" book. They should be thinking of a costume, symbols, poster, etc. that will represent their famous Illinoisan. They will need to prepare to be that person and tell the important facts about themelves when we have our Wax Museum on display. More information will follow.


Social Studies The students will learn about the people of the Southwest. They will learn about the Navajo culture and the Spanish influence in the Southwest. Cowboys and cowgirls will be discussed and their roles in the Southwest.

Science The students will take a quiz on minerals on Tuesday. They learned a song to help them remember the mineral facts, and they have the information to study in their binders.

They will also learn about the different layers of the earth and the kind of rocks that make up each layer: mantle, inner core, crust, outer core.

We will watch a video on the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. The students will create a mixture which will demonstrate the way the rock deep in the earth reacts under pressure and then how it reacts when the pressure is released. This might be messy!

Math Last week in math the students reviewed multiplying two digit numbers by multiples of ten. This week the students will work on multiplcation of two digit by two digit numbers and two digit by 3 digit numbers. Again, this is a new skill and a difficult one to learn. Your child may need to review.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Room May 5- May 9

We would like to thank Mr. Quinn, Daniel Quinn's father, who came to our class on Thursday afternoon. He shared with the class his knowledge of rocks and minerals and brought in many examples for the children to actually touch and see.

Reading Last week we began our mystery unit by solving a Sherlock Holmes mystery together. Then the students set up their own detective agencies. This week the students will work together in their detective agencies to solve more mysteries. As they solve the mysteries, they will learn about the elements in a mystery such as characters, setting, plot, clues, distractions, and structure. They will also become familiar with they mystery words: alibi, breakthrough, clue, crime, deduction, detective, evidence, hunch, motive, red herring, sleuth, suspect, and witness. You might want to ask them their detective name and the name of their agency. What was the speckled band? How was the mystery solved?

English This week the students are writing their final drafts of their candy persuasives. They will then share them with the class. We will learn the elements of expository writing this week. The students will compare persausive to expository writing and notice the similarites/differences between them.

Social Studies Last week in social studies the students were grouped and responsible for reading and gathering information about the Grand Canyon. They then had to make a poster about the different things that they learned. After that they had to teach the class about what they learned about the Grand Canyon. All the students were responsible for learning from each other as the presentations were given. They all did a very nice job. This week the students will continue to learn about the climate in the Southwest and how the Saguaro is important to the animals who live in the desert. They will also learn how the technology of the Southwest has impacted the United States.

A test over chapter 10 will be on Friday of this week. Things that the students should study for the test:

Know all the highlighted vocabulary and famous people(Coronado,, Cardenas, Powell, Theodore Roosevelt)

Be able to explain how the Grand Canyon was formed and why it is still changing today.

Who were the Native Americans that lived in the Grand Canyon hundreds of years ago?

Why was the Grand Canyon made a national park, and why do people want to visit it today?

Explain what the climate of the Southwest is like.

How has the saguaro adapted to living in the desert, and how does it help the desert life there?

What is a technology industry? Explain the technology that is important that exists in the Southwest?

How do oil and technology play an important role in the economy of the Southwest? Oil is important to the Southwest because oil can be made into many products like gas, medicines, clothing, detregents, asphalt. So many people are needed to get the oil out of the ground and then turn it into these products. People will travel to places in the Southwest for these jobs, and to start new businesses. Technology is also important for the economy. The businesses that make electronic equipment, computers, missles etc. need educated people to help them create their products. Then they need people to work in the factories and sell them. They also attract people to work at the laboratories and train in the space center. More people and jobs help the economy in the Southwest to grow.

Do you remember the states in the Southwest and the important rivers that flow through them?

Science Last week in science the students tested minerals to find the properties of hardness, luster, color, texture, streak, acidity, and magnetism. This week we will learn how to use specific gravity(weight of an object compared with an equal amount of water) and cleavage, how a rock breaks apart, to help us with our identification of the different minerals.

Math This week in math we will continue to practice addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators. They will also work on the Guess and Check problem solving skill.

We will have a test over chapter 9 on Thursday of this week. This chapter has many new skills. Your child may need to practice these skills at home to feel confident with them. Thank you for any extra practice that you can give them.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Class April 28-May 2

Our field trip to the Lizzadro Museum will be on Tuesday, April 29th. We will leave school at 11:15. The students need to bring a sack lunch that day, and we will eat in the classroom before we leave.
Last week a list of items to purchase was sent home. The students will have a few minutes in the store to purchase an item if they want to. They should be prepared with what they want to buy and have the money in an envelope.

I have three parent volunteers for our trip to the Museum of Science and Industry on May 29th. I would still like to have 2 more parents if possible. Please e-mail me if you are interested.

Reading In reading this week we will finish up our "Just Look" books on the famous Illinoisians. We will begin a mystery unit.

The students should be reading chapters 6-10 for book club. They should be ready for their book talks on Wednesday of this week.

English We will finish up our candy bar persuasives. The students have researched, planned and organized their information. They have been busy writing their leads, and body of their essays. They will write their conclusions this week, and be ready to revise/edit and complete their final drafts.

Social Studies This week the students will learn about the Grand Canyon and how it was carved out by erosion caused by the Colorado River. They will also learn about the different climates found in the Southwest and how the saguaro has adapted to a desert climate. The importance of oil and technology to the economy of the Southwest will also be studied.
There will be a map quiz on the the Southwest Region. The students will have to place the Southwestern states correctly on the map along with labeling the important bodies of water. They will get extra points for know the capitals.

Science We will continue our study of rocks and minerals this week. Before the students can understand rocks, they will have to learn about minerals. The students will understand that minerals can be identified by looking at their properties. They will understand the properties to look for in a mineral and then learn the appropriate way to test their minerals.

Math This week in math the students will learn to add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators. They will also learn to add fractions with mixed numbers. Adding fractions with unlike denominators is a new skill for the students and any extra help you can give them at home will help them a lot. We will continue to have tests on Friday to review their facts. This week we will have a test to review their mixed multiplication facts. Ask them if they have passed out of their mixed division. If they have not they need to continue to review and take that test at recess time.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class April 21-25

Early dismissal will be on Thursday at 11:00.

We will have our Invention Convention on Wed. from 1:15 to 1:45 of this week. The students will share their inventions and explain how they work at this time. It will be set up so that people can walk from desk to desk to learn about the different inventions from our student inventors.

Our field trip to the Lizzadro Museum will be on Tuesday, April 29th. We will leave school at 11:15. The students need to bring a sack lunch that day, and we will eat in the classroom before we leave.

I am looking for parent volunteers to come to the Museum of Science and Industry on May 29th. Please e-mail me if you would like to join us.

English This week we will begin our Persuasive essay writing. The children have learned about persuasion through their persuasive ads, and they have voted on their favorite candy bar with Mrs. Sulima's class, because they were persuaded by their essays. Now, our class will have the chance to persuade others to vote for their favorite candy bar. We will look at all aspects of the candy bar: nutritional value, ingredients, convenience, appearance, packaging, overall taste etc.
We will be going through the steps of the writing process as we gather our information for our essays.

Science "We will...We will... rock you!" This week in science we will begin our rock and minerals unit. The students will first develop their observation skills. Then they will learn about minerals. What is a mineral?

Social Studies The students will continue their scavenger hunt on Illinois. They are using different sites on the internet to locate information about Illinois. They are learning about the history, government, and special places in Illinois. They will begin research on a famous Illinoian this week.

Math We will review equivalent fractions this week. The students will use fraction pieces to compare and order fractions. They will identify and write mixed fractions. The students should be passed out of their 9 division. You may want to ask them if they have passed all of their division facts up to nine. I will be giving a review of mixed division facts through 9's on Friday. They will get 40 problems to complete in 3 minutes.

Open house is on Thursday of this week from 6:45-8:30

Inventions are due on Tuesday of this week. They will write a description of their invention on Wednesday of this week. They will be expected to give an oral presentation on Friday of this week about their invention. An English grade will be given on the quality of their oral presentation.

Reading In reading this week we will finish up with our reading text pattern problem/solution.

The students will choose a book for their next book club.

English - We will continue our study of poetry. The students will read poetry for understanding and interpretation. We will look at how similies, personification, and metaphors are used in poetry.

Spelling Spelling this week is a review unit. The test is a multiple choice test. The students will be give words and have to find the word that is spelled incorrectly.

Science - The science test will be on Thursday of this week. The students should bring their journals home to study the highlighted sections of their journals. They need to study up through lesson 13. Notice this is a change from last week(posted up through lesson 12). They should know the simple machines and be able to give two examples of each, along with studying the main concepts and vocabulary from each lesson.

Social Studies We will begin a unit on Illinois this week. We will study they history of Illinois and learn about the the Native Americans who lived in the area and the pioneers who settle there. They will also learn about famous Illinoisians. They should be thinking about a famous Illinoisian that they can research.

Math In math this week, we will begin a unit on fractions. The students will use fractions to represent parts of a region and parts of a set. They will review and understand numerators and denominators. They will also understand equivalent fractions. They should continue to study their division facts. 9 division will be tested this Friday.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Room

Reading This week the children will continue to work on the comprehension skill of finding the problems and solutions in their reading of fiction and non-fiction text. They will make a flap book to go with the story Farmer Schultz's Ducks that will display the problems and solutions of the story.

English This week the children will continue to listen to poetry, read, and write poetry . They will write a creature alliteration, haiku, five sense poem, and concrete poem for their poetry books.

Social Studies A test in social studies over chapter 9 People of the Midwest will be on Wednesday of this week.

Remember to use the textbook and any worksheets in their social studies binders to help them study for the test. Know all vocabulary.

Key concepts: Along witht the concepts from last week's blog:

Ojibwa way of life-transportation, homes, how they got their food etc.
Who were Jolliett and Marquette and what di they help establish?
Who was John Deere and how did he help the Midwest farmers?
Contrast the two main types of homes that Midwestern pioneers built.(pg270)
What caused Cahokia to be a key trade center?
What were two main goals of the Lewis & Clark expedition? (To find a westward flowing river close to the Missouri River that would lead them to the Pacific Ocean; to expand trade)

Science This week in science we will learn about the screw, wedge, and the wheel and axle. They will learn that a screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. They will make models of screws. The students will also learn that a wedge is an inclined plane that works by being moved, and the wheel and axle can be used to lift a load.

A test in science will be on Wednesday of next week, April 16. This will cover the material from lessons 7A through to gears - lesson 12. The children will highlight the important information in their science journals which they should be responsible for. They should be able to indentify the different simple machines used in everyday life. They should also understand and know the vocabulary in these lessons.

Math We will have a test on Friday of this week over time and measurement chapter 7. The students should review the checkpoints and the problems solving at the end of the lessons. They should know how to change from smaller units of measure to larger units of measure by dividing for example: 21 feet = ___yards 21 divided by 3= 7 yards. Also, change from a larger unit of measure to a smaller unit of measure by multiplying 8 feet = ___ inches 8 x 12 = 96 inches.

Don't forget to practice measuring to the nearest 1/8 inch.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room March 31-April 4

Junior Achievement will begin this week on Wed.

The "Amazing Animals" assembly will be on Wed. of this week.

Reading This week in reading we will continue our work with problem/solution. We will begin a new theme called "Battle of the Wits" The students will be challenged with determining the problems and solutions of the characters in our stories this week.

This will take us right into our Inventions unit. Many inventions were created to solve problems that people had every day and/or to make life easier for people. Some inventions were even created by mistake. Believe it or not, many inventions were created by kids. Look for the information coming home on Monday. The students should be thinking about an invention that can make their life easier. We will discuss this in class on Monday. Their idea for their invention will be due on Wednesday of this week.

English This week we will begin a unit on poetry. The students will learn about the different kinds of poetry and write their own acrostic, cinquain, and alliteration poems.

If they have a favorite poetry book, they may bring it in to share with the class.

Social Studies This week the students will have a quiz on Wednesday over the map of the Midwest. They should be able to label the states correctly and the bodies of water (Great Lakes). They will earn 1/4 point for every capital they can label correctly.

Their assignment tonight is to fill in the map of the Midwest. They will be graded on the neatness and spelling. They should also color each state a different color and outline the states in a skinny black marker. The bodies of water should be shaded in blue and labeled as well.

A test over chapter nine in social studies is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th.

They should begin reviewing the vocabulary in the chapter and then the main concepts at the end of each lesson and section in the chapter.

Questions to know:
1. Why did the Ojibwa rely on fish, game, and wild rice instead of farming as their main sources of food?

2. What challenges did the Midwestern settlers face and how could they overcome these challenges?

3. What were two main goals of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

4. Why were Cahokia and St. Louis good places for trade?

5. How did the invention of the steamboat affect the city of St. Louis?

Science This week in science the students will learn about simple machines. They will learn about the first simple machine used by humans-the lever. Along with this they will learn the vocabulary terms: load, load arm, force arm, fulcrum and effort and be able to label them in a diagram. They will learn about different types of levers: first, second, and third class levers. The other simple machine they will learn about this week is the inclined plane. They will investigate to see how an inclined plane makes work easier.

Math - In math this week the students will review the units for capacity. They will begin to review the metric units of measurement. They will study the metric units of length, mass, and capacity. A division 7 timed test will be given on Friday. Be sure to ask you child if he/she passed out the thier 6 division. They should make it up during recess if they did not.

News From Mrs. Cavoto

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room March17-21

Spring Break begins on Friday, March 21st.

Reading This week the students will be evaluating problem/solution text patterns. The students will read passages that are both fiction and non-fiction to determine problems and solutions. They will understand that there may be more than one problem in a story and that there are several ways to solve a problem. They will also look at the events leading to the solutions.

Language This week the students will work on persuasive writing. They will review and understand what persuasion is. They will read their persausive ad final drafts to the class. They will then begin their research for their first persausive essay.

Science There will be a test over the first 6 activities on Thursday of this week. The material to be tested is highlighted in their science journals, which they should bring home on Monday. They should also study the vocabulary from the unit which they should have in their science binders.

Social Studies This week we will learn about the changes that took place as the French fur traders came to the Midwest. The students will study the factors that led some Native American groups in the Midwest to lose their land and as the Midwestern settlers moved in,
the challenges they had to overcome.

Math In math this week the students will review calendar skills. They will measure using non-standard units of measure and then move to standard units of measure.They will also review their standard measurements of inch, foot, yard, and mile. They will measure using inch, 1/2 inch, 1/4 inch, and 1/8 inch. They will need to know how many feet in a yard , how many yards in a mile, how many inches in a foot etc. They will also learn their standard units of capacity, ounce, cup, pint, quart, gallon. I have postponed the division 6 test until Thursday of this week.

News from Mrs. Cavoto's Room March 10-14

ISAT Week

This week the students will be taking the ISAT tests. The best way to help the children prepare is to review the models sent home for written responses to math and reading. They can review the science and math packets to go over the skills that they know they had some difficulty with.

It is important that they get plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast. I healthy snack would be a good idea for the kids to bring in on these days to give them that late morning boost.

There will be no spelling test this week.

Science The students will conduct experiments to investigate the effects of friction and lubricants on moving things. When is friction needed and not needed? When are lubricants useful? How do we use them in our everyday life?

Social Studies The students will learn about the people of the Midwest. They will learn about the different Native American tribes that lived in the Midwest. They will compare the Ojibawa culture from the 1600's to today. They will understand how these Native Americans keep their culture alive today. The students will make their own "Talking Stick". The Ojibawas had a talking stick that they used when they had meetings. The person with the talking stick was the one who could talk. Everyone else in the group had to listen and be respectful to the person with the talking stick. This gave everyone in the group a chance to speak.

Math We will be meeting this week only for ISAT testing.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room March 4-March 7th

Reading This week the students will review literal and inferential questions, main idea and supporting details, summarizing sequenced skills events and fact and opinion. They will work on the functional skills of drawing conclusions from maps, charts and diagrams.

Along with review they will read passages and discuss author's purpose for fiction and non-fiction text. They will compare themes and works by different authors.

English The students will be working on their written responses to reading passages. I will give extra points to those students who practice their written response at home. Here is a non-fiction topic for you to write on that goes along with our social studies unit: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a barge to transport goods? You can use your social studies textbook or what you remember we have discussed to write your response. Remember in your explanation you need to have a topic sentence when you "turn the question around". Then give text proofs, explanations, and your own ideas. Try to put it in separate paragraphs and don't forget the closing.

Science - We will discuss,"What is force?" The students will learn that force is a push or a pull between two objects. They will use spring scales to measure force and chart their information. The students will demonstrate the efects of equal and opposite forces.

Social Studies A test over chapter 8 Water and Land of the Midwest will be on Friday of this week. They should begin studying the vocabulary for the chapter and then study the key concepts as well. They have workbook pages in their binder they can study and the end of the chapter reviews as well as the concept reviews at the end of each lesson.

Some key concepts to know:

How did the badlands change from the time of the dinosaurs to today, and what caused the change? The land at the time of the dinosaurs had broad rivers and lush, green plains. Many plants and animals lived on the plain. Then the climate changed over a million years and became cooler and less humid. The Rocky Mountains and the Black Hills rose and because of this the they blocked some of the rain that once fell on the region and over the next millions of years, the land began to change. Now the bad lands are regions of dry hills and sharp cliffs formed of crumbling rock.

Explain how a lock works: When a boat is traveling down a waterway and comes to another waterway where the level is higher or lower the boat can go into a lock. The lock has a gate that will open and close to let water in or out. This will raise the water up or down to allow the ship to pass into the other waterway.

How were the Great Lakes formed? The Great lakes were formed many years ago during the last Ice Age. North America was covered with glaciers and the movement of the glaciers caused deep pits to form in the Earth. When the Ice Age ended, the ice melted and filled the pits forming the Great Lakes.

Be able to read a line graph.

Math In math we will begin a unit on measurement. We will review telling time and mostly spend time on problem solving with elapsed time. This week we will also continue working on problem solving and t-chart written responses. Division 6 will be tested on Friday.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room February 25th-29th

Conference notes will go home today. I will not be scheduling a conference for everyone. Please fill in the sheet if you would like to conference with me and indicate your preference. Thank you.

Spring pictures are on Thursday.

Trimester ends on Friday of this week.

The DuPage Museum will come to school and work with our class on machines on Thursday of this week.

Reading This week the students will work on writing responses to their reading. They will use clues from their reading and their own ideas to write a response.

They will also use their knowledge of the different informational text patterns to compare and show their understanding of reading passages. They will read different stories and compare the topics and themes of those stories.

English They will finish their descriptive ads this week and share them with the class. They will work on using adjectives to compare with.

The students will have a test over adjectives this week on Thursday.

Social Studies The students will learn about the Badlands of South Dakota. They will study the landscape and climate of 67 million years ago and how it has changed. They will compare the prairie to the badlands.

Science The students will investigate in order to determine the effect of the surface of a ramp on the distance a vehicle travels. They will organize data into charts and graphs and interpret the data. The children will understand what a force is and determine the kind of force used to work a tool.

Math This week the students will use money to solve problems. They will work on their problem solving skills and write to explain what and why they did each step.

There will be a test on Wednesday over chapter 5 in their textbook. They should bring their books home to help them study the problems solving and the different skills from this chapter.
Division 5 timed test will be given on Friday.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Room Feb. 18-Feb.22

The Six Flags Great America Reading sheets are due on Friday, February 22. If you want to earn a free ticket to Great America you need to turn in your record of 6 hours of reading.

Also your reading folders are due on Thursday, February 21st if you want to participate in our 4th Reading Club Party which is on Friday, February 22.

Spring pictures are planned for February 28th.

Reading: As you know the children have started reading a new book for their Book Club. I did give them an assignment over the long weekend. They are to read chapters 4-6 and fill out the book talk sheet.

This week we will continue to work on using clues from the story and what they know from their own life to making inferences. They will also be reading reading passages and determing the differences between the text patterns: describing, comparing/contrasting, cause/effect, and telling the sequence of events.

English This week the students will study adjectives. They will listen to a description and draw what they visualize. They will identify the adjectives that helped them with their drawings. They will use adjectives to describe a special place for others to figure out.

Science We will begin a new unit this week in science on simple machines. The students will explore factors which affect cars rolling down an incline plane. They will investigate in order to determine the effect of the height of a ramp on the distance a car travels and the amount of time it remains in motion.

Social Studies This week the students will discover why the flow of the Chicago River was changed and the positive effects of shipping by water. They will also read and interpret information from bar graphs and line graphs.

Math This week in math we review making tables to get information. The students will also multiply with money. They will be tested on their 4 division facts on Friday. We will also have a test over chapter 5 the following week. It is planned for Wednesday, February 27th.

News From Mrs. Cavoto's Class February 8-15th

The students will be taking the IOWA tests this week. The best way to prepare for this test is for the children to get plenty of sleep and eat a hearty breakfast. Don't forget a mid-morning snack, the students will need it after a long morning of testing.

Valentine's party will be on Thursday, February 14th at 1:30. The children will be able to pass out Valentines. They should just remember one for everyone. There are 23 students and I will send home a list on Monday.

No spelling test due to IOWA testing

Reading The students will continue to work on making inferences this week. They will also work on the strategies of predicting future outcomes and purpose, relevance, and informational Text features.

Science The students will determine if specific parrellel circuits and series circuits will light. They will learn about electricity and magnetism and make their own electromagnets.

Math - The students will review how to multiply two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers. They will work on the problem solving skill of making a table. You may see worksheets coming home with daily warm-ups on them. These are to help the students review skills that they have been taught in the past, but may have forgotten. The children may need your help on these skills, and I appreciate any help you may give them in refreshing their memories.

I will give the students the division 4 timed test on Friday of this week.

Social Studies .To think about and know.... What are the Great Lakes and how were they formed? What are the names of the five Great Lakes? How do the Great Lakes connect the Midwest with the rest of the world?We would love for you to bring in any information, artifacts, pictures, etc. about the landscape and or climate of Midwest Region.