April 22, 2009                 Snail Newsletter

     Welcome!  Thanks for logging on to this site!  My goal is to keep you informed about our week, to give you easy access to our classroom happenings, and to allow you to respond back to me with the ease of your computers.

I have appreciated all of you that have sent me E-mails.  I will continue to check my mail in a timely manner.

                                              Mrs. Snyder

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Open Court  Our Country and Its People

Story:  New Hope

"New Hope" tells a pioneer story of the Jensen family, who immigrated to America from Denmark in the late 1800's. A broken wagon axle was their signal to stop traveling and set up a homestead on fertile soil near a fish-filled river.  Soon the homestead became a settlement, and the settlement grew into a town, complete with a bank, church, hotel, general store, and newspaper.  Through this story, the history of New Hope is told to a young boy whose great-great-great grandfather founded the city.

Elements of Historical Fiction:

• The story takes place sometime in the past.
• The events or problems in the story are from that time.
• The characters talk, dress, and act like people of that time.
• Real things that happened or real people who lived at the time may be in the story.

Story Connections:

"New Hope" illustrates the early days of our country as it was settled by different groups of people.  Thanks to pioneers who felt the pull of America's frontier, towns were born, railroads were built, and settlements soon stretched from ocean to ocean.  Through the effective use of a flashback, Henri Sorensen reminds the reader that the pioneer days were actually only a short time ago.

1. Many immigrants came to America without any specific plan for where they would settle.
2. Much of our country was settled by pioneers who bravely traveled by horse and wagon.
3. Early settlements grew into towns because pioneers were free to establish homes and businesses as needed.

Vocabulay Words:

recycling; using throw-away items for another purpose

ferried; carried across a body of water

brisk; quick and lively

bustling; busy

invitation; a written request to do something

citizens; people who live in a town or city

Related Books to Our Theme:

Dragon Parade by Steven Chin

Norman left his home in China for the Land of the Golden Mountain--America.  In america, Norman opens a grocery store but when it's time for the Chinese New Year, he closes his stoare for a week to have a celebration no one will forget.

Dancing with the Indians by Angela Shelf Medearis

Travel along with a family as they go to visit and dance with the Seminole Indians.  Take part in the colorful and rhythmic dancing and learn why each year this family visits the Seminole Indians.

Amelia's Road by Linda Jacobs Altman

More than anything else in the world Amelia wants to belong to a place.  Her family works as migrant farm workers and they move around a lot.  When Amelia accidentally finds a beautiful tree, she feels that she finally has a place to belong.

Homework for the Week:

Monday:  Spelling reteach 162, challenge 145

                     Math 129 & facts

Tuesday:  Vocabulary reteach 163, challenge 146

               Math 130 & facts

Wed.:      OPEN HOUSE    NO HOMEWORK

Thurs:      Grammar, reteach 164

               Mechanics, challenge 147

Decodable Book 40 The Gray, "Grim House"

Just a Note: 

*  We've had several students home with flu symptoms: fever, upset stomachs, and no appetites.  Friday we had 5 absent kids. I've cleaned the room, wiped down the chairs and tables, and have had the students wash their hands throughout the day. Please check your child before sending them to school.  Whatever this is,it has been fairly contagious.

*  Open House Wednesday  6:00 to 8:30 p.m. 

We've been working really hard all year and have many projects, pieces of art, and writing samples to share with you.  Families, friends, and neighbors are all welcome!  We are expecting many families from Thomas Jefferson to attend as well.  Please help us to welcome them to our Bancroft community as they will be joining us in September.

* This week is marble week.  A notice with the rules has been sent home.  We have very few problems with this student council activity...the students just have fun at recess.

  Mrs. Snyder