Weekly Re-Cap

Greetings Hoover families!

The students have been very focused each morning this week on ITBS testing. Our afternoons included math, life skills, language arts, and specials classes.

In Life skills, we have learned about the effects alcohol has on the body.  We have also reflected on our "natural highs" and talked about the many moments and parts of our lives that provide happiness. 

Next week, we will be having an advertising lesson. To make this lesson the best it can be, I am asking for your help! If you find cigarette or alcohol ads, please send them in with your student so that we can have a wide variety of advertisements to analyze. We will discuss techniques that advertisers use to attract consumers to their products, and choices that students can make to clarify and consider what is presented to them.

In the afternoons, we have had limited opportunities to squeeze in language arts. Here's a look at what we've been doing:

-meeting in lit group circles. As students read their chosen book, they have focused on certain reading strategies and skills. We connect these strategies to our CAFE chart (Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, Expanding Vocabulary) in our reader's response journals.

-Creative writing using analogies, similes and onomatopoeic words to enhance their poetry, narratives and fictional stories. 

-studying new Spanish phrases. These phrases are common phrases used daily in the classroom, such as "May I have your attention, please," "Write your homework down," "Take out a pencil and your planner," etc.  Students also continue to review vocabulary using songs and mnemonic devices.

-Inquiry project planning - students continue to plan, revise and edit plans to present their information on November 2nd. Some groups are beginning to put together excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint Presentations, posters, displays and video clips. I am impressed with the creativity and level of interest in these projects. 

Thank you to parents who provided ITBS treats this week! Students were very grateful for a break with some tasty treats!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

~Ms. Dobyns