Big idea: Where can an idea
begin?
Essential question: How can
experiencing nature change the
way you think about it?
Dear Family Member:
Focus Areas
This week our class will be focusing on our experiences
with nature. We can experience nature almost anywhere,
even in a big city.
Vocabulary
(Define, Give an example, Ask a question)
1. Debris- scattered remains of something
2. Emphasis- to say something with special forces
or stress when saying a particular word or
syllable
3. Encounter- unexpected meeting
4. Generations- one who has a common family
ancestor (ex: son, father, grandfather)
5. Indicated- to show a sign of something
6. Naturalist- a person in who specializes in the
study of things in nature, especially with the
animals and plants
7. Sheer- steep
8. Spectacular- very unusual and impressive
Reading Skill: text structure: cause and
effect
Genre: narrative nonfiction
Reading Strategy: ask & answer questions
Vocabulary Strategy: homographs
Writing Trait: word choice
Grammar: Compound Sentences
Spelling
Spelling skill: Words with /u/, /u/ &/u/
List: tuna, booth, theme, duty, handbook,
coach, lose, prove, bride, few, mute,
strewn, doom, amuse, accuse, bamboo,
plume, soothe, hue, crooks, view, hoof,
Practice this week’s vocabulary online!
bruise, hooks, union
Here are some extension and enrichment activities that you can do with your child to help reinforce the skills we’ll
be practicing.
Word Workout
•
•
Words to Know: homographs In this activity, your child will define words and use the words in sentences.
You will help your child match other definitions to the starred words.
Spelling/Phonics: different sounds of u You will spell a word, either correctly or intentionally incorrectly.
If you use the wrong spelling, your child will say “Stop!” and spell the word correctly.
Comprehension: cause and effect
•
Read two stories with your child. Have your child think and write about two possible effects after reading
each story.
Word Workout
Words to Know
Some of these vocabulary words have more than one meaning. We’ll
take turns making up sentences that use the words. When we get to a
starred word, we’ll have to make up more than one sentence because
these words can have more than one meaning. If we need to use the
dictionary, we can.
sheer*
debris*
generations*
spectacular
emphasis
indicated
naturalist
encounter*
Spelling Words
14
tuna
duty
lose
few
doom
bamboo
soothe
crooks
hoof
hooks
booth
handbook
prove
mute
amuse
plume
hue
view
bruise
union
Challenge:
strewn
accuse
Review:
theme
coach
Unit 1 • Week 3
bride
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Listen carefully as I spell each word. I might spell it correctly or I might use
the wrong spelling. If I spell a word incorrectly, say “Stop!” Then tell me
how to spell the word correctly. We’ll see how many mistakes I make!
Comprehension: Cause and Effect
What Is the Effect?
Events in a story can often be organized by cause and effect. One event
often causes another to happen. Read each story and think about what
might happen next, or the effect one thing has one something else. Try
to come up with two effects for each story.
It had snowed heavily during the night, so Jessica was excited to
go outside and sled. She was in such a hurry that she didn’t
dress very warmly. She also didn’t finish her breakfast. Her
friends convinced her to come with them to the park, even
though it was a long walk from her house. What might happen?
Effect:
Effect:
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Peter and his younger sister Sasha went camping with their parents.
They decided to hike around the lake. They thought they might be
able to see some deer. Storm clouds had begun to gather before they
left. Peter and Sasha talked and picked wild flowers as they hiked.
What might happen?
Effect:
Effect:
Russell lived in an apartment in a big city. He had never been out of
the city. He liked to study astronomy and to read about animals. His
friend Jeanine invited him to drive into the country one weekend with
her family. They were going to spend the night on a farm. They were
also going to bring a telescope along. What might happen?
Effect:
Effect:
Unit 1 • Week 3
15