May 3, 2019

Mr. Mattson’s EL Newsletter

Class Updates
Upcoming 1st Grade --- Students in the 1st grade are now studying life
Events science themes, both plants and animals. We started reviewing
what we know about plants, labeling about the parts of plants
May 5th – Cinco de Mayo, and their functions, and focusing on the life cycle of plants. With
Start of Ramadan the background knowledge we have acquired, we will conduct
Late May – ACCESS
an experiment, using the scientific process. Our question is,
Scores available “What happens when a plant, starting as a seed, doesn’t get
what it needs?”

2nd Grade --- In the 2nd grade, we read the story “Ana’s Secret”
as a kickoff to the theme of healthy habits. In reading the story,
we reviewed the story elements of character, setting, the
problem and the plot. We also worked on some more difficult
questions and answers, asking each other how often a person
engages in a healthy (or unhealthy) habit. Next week we will
leave the topic of healthy habits and begin a unit on community!

3rd grade --- In the third grade we are moving from the study of
magnetism to study weather systems. We will learn about
different weather and storm systems, as well as focus on the
interplay of temperature and the water cycle. For the first
exploration, we observed the formation of water vapor to learn
about evaporation. We will continue our weather investigation
School Information by observing clouds and their changes, creating a book that will
help us with weather prediction.
1605 E. Oakland Ave.
Bloomington, IL 61701 4th / 5th Grade --- In the 4th and 5th grade ESL/literacy time, we
are wrapping up the book Ghost, which so far has been a great
Phone:
springboard for life conversations and informal and figurative
309-662-4302
language learning. Students are already taking quizzes on the
Fax: book, which will help them with their 4th quarter reading goals.
309-663-4385 We also were happy to see that Ghost won the Rebecca
Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award for 2019!
E-Mail:
mattsonc@district87.org

Website: ACCESS Scores

www.mrmattsonesl.weeb
ly.com In January, Students took the ACCESS English proficiency
test, which measures student progress in speaking, listening,
reading and writing. We should be getting unofficial ACCESS
scores by the end of May, which will indicate if your daughter
or son qualifies for EL service next year. Scores will be sent
home in the mail and also with my 4th quarter progress report.
Thanks for all you do!