Dear Family,
This week we'll be exploring the question "What makes someone a hero?" First, we'll read the fantasy story Dex: The Heart of a Hero, about a dog that becomes a superhero! We'll also learn about some real heroes in the informational text Heroes Then and Now.  
Your partner in education,
Mrs. Petrella

Domain: Civics
Lesson Topic: Heroic Contributions
Genre: Anchor Text- Dex: The Heart of a Hero (Fiction: Fantasy)
Supplemental Text- Heroes Then and Now (Nonfiction: Informational Text: Biography) 
Essential Question: What makes someone a hero?
Target Vocabulary: depended, overlooked, sprang, studied, gazing, hero, exercise, sore
Phonics and Spelling Skills: Words with r-controlled vowel or (for), ore (bore)
Vocabulary Strategy: Prefix over-
Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast--tell how two things are alike or not
Comprehension Strategy: Monitor/Clarify--find ways to figure out what doesn't make sense
Writing Focus: Narrative Writing--Fictional Story
Grammar Skill: Commas in a Series
Fluency: Intonation

Activities to Do Together with Your Child at Home:
Vocabulary
See if you and your child can use all of this week's Target Vocabulary words in action-packed sentences about superheroes.

Heroes and Superheroes
Talk with your child about the similarities and differences between "regular" heroes and superheroes. What can regular heroes do just as well as superheroes can? Are there any advantages to being a regular hero rather than a superhero?

A Hairy Hero?
With your child, choose an animal and turn it into a superhero like Dex the dachshund. Have your child write a story about the adventures of your animal superhero. Help your child revise and make a final copy of the story.

Math-  Chapter 7- Counting Money and Telling Time

Religion-  Chapter 15- 

Science- Earth Science- Earth and Its Resources
Big Idea- Changes can occur to Earth's Surface. People need Earth resources like rock, plants, and water.
Lesson 1: What changes Earth?
Lesson 2: What are natural resources?

Social Studies- Scholastic News- Escape to Freedom- The Underground Railroad; Civics- Heroic Contributions