We had a great week...here is how it all went down....
LANGUAGE ARTS and SOCIAL STUDIES
This week we integrated Social Studies and Language Arts...we were determining importance using text features as we read the SS textbook. Our topic?...physical geography (what the land and water look like), climate, and the natural resources of a region. We also had a lesson on note-taking and the importance of jotting down important words or phrases vs. sentences. This helps the kids avoid plagiarism. :-) All of this was in preparation for the project we started this week...STATE BROCHURES. Each student chose one of the fifty states and is gathering information to produce a travel brochure. This project touches on so many different skills...they have to think about their audience while informing about the state AND persuading readers to visit the state, all at the same time! They have to use text features, in both the non-fiction book and the internet research portal, to locate the important information they need. We visited the computer lab this week to do just that. Take a look....
This at-school brochure project will continue throughout this next week.
We have also been working on our Opinion Essay...we're not even to the drafting stage yet...each part of this essay needs its own lesson...we will begin rough drafts this week!
I have exciting news...this week we will have two people share during our Author's Chair portion of Writer's Workshop! We have lots of kids waiting for a teacher conference and a long line waiting to publish on the computer as well...this is ALL good news!!
MATH
This week in math we worked on estimating using rounding and two step word problems using all four operations. The kids took a post test on Unit One (for their portfolio) and they also took a Unit 1 test that was graded and sent home. Please feel free to email me at any time if you have questions about grades. I know that for many of you, this is the first year for grades. I am happy to discuss your child's progress. If a child receives a D or F on a test, I allow for that child to study at home using the first test, and then take another test to improve his/her grade. I always write this on the test, so make sure to review your child's work with him/her each weekend. Thanks!
We are moving into MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION...we will work on showing our understanding of the concepts using manipulatives, choosing the best strategies to solve difficult problems, and mastering the algorithms as we travel through this unit. As always, my instruction will be based on the results of a pretest.
SQUIRRELY FACTS
Tomorrow a small Social Studies project will be assigned and the kids will have a week to complete...it will be due Monday, October 7th. In order to complete the assignment, your child will need access to an atlas or an online atlas. They will use their geography skills to answer some fun questions.
SUMDOG
This week the kids will be asked to play Sumdog as a homework assignment. I am aware many of your kids have been playing just for fun...good for them! If your child does not have access to a computer, PLEASE let me know. Thanks!
I hope you all had a great weekend!
