- Writing: We have been busy working on our argument essay writing unit during Writer's Workshop each day. Students are in the last "bend" of this unit and are composing an argument essay involving a topic of their choice. It has been very interesting to see the topics they have selected. Some topic examples currently being addressed are: "Why I Should Have a Dog", "Say No to Animal Cruelty", and "Why College Tuition Should be Free in the United States". I have been very impressed by student efforts while researching and writing. I am hoping to wrap this final project up by next Thursday, February 18th.
- Reading: We are wrapping up Unit 4 in literacy:"Justice", and will be heading into Unit 5: "Every Drop". Throughout Unit 5, students will be enjoying a variety of texts focused on or related to the topic of water.
- Social Studies: Students have been learning about the Declaration of Independence and the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Our final test over Chapter 12 is tomorrow. Our next chapter will focus specifically on the Revolutionary War and the people, places, and events that were a part of it. We have also started our states and capitals unit. The states and capitals are introduced a region at a time. Students will receive a study guide for a particular region, and then will take a quiz over those states and capitals the following week. We have talked as a class about different methods that can be used to help prepare for each quiz. Ideas include: creating flashcards for each state and its capital, using the study guide provided as a reference, and utilizing the nifty fifty link that can be found under the "Websites" tab on my blog. It will be important for students to learn and master each region as we go along, so that they are prepared for the final test over all fifty states, their locations, and their capitals at the end of the unit in May.
- Science: We have started our first science unit: Matter! Students have been enjoying the hands-on activities exploring the properties of matter.
- Math: My math class has just finished up an extensive study of fractions, and has just begun the next unit: Coordinates, Area, Volume, and Capacity.
A Reminder:
- Valentine's Day Parties are Friday, February 12th. If your child is interested in bringing in valentines to share with their classmates, please send them in by this Friday. A class list was sent home last week for students interested in personally addressing their valentines.
- Be sure to continue cleaning out those backpacks and take home folders. Students bring home a lot of papers and it is helpful for them to purge those each evening. Please be sure to check with your child before discarding any papers.
- Homework assignments are updated daily on my blog, and can be found under the "Homework" tab. Please feel free to check there to stay updated on assignments and projects that are due.
