Math: We are working on Chapter 3, which focuses on adding and subtracting decimals. This week we will be working on lessons 3.9- Chapter 3 Review. We will take the Chapter 3 math test when we return from Fall Break. Go Math Animated Math Models are now available for extra help under the "Go Math Resources" tab. There will be one page of homework assigned nightly in addition to any work not completed during class. Some assignments will also be available on the Think Central website. For user name and password questions, contact Mrs. Brannock at [email protected].
Reading: We are reading the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. (See home page for a synopsis.) We will be working on determining the theme of a story from details in the text, including how characters in a story respond to challenges; quoting accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text; determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text. Students will be asked to build a model of Brian's camp as described in the book. This will be done during art class. Due date to follow. We will begin making a mobile related to the theme of the book. Students should bring in yarn or string for this project. Students will also take the quiz on chapters 13-16 this week. We will also begin working on the remaining chapters of the book, and working on the vocabulary words that go with this section. These assignments will be completed primarily during class time.
Reading groups: I have revised reading groups. Each group will be reading a novel and working on various common core reading skills.
Reading homework: There will be one page of reading homework assigned nightly. This week we will be focusing on determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including similes and metaphors; demonstrating understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Reading Skill Practice: We will be working on the skill of making inferences. We will complete one activity each day relating to making inferences.
Spelling: We will be working to spell grade-appropriate words correctly. Students will complete a packet practicing the week's skill in class. They may take it home to study as well. A copy of the spelling list is available on the assignments page. Students will take a test on Friday over the week's spelling words as well as the spelling skill itself. This week we will be working on ph words. The spelling words are: bibliography, biography, pharaoh, phantom, pharmacy, phase, phenomenon, Philadelphia, physical, phobia, photograph, phony, phrase, graph, geography, morph, nymph, telephone.
Social Studies: We have started a unit on the American Revolution. We will be discussing the causes of the American Revolution. We will be discussing the function of government in providing certain goods and services through taxation. We will also be discussing the impact that the revolution had on society, particularly among families. We will be reading the historical fiction novel My Brother Sam is Dead as a read aloud.
Science: We are going to start a new unit on fish. We will be having goldfish and guppies in the classroom. Students will be observing the fish, learning about the anatomy of fish, and completing an inquiry investigation involving fish. Students must have a signed permission slip in order to handle the classroom fish.
Writing and Grammar: Each day students will be completing a daily writing warm-up which focuses on many writing and language skills. They will also complete a quick write on a given prompt. We will be working on the steps of writer's workshop in which students will have the opportunity to revise and edit their writing. Our current set of writing prompts will focus on linking ideas within and across categories of information using words, phrases, and clauses. Students should be writing at least a paragraph each day. We will take an open note quiz on Wednesday. Students must also revise and edit a quickwrite o