Math: We have almost finished the first chapter of our GO Math series. Chapter 1 focuses on place value, multiplication, and expressions. We will complete lesson 1.12 on Monday. We will review chapter 1 on Tuesday and then take the test on Wednesday. On Thursday we will begin Chapter 2. This chapter focuses on dividing whole numbers. There will be one page of homework assigned nightly in addition to any work not completed during class.
Reading: We are reading the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. (See home page for a synopsis.) We will be working on determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, comprehending literature, drawing information from multiple print or digital sources, and determining a theme of a story. Students will be asked to build a model of Brian's camp as described in the book. Due date to follow. Students will also take a quiz on chapters 5-8 of the book.
Reading groups: I have assigned students to reading groups. Each group will be reading a novel and working on various common core reading skills. We will be reading the following books: Because of Winn-Dixie, Old Yeller, Titanic: Book 1: Unsinkable, Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger.
Reading homework: There will be one page of reading homework assigned nightly. This week we will be focusing on explaining the relationships between two concepts and comparing and contrasting information.
Grammar: We will be working in class on demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. We will finish up capitalization and begin working on punctuation.
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 new spelling list will be sent home this week covering the next three weeks. 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 the silent letters. The words are: Wednesday, listen, chalk, yolk, knee, climbing, design, crumb, know, doubt, tongue, ghost, league, write, guard, wrestling, building, guitar, two, biscuits, foreigner, knit, half, walk.
Social Studies: We have started a unit on the American Revolution. We will start by focusing on the what life was like in colonial America before the Revolutionary War. We will also be learning about the causes of the Revolution. We are currently reading the book, The Matchlock Gun, the Newbery Medal winning book by Walter D. Edmonds. This book explores what life was like for colonists in New York during The French and Indian War. Students will also begin a research project in which they will be assigned a trade from colonial times. They will have to research what that person's job was and what skills were needed to perform the job. Due date to follow.
Science: We are going to work on a life science unit on classifying living things. Students will be categorizing organisms into classes.
Writing: Each day students will be completing a daily writing warm-up which focuses on many writing skills. They will also complete a quick write on a given prompt. We will also 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 focuses on writing informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. Students should be writing at least a paragraph each day.