Math: We have begun Chapter 3, which focuses on adding and subtracting decimals. This week we will be working on lessons 3.1-3.5. 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 meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text; drawing evidence from literary text to support analysis, reflection, and research; conducting short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. 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 be reading chapters 13-16 this week. Students will be working on vocabulary words from this section. They will also write a news report based on an event from the book. Another assignment will be to research tornadoes in order to answer specific questions about them. These assignments will be completed primarily during class time.
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 quoting accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Grammar: We will be working in class on demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. We will be working on possessives this week. We will do a practice page each day. Students are expected to correct their work when we go over it together and turn it in each day.
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 -TION and -SION words. The spelling words are: nation, illusion, multiplication, precipitation, frustration, conversation, competition, preparation, attention, confusion, perspiration, explosion, invasion, conclusion, salutation, interruption, situation, subtraction, hesitation.
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. Students will begin another research project in which they will select one of the well-known historical figures. They will need to research the colony in which the person grew up, his or her childhood life, occupation, and political or religious beliefs. They will be asked to write about their findings from that subject's perspective. Due date is September 17. One helpful website is The History Place. We will also begin discussing the causes of the American Revolution.
Science: We are working on a life science unit on classifying living things. Students will be categorizing organisms into classes. Students will begin an activity in which they will have to either collect or research five organisms. They will have to draw a picture of the organism, describe it, and find the scientific name of the organism. Due date is September 20. We are also 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: 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 be working on the steps of writer's workshop in which students will have the opportunity to revise and edit their writing. Students will take an open book quiz on Monday, reviewing the skills of our previous set of warm-ups. They will also need to rewrite a quick write of their choice to be graded. Our next 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.