Math: We have begun Chapter 3, which focuses on adding and subtracting decimals. This week we will be working on lessons 3.5-3.8. Students will take the Mid-Chapter Checkpoint Quiz on Wednesday, covering lessons 3.1-3.6. 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. Students will be working on vocabulary words from section 4. 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. Working in partners, students will be sharing parts of the book aloud to the class. We will also begin making a mobile related to the theme of the book. Students should bring in yarn or string for this project. 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 describing how a narrator's or speaker's point-of-view influences how events are described.
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 soft G and soft C words. The spelling words are: magic, piece, bicycle, giant, cyclops, gymnasium, cyclone, agent, excite, science, sponge, garage, ceiling, gyrate, niece, lounge, engine, judge, celebrity, circle, gentle, medicine, orange, decide, tragic.
Social Studies: We have started a unit on the American Revolution. We will be discussing the causes of the American Revolution. Students will be writing a "What if..." story telling how future events might have changed if King George and the colonists had managed to reach a compromise. We will also be discussing the function of government in providing certain goods and services through taxation.
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: 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. 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.