August Updates

I'm happy to say that we have had a VERY smooth beginning to our year!  I have been very impressed with how quickly we are catching on to routines and living up to the high expectations that I have!  Here's a look into the upcoming week:

Reading - We will be reading a non-fiction story about Satchel Paige while working on the reading strategy of questioning and the skill of identifying facts and opinions.  We will work on these through a variety of other activities during our stations as well.

Math - Unit 2 has just begun!  This unit's focus will be on adding and subtracting algorithms.  Students were introduced to a new addition strategy late last week called the "partial-sums" method.  I discussed with the class how a carpenter has many tools in their toolbox, but do not necessarily use all of them all the time.  We then discussed how this method is just another tool in our own math toolboxes; it is something we should at least try, but we are not required to use it.  I let students know that I do not prefer them to use any one strategy over another.  However, everyone did attempt to use the partial-sums method, but were able to use whichever strategy best suits them. 

Science - We are currently wrapping up our first chapter based on classifying plants and animals.  This week will include a short lab using microscopes to study the difference between plant cells and animal cells, along with an open-book test.  The test will be given over the course of two class days (30 minutes each day) in order to allow students time to use their books and complete the test with a sufficient amount of time.

Social Studies - It's been a quick study, but we are also finishing up our chapter over ancient civilizations and Native American culture regions.  Students have probably informed you that we are beginning a group project this week.  On Friday, we discussed the requirements and guidelines for the project.  Students formed groups, chose a culture region to present, and should be ready to begin working on Monday!  Final projects will be due by the end of class on Friday, August 28th.

Writing - Our writing block has been focused on the trait of ideas using news articles as our source.  We are currently working on developing focused paragraphs with catchy titles, subheadings, and the use of proper nouns in our own "original" newspaper articles.  It's been very fun to see students be so creative and have fun with this type of writing!

If you haven't yet responded, please be sure to let me know what size t-shirt your student wears.  I will be giving those to our PSG later this week for our Redbird Run fundraiser coming up in September! 

Several students have displayed an interest in campaigning for our Student Council.  Students who are interested should have brought home a letter from Mrs. McMullen, our Student Council advisor, with information regarding some important requirements for students who serve.  Those students who have returned the signed information and have written a campaign speech will be eligible to run.  Speeches will be read anonymously by myself to the class on Friday morning and a vote will then take place.  Good luck to those who run!