Math – We are getting
through unit 6 with flying colors and the test has been moved to Friday January
18th. I like how the first part is
heavily focused on working with data and then the second half is all about
adding and subtracting fractions. To
make fractions more tangible please point them out outside of school such as in
cooking or shopping.
Science – We flew our planes
and tangled a few lines. We also
evaluated each other science response, becoming reflective scientists, and now
prepare for flipsticks. We started today
with a brief free time exploration of them and then decided which variables we could
change to effect the distance of the launched item. Our supertube challenge was a blast with
students focused on their build for 45 minutes.
The videos will soon be uploaded to our website.
Social Studies – The
focus has been main idea and details; learning the tricks for figuring out how
to tell someone else the main idea.
Today’s culminating activity was for the students to jigsaw a page or
two, figure out the main idea and details and then present them in note form to
the class. I was excited to hear the
conversations taking place and the thoughtful approaches to discerning details
from larger points.
Reading – We are getting
close to the end of Harry Potter and will then pick up “Wonder.” We have been heavily focused on setting weekly
reading goals, conferring with me on plans of how to meet them, and focusing in
on our independent reading. I have
started assessments in class as well.
Biblionasium has been a huge hit and I love seeing the students
recommend books to each other, and to me.
Writing – Our fiction writing
unit has been a lot of fun so far and I am intrigued by the imagination of many
of the students. We have focused on
developing characters and setting up our story ideas. Next comes developing struggles and wants.
Special Notes –
* What a wonderful week of
learning. I am thrilled every day with the
way these students work together and how eager they are to explore.
* Congratulations to Graham,
Michael, and Noah E. for representing the class in the geo bee next week.
* Our reading challenge is well
under way and half of our bulletin board is filled with book covers. How many books we have read! We are hoping to reach our goal by January 30th,
if we do a very special surprise awaits.
*
Thank you for party donations for the sledding party. While it is bit wet, the kids and I are all
excited to get this community building time.
* We have participated in 2 Mystery
Skype’s this week, we did one with new Hampshire Wednesday and one with
Wisconsin today. The questioning ability
of the students has greatly improved with a laser-like focus on figuring out
the state – way to go!
* Book orders are due this afternoon. I have 15 books ordered for our library; I
cannot wait to get them into the hands of students. Some current favorites are “The False
Prince,” “Out of My Mind,” and “A Tale Dark
and Grimm.”
*
Snow shoeing is next week; if there is snow left, students must bring
snow boots to participate. I will let
you know when I know.
* We got our tech tools that I was
awarded in a grant; 3 Bloggie video cameras, 2 Canon Powershots, and a
Livescribe pen. Students are becoming
experts and then teaching each other about the tools.
* The first map test; reading,
will be this coming Thursday at 1 PM.
* I have some dates for you to put on your calendars: MAPS
testing January 17th and 24th, No school Monday,
January 21st and Monday, January 28th, WM PTO meeting Thursday,
January 24th 7 PM, Valentine’s Day Party 1:30 PM February 14th,
Early Release February 12th.
0 comments:
Post a Comment