Math
We have just begun our study of Unit 1 in the Everyday Math program which focuses on Number Theory. This unit focussed on exploring factors, divisibility rules, prime vs. composite numbers as well as square numbers. In addition we will be studying problem solving through a program called "The Problem Solver."Students should also be practicing their math multiplication facts. We will be having several math fact quizes weekly to sharpen our speed and accuracy.I expect 90% mastery in 5 minutes in order to move to the next level Writing Presently, the students are writing a personal narrative about their summer vacations. Please help them with their ideas and elaboration. After this assignment, they will be working on an "I Am" poem and free writing in our journals. The writing focus for September will be on topic generation, routines of the "Writer's Workshop and writing personal narratives. Also the students wrote an essay on their "Family History." I have decided at this point to not take this piece to final copy, but encourage the children to keep discovering their families and record their findings in their writing journals. All year long, in all the writing we do, we will be focusing on Eight Traits of Good Writing. They are: - Ideas
- Organization
- Elaboration
- Word Choice
- Sentence Fluency
- Voice
- Conventions
- Presentation
Reading
Research shows that the more students read at their independent reading level, the better readers and writers they become. Since the start of school, students have been required to read 20 minutes a night
( eventually to increase to 30 minutes) as part of their homework. Recently we have been working on teaching students how to pick a Good Fit Book (one at their independent reading level). Your child will have access to a wide array of literature through our school and classroom libraries. While at home, please guide your child to make good book choices. If students choose books that are above their independent reading level, while they can often move through the text, they are not be able to think deep and talk long about it and that is where the true learning comes in to play. My goal this year is to get your child excited about reading so that they become life long readers. If you get the chance, I encourage you to talk to your child about what they are reading. Get them to share their favorite parts, or parts they questioned or connected to. Have them discuss the characters and how they are growing and changing. Ask them what they think the lesson is that the author is trying to get across or to give you examples of great writing (authors craft). Students are also working on fluency, so if you have the time to sit and listen to them as they read out loud, that would also be very beneficial. Finally, if you are involved in reading (any kind newspaper, magazines, pleasure novels or even work related text), feel free to talk to your child about it and share with them your thinking. Anything you can do to support their reading will be so helpful! Students will be engaged in many forms of reading this year!
During the month of September we learned strategies to help us monitor our comprehension, fix- up strategies when comprehension breaks down, how to listen to our inner conversations when reading and think deep, non- fiction text and visual features, main idea/ supporting details and summarizing. Most of my instruction has been through whole group work. Now we will start transitioning into more guided reading based on student needs.
-Independent Reading - Students are reading novels of their choice and completing weekly reading response activities. They will be expected to read a minimum of 2 novels a month for the remainder of the year. Students have 30 minutes of reading time in class each day, and they are expected, as part of their nightly homework, to read 30 minutes at home each night and to complete a sheet that focuses on a different strategy each week.
-Read Aloud - I read aloud a novel to the class daily. Students listen and respond to the story in a number of ways (turn and talk with your peers, written reading response, practice different reading strategies, discuss character development and author's craft, etc.)
-Guided Reading - I work periodically with small groups of students to work on different comprehension or oral reading strategies. Reading Strategies - Throughout the year we will be using and developing the following reading strategies: - Making Connections
- Questioning
- Visualizing and Inferring
- Determining Importance
- Synthesizing Information
Social Studies:
We will be studying 4 topics this year: Maps and Globes, United States Governement, Westward Movement and the Civil War.
Science:
We will be studying 4 topics this year: Move It!, Physical and Chemical Changes, Light Energy and Senses, and Health (drug education, First Aid, Aides, Growth and Development).
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