Friday, September 28, 2018 – A LOOK AT WHAT WE’RE UP TO…
We’re really getting going now! There is just so much to share, but I can’t (nor do you probably want me to) share it all in one post. So…below is an overview of what we’re up to with many of our endeavors in class. I’ve also added some attachments that give clear examples of the types of experiences your kids are having (or will be soon).
In writing we are drafting and crafting our Small Moment narratives, as well as conducting peer-editing (student-to-student feedback). We will begin publishing within the week. The purpose of the Small Moment is to learn specific techniques and writing strategies that effectively pause the plot and stretch the moment, as well as to learn how to embed a life lesson into the heart of a story. Each day, I have also been teaching lessons on conventions related to paragraphing and comma usage, which the kids can execute in their drafting and free-writing at home. Below are three items for your perusal:1). a STRATEIES OF AWESOME WRITING poster that we’re using this year for all genres of writing; 2). the PEER EDITING FEEDBACK FORM, so that you can see what types of feedback kids are asked to give to and get from each other; and 3). a Small Moment mentor text, written by Yours Truly…
In math we’ve been dipping our feet deeper into the pool of double- (or more) digit multiplication. A reminder: STUDENTS WILL ULTIMATELY BE USING TRADITIONAL ALGORITHMS FOR LONG MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION, as these are most efficient when “executing” in math. The other models that we investigate and learn really do help students to see how it all works, and they can ultimately transfer that understanding to their efficient execution. But remember, you can help your child understand math however you see fit – THERE IS NO WRONG WAY!
In science and social studies, we have an overlying theme for the year: FORCE CAUSES MOTION, AND MOTION CAUSES CHANGE (ask your kids to show you the chant/dance). In science we are really getting into our unit on Earth’s Systems, and the kids have already discovered that our day-to-day life on earth is dependent on the interactions between systems of the GEOsphere (ground), BIOsphere (all living things), (HYDROsphere) (water and weather); and ATMOsphere (air and wind). Through field study and simulations, we are examining how each sphere interacts, affects, and is affected by the other spheres, as well as by human impact, in creating both positive and negative changes to various biomes, ecosystems, and communities…
In social studies, we have embarked on our study of “The Roads That Led to America.”We start this story back in Europe and Asia in the Middle Ages. Students become quite knowledgeable about life during the Middle Ages, and how the religious forces behind the Crusades caused a movement of people, goods and ideas. This motion created knew economic and intellectual forces and led to great change – the burst of learning known as The Renaissance, which further led to the Age of Exploration, which ultimately lead to America’s discovery, settlement and colonization (all HUGE CHANGES). Below are some documents related to an upcoming project, called THE ROADS THAT LED TO AMERICA, which involves using nonfiction sources to gather research and take notes, and then to weave those notes in creating historical fiction and expository writing pieces.
Well, that’s it for now. I hope you enjoyed your snapshot into our classroom world, and there will be other snapshots to come. My next post will be devoted primarily to HABITS OF MIND. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow – Cathy
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