During Quarter 2, we will focus on writing realistic fiction. We will begin by applying pre-writing strategies to write story blurbs to generate ideas for fiction writing.
This week we will continue the pre-writing stage by focusing on character and plot development. We will use various graphic organizers to focus on 2-3 main characters and their attributes. We will create story mountains to think about the elements of setting, conflict, resolution.
A link to a website for information on the 6 Traits of writing is below:
http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/post_its.htm
http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/post_its.htm
Natural Reader:
This tool can be downloaded on your home computers to assist students with reading text that may be challenging. We use this in class for webpage research and for revising our writing. Students can listen to what they have typed and determine if it sounds right to revise. In addition, when gathering research, this tool allows them to read difficult text. We have this program at school, but it is a great tool for home use as well:
www.naturalreader.com
Social Studies: Impact of Geography
In this unit, students will demonstrate their understanding of using maps and how humans adapt to their environment. We will determine where the major population centers are in Maryland today and predict why people live in certain areas. We will review the three different kinds of maps:
physical: show land elevations, sea levels, mountains and other physical features
thematic: use to show one topic (crops, pollution, population, etc.)
political: show boudaries between states/countries
In this unit, students will demonstrate their understanding of using maps and how humans adapt to their environment. We will determine where the major population centers are in Maryland today and predict why people live in certain areas. We will review the three different kinds of maps:
physical: show land elevations, sea levels, mountains and other physical features
thematic: use to show one topic (crops, pollution, population, etc.)
political: show boudaries between states/countries
Identify lines (perpendicular, parallel and intersecting)
Identify points, lines, line segments, rays
Identify angles (obtuse, acute, right, straight)
Identify the vertex
We will learn to measure the circumference of a circle using diameter and radius.
Looking Ahead: Unit 2 Assessment December 3 & 4 (Mrs. Dynda's Class)
Looking Ahead: Unit 2 Assessment December 3 & 4 (Mrs. Dynda's Class)
Math 4:
Unit 2 Topics Include:
Demonstrate mastery of basic multiplication and division fact families
Identify and apply multiples and factors of numbers.
Solve for the unknown or variable in an equation.
Generalize a pattern by stating a rule.
Write and simplify numeric expressions using number properties.
Complete a function table using a given rule.
Our focus will shift to using arrays to undestand and identify factors of numbers. We will use line plots, arrays, cubes, and fact triangles to demonstrate understanding of multiplication.
Looking Ahead: Unit 2 Assessment, December 12 & 13
Looking Ahead: Unit 2 Assessment, December 12 & 13
*A great website that allows students to work at their own pace on word problems/real world application of multiplication & division:
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a log in is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Reading:
Our focus will be buidling theories about characters. We will start by teaching recognizing that in life, as well as in books, we watch how people act, noticing especially how they respond to events. From this we formulate theories about their character traits. Good readers pay attention not only to what a character does but how the character does these things. We will think beyond an event to understand a character's actions and motivations. This will lead us to notice how a character changes throughout a book or story.
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
We continue to use the Khan academy website to help practice our math at home. This is a great site where students (if a log in is created) can track their progress and have example problems to work on. It has been featured in CNN as an up and coming way for teachers to assess individual students learning.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Reading:
Our focus will be buidling theories about characters. We will start by teaching recognizing that in life, as well as in books, we watch how people act, noticing especially how they respond to events. From this we formulate theories about their character traits. Good readers pay attention not only to what a character does but how the character does these things. We will think beyond an event to understand a character's actions and motivations. This will lead us to notice how a character changes throughout a book or story.
Spelling:
*Our spelling program involves the use of developmental word study rather than traditional spelling books. This“Words Their Way” approach allows students to practice target spelling patterns that best address their individual needs as a speller.
*Our next spelling test will be on November 30. We will select new words based on new patterns on November 19. Our next test will be on November 30.
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