Our focus for Quarter 4 in Writing will shift from informative essays to personal expression. Students will begin Earth Month (April) with an informative piece before moving on to write Autobiographies and Biographies.
Writing/Reading/Social Studies:
Our focus in all core subjects has moved to reading biographies and gathering research to write a 5 paragraph biography on a historical figure from the original 13 colonies. This figure must have lived between 1600 and 1800. We are working to integrate the social studies subject matter by reading and writing about people who lived during this time period.
This long-term project will require preparation both inside the classroom and at home. Each student has been given specific directions, a calendar, and a planning sheet that outlines each step of the writing/research/presentation process.
May 13 to 15: Students will choose a historically significant figure and gather research. They should gather research from a biography (school or public library) and from three other sources (magazine articles, Internet, etc). They should bring the research to and from class each day.
May 17: Students will begin to write their rough drafts in class
May 23: Final copy of 5 paragraph report is due (Rough Draft for Ms. Hudson)
May 24: Students will begin to write their speeches in class
May 30: Written speech is due
June 4-6: Students will present their speeches in a Wax Museum
A link to a website for information on the 6 Traits of writing is below:
http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/post_its.htm
Natural Reader:http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/post_its.htm
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
Math 5: Unit 6 ALGEBRA, PATTERNS, AND FUNCTIONS
Students will work to write and evaluate simple algebraic expressions. They will use mathematical properties to solve problems. They will explain how to use mental math to evaluate expressions.
PROBABILITY
Students will describe the probability of an event using a fraction or a ratio. They will also make predictions based on probability situations.
For more information on Math5 Unit 6, please visit the parent newsletter:
Math 2.0: Equivalent Fractions and Comparing Fractions
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of equivalent fractions (halves, fourth eighths, sixths and thirds) by partitioning and labeling number lines. We will take a quiz on Tuesday.
Our focus will then shift to strategies for comparing two fractions. Students must first understand that comparisons of two fractions are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. We will compare two fractions with like denominators or like numerators. We will generate fractions equivalent to one-half, compare fractions to a benchmark, and estimate the placement of a fraction on a number line.
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. Students work in spelling groups to analyze the pattern and look for clues as to how to generalize the correct spelling of words within that pattern/sound.
We will introduce our last spelling patterns on May 20 or May 28 (Ms. Hudson's class). Our last graded spelling assessment will take place on May 31 or June 7 (Ms. Hudson's class).
Students will then take an end of the year post-assessment to help demonstrate their progress with the patterns they have learned all year.
Our focus will then shift to strategies for comparing two fractions. Students must first understand that comparisons of two fractions are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. We will compare two fractions with like denominators or like numerators. We will generate fractions equivalent to one-half, compare fractions to a benchmark, and estimate the placement of a fraction on a number line.
*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:
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 in reading has shifted from literature to biographical reading. Over the next month, students will read a biography to create a character snapshot of a person's life. We will work to use the biographical information to create a wax museum to present to each other's classes. Students will have the opportunity to select a book from our media center, from the public library, or from home. Please see the integrated plans above for more information.
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. Students work in spelling groups to analyze the pattern and look for clues as to how to generalize the correct spelling of words within that pattern/sound.
We will introduce our last spelling patterns on May 20 or May 28 (Ms. Hudson's class). Our last graded spelling assessment will take place on May 31 or June 7 (Ms. Hudson's class).
Students will then take an end of the year post-assessment to help demonstrate their progress with the patterns they have learned all year.
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