We are nearing the end of our Math context unit, Exploring Parks & Playgrounds. In this unit students complete "investigations" to solve real world problems using multiplication and division of fractions. This unit reinforces the math practice standards listed on the standards based report card.
In Social Studies, student are reading about the accomplishments of the Aztecs. The accomplishments we are studying include Aztec cities, the city of Tinochtitlan, Aztec medicine, and the Aztec lunar and solar calendars, Students are creating their own representations of the information they collect using words, drawings, lists, diagrams, etc. on posters to compare with the achievements of the Maya. Students are also learning about the encounter between the Spanish conquistadors and the Aztec people. After learning about the defeat of the Aztecs, students will begin learning about the European settlements and claims to land in North America. This leads up to our next unit which focuses on the original 13 colonies.
Our Writer's Workshop has begun to shift its focus. Students have finished writing a research-based argument letter to school administrators on the topic of chocolate milk being served in schools. Included in these letters are quotations, statistics, and references to two articles, Chocolate Milk: More Harmful than Helpful? and Chocolate Milk: Nutrition in Disguise (both files below). Now that students have experience collecting evidence for both sides of an argument as well as an understanding for the structure of a research based argument essay, students are now in the early stages of collecting articles and evidence on a topic of their choice. Topics include: Children under the age of 13 should not be allowed to ride in the front seat of a car, Middle school and high school should have recess periods, and Bridge School should not give homework.
Our Writer's Workshop has begun to shift its focus. Students have finished writing a research-based argument letter to school administrators on the topic of chocolate milk being served in schools. Included in these letters are quotations, statistics, and references to two articles, Chocolate Milk: More Harmful than Helpful? and Chocolate Milk: Nutrition in Disguise (both files below). Now that students have experience collecting evidence for both sides of an argument as well as an understanding for the structure of a research based argument essay, students are now in the early stages of collecting articles and evidence on a topic of their choice. Topics include: Children under the age of 13 should not be allowed to ride in the front seat of a car, Middle school and high school should have recess periods, and Bridge School should not give homework.
310201483429_chocolatemilkharmfulargument-1.pdf |
310201483248_nutritionindisguiesdairyargument-1.pdf |
Students are very excited to have launched our book clubs during Reader's Workshop! We have come together with Ms. Mills class to discuss what is expected in these groups and what a productive book discussion might look like. Ms. Mills and I, along with 4 students, modeled a book discussion while the remaining students observed and took notes on observations. Students' weekly book club schedules will be conducted as such: Monday: Reading & Jotting Tuesday: Discussion Wednesday: Reading & Jotting Friday: Discussion | Book Club Titles Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith Loser by Jerry Spinelli Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit Rules by Cynthia Lord |
If you have any questions, please email me. Stay safe and warm during yet ANOTHER snow storm!
Sincerely,
Sincerely,