Spring Fever has definitely arrived in 4-3! The energy is high and students are anticipating our upcoming, well-deserved break. The students have hung in there with the PARCC testing and have done a great job staying focused and giving their best effort.
LITERACY AND SCIENCE---CONTENT FOCUSED READING SKILLS
This month we merged our work in literacy with our Science unit on Energy. Our new literacy program, Schoolwide, provided us with a literacy unit that fits seamlessly with our Science unit on Energy. We began our exploration of energy during Science with several inquiry based activities. Exploration, discussion and reflection of the following topics were completed within the Science Companion curriculum:
As we completed our explorations and discussions of the topics listed above, the literacy unit, Energy: Electric,Sound, Light and Heat, provided a variety of texts to help supplement and not only expand learning about energy, but the repertoire of literacy strategies we have developed throughout the year. Throughout this unit the essential question of, "Why is energy an important part of our lives?" helped guide us through this unit, and various graphic organizers were used to help us take notes in a meaningful way. This literacy unit is different than others, in that it provided students with a clear purpose for their reading. The essential questions and sub-topics focused our reading of the mentor texts, which in turn helped students extract important vocabulary, dissect relevant topics, and analyze their notes. Using notes taken on graphic organizers, answering a constructed response question was modeled and practiced by the students.
MATH MADNESS----FRACTIONS, OH MY!
One of the more challenging units in math is upon us, but students have persevered. Unit 7, begins with a review of fraction ideas previously introduced, and extends knowledge by developing a good understanding of equivalent fractions.
Four main areas of focus include:
PLEASE KEEP practicing those division/multiplication facts. The speed and accuracy is very important as we continue study of more complex math skills.
As mentioned in the math email sent home earlier this week, we are moving slowly through this unit on fractions to ensure students have a strong grasp of fractions. Assessment will be given after the break.
WEX
We finished the novel, The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord. The students really enjoyed this book, that recounts the experience of Shirley Temple Wong, an immigrant to Brooklyn, New York from China in the year 1947. The book is quite humorous as it tells of the mishaps that Shirley experiences as a newcomer to American customs. Students were also amused by many of the differences between our country in 1947 and today. After annotating the text focusing on Shirley's different character traits, students chose one character trait to write a response to fiction essay. Using evidence from the text, students discuss how Shirley shows that particular character trait in their essay. These will be displayed during conferences.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
March 20th- Unit 4 PARCC Math Test, last day of PARCC testing!
March 22nd– Student Council Spirit Day:
"When I Grow Up Day"- dress-up as your dream profession
March 23-24--Conferences
March 27-31---Spring Break
April 3rd---Field Trip to Art Institute
April 22nd---Just Move It Challenge
LITERACY AND SCIENCE---CONTENT FOCUSED READING SKILLS
This month we merged our work in literacy with our Science unit on Energy. Our new literacy program, Schoolwide, provided us with a literacy unit that fits seamlessly with our Science unit on Energy. We began our exploration of energy during Science with several inquiry based activities. Exploration, discussion and reflection of the following topics were completed within the Science Companion curriculum:
- Energy all around us, forms of energy and energy transfer -- explored energy transfer in toys!
- Light energy--reflection and how it is the same as bouncing light or traveling light energy, the eye and light and exploring how a periscope works
- Motion energy transfers: how speed affects motion energy and transfer of energy between moving objects
As we completed our explorations and discussions of the topics listed above, the literacy unit, Energy: Electric,Sound, Light and Heat, provided a variety of texts to help supplement and not only expand learning about energy, but the repertoire of literacy strategies we have developed throughout the year. Throughout this unit the essential question of, "Why is energy an important part of our lives?" helped guide us through this unit, and various graphic organizers were used to help us take notes in a meaningful way. This literacy unit is different than others, in that it provided students with a clear purpose for their reading. The essential questions and sub-topics focused our reading of the mentor texts, which in turn helped students extract important vocabulary, dissect relevant topics, and analyze their notes. Using notes taken on graphic organizers, answering a constructed response question was modeled and practiced by the students.
MATH MADNESS----FRACTIONS, OH MY!
One of the more challenging units in math is upon us, but students have persevered. Unit 7, begins with a review of fraction ideas previously introduced, and extends knowledge by developing a good understanding of equivalent fractions.
Four main areas of focus include:
- review of fractions as part of a whole (ONE), fractions on number lines, and uses of fractions
- to guide students as they order fractions and find fractional parts of sets and regions
- to practice identifying equivalent fractions
- review basic ideas of probability, comparing predicted and actual results, and guide the applications of fractions to chance experiments
PLEASE KEEP practicing those division/multiplication facts. The speed and accuracy is very important as we continue study of more complex math skills.
As mentioned in the math email sent home earlier this week, we are moving slowly through this unit on fractions to ensure students have a strong grasp of fractions. Assessment will be given after the break.
WEX
We finished the novel, The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord. The students really enjoyed this book, that recounts the experience of Shirley Temple Wong, an immigrant to Brooklyn, New York from China in the year 1947. The book is quite humorous as it tells of the mishaps that Shirley experiences as a newcomer to American customs. Students were also amused by many of the differences between our country in 1947 and today. After annotating the text focusing on Shirley's different character traits, students chose one character trait to write a response to fiction essay. Using evidence from the text, students discuss how Shirley shows that particular character trait in their essay. These will be displayed during conferences.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
March 20th- Unit 4 PARCC Math Test, last day of PARCC testing!
March 22nd– Student Council Spirit Day:
"When I Grow Up Day"- dress-up as your dream profession
March 23-24--Conferences
March 27-31---Spring Break
April 3rd---Field Trip to Art Institute
April 22nd---Just Move It Challenge