Happy New Year Families!

We've hit the ground running into the new year! We enjoyed sharing our winter break adventures with each other, and now we are ready to resume the school year with renewed energy and enthusiasm!

Please read below to find out the specifics of what we've been working on!

Reading:

Next week wee will focus on practice in some of our literacy targets such as summary writing, theme, and analyzing poetry. We will take a district CFA towards the end of the week which will test students on several of these skills. In two weeks, we will continue our theme of "Finding Courage" and start to delve into a nonfiction book entitled Real Life Superheroes.  Be sure to ask your student about some of the amazing individuals which will be highlighted in this book! We will use this text as a springboard to work on literacy targets in the areas of finding main idea, summarizing and comparing and contrasting texts of similar topics.

Writing: We are currently working on opinion papers. Students have been asked to decide whether or not they believe homework is necessary and/or beneficial. Students have then found research to support their opinion in order to compose a paper which highlights the most important points of their argument. After we have finished with these opinion papers, we will move on to expository writing. Along with reading about Real-life superheroes, we will also be writing about them! Students will select an individual in history who they feel has made an outstanding contribution to society--someone who they feel portrays the characteristics of a real-life superhero. After researching about this individual's life, students will be writing an essay which highlights the important biographical, as well as the reasons this person should be considered a hero. Upon completion, students will share their essays with each other so that we can all hear about the amazing accomplishments of these remarkable people!

Math:  This week we're continuing the work we started prior to break with multi-digit multiplication. Upon completion of our unit, students should feel comfortable in utilizing the traditional method, as well as other algorithms such as partial products and the area model. Ideally, students will show proficiency in being able to solve two and three digit multiplication problems with accuracy. Those students who have already demonstrated mastery of such skills have been working on extending their skills with related challenges. Today we spent some time applying our skills to real-life situations. Ask your student about the Amusement park activity! It was so much fun!

Social Studies:  Students are currently learning about probable causes and effects of events and developments in U.S. history, with a focus on Westward Expansion.  In the coming weeks, our discussions will focus on the California Gold Rush, as well as answer and defend the argument of whether or not the trip Westward would have been a personal choice for them during that time period.  

Be sure to ask your student about some of the reasons people had for moving West!

Science:   We are continuing our unit on the Earth, Moon and Stars. Within this unit we are exploring such concepts as gravity, how distance affects the brightness of stars, and how day and night occur. 

Important Dates

Friday, Jan. 17  Student Council Spirit Day--College Day

Monday, Jan. 20th - No school Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Early release @ 2:00 p.m.

Friendly Reminders

**Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack.  Nothing feeds the brain better than something healthy!

**Please continue to have your child practice his or her multiplication facts up to 12.

**If students want to play in the snow outside, they must have the appropriate snow gear in order to do so. Please make sure to send your student with snow pants, snow boots, jacket, gloves, and hat. 
**Band and orchestra students should remember to be prepared with their instruments and music books on the days that lessons take place. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a wonderful weekend!