Read below to find out what we've been learning!
Literacy
After we returned from break, we continued to practice analyzing multiple perspectives using nonfiction texts. With various reading passages, we compared and contrasted different author's points of view regarding topics such as driverless cars and paying students for good grades. The students definitely had their fair share of opinions about getting paid for grades! Both of our current shared texts, Beyond the Horizon and an excerpt of Pedro's Journal, feature characters who find themselves discovering valuable lessons during their exploration of different lands. With each text, we will work on multiple literacy skills, such as identifying character point of view and determining theme.
Writing
Within analytical writing, we worked on effectively organizing our paragraphs, crafting engaging hooks and closures, providing accurate supporting details, and elaborating on big ideas with further explanations. As we move into our new unit, we will be shifting our focus from analytic writing to narrative writing with a science fiction based prompt. This will tie in nicely with our upcoming novel, George's Secret Key to the Universe!
Math
This week, we wrapped up our unit on multi-digit multiplication using the standard algorithm. Students worked to successfully solve multiplication problems by following the procedure of the standard algorithm and ensuring they arrive at accurate solutions by attending to precision errors. The unit 4 test will be sent home on Monday for you to look over. Kindly sign the cover sheet and return it with your student to school on Tuesday. Next week, we will start our unit on multiplying and dividing fractions. Throughout the unit, students will be using equations along with labeled models to multiply and divide fractions. We will start this unit by learning how to multiply whole numbers and fractions.
Social Studies
In this unit, we are focusing on the Colonial Era. We discussed the motivations behind why European countries had a strong desire to expand their empires into the "New World" during the age of exploration. We also analyzed the effects and impacts of colonization in North and South America during this time in history.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, January 24 - Early Release (Dismissal @ 2:05 PM)
Friday, January 27 - Pajamas Day / PTO Special Lunch
Tuesday, February 14 - Early Release (Dismissal @ 2:05 PM)
Friday, February 17 - Half Day (Dismissal @ 11:45 AM)
Monday, February 20 - No School (President's Day)
Friday, February 24 - Trimester 2 Reporting Period Ends
Friendly Reminders
As winter weather approaches, please make sure your student is properly dressed for recess.
Please remind your student to charge his/her iPad and Logitech Crayon every night
Please remember to send your student with a healthy snack - nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
Please continue to have your student practice their multiplication facts up to 12
If your child participates in orchestra or band, please remind him/her to bring their instrument on their lesson day
