Class News: Week of 10/24

 

Students have been using their knowledge of place value to create area models and understand how the distributive property can be used in multiplying multi-digit numbers by a single digit as well as double-digit numbers.  We are continuing this study of multiplication while learning how to annotate word problems to determine unknown parts/variables and the correct operation needed to solve such problems.  The Chapter 3 Test for these concepts will be Thursday, Oct. 27th.

Our next unit of study will be Astronomy! Students will begin learning about the composition of planets in our Solar System. Students will create virtual Solar Systems to show the order and composition of each of the eight planets. We will also study the composition of Earth's moon as well as the effects of Earth's orbit and revolution.

We are making an attempt to synthesize our knowledge of Quarter one reading strategies and skills.  These skills include literary elements such as determining how authors use figurative language ( hyperboles, adages/proverbs), themes, central ideas, and identifying primary versus secondary sources of information.   Hopefully, students are beginning to be able to identify such elements in their own reading.

Narrative Writing:  We are soooo close to finishing our narrative essays!  Today, we discussed adding "hearts" to our stories.  We discussed that as bringing life to our stories by including the main parts (key details with vivid imagery, dialogue, etc).  Up next: Opinion Essays!

There's nothing like a great book, article, or just a short passage to learn about early United States History.  Now that we are learning exploration, integrating our study of ELA and exploration has added a little variety to our study.  Annotating a variety of text about exploration-including our Social Studies textbook will allow for some engaging, yet meaningful learning.