Class News: Week of March 6th

  

We are currently learning how to convert customary and metric units of length, capacity, and weight.  This week we used ratios/equivalent fractions/comparisons/multiplication and division to help us convert customary units of measurement.  In converting metric units, students used the following "KHDMDCM" to help them convert units from Kilograms to grams, Liters to Milliliters, Kilometers to meters, Meters to Centimeters, and Centimeters to Millimeters.  This acronym has helped us review place value as well as convert units of measurement.  Students are also learning how to use equivalent fractions/proportions to help them convert units of measurements.   Ex.	Our study of plants and animals have led us to some exciting and interesting discoveries.  We have learned ideas such as- 1-Praying Mantis can only pick up scents from other Praying Mantis and that their ear is located on their abdomen. 2. Humans use their ears for hearing and balance.  Our plant and animal research has led to multiple answers to the following questions, which sum up all that we have learned in our study of Organisms and Adaptations: How are some animals different? How are some plants different? How do different plants and animals have different life cycles? How do animals learn about their environment? What kind of traits do organisms get from their parents and what factors are determined by their environment?  How do the parts of plants help them survive? How are animals adapted in different ways to survive? The Plants and Animals Adaptations Test will be on Thursday, March 9th.
In our study of Literary Essays and how to write them, we have used several media/text to help us better understand how to analyze.  Last week, we watched the following video clip and came up with claims about the video as well as evidence of support including micro-stories and original thoughts (an analysis) to support our claims.   We will continue working on our studying and writing elements of Literary Essays (claims, theses, evidence/supporting details in the form of micro-stories and quotes as well as an analysis-students own experiences, thoughts, etc to prove the relevance of the evidence chosen to support claims). We will also read/watch various texts/media to study literary elements of writing to including how to add transitions into our essays as well as provide clear introductory and conclusion statements or paragraphs.	As we have been studying "Aha Moments" and realizations in ELA, students have also had some realizations or Aha moments in Social Studies.  In studying our country's history, students have realized some of our many freedoms and the reasons why we have some of those freedoms.  Originally, our Government Test was planned for Friday, March 3rd.  We took a quiz instead on this day and rescheduled the test for Tuesday, March 7th.