Families, this is one of my favorite months of the school year. We will be very productive for 3 weeks with interesting, fun, creative learning and then it is time for Winter break. This week we were very productive as we introduced new learning in each subject. Below is a description of the learning we are enjoying in each subject. You will see our Discovery theme is well integrated with writing and reading. Check out the pics of great astrolabes students created!
Social Studies: We are getting into our Discovery game. Students are forming their colonies and we will set sail on Monday. The Discovery game will highlight the adventure and challenges Explorers faced on their journeys.
Reading: For read aloud time, we have been reading about the Age of Exploration in our textbook. We have learned about the Silk Road, African trading kingdoms, and the new technology of the Renaissance in Europe. We will are drawing connections to these famous journeys and the journeys of the characters in our chapter books. Next week, we will continue to read about European Explorers during read aloud. Readers will also continue their journey chapter books.
Writing: We introduced a word study routine this week. I planned to continue this routine through December. However, I realized we need to shift this week for two reasons. First, we will take our nonfiction post writing prompt. Students will look at their pre nonfiction work and then use the skills they learned writing nonfiction during the Native American unit to respond to a writing prompt about Harriet Tubman. Also, we are going to write some facts about bees for our Holiday door decoration: Bees on Earth. I think you will enjoy our theme!
Math: In math this week, we finished our decimal multiplication and division work. Next week, we begin our algebra unit. This is a unit kids enjoy quite a bit. Remember Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally? Yes, it is variables and order of operations. Fun!
Science: We started our Matter unit this week. We got our toes wet by exploring what matter is, practicing describing solids and liquids, observing the Periodic Table of Elements and demonstrating the Law of Conservation of Mass with lemonade. Yum! Next week, we will start to look physical and chemical changes.
