Happy New Year Families!
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break! Since returning from break we have really hit the ground running as we have steamed to the middle of our 2nd trimester of school! Read below to find out what your student has been up to! :)
Literacy
After we returned from break, we spent time reviewing standards that were previously taught using various passages. Standards reviewed included comparing and contrasting author's points of views in nonfiction texts, as well as summarizing and quoting accurately in fiction texts. We also spent time looking at multiple meaning words and using context clues to determine their meaning as used within a text. This week students took their end of unit assessments to test on these standards. We are now starting a new book, called Beyond the Horizon, that we will use to continue to practice summarizing, quoting and vocabulary. We will also later use this text with other texts to compare and contrast the authors' approaches to theme.
Writing
Before break, students finished up an opinion based writing piece about whether video games have a positive or negative effect on kids. After break we worked together to write an analytical piece about the best type of class pet to have. We completed this writing together as a model and review for the end of unit writing assessment that was given this past Thursday. 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.
Math
Students have been working hard to master the standard algorithm of multiplication for both 2 digit by 2 digit and 3 digit by 2 digit problems. Students took a checkpoint on this skill today. We will be spending the next week working on long division. This skill will not be formally assessed for mastery though until closer to the end of the year. After multiplying and dividing whole numbers, our next unit will focus on multiplying and dividing fractions.
Social Studies
Our students wrapped up their discussions about the various responsibilities and powers of different types of governments, which revolved around the pros and cons of a democracy, a parliamentary government, a monarchy, and a dictatorship. In the coming weeks, we will learn about probable causes and effects of events and developments in U.S. history, with a focus on Westward Expansion and on the California Gold Rush. Based on what we learn about Westward Expansion, students will construct and defend an argument of whether or not they would have traveled West.
Science
Before break we began our science unit on the Earth, Moon, and Stars. Students have been learning about stars and how the closer stars are to Earth, the brighter they appear. Students have also learned about constellations and how stars appear to move across the night sky because of the earth is constantly rotating as well as revolving around the sun. Students participated in a hands on activity where they made "a universe in a box" to help them understand why we see different stars in the sky at different times of the year.
Winter Break Party Pictures
Upcoming Events
*Monday 1/17 - No School
*Tuesday 1/25 - Early Release
*Students can begin purchasing 2nd lunches and snacks at lunch time. Click Here for the principal's blog for more information.
Friendly Reminders
**Please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts up to 12.
**Please remind your child to charge his/her iPad every night. We use the iPad throughout the day.
**Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack. Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Enzie Pangilinan
