Math
In math, we concluded our fractions unit. This week, we will launch our unit on perimeter and area (unit 8). Students will develop and apply formulas for finding the area of rectangles, parallelograms and triangles.
Science and Social Studies
Last week, we concluded our science unit on magnetism and electricity. Through hands-on investigations, we discovered properties of temporary and permanent magnets, built electric circuits powered by D-cell batteries and explored electromagnets. To conclude the magnetism section of the unit, students synthesized their knowledge of magnetism by creating an original board game for their classmates to play. To conclude the electricity section of the unit, students showed their knowledge of circuits by building a variety of parallel and series circuits.
This week, we will continue our study of New Jersey history, focusing on the question, “How did New Jersey change from the late 1700s to today?" Students will consider this question while working as historians, studying a variety of primary source documents such as artifacts, photographs, video clips, letters, and other documents from these time periods. The culminating project for this unit will be our New Jersey Celebration. During this celebration, students will give a presentation about the regions of New Jersey and share a New Jersey cake decorated by regions. If you and your child would like to help bake a section of the cake and/or collect items to decorate the cake, please see the attached invitation and sign-up sheet.
Reading Workshop
Students have been immersed in historical fiction book clubs. This unit focuses on the following questions: “What is the author’s purpose for writing this story from history?” and “How does power, perspective and point-of-view affect a story?” During reading workshop and book club discussions, students consider these questions while learning strategies to develop critical literacy and inferential comprehension.
Writing Workshop
In reading workshop, students have been immersed in this historical fiction genre; now, students are now eager to write their own historical fiction! Students will learn strategies for writing historical fiction at each stage of the writing process from generate possible story ideas to publishing their historical fiction story.
In math, we concluded our fractions unit. This week, we will launch our unit on perimeter and area (unit 8). Students will develop and apply formulas for finding the area of rectangles, parallelograms and triangles.
Science and Social Studies
Last week, we concluded our science unit on magnetism and electricity. Through hands-on investigations, we discovered properties of temporary and permanent magnets, built electric circuits powered by D-cell batteries and explored electromagnets. To conclude the magnetism section of the unit, students synthesized their knowledge of magnetism by creating an original board game for their classmates to play. To conclude the electricity section of the unit, students showed their knowledge of circuits by building a variety of parallel and series circuits.
This week, we will continue our study of New Jersey history, focusing on the question, “How did New Jersey change from the late 1700s to today?" Students will consider this question while working as historians, studying a variety of primary source documents such as artifacts, photographs, video clips, letters, and other documents from these time periods. The culminating project for this unit will be our New Jersey Celebration. During this celebration, students will give a presentation about the regions of New Jersey and share a New Jersey cake decorated by regions. If you and your child would like to help bake a section of the cake and/or collect items to decorate the cake, please see the attached invitation and sign-up sheet.
Reading Workshop
Students have been immersed in historical fiction book clubs. This unit focuses on the following questions: “What is the author’s purpose for writing this story from history?” and “How does power, perspective and point-of-view affect a story?” During reading workshop and book club discussions, students consider these questions while learning strategies to develop critical literacy and inferential comprehension.
Writing Workshop
In reading workshop, students have been immersed in this historical fiction genre; now, students are now eager to write their own historical fiction! Students will learn strategies for writing historical fiction at each stage of the writing process from generate possible story ideas to publishing their historical fiction story.