Math
Students have enjoyed switching teachers for math and working with students from different homerooms. We will begin Unit Six next week. During Unit Six, we will learn strategies for division, including partial-quotients division and long division. During this unit, we will also learn to measure and draw angles with a full-circle (360°) and half-circle (180°) protractor. In addition to completing nightly homework, please continue to have your child practice addition, subtraction and multiplication facts a few times a week at home using online games or flash cards.
Writing Workshop
Students recently published their earth science informational text articles. Students’ articles were well-developed, detailed and included text features such as headings, tables, diagrams and glossaries. Students were very proud of their accomplishments and enjoyed a special treat at our writing celebration.
Now, students are writing personal essays. For the past two weeks, students read informational texts about a topic of interest such as pet ownership, soccer or history. As students read their books, they learned to determine the main idea of the text and explain how that main idea is supported by key details. Now, students will use their knowledge and expertise to write a personal essay. Students will integrate information from several of the texts they read to write knowledgably about their topic.
Social Studies: New Jersey: Exploration to Statehood
In social studies, we continue to study New Jersey history, focusing on Early Exploration to Statehood. We have been investigating the following questions as we complete activities, read informational texts and explore primary source documents:
· Why did the Europeans come to North America?
· How was New Jersey settled and divided?
· What was life like for the first New Jersey settlers and colonists?
· Why did the New Jersey colony want independence from Britain?
Reading Workshop
Last week, we launched our fantasy book club unit. Students chose their unit book from a variety of exciting fantasy titles. During the unit, students will learn strategies to critically think about author’s purpose and theme and to recognize genre-specific features of fantasy such as allusions and plot patterns. Students meet with their book clubs (other students who also chose to read the same book) each week to discuss their ideas about their reading. At the conclusion of the unit, students will synthesize their ideas about the multiple fantasy texts they read throughout the unit by writing a literary essay.
Students have enjoyed switching teachers for math and working with students from different homerooms. We will begin Unit Six next week. During Unit Six, we will learn strategies for division, including partial-quotients division and long division. During this unit, we will also learn to measure and draw angles with a full-circle (360°) and half-circle (180°) protractor. In addition to completing nightly homework, please continue to have your child practice addition, subtraction and multiplication facts a few times a week at home using online games or flash cards.
Writing Workshop
Students recently published their earth science informational text articles. Students’ articles were well-developed, detailed and included text features such as headings, tables, diagrams and glossaries. Students were very proud of their accomplishments and enjoyed a special treat at our writing celebration.
Now, students are writing personal essays. For the past two weeks, students read informational texts about a topic of interest such as pet ownership, soccer or history. As students read their books, they learned to determine the main idea of the text and explain how that main idea is supported by key details. Now, students will use their knowledge and expertise to write a personal essay. Students will integrate information from several of the texts they read to write knowledgably about their topic.
Social Studies: New Jersey: Exploration to Statehood
In social studies, we continue to study New Jersey history, focusing on Early Exploration to Statehood. We have been investigating the following questions as we complete activities, read informational texts and explore primary source documents:
· Why did the Europeans come to North America?
· How was New Jersey settled and divided?
· What was life like for the first New Jersey settlers and colonists?
· Why did the New Jersey colony want independence from Britain?
Reading Workshop
Last week, we launched our fantasy book club unit. Students chose their unit book from a variety of exciting fantasy titles. During the unit, students will learn strategies to critically think about author’s purpose and theme and to recognize genre-specific features of fantasy such as allusions and plot patterns. Students meet with their book clubs (other students who also chose to read the same book) each week to discuss their ideas about their reading. At the conclusion of the unit, students will synthesize their ideas about the multiple fantasy texts they read throughout the unit by writing a literary essay.