We are well underway with our Explorers research project. Students will have two final products: a research paper and a movie they will create using Photostory. Last week Ms. Anderson met with us to show the students how to use their Wiki, as well as the guidelines for commenting on others and then in ASL she showed students how to use Photostory. (There will be assistance provided as we get further into the project). At this point, students have chosen their explorer and gathered research (minimum of 3 sources required). This week we will use our Expository writing skills as we begin to organize the research. Step one will be to begin with writing notefacts and listing the source(s) for the 1st main idea, the biography. As the week progresses, the same procedure will continue for stating the path to discovery, and the lasting contribution the explorer made. It is fortunate that we are able to combine Social Studies and Expository Writing!
Speaking of writing, this week students will get their first Expository Writing prompt to gage us on where we are in terms of writing an individual piece. We spent November preparing and demonstrating the necessary components, it's now time to see what the students can do with that information.
Reading: Identifying Cause and Effect. Continuing Book Clubs, 2 groups are ready for new novels and will be voting on Monday for their choices. Zen and the Art of Faking It group should be finished with their book next week. Students have now had an opportunity to do each of the six jobs in the book club and have a better understanding of what that particular job entails, so I will be expecting more detailed and thorough discussions. I will also be adding reflections to do upon a book's completion.
Math: Chapter 4 test on decimals Monday. Tuesday begins multiplication of double digit numbers (42 x 6, 75 x 3, etc.). Students will be given "pop quizzes" on the basic multiplication facts once a week to ensure automaticity and make the double digit multiplication easier. Unfortunately, there are still several students who do not know their facts. Please quiz your child from time to time. Flashcards are not needed, you may simply ask them "what's 4 x9?" or "tell me what 6 x 8 is". In January we will begin double digit multiplication with multiplier and multiplicand (example: 71 x 49) so it is a must to know these facts.
Social Studies: continuing with Explorers
Science: Lab on Monday, physical and chemical changes of matter, creating molecules with marshmallows.
The homework holiday continues; however, reading is not homework and is still an expectation. Studying for spelling, Wordly Wise, and other tests is not homework either, it is best practice and good habits as well.
Only 2 more weeks until the Winter Holiday!
