Newsletter 8/30 - 9/3

Here's What's Happening...

English/Language Arts: We will continue our practice of writing a GIST and a Summary for different texts, and wrap this academic skill up with an in-class assessment on Friday.  For word work, students will be introduced to the second part of our word work routine, which is the practice slides assignment.  Writing this week will focus on a new strategy for generating writing ideas, called "I Wonder" statements.

Science: This week, students will learn about a routine we use when reading our Science trade books.  This technique is called an "Anticipation Guide" and is designed to activate student thinking before reading the book by having them agree or disagree with a series of statements related to the book.  Then, they will read the trade book, and after reading, they go back and re-evaluate their beliefs about the given statements.  They will provide evidence from the book to support if they agree or disagree with the statements.  The book we will read this week is called "How Big is Big? How Far is Far?"  and is designed to help students visualize the size and distance of things in space.  Students will also have the opportunity to explore the online simulation tool that they will use throughout this first unit.

Social Studies: Should Columbus be viewed as a hero or a villian?  Why?  This is the focus of our first lesson in Social Studies.  Students will use various sources to find evidence in order to formulate an answer to this question.  They will also learn about and experience what the Columbian Exchange was like.

Advanced Math: We begin our unit on Area by exploring how to find the area of composite shapes.  These are shapes that are made by connecting more than one shape together to form a new shape.  Lesson 1 is entitled "Shapes on a Plane" where students will get to create different shapes and find the area of them.  Lesson 2 is entitled "Letters" and students will create letters and find the area of those.  They will have the opportunity to practice their area skills on Thursday with some choice activities, which will help them prepare for a brief graded assignment on Friday.

Important Info:

MAP  TESTING THIS WEEK!

MAP testing will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.   Though these assessments are important, I aim to ensure students do not feel extreme pressure with taking these tests.  They are truly a snapshot, but can provide beneficial information as well.   Things you can do at home are to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep and a good breakfast in the morning.  Please encourage your child to do their best so that we can get an accurate view of their current levels of performance, but please don't focus on whether their score goes up from the spring.  Every fall establishes a new baseline from which we want to see our students grow.  I appreciate your support in helping students be prepared for these upcoming test dates! 

Schedule of Events

• Tuesday, August 31st: Math MAPS Test
• Wednesday, September 1st: Reading MAPS Test
• Wednesday, September 1st: Beginning Band Zoom Meeting, 7pm
• Thursday. September 2nd: Picture Day!
• Monday, September 6th: No School, Labor Day
• Wednesday, September 8th: Virtual Curriculum Night, 6:30-8:00pm