February Update

Reading 

In reading workshop, over the next few weeks, we will be finishing up our non-fiction unit. Students are currently working in research groups and applying the many non-fiction reading strategies as we read about extreme weather (blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, etc.). The students will use what they know about finding the main idea and supporting details and be able to synthesize the information within and across multiple texts.  After completing the group research on extreme weather, each group will select another extreme weather topic to research. Student groups will select one of the two topics researched, put together a presentation, and present to the class through a gallery walk.

Towards the end of the month, we will revisit fiction and non-fiction reading strategies.  Fiction strategies include: inferring about characters and other story elements (character traits), supporting thinking with text evidence, character response/change, analyzing parts of a story in relation to the whole, and determining theme/cohesion.

Non-fiction texts can be found all over and we will continue to help students build the skills to read them well and with purpose. Some of these skills include; determining the main idea, selecting text evidence which links to the main idea, explaining how one part is important to the whole, analyzing the author’s craft, and synthesizing cross-texts.  Through this process, students will gain a deeper understanding of how to synthesize a variety of texts and be able to read non-fiction text through a different lens.  

Writing 

During writing workshop, we will be digging deeper into our persuasive essay unit. Students are working on understanding the structure of a five-paragraph essay and making sure their thesis statement (claim), reasons, and evidence are organized in a way that persuades the reader most effectively. This unit requires a good amount of planning and writing in more structured ways. We will take time this month to start planning persuasive essays on more difficult and broad topics.  The kids will have the opportunity to learn argumentative writing skills in order to strengthen their opinions with stronger and more concise evidence. 

Toward the middle of February, we will be starting the genre of Literary Essays. We will be reading a variety of short texts and devising theories about the characters in the text. The kids will learn how to fine-tune and revise their theories, identify evidence from the text to support their theories, evaluate the validity and strength of the evidence, and synthesize their thinking as they craft a literary essay. 

Math

 In February, our focus for math will be on several topics.  Topic 15: Geometric Measurement (concepts of angles).  Students will identify and draw lines, rays, angles with different measures, understand and measure angles, and add and subtract angles. Topic 16: Lines, Angles, and Shapes. Students will dive into drawing and identifying perpendicular, parallel, and intersecting lines, classifying line segments and angles, classifying quadrilaterals by lines and angles, and recognizing and drawing lines of symmetry involving shapes. We will then begin Topic 7: Factors and Multiples.  

Social Studies

In the month of February, we will begin our study of Colorado’s history.  Students will learn about pre-historic Indians, explorers, fur traders, the Gold Rush, settlers, modern day Colorado, economics, and state government.

Technology

Mrs. Fleet and I will co-teach “Reading with a Purpose”.  We will support the kids as they learn how to use multiple digital resources while comparing/contrasting various themes and problems/solutions in the text. We will guide them as they craft short, constructed responses based on their analysis of the text and support their thinking with strong evidence. As you can see, this month and the next will provide the kids with multiple opportunities to polish their skills as readers who think critically and who can articulate their thoughts in writing. 

Draft Schedule for CMAS 2020 (This is not finalized.)

March 26th, 27th, 28th – ELA

• March 30th, 31st, and April 1st – Math
• April 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th – Social Studies

Upcoming Dates:

February 13th – Valentines Breakfast

February 14th - No School (Professional Development)

February 17th - No School (President’s Day)

March 4th and 12th – Conferences