Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Reading Workshop Over the next few weeks in reading workshop, we will be finishing up our non-fiction unit. Students are currently working on applying the many non-fiction reading strategies they’ve learned as they read about extreme weather (blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, etc.) and create a flip book teaching others about their topic. Some of the non-fiction strategies taught 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 across-texts. Application of these strategies helps students gain a deeper understanding of how to synthesize a variety of texts and be able to read non-fiction text through a different lens. The students will use what they know about finding the main idea and supporting details as they synthesize the information within and across multiple texts. They will then share their research and flipbooks with their classmates.
Writing Workshop This month in writing workshop the students will conclude their realistic fiction piece. In this unit they have learned how to plan a realistic piece (a narrative) using a story arc to ensure inclusion of all the components of a fictional story and to organize their thinking. Their narrative includes an interesting beginning, scenes leading up to the climax of the story, and a reflective ending. Their main character must deal with a problem throughout the story that is shown throughout the scenes and reflected upon in the ending. Their character may have solved the problem by the end of the piece, or perhaps he or she has learned how to live with the problem. Lastly, their character learns a lesson throughout the story, and that is highlighted in the reflective ending. Crafting techniques taught and applied during this unit include various forms of figurative language such as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and alliteration, to name a few. Additionally, the students used dialogue, vivid verbs, and sensory imagery to bring their story to life and show what’s happening vs tell. Thus far, their narratives are creative and express their personality!
Math Workshop In February, we will complete our study of factors, factor pairs, and multiples. The kids will create a factor pair project using the strategies they learnbed for finding all the factor pairs of a number. Our next focus for math will be on several topics. Topic 8: Extend Understanding of Fraction Equivalence and Ordering students will find equivalent fractions using area models, number lines, using multiplication and division. Students will then compare fractions using benchmarks. Topic 9: Understand Addition and Subtraction of Fractions Students will use models, decomposing fractions, and finding denominators to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers.
Science The end of January will conclude our work in Earth Science where we covered topics relating to earth’s changing surface over time (plate tectonics, weathering, and erosion). As we move into the month of February we will transition into our Physical Science unit. Here, we will provide ample learning opportunities to study the transfer of energy in collision. In this unit students will ask questions that can be investigated and predict reasonable outcomes based upon patterns. Through experimentation, students will build their understanding of the flow, cycle, and conservation of energy. In addition, students will participate in collaborative work and conversations regarding forceful impacts where energy is transferred from one object to another.