Thursday, January 30, 2020

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

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

January News

Happy New Year, I hope you all enjoyed your breaks and time spent with family and friends! We are excited to get the new semester started, here is what is coming up this month...

Reading Workshop

In reading workshop we will continue working on our non-fiction unit. Soon we will begin moving into a non-fiction research project where students will get the chance to show off their non-fiction reading skills by focusing on a topic of their choosing.  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, previewing a text, using text features to enhance their understanding of the text, using word solving strategies to help with tricky words related to the content, and how to read hybrid texts (texts that blend fiction and non-fiction). Most importantly we will work on finding the main idea, supporting details, and being able to synthesize information from multiple text sources. This unit will also help students gain a deeper understanding of a variety of topics.  

Writing Workshop

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. Lastly, the kids will have the opportunity to learn argumentative writing skills in order to strengthen their opinions with stronger and more concise evidence. 

Math Workshop

Last month we began our division unit in math, Topic 5. January will be a time in math workshop to really work on division skills. We took time to focus on the relationship between multiplication and division in order for students to apply their multiplication skills to this unit. Partial quotients and modeling with math will be some of the division strategies we will use.  Our EnVision math curriculum gives students many opportunities to think through hard problems, especially word problems. Students will work on using division and even multiplication to solve word problems effectively using the strategies we have started to learn.
Basic facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are essential for math success as the kids progress. You can support your child at home by taking some time each night, even 5 minutes, to practice basic facts. Multiplication, and division flashcards would help greatly with this unit and with all future math.  

Social Studies

It is almost time for Young AmeriTowne!  On January 31st we will be embarking on our exciting field trip to Young AmeriTowne where students will be working in a small town to learn about the free enterprise system, the economy, the government, and businesses. More details will follow in addition to what was sent out last month.  

This month will be structured around the bulk of the curriculum in which students will apply for jobs, participate in interviews, train for jobs, and learn all about how Young AmeriTowne will work. We are extremely excited for our students to be able to participate in this real world curriculum and understand what it is like to be active members of the economy. As we begin this month, students will continue learning about the different ways money works and keeping track of the money in their accounts. 

Upcoming Dates:

Friday, January 31st: Young AmeriTowne field trip