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
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