Reading Workshop: This week, we will launch our unit involving students participating in book clubs! I will use Number the Stars as the mentor text to model daily teaching points and students will read historical fiction books in literature circles. They will have a different role/responsibility each week.
Writing: This week we will begin our genre study titled Bringing History to Life. Students will research and create expository books a specific historical event of their choice.
Wordly Wise Vocabulary: This week in Wordly Wise we will be working on lesson 13 (see your child's Wordly Wise workbook or Wordly Wise tab for the list). Students are tested on these words every other week, alternating with spelling test weeks.
* There will be a vocabulary test on these words on Friday, March 22nd. You will find a link to these words on the Wordly Wise tab (under Helpful Websites).
Test on Wordly Wise lesson 13 on Friday, March 22nd.
Spelling Connections: This week in Spelling Connections we will be working on unit 26 (see your child's workbook or spelling tab for the list). Students are tested on these words every other week falling on all odd # sorts.
* There will not be a test on unit 26, as it is not an odd number week. You will find a link to these words on the Words Their Way tab (under Helpful Websites).
Test on Spelling unit 27 on Friday, March 19th.
Spelling tests will alternate each week with Wordly Wise tests.
Grammar: This week, we will complete Lesson 26: Demonstrative Adjectives
The Grammar Workshop curriculum is a research-based grammar program that provides instruction in the conventions of standard English along with abundant practice. The units and lessons are simple and systematic.
They clearly explain and model the rules and principles of grammar, usage, and mechanics skills. This curriculum provides scaffolded exercise sets that give students practice in the skills themselves and application of those skills to writing.
Math: Chapter 9- Relate Fractions and Decimals- We will practice multiple ways to solve problems dealing with the relationship between fractions and decimals.
This year, we are excited to implement Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) strategies into our math program. CGI is a strategy of questioning children to learn and grow based on their unique understanding and learning styles. Click HERE for more information on CGI. We will be using these strategies with the GO! Math program, which looks different from Saxon. I think you will find a great benefit in the differences, where there are pictures and illustrations to support our students, as they are mastering mathematical concepts. One of the most major shifts in number sense will be the push toward, "Thinking in tens." As the year progresses, I believe you will see advancement in your child's mathematical thought processes, and mental math capabilities. As always, ixl.com is available for your child to practice math skills at home.
You can access many GO Math! online resources through Clever! Also, see the designated math page on our website located under Helpful Websites.
* We will also supplement our instruction by working on Math Olympiad practice questions and other problem solving/critical thinking activities! We will also be using Xtra math for fact practice, IXL, Numberock, Brainpop lessons for review and enrichment. We will also be learning about and practicing the Order of Operations (PEMDAS), Mathematical Properties, and adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing positive and negative numbers.
Social Studies: This week students will learn about the California Gold Rush! Students will:
Science: Students will learn the expression “produce energy” typically refers to the conversion of stored energy into a desired form for practical use.
Our district has adopted STEMscopes as a resource to teach the NGSS. We complete lessons (the 5E's) using resources provided through STEMscopes in class and in science lab. Your child has access to all of the online resources. They can log in through Clever.
This year we will be implementing the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Learn more and get resources by heading to the NGSS website: https://www.nextgenscience.org/
Visual and Performing Arts/Other: We will be practicing our typing skills using our new Chromebooks. Your child has started using a website which can be accessed at home. Go to Clever.com/in/mbusd and select Typing.com. Your child's username is: [email protected] (For example, mine would be, [email protected]). Your child's password is: mbusd(last 4 digits of student ID). Happy typing!
Writing: This week we will begin our genre study titled Bringing History to Life. Students will research and create expository books a specific historical event of their choice.
Wordly Wise Vocabulary: This week in Wordly Wise we will be working on lesson 13 (see your child's Wordly Wise workbook or Wordly Wise tab for the list). Students are tested on these words every other week, alternating with spelling test weeks.
* There will be a vocabulary test on these words on Friday, March 22nd. You will find a link to these words on the Wordly Wise tab (under Helpful Websites).
Test on Wordly Wise lesson 13 on Friday, March 22nd.
Spelling Connections: This week in Spelling Connections we will be working on unit 26 (see your child's workbook or spelling tab for the list). Students are tested on these words every other week falling on all odd # sorts.
* There will not be a test on unit 26, as it is not an odd number week. You will find a link to these words on the Words Their Way tab (under Helpful Websites).
Test on Spelling unit 27 on Friday, March 19th.
Spelling tests will alternate each week with Wordly Wise tests.
Grammar: This week, we will complete Lesson 26: Demonstrative Adjectives
The Grammar Workshop curriculum is a research-based grammar program that provides instruction in the conventions of standard English along with abundant practice. The units and lessons are simple and systematic.
They clearly explain and model the rules and principles of grammar, usage, and mechanics skills. This curriculum provides scaffolded exercise sets that give students practice in the skills themselves and application of those skills to writing.
Math: Chapter 9- Relate Fractions and Decimals- We will practice multiple ways to solve problems dealing with the relationship between fractions and decimals.
This year, we are excited to implement Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) strategies into our math program. CGI is a strategy of questioning children to learn and grow based on their unique understanding and learning styles. Click HERE for more information on CGI. We will be using these strategies with the GO! Math program, which looks different from Saxon. I think you will find a great benefit in the differences, where there are pictures and illustrations to support our students, as they are mastering mathematical concepts. One of the most major shifts in number sense will be the push toward, "Thinking in tens." As the year progresses, I believe you will see advancement in your child's mathematical thought processes, and mental math capabilities. As always, ixl.com is available for your child to practice math skills at home.
You can access many GO Math! online resources through Clever! Also, see the designated math page on our website located under Helpful Websites.
* We will also supplement our instruction by working on Math Olympiad practice questions and other problem solving/critical thinking activities! We will also be using Xtra math for fact practice, IXL, Numberock, Brainpop lessons for review and enrichment. We will also be learning about and practicing the Order of Operations (PEMDAS), Mathematical Properties, and adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing positive and negative numbers.
Social Studies: This week students will learn about the California Gold Rush! Students will:
- Analyze the effects of the Gold Rush on settlements and daily life in California.
- Explain the impact of the Gold Rush on California’s physical environment.
- Identify some of the roles women played in the Gold Rush.
- Evaluate whether miners’ expectations about the Gold Rush were met.
Science: Students will learn the expression “produce energy” typically refers to the conversion of stored energy into a desired form for practical use.
Our district has adopted STEMscopes as a resource to teach the NGSS. We complete lessons (the 5E's) using resources provided through STEMscopes in class and in science lab. Your child has access to all of the online resources. They can log in through Clever.
This year we will be implementing the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Learn more and get resources by heading to the NGSS website: https://www.nextgenscience.org/
Visual and Performing Arts/Other: We will be practicing our typing skills using our new Chromebooks. Your child has started using a website which can be accessed at home. Go to Clever.com/in/mbusd and select Typing.com. Your child's username is: [email protected] (For example, mine would be, [email protected]). Your child's password is: mbusd(last 4 digits of student ID). Happy typing!