Sorry that I didn't chance to update you all on our goings on last week. I had a sick baby at home who then decided to share his germs with me!
In reading we recently finished the book Molly's Pilgrim that goes with our unit on immigration and family. It is the story of a young girl who's family has recently moved to the United States from Russia and her struggles to fit in at her new school. We have also started working on a new reading strategy, making predictions. This is an excellent reading strategy to help students learn to focus on their reading and it gives them a purpose for their reading. Please encourage your child to use this strategy at home while working on their reading logs.
In writing we have begun to work on the narrative writing process. So far we have discussed the differences between narrative writing and expository writing and are now going through the writing process with a modeled story. Soon students will be writing creative and exciting stories of their very own.
In math we have started a new unit on geometry and measurement. The first chapter focuses on measuring the length of objects using both customary units and the metric system.
In science we have begun our 2nd unit, Structures of Life. So far we have discovered that the part of a plant that contains the seeds is called a fruit and are now busy observing seeds growing in their mini sprouters. After the winter break they will also have the opportunity to observe some other living organisims, crayfish!
The Passports have been turned in and about half the class had a chance to share their oral reports with the class on Friday. Those who didn't share will be doing so on Monday. Thank you for all your help and support getting those completed. Don't forgot that as a culmination of our unit on immigration we will be having a cultural feast on Friday, 12/18 during lunch time. Many of you have already returned the green form letting me know who will be joining us and what kind of dish you will be bringing. We are very excited to share our cultures and food with everyone.
