Newsletter 1-8-12

I am back to the blogging world! It seems like it has been forever since my last blog!

Well, we had a great first week back from Christmas Break. We have started new units and the kids have been assigned their next book report. School is back in full swing!

I looked at my lesson plans from last year and we had snow days on Monday and Tuesday. It seems like we won’t get any snow this year!!! I know that kids are anxious for some snow!

The Week Ahead:

Religion:

We started Unit 7: The Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus. The test is planned for Tuesday. Have them take the online practice test to study!

Math:

We started chapter six last week. This chapter is called, Using Data; Adding and Subtracting Fractions. We will do lesson 6.4-6.9 this week. The fraction journey has begun!!!

Social Studies:

We have started unit five, The New England Colonies. We have two lessons left for this chapter. The plan is to review on Wednesday and Thursday and test on Friday. Check your student's planner for the exact test date.

Science:

We have been learning about the classification of animals. We will continue to work on the science packet. The kids will also be participating in more science literature circles.

Literature:

We will start our next novel, Sign of the Beaver. This is an AMAZING book that integrates perfectly into our social studies curriculum.

“The Sign of the Beaver is an excellent introduction to life among pioneers and Native Americans in the eighteenth-century American colonies. Full of precise detail concerning the tasks and objects that filled everyday life, the novel also contains a good deal of adventure and suspense. Most notable is Speare's insightful and sensitive portrayal of the relations among white settlers and Native Americans. Intertwined with the exciting plot is a strong but not didactic commentary on the tragedy that ensued when settlers forced the Native Americans from their lands.”-Book Rags

We will be working on an issue of Scholastic News.

January book report info and rubric was sent home on Tuesday. Remember, a historical fiction book takes place during a real event/time in history, but often has made-up characters and situations. The January book report is due on January 31^st. Please have your child follow the rubric closely when completing their diorama over their historical fiction book.

Vocabulary:

We will be testing over Unit 9 on Friday.

FYI:

Smart Club Choice Assembly on Friday

Report Cards Go Home on Friday. Please return the envelope with your comments.

No school on Monday, January 16^th

Table Talk Questions:

1.      Discuss our new novel, Sign of the Beaver. Have them tell you what has happened so far. Discuss Matt's father's decision to leave him alone in Maine to guard the cabin and field of corn. Was that a good decision? What do you predict happens? How have children changed since then (less responsibilities?)

2.      Practice adding and subtracting fractions. Maybe integrate it into your home life… Cooking, building, etc.

3.      Our Scholastic News issue is about animals becoming extinct. Discuss what can happen to the world when an animal become extinct.  

4.      Have the kids tell you the events in the Paschal Mystery.