Announcements~ Wednesday is our first chapel where we in charge of the vestry. Please have all students at school by 7:45 so that we can practice a few more times.
~ This semester we have switched from Religion to Health. This has caused a slight change in our schedule on E and F days. I have posted the new schedule under "FYI" and every student has an updated copy in his or her planner.
~ Second semester you will see the workload increase. For starters, the required minimum amount of writing homework each week is now one and a half pages, single spaced. We will also be having more frequent grammar and spelling tests.
Math
This week in math, we will be using data to investigate the effect of sample size. We will be learning to read and use contour maps that show climate and growing season data. We will also be revisiting the addition and subtraction of fractions.
Reading
This week in reading, we will be taking a deeper look at the genre of fantasy. Fantasy readers are expected to learn alongside the main character. Often in fantasy, the main character sets out on an adventure, or quest and has to figure out the rules of the place. Ex: Harry has to learn about Hogwarts and the magical world, Percy has to learn about half-bloods... As the characters learn the customs, beliefs and values of their new world, so does the reader. Another important element of fantasy is the multiple plot lines. While there is generally one main problem or quest, there are always underlying subplots and relationships that affect the characters. It is important that a reader of fantasy pay attention to all of the plot lines, not just the main one.
Writing
In writing, we will begin planning our fantasy stories. More that any other fiction genre, fantasy requires a ton of pre-planning. This week, students will be inventing their characters, and creating mini-bios for each one. They will be designing their settings, using descriptive language that helps the reader to feel like their inside the fantasy world. Finally, they will be determining their problem and it's solution. These should all be written in their writer's notebooks, which I will be checking on Friday.
In grammar this week we will be finishing up our study of active and passive tense and moving on to appositives.
Social Studies
This week in social studies, we will begin our investigation into The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the 3 branches of government. The students will be looking specifically at the system of checks of balances and also how The Constitution can be amended.
Homework
~ Reading Comprehension: "An Insect Community"
~ Writing: Read the StoryWorks article "Ovatniah" and write the journal entry detailed in the "Write to Win" section
~ POW
~ Study Links as assigned
~ This semester we have switched from Religion to Health. This has caused a slight change in our schedule on E and F days. I have posted the new schedule under "FYI" and every student has an updated copy in his or her planner.
~ Second semester you will see the workload increase. For starters, the required minimum amount of writing homework each week is now one and a half pages, single spaced. We will also be having more frequent grammar and spelling tests.
Math
This week in math, we will be using data to investigate the effect of sample size. We will be learning to read and use contour maps that show climate and growing season data. We will also be revisiting the addition and subtraction of fractions.
Reading
This week in reading, we will be taking a deeper look at the genre of fantasy. Fantasy readers are expected to learn alongside the main character. Often in fantasy, the main character sets out on an adventure, or quest and has to figure out the rules of the place. Ex: Harry has to learn about Hogwarts and the magical world, Percy has to learn about half-bloods... As the characters learn the customs, beliefs and values of their new world, so does the reader. Another important element of fantasy is the multiple plot lines. While there is generally one main problem or quest, there are always underlying subplots and relationships that affect the characters. It is important that a reader of fantasy pay attention to all of the plot lines, not just the main one.
Writing
In writing, we will begin planning our fantasy stories. More that any other fiction genre, fantasy requires a ton of pre-planning. This week, students will be inventing their characters, and creating mini-bios for each one. They will be designing their settings, using descriptive language that helps the reader to feel like their inside the fantasy world. Finally, they will be determining their problem and it's solution. These should all be written in their writer's notebooks, which I will be checking on Friday.
In grammar this week we will be finishing up our study of active and passive tense and moving on to appositives.
Social Studies
This week in social studies, we will begin our investigation into The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the 3 branches of government. The students will be looking specifically at the system of checks of balances and also how The Constitution can be amended.
Homework
~ Reading Comprehension: "An Insect Community"
~ Writing: Read the StoryWorks article "Ovatniah" and write the journal entry detailed in the "Write to Win" section
~ POW
~ Study Links as assigned