Literacy | Work Due |
I have been so impressed with the ways that students are developing independence in their reading lives, and noticing how characters, just like people, are complicated. They have been thinking deeply about how the pressures that a character is under can sometimes cause them to act in “less likeable” ways. We are also noticing how the mood or stresses of a setting can influence how a character acts. At this busy, and sometimes stressful time of year, these are important reminders to us all! | Study of Character unit will end by Dec 11, and will have an end of unit assessment. Reading work habits will also be assessed the week of December 9th. We should see evidence that students are thinking deeply across their books. --Are they jotting as they go? (Every 20 pages or so). --Do they pause to write long at least once/book? --Do they have clear reading plans in their planner? (Volume goal, thinking plan and how they will show their thinking). We will designate 3 days/week for independent writing work during the weeks of Dec 9 and 16. |
Math | WORK DUE |
We will wrap up 2019 by describing patterns in words and with symbols, namely equations. By the end of this unit, students should be able to flexibly go between the following models: | Quiz #4 - week of December 9 Forming equation from situation Quiz #5 - week of December 16 Interpreting what an equation means in context Homework daily. Please check your child’s planner. Consider having your child log onto iXL.com for more practice even if it is not assigned. December Test Prep Packet will be given out on 12/18 (Wednesday). If you are planning to leave earlier, please let teachers know. |
Science | WORK DUE |
We are currently finishing research stations as part two in our unit of study on Hudson River Ecology. The research questions that have guided the station research are “Is the Hudson a river, an estuary, or both” & “How do the abiotic factors of the Hudson influence its food webs?” Some of the big scientific practices students have been focusing on during this phase of research are analyzing and interpreting data, constructing scientific explanations, and developing & using models. The final part of this unit of study will be to publish a coffee table book about the Hudson River. The research question that will guide the learning during the final phase of research is “How do the biotic factors of the Hudson influence its food webs?” As students finish up with their research, they will be working in research teams to look back at all of the work they’ve done throughout the unit to brainstorm, draft, and publish pages for their group’s chapter in the Hudson River coffee table book. | Ecology Infographics will be returned the weeks of 12/9 & 12/16. Students are being assessed on the following items during the weeks of 12/9 & 12/16. Assessments are based on their Hudson River Ecology Station Research:
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Social Studies | WORK DUE |
After studying archaeology, timelines, Early Humans, the transition to farming, the geography of rivers, and research strategies, we are finally prepared to begin our study of Ancient Egypt (AE), one of the great River Valley Civilizations in history. We will begin our unit by learning about the Nile River and the geography of AE. During the week of Dec. 9, we will be visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art to carefully observe and marvel at real Egyptian artifacts. In the next weeks, as we prepare our own Museum Exhibit, students will be using Social Studies Categories to research AE (Geography, Daily Life, Inventions, Religion, Government). Students will also be introduced to various “research centers” organized by resource type (art, artifacts, photographs, maps, videos, non-fiction text, historical fiction text, myths). Students will continue to develop systems for gathering and synthesizing information, as well as beginning to develop their own interpretations and apply critical lenses to Ancient Egyptian society. | Metropolitan Museum of Art Trip (12/9 - 603, 12/11 - 601, 12/12 - 602). Museum Exhibit (Unit Project) - week of Jan 20. Rubric to follow. Notebook Spot Checks focused on SS Categories and Research Centers - week of Jan 6 and 13. |
Advisory
Having explored our own identity through identity webs and six word memoirs, we now move into our next advisory unit which will focus on growth mindset.
One of the main purposes of advisory is to spend time building social/emotional skills. Social emotional learning and growth is about engaging in the world around us - it helps support us in all aspects of our life. However, it takes practice to build up our social/emotional toolkit.
Over the next few weeks in advisory we will be working on building our social/emotional learning skills through the lens of growth mindset.
One of the main purposes of advisory is to spend time building social/emotional skills. Social emotional learning and growth is about engaging in the world around us - it helps support us in all aspects of our life. However, it takes practice to build up our social/emotional toolkit.
Over the next few weeks in advisory we will be working on building our social/emotional learning skills through the lens of growth mindset.