We have just completed Topic 11 on comparing and ordering fractions. Students created fraction strips to develop a strong understanding of what a fraction is. We then used these strips and number lines to model other skills we are learning. Students focused the last few weeks on finding equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, and ordering fractions. Check out our human number line!
Readers' Workshop:
Before winter break we began our unit on reading nonfiction by exploring text structures and text features of non-fiction text and learning new strategies for reading these often times challenging texts. During the past couple of weeks students continued this work by learning how to determine the main idea of a text and select important details to remember. To practice these skills (and to connect to our last interactive read aloud Little Dog, Lost) students read a variety of non-fiction text and watched videos on various dog breeds, collecting research notes. Next week students will use this research to determine which dog would be the best dog for their family.
Science:
On our first week back in the new year we had a very special opportunity to SKYPE with a park ranger from San Simeon State Park in California to learn about the adaptations of the elephant seal. We were able to ask the park ranger many questions about these neat mammals and see the seals LIVE!
We were so fortunate to have another opportunity to SKYPE with researcher and scientists Mrs. Pennycook from a breeding colony at Cape Royds in Antarctica last week as well. As Mrs. Pennycook sat with the penguin colony she is researching, she shared with us her knowledge of penguin adaptations and what is it like to be a scientists studying penguins in Antarctica. We also, had a special meet and greet with a few of her friends!
All of these exciting opportunities helped us to kick of our new life science unit on animal adaptations. In this week's exploration students observed animal features on a variety of birds. Then students selected features to design their own bird that would survive in a water environment. Students learned how to make a claim about their bird and use evidence and reasoning to explain their choices. Check out some of our birds!
Social Studies:
Now that we have completed our studies of our neighbor's to the north and south, we will spend the next several months studying our own country. We have begun our "travels" to right here in the Northeast region. We are will be studying this areas' physical and political geography. Your child will need to learn the states and capitals for each region. We have created flash card rings in class that can be kept at home for nightly studying.
PBL:
In Project-Based Learning we have started a new project on our Nation's National Parks. Students will select a National Park to research and create a product to convince others to visit their national park.
Important Dates:
Monday 1/21 No School
Friday 1/25 Half Day
Tuesday1/29 Dog Day (notice will be sent home soon)
Friday 2/1 World Read Aloud Day
Monday 2/4 Early Release Day
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