These past few weeks have been full of meaningful activities. Valentine's Day, Field Trip, Night Ministry collection, an Author visit and more! (Be sure to scroll down and see the pictures!)
In math, we have shifted from fractions to decimals. We have worked hard to build the understanding of partial numbers as a context for both. This requires a great deal of conceptual connection to the number line, as we try to focus between 0 and 1. Fractions are a very abstract concept. The more we draw diagrams the better as they relate the understanding to a concrete model, making it easier to grasp. Once we gained a strong understanding of fractions, we were able to move into the connection of decimals. Soon we will be venturing into geometry, but will continue to practice the above skills as well.
We continue to work on our essay writing. We are currently working on opinion/persuasive essays. Though the genre of writing is different from the expository format that we will be using in our Expert Reports, the essay framework is transferable and will be very beneficial as we move forward.
Speaking of Expert Report, now that we have our 100 note cards, it is time to start organizing our notes into writing. Our goal in the month of March is to write all essays for our SubTopics. We will be working in our Google Drives for this work. In April, we will compile our essays into Book Creator.
Our reading work has been focusing on non-fiction skills. We have been learning about text structures, how to synthesize information across texts and the use of text features in non-fiction writing/reading.
I am very pleased with everyone's efforts in Book Bingo. Now that the color printer has new ink for printing, I look forward to awarding everyone with their Book Bingo Certificates. We had a few double bingos, a triple bingo and even a quadruple bingo. Hurray for the A-4 readers!!
We've been having a wonder-filled time with our science explorations. As we continue to explore Energy, we have been experimenting with different variables to test different outcomes to build our understanding. Energy and energy transference are difficult concepts to learn about without exploration. Currently we are testing out rolling stainless steel spheres on tracks with ramps. This has been a great winter activity!
We have headed into another round of Cooperatives to enhance our study of slavery and the Underground Railroad. We have multiple stations or centers of activities that support a deeper look into the time period. Some of the activities include: map making, quilt making, a digital game to run to freedom, creating a wanted poster of an abolitionist, slave children games and learning the codes of slave songs.
Just a few more weeks until Spring Break. I hope to keep the focus and really dig into these next few weeks.
Fraction Fun
Indoor Recess Fun
Packing Personal Packs
for Night Ministry
More fun with fractions
Field Trip - "Night Runner" & Nature Museum
Happy V-Day
Author visit
Test Synthesis
Science Tracks
Guest Teacher for Reading
Mrs. Smith
Buddy Time
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