This week started off busy. There is a lot to get in before our Thanksgiving break. I am sure everyone is looking forward to the break, but we are not letting up in the classroom. There is a lot we need to cover in class before that time. Here's the rundown of what we're doing:
In Reading, we are back to doing more of our CAFE strategies, with more literacy blocks. We are assessing each student's progress in their reading goal. We have read some non-fiction texts about Earth Science to help build our background knowledge for our project as well. With our increased time in reading in the classroom, we will have a book report due the week of December 16. The only thing your child needs to do right now is read a chapter book before December 10 or so. He or she can use any chapter book they have read this school year. Unless there is an absence, all the work will be done in class. Please save a cereal box for this project. More details will be coming.
In Writing, we are shifting from writing narrative to expository texts. We have almost finished the writing conferences from the last narrative. These were the ones the students brought home to edit. They were really good - I was impressed! Thank you for your help; it made a difference. In these days before Thanksgiving, we are writing on a Gratitude Journal prompt each day. This week, the students are writing about a person they are thankful for with three specific reasons and explanations. This also reinforces our November Precept, which your student wrote to you about in the parent journal. Speaking of which, you will have a parent journal letter this weekend, but not over Thanksgiving.
In Projects, we are learning about Earth's systems, which covers types of rocks and how they are formed, fossils and rock layers, weathering, erosion, and the patterns that bring change in Earth's landscape over time. Your child will work in a triad or pair, with one of these topics. Their group will have to choose a way to teach their peers about their topic. We will share these projects in December. We have a list of supplies for you this weekend. Because there is choice allowed in these, it is hard to know exactly what each student will need. Please ask you child about supplies this weekend. We should have a pretty good idea by then.
We are reading a great read aloud right now, a Newbery Award winning book called Bud, Not Buddy. It is a great book. When I was reading it a few weeks ago, I actually woke up at 4 am one (weekend) morning thinking about it and had to finish it. I hope your students are enjoying and finding value in this book. This year is really flying by! I am happy with all we are learning and how the students are working. Thanks for all you do!
