Lenguaje
This week we started our unit 4, La energia en accion. During this unit we will be making significant connections to our science studies. We spent time preparing the vocabulary and structures for the reading of our first selection – Las chispas que vuelan. This was an interesting non-fiction piece that allowed us to learn and have a great discussion about the historical figure Benjamin Franklin, his studies in the field of science, and our own inquiry inclinations. Our main focus, however, was on our literature circle: La llamada de la selva by Jack London. We spend an average of 30 minutes everyday working on individual reading and comprehension work as well as group discussions. We have a reading calendar that we follow as a class. Although most of the work is done in class, it is very important that students follow the calendar and work on the assignments given. If we stick to our reading schedule we will be finished with the book and a culminating project by March 23rd. The following are the objectives for this project:
Objectives and standards during literature circle and book studies:
• Students quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.
• Determine the theme of a story, the big ideas and the details.
• Explain how characters respond and develop, and how they interact throughout the story.
• Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, events drawing on specific details in the text.
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases and expressions including figurative language, metaphors, and similes.
• Explain how a series of events fit together to provide the overall structure of a story.
• Describe the narrator’s point of view.
• Make comparisons and connections to similar stories and personal experiences.
Reading homework alert! Students are expected to have read through chapter 4 this weekend. They need to have their notes completed and be ready for our discussion on Monday. This reading can be logged as their daily reading in Spanish.
Ciencias
Investigation 3 – Transport Systems
Focus Question: How are nutrients transported to cells in a plant?
Students continued their exploration of plants by observing the veins in leaves. Students went outdoors to find samples of different leaves and classified them according to their attributes. We studied relevant vocabulary that we will be applying in context during the following parts of this investigation next week.
Learning Outcomes:
• Scientists classify objects and information by organizing them into groups with similar attributes.
• Vascular bundles are arranged in predictable patterns of veins in the leaves of vascular plants.
• Vascular plants have specialized tissues for the transport of water , minerals, and sugar to cells: xylem tubes carry water and minerals from the plant’s roots to all the cells in a one-way flow; phloem tubes carry sugar from the leaves to all the cells that need it.
History & Geography
This week we began studying Feudal Japan. Our objectives were:
- Describe Japan’s geography.
- Identify influences on Japanese culture.
- Summarize Shinto and Buddhist beliefs.
- Summarize feudalism in Japan.
- Describe the lives of artisans, merchants, and peasants in feudal Japan.
Mathematics
This week we finished our chapter on Multiplying and Dividing Decimals. Our objectives were:
- Estimate decimal, sums, differences, products, and quotients
- Solve real-world problems involving decimals
- prepare for the chapter test by playing Decimal Jeopardy
- demonstrate mastery and understanding of decimals being multiplied and divided in the same way as whole numbers
Next week we will start working with percents!
English Word Work
This week we finished our rotation and started a new one. Our rotation days were:
- Writer’s Workshop: Students began working on a Japan Research project by choosing a topic and writing some starter questions.
- Blind Sort Test: Students tested each other on their spelling using the Blind Sort method.
- Word Search/Teacher Meeting: Students received a word search with their new spelling words. They were tasked with finding and sorting their new words. I also met with the students to discuss and clarify their new sort
- Writer’s Workshop: Students began their research for their Japan Research projects
Our next spelling test will be Monday, March 19th!
Specialists
Character Ed with Ms. Jennie