Take a Peek at Our Week!

In language & literature, we worked on identifying the author's purpose for writing an informational article by using supporting evidence as a guide. Then, we found a text structure that best supported that purpose (compare/contrast, chronological/sequence, cause/effect, description, problem/solution). The students did a fantastic job discussing the specific purpose for the article!! This week, groups read about the origins of domestic dogs and what causes food allergies. The week after Thanksgiving, we will continue this work but add some RACCE response practice to the mix! Students will be reading about why leaves change color and plastic pollution in the ocean.

In writing, we finished up our Titanic research for our three subtopics and worked on identifying our strongest pieces of evidence.

Next, we drafted our body paragraphs using the cheeseburger strategy from earlier in the year. We made sure to include a topic sentence, 2-3 pieces of STRONG evidence, and a wrap-up sentence. We will finish up our introduction and conclusion paragraphs next week so that we are ready to glue all of the pieces together! This will set us up for transition and elaboration work!

In individuals & society, students finished their Adobe Spark projects for their early civilization research. Monday is our virtual museum! Students will be wandering and wondering to each "exhibit"  and recording their new thinking after viewing each student's work. What a fun way to present our projects...stay tuned for pictures from the event!

Reminders for Next Week:

*11/25 Conferences (please check your sign up!)

*11/26 Early Dismissal for Students

*11/27-11/29 School Closed for Thanksgiving Break 

*I will not be sending home a Reading Log Monday due to the short week...but I encourage your child to read over the break, especially if you're on the road traveling! 

Have a great weekend!
~Mrs. Carr

Take a Peek at Our Week!

We finished up our What's the Point planner in lang & lit! One of our final activities was a classroom walk to practice using context clues to help us determine the meaning of unknown words. This was a fun way to go over the skill while getting us up and moving!

You should have seen your child's lang & lit assessment come home this week. Just a reminder that you need to sign it and return by Monday, November 18th! After taking the assessment, students went through a reflection process to identify areas of strength and areas needing growth. They also worked through questions that were incorrect with a partner. After reflecting, students completed a Google form in order to identify goals for action as we move forward! I was so proud of the honesty and effort students put into this process. Next week, we will begin our next lang & lit planner; F.Y.I. (For Your Information). This planner focuses on non-fiction text, text structure, and author's purpose.

In writing, we began researching our first informational topic-Titanic! Students chose three subtopics that interested them and recorded their information in their research packets. We used two internet based resources and one book source in order to gather our research. Next week we will begin to draft our introduction and body paragraphs! The students are really enjoying this topic!

In individuals & society, we discussed the innovations and adaptations of  early civilizations using the see, think, wonder strategy. Students then researched innovations and adaptations for their expert civilizations. We also began our final projects for the planner using Adobe Spark Page! Next week we will continue to work on our projects to get them ready for our virtual museum November 25th & 26th.

Reminders for Next Week:

*11/18: Signed Lang & Lit Assessments DUE!

*11/22: D.A.R.E.

Have a great weekend!

~Mrs. Carr

Take a Peek at Our Week!

In lang & lit, we worked on finding the main idea and supporting details for each paragraph/section of a text. We began by using Brain Pop to introduce us to this skill and tested our prior knowledge using the quiz feature on the website. In reading groups, we focused on articles about our early civilizations to give us more information for our I&S research! Students discussed how finding the main idea helps them as readers....chunks the information, slows them down, helps them to remember the content, allows them to find information more easily. We also worked on giving feedback to our peers and reflected to take action. Students are taking such pride with this!!

In I&S, students continued to research their expert civilizations. In order to learn about the other civilizations from our planner, students participated in a jigsaw activity. Jigsaws involve students each sharing their "piece" of the puzzle and learning from one another. What a great way to practice our discussion and communication skills!

Last week, I shared that we unpacked the informational writing rubric to help us understand expectations for the genre. I wanted to include pictures from this activity since my phone was not cooperating last week!

Reminders for Next Week:
*Swimming continues through November 15th...don't forget your swim gear on P.E. days!
*No school November 11th

Have a great weekend!
~Mrs. Carr