Monday, January 25th

Today we read another chapter in Gathering Blue and students are continuing to work on their inferencing and discussion skills.  During social studies students continued working on their 1920s-30s culture inquiry.  For the rest of the week, we'll be focusing on the Harlem Renaissance and the causes of the Great Depression.

Homework
--Read for 30 minutes daily
--Math 
--Writing & Figurative Language
--"Mom, Did You Vote?" reflection**
**Some students have additional homework this week because they either did not put forth their full effort during the teacher-led lesson or they did not use their independent work time wisely. 

Friday, January 22nd

Students had their weekly library time today and they worked on assignments they started earlier in the week.  Additionally, my Friday small groups were introduced to "emotional timelines" and they used text evidence from Gathering Blue to analyze character actions and emotions.

In consideration of our early dismissal today, Ms. McFaddin and I will send home the Tybee folders on Monday with the other weekly communication items. 

We have a few students who are being inquirers by extending their in-class learning by conducting (safe) experiments at home.

Please stay safe and warm this weekend!

Tuesday, January 19th

During ELA we corrected our daily grammar and Ms. Holden visited our class to teach a figurative language inquiry lesson.  During social studies students read documents about the purpose and results of rationing during WWI.

The WWI test is on Thursday.  Students received their study guides last week and they should use the quizlet, their notes, and their study guides to prepare for the assessment.

Homework
-WWI study guide - due Thursday
-Math homework
-read for 30 minutes daily

Communication regarding today's code red drill

As a school today, we practiced a lock down drill. This is part of our safety plan procedures. This is an opportunity for us to make sure everyone is clear and efficient on lock down procedures. When we place the school in a lock down drill, we clearly communicate that it is a drill. Afterwards, teachers debrief with their students. We also debrief with the safety committee as a way to review how everyone employed the practices. We will practice this drill at least two more times prior to the end of the school year. I'm including some talking points that can be used with students. You may want to use these talking points if your child brings up today's drill. Additionally, we will not give any specifics about some of our safety procedures, but if you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact me.  

Lock down talking points with students:

1.  Code Red (lockdown) means that Ms. Newton and Mr. Thomas need us all in our rooms and quiet so they know where everyone is. 

2. Think of a red traffic light. It means we stop what we are doing so your teaches can check on you and the administrators can check on the whole school. 

3. If you are in the hallway or bathroom, a teacher will bring you to the nearest classroom.

4. Just like in a fire drill, we need to be silent so we can hear directions.

As I was about to send this message, our fire alarm went off during lunch time and we had to exit the building.  Some students did not have their jackets or umbrellas during this time.  We ensured that we got classes back inside as quickly as possible.  The entire process took no more than three minutes. 

As always, let us know if you have further questions.

Karen T. Newton, Principal

Thursday, January 14th

We began our day with completing our daily grammar.  Then we continued reading Gathering Blue and practicing making text-based inferences.  We also began a new reading titled "Mom, Did You Vote?"  Students worked on identifying suffragist actions and next week they will write about how they informed and influenced others in order to get the right to vote.

We discussed the propaganda poster below.  It shows how opponents of women's suffrage tried to influence others to believe that families would fall apart if women gained the right to vote.

During social studies we continued learning about World War I.  On Tuesday we will learn about how civilians helped on the home front.  Students also received their study guides today.  I suggest that they begin working on it over the weekend so they'll be prepared for the assessment.

Wednesday, January 13th

During ELA we completed our daily grammar exercises and students learned more about correct comma usage.  Additionally, students concluded their Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois reading, notes, and discussions.  

During social studies we continued learning details about WWI.  I will conclude instruction tomorrow and students will receive a study guide.  The study guide will be due next Thursday.

World War I notes - The test will be next Thursday (1/21/16)

More than half of our color pencils are tiny and almost too small to be sharpened.  Ms. McFaddin and I would welcome color pencil donations.  Thank you in advance!

Secret Question --> The U.S. joined WWI for a few reasons.  One of the reasons was a note...what was the name of that note?  (Answer this question DISCREETLY on Thursday for a  small treat!)

Monday, January 11th

During ELA we completed our daily grammar and continued reading Gathering Blue.  We uncovered some interesting plot points today and students used the text to analyze character actions, make inferences, and discuss connections.

During social studies students finished working on their WWI packets.  We will conclude our WWI instruction and activities this week.  I'm tentatively planning the assessment for next Wednesday and I'll have a study guide available by Thursday.

Progress Reports
Progress reports are coming home today along with MAP scores.  For the few students who have "Specials" area comments, please contact the applicable specials teacher if you have any questions.  The forms don't need to be signed or returned.

Snack
I want to remind parents that our flex group has a working snack after our transition each day.  I've noticed that some students consistently don't have a snack and that's a bit worrisome since we don't have lunch until 1:00pm.  During this school year when we have had donated snacks or extras from school events we have shared them with students. However, teachers are unable to provide snack for large numbers of students each day.  

Homework
-ELA/SS homework (writing and WWI) - due Thursday
-Math homework - due Thursday
-Read for 30 minutes daily 

Wednesday, January 6th

During ELA we completed our daily grammar and we reviewed when to use commas when listing things and when interrupting.  Students worked together to create their own sentences and they had a review worksheet at the end of the lesson.  Lastly, we also continued reading Gathering Blue, and students worked on making text-based inferences.

During social studies we began learning about WWI.  First they discussed why countries go to war and how to prevent war, then we watched the WWI Brainpop video.  We will continue our WWI lesson over the next several days.

 "Why do countries go to war?" and "How can war be prevented?" discussions 

WWI BrainPop Vocabulary

Felix sez... "You're studying, right?

Tuesday, January 5th

We had a productive day today.  After completing our daily grammar work, we continued reading Gathering Blue.  This term students are going to be working on finding accurate quotes to support their explanations and make logical inferences. 

During Social Studies, we began our new Unit of Inquiry.  This term students will be learning about World War I, the Roaring 20s, the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Depression, and the New Deal.  

Homework
1.  Read for 30 minutes daily
2.  Vocabulary homework - due Friday - the spelling/vocab test is on Friday
3.  Math homework - due Friday