Term 5, Week 6

We have a busy week scheduled.  Students are finishing learning about WWII and their assessment will be on Friday.  In ELA students are working on a literary analysis of The Giver, Gathering Blue and Messenger.  Hopefully they'll be finished by Wednesday and then we will start reading Son, the final book in The Giver quartet.  Students are also working on finishing their opinion essays this week.

Student-led conferences are on Thursday, April 14th.  Use the links below to sign-up for a time that works for you.

Ms. McFaddin's Homeroom

Ms. Black's Homeroom

Lastly, we REALLY need some facial tissues.  I wasn't monitoring my supply and we completely ran out.  PLEASE send some tissues if you can.

WWII Class/Activity Notes

Students should be studying this week.  They should be using their worksheets and class notes to complete the study guide.  Also, there are additional readings posted on Edmodo. 

3/21/2016 -- Term 5, Week 5

This week students are going to continue working on their opinion papers.  They are scheduled to finish their research during class time on Tuesday, and I expect for them to finish their rough drafts by Friday.  We are coming to the end of Messenger and we will begin the next book of the series, Son.  

During social studies we are going to finish learning our WWII content and the assessment will be given on Thursday, March 31st.  

Homework
--Rosie the Riveter reading & questions
--Math homework
--Read for 30 or more minutes daily
--Students should work on their opinion papers at home if they fall behind the pacing schedule

Tybee - water needed

For Tybee, we need Ms. Black's homeroom to bring bottle water either on Tuesday or on Wednesday morning.  If 5 or 6 parents bring 1-2 dozen each that should be enough.  

Thanks!

Weekend Update

Tybee Update

--Students from my homeroom are coming home with a letter for parents; please make sure you read it and contact me if you have any questions. My homeroom had lunch in the classroom today so I could address their questions.

--If your child has medication, please send it with them on Tuesday morning so I can store it for the trip.

--Check this document when packing -- What to Bring & what NOT to bring to Tybee

ELA Update
Students began their summative opinion papers this week.  They began by exploring the 4-7 grade social studies standards.  Students noticed how there was a disparity with the number of women and people of color represented.  

Students then did a book browse to identify women and people of color whom they thought would be a good addition to the standards.  Today they began their research and started taking notes.  If parents want to look at the guidelines, I've attached a copy of the packet in the right column.

Genius Hour
Students watched a video about feminism and a video about Jane Goodall.  They practiced the circle map and 5W's note-taking strategies.

 Breman Field Trip

**The trip was informative and the students were very well behaved.**

Nancy sez... Have a great weekend and Monday OFF!

Monday, March 7th

This week students will begin the writing process for this term's summative essay.  We are also continuing our literary analysis of Messenger.  During social studies we are continuing to learn about WWII and we are visiting the Breman Museum on Wednesday.  Today we read My Secret Camera and students watched the Holocaust BrainPop video.  Tomorrow we will begin discussing how Germany and Japan began invading other nations.

As a reminder, students should read their personal books for a minimum of 30 minutes daily.  A little over a month ago I began doing check-ins several times a week to see how students are progressing.  Some students have not been completing their reading, and it shows.  Those students are not growing as readers and they're at risk for falling behind.  Please provide a time and place for your child to read EVERY DAY.  It's the best way for them to independently practice the comprehension skills we work on daily.

ELA/SS Homework

WWII worksheet

WWII Reading

Uni/Bi/Tri/Quad Vocab

Pennies for Patients Progress
Both homerooms have started raising money and my homeroom has almost reached the halfway point to their goal!  Thanks so much for your support!

Causes of WWII notes

Wednesday, March 2nd

This week in ELA we are continuing to work on finding text evidence in literary and informational sources.  During social studies we finished going over the causes of WWII and began learning about the Holocaust.  

Reading -- A History of US, "A Final Solution"

skill practiced - citing evidence and identifying cause/effect

Term 5 Genius Hour

This term students in my Genius Hour are completing a film study that's focused on our current Unit of Inquiry, How the World Works.   Students are also working how to use different strategies when using videos for academic purposes.  Last week we began watching On the Way to School and students practiced taking Cornell notes.  

Yesterday, in honor of Women's History Month, we watched videos about Freida Kahlo, Marie Curie, and Maya Angelou.  Students created thought maps and then used their notes to write a short reflection about the woman of their choice.

Upcoming Events

Tybee Parent Chaperone Meeting -- Thursday, March 3rd at 5:30pm

Breman Field Trip -- Wednesday, March 9th

Tybee Field Trip -- March 16-18