Week in Review

We have made it through our first two weeks of school.  Today students took a formative assessment on standards RL1 and RL2.  Those standards require that students use text evidence to support their explanations and that they analyze literary elements like character, setting, and plot.

During social studies we continued learning about and discussing the Bill of Rights.  Students received an abridged version of the Bill of Rights and we completed a review in class.  Some students requested an additional study guide and many have already begun studying by using the Bill of Rights quizlet.  The Bill of Rights assessment will be next Friday.

We also had our first library visit today and many students checked out books.  Students should read 15-30 minutes daily.

Bill of Rights Sort

Students had to categorize some amendments as individual freedoms, protection from the government, and judicial rights.  

Recess

Communication Reminders

All parents from BOTH homerooms should sign up for our class email list.  We like to have one big list so all of our parents are up to date about what's going on in class.  

Please click on the following link to join our email list:

McFaddin/Black Email List

Ms. McFaddin and I also like to use REMIND for homeroom specific updates.  Please click on the appropriate link below:
Ms. Black's REMIND
Ms. McFaddin's REMIND

Monday, August 10th

I hope everyone had an excellent weekend.  This week we will continue working on identifying text details and using those details in our explanations.  We are using The Giver to practice those literary skills.  Additionally, we are going to begin our parts of speech review this week.

During social studies this week we are reviewing and discussing the Bill of Rights.


Homework:  
Plot & Bill of Rights homework -- due Thursday
Math homework -- due Thursday
Read for 15-30 minutes daily -- parent/guardian sign agenda each night 

Thursday, August 7th

Today we worked on analyzing character traits and citing text evidence.  First we read a story, Eleven, and highlighted the main character's thoughts, words, and actions.  Then we completed an organizer with the information we highlighted in the text.  We concluded our time today with using our analysis skills while we read more of The Giver.

During our Genius Hour time students presented their "Code of Conduct" skits.  They were quite entertaining and informative.

Wednesday, August 5th

Today Ms. Smith completed the iPad training with both homerooms.  Please look for the iPad terms of use form that's coming home today.  All students must turn in the forms before we can begin using the iPads as a class.  

During ELA we completed our daily grammar and students practiced finding text details and making inferences.  We then worked on writing our classroom discussion agreements.  Students then completed a writing diagnostic.  This writing piece will help me to create customized writing lessons to meet individual student needs.  We concluded our day with social studies with an activity about rights.

Tuesday, August 4th

We had another great day.  Students set up their ELA and social studies notebooks.  We began reading The Giver and students worked on answering questions by using specific details from the text.  We concluded our time together with an inquiry lesson about rights and responsibilities.

As a reminder, please send in a snack for your child.  Our lunch time is at 1:00pm and that's a long time for all of us to wait.  I've been providing a snack to children who don't have one; however, my supplies are beginning to run low.

Each class discussed the relationship between rights and responsibilities.  

Their main ideas are below.

First Day of School!

We had an excellent first day of school.  Students discussed our IB learner profiles, created class agreements, and got settled with their homerooms.  Tomorrow we will begin instruction.

Please remember to look review and sign the forms that are coming home in today's communication folder.  Also, we will have a snack time each day since our lunch time is at 1:00pm.  Please feel free to send in a healthy snack for your child.