Please enjoy these updates from our classroom.
Writing
Students are just finishing up writing the final copies their memoirs, and are reflecting on the work they've done. Students spend a long time revising and editing their work to make for final copies they felt really proud of. Starting this week, students are also using their spelling try sheets to improve the spelling of their homework.
Social Studies
We have just begun a unit on West Africa. We looked at atlases and make a long list of everything we knew about West Africa. Then, we brainstormed a list of questions we had about the region. As the unit progresses, we will read West African folk tales and learn about the history, culture, and religions of West Africa. If your family has anything you'd like to contribute to this unit, please let us know.
Math
We just finished an investigation of multiplication arrays that focused on the question, "Is it always possible to break apart arrays into smaller pieces and put them back together to find the answer?" Ask your child to provide an example of breaking apart an array into smaller, easier arrays, and then putting it back together. As we progress in our unit, we'll look at multiplication as a comparison, do an investigation on division, study larger multiples, and learn some advanced strategies for multiplying like doubling and halving numbers. Check your child's backpack for a letter about how to reinforce strategies taught in this math unit at home.
Reading
Some students are continuing to read Becoming Naomi Leon and others are reading Edward Tulane. All students are learning to talk about story elements and are writing predictions based on context clues from the stories and prior knowledge from personal experiences. Ask your child to make a prediction about any books s/he is reading at home.
Field Trip
Next Wednesday, December 7, we will be taking a trip to the Newtown Creek Water Treatment Facility to learn about how water is processed. Emily is coordinating this trip as part the science curriculum, and we will be going with Lauren's class as well. Please make sure to send in a permission slip.
Farewell to Emmeline
Emmeline will be returning to Denmark on December 18th, and we will miss her. If your child would like to stay in touch, you can send him or her to school with an email or Skype ID to share with Emmeline. We wish her all the best.
Best,
Nancy and Stephanie
