Classroom Update

We had another very busy week in our classroom. Here is a quick review of what happened in our classroom last week, as well, as what will be happening this week.

In Writer's Workshop we are nearing the end of our informational writing unit and our research paper on Westward Expansion. Last week, we learned about text features and decided what text features would help readers learn more about our Westward Expansion topic. We also worked with a partner and did peer editing.  Students were paired with someone who wrote about the same topic. Students read their partners research paper and gave their partner a specific compliment about their writing. They also gave their partner specific suggestions on how they could improve their paper. Finally, they edited their partner's paper for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Students also wrote an introduction to their research paper. Students learned that their introduction needs to grab the reader's attentention and let the reader know what the rest of the paper will be about. 

This week students willbe using the Chromebooks to type the final draft of their Westward Expansion research paper. Yay! :)

In math we continued with addition and subtraction of fractions. Students took the end of module assessment today. This week in math we will be starting module four which includes multiplying and dividing fractions. Look for the parent handbook for Module four to come this week. 

In science we are continuing our geology unit. We have been focusing on soil and what makes good soil.  One activity the students did this past week was to observe the physical characteristics of three types of soil. I did not tell the students what the three types of soil were, the cups were just numbered one, two, and three. Cup one was sand, which the students correctly identified. Cup three contained potting soil, which the students also correctly identified. Cup two contained clay. This cup really stumped the students. Many students were convinced that the cup contained either flour or baking soda, and not soil at all. Students also worked in groups to design an experiment to test which soil would the most water. The only materials the students could use were paper cups, coffee filters, scissors, and of course, soil. Students came up with some great experiments! This week we start learning about the three types of rocks and the Rock Cycle. Look for a project on the Rock Cycle to come home at the end of the week. 

This past Wednesday was the Fun Run. We could not have picked a more perfect day; the sun was shining and the weather was warm. 

Have a great evening!