Weekly Update

Welcome back! It was our first week back at school after the holiday and it was full of new beginnings. In Reader's Workshop we started a new unit on reading argumentative text. We started the week by learning some new vocabulary that goes with reading argumentative text, such as claim, one sided, overview, and unsubstantiated. Students worked with a partner reading non-fiction articles to fisgure out what claim the article was making and what reasons and evidence the author gave to support their claim. Students also began the first research project. ( The reading the students are doing is research for an argumentative paper they will be writing soon in Writer's Workshop.) Students were given research questions to choose from and began their first research project. Some of the questions students are researching include should killer whales be kept in captivity, should plastic bags be banned, are extreme sports to dangerous, and are zoos good for animals. After students had picked their topic, they began reading articles and taking notes. On Friday groups had short flash debates. In which, members of the group debated their side of the issue. I am really impressed with the passion the students have for their side of the debate.

In Writer's Workshop we  started argumentative writing. In argumentative writing, the students state their claim and provide reasons and evidence to support their claim. Our first piece of argumentative writing is letter to Mr. B about whether or not the cafeteria should be serving chocolate milk. Most students in the class are  making the claim, that yes, chocolate milk should be served in the cafeteria. After  the chocolate milk letter, students will writing an argumentative research paper on the topic they are reading about in Reader's Workshop.

In math we are continuing our module on adding and subtracting fractions. The students will be taking an assessment on adding and subtracting fractions this week.

In science we started a new geology unit. The first topic we covered was volcanoes. The first question we answered was, Could a volcano pop up in my backyard? Not likely here in Massachusetts, but students learned that 75% of the world's active volcanoes are located in the area known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.