Hello everyone!
I hope everyone has a restful Winter Break! Here's an update on what's happening in our classroom before and after break:
Writing: We have started our new writing unit on Informational Writing. Students will be constructing writing pieces on a subject they are an expert at. Feel free to talk to your child at home about what topics he or she might pick and encourage him or her to look for all the areas in his or her life where they could be considered a child expert. They have also just started writing a mystery in Google Docs so don't be surprised if they are asking to go on Google Docs at home. Their usernames and passwords are on a piece of paper that should live in their homework folders.
Reading: We have finished up our 2 whole-class read-alouds, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Tiger Rising. We are also finishing up our mystery unit. Ask your child about sleuths, suspects, witnesses, and red herrings. We will continue learning more about the Wampanoags during our reading blocks, as well as giving them ample time for independent reading.
Math: We are finishing up our third math unit which was “understanding concepts of area and relating area to multiplication and addition.” Students will be introduced to simple fractions but not expected to master them until later in their school career.
Social Studies: We have begun our study of the Wampanoag people. We will investigate Wampanoag culture at the time of the Pilgrim's arrival at Plymouth. Several books and multimedia activities will help our students to study what life was like for Wampanoag families. Expect your child to learn about such terms as wetu, longhouse, wampum, and others. We will also be visiting a Wampanoag Homesite when we travel to Plimoth Plantation in the Spring. We will get you the date as soon as possible so you can mark it in your calendar and chaperone!!! :)
