Its been another busy two weeks in room 22! Lots going on:
Things of note:
*your child is bringing home an informational packet from PTO. This packet has information about EVERYTHInG that is happening at workman in the month....from pizza sales to dining for dolalrs to market day to spirit wear orders and more. So check it out!
*Your child should have brought home a bright orange letter from Mr. Burt - this letter introduces Linda Silvi who will be taking over the class when I'm out with the baby. I've attached a copy of the letter just in case you didn't get to see it. Mrs. Silvi was in both Wednesday and Thursday learning our routines and getting to know the kids.
*Make sure you and your kiddo are checking zangle grade book!
Curriculum Update:
Math - We are in unit 2 which covers adding and subtracting both whole numbers and decimals. As many of you know Everyday Math loves to give the kids lots of different algorithms (ways of solving) math problems. In 5th grade I do not make the kids solve the problem using the different algorithms....they need to find the best way for them. Many kids choose the traditional method. So anytime in the journal or study link that it says to solve a problem using a certain algorithm the kids can disreguard that instruction and solve using any method they would like. Please continue to check your child's math journals and study link as they complete them.
ELA- The Journey's program is going really well. We just finished lesson 2 this week were we focused on text/graphic features in nonfiction writing. We talked about captions, sidebars, vocab, pictures, headings, etc. Each week we are also focusing on the grammar component. This week was different types of sentences...ask your fifth grader about them (declarative, interogative, imperative, and exclamatory). In Writing we focused on sensory details and adding voice to writing by using our senses. There is a spelling component to the program, and while we are working on spelling you won't be seeing any weekly spelling tests at this time. I'm really excited about how the program is going!
Social Studies- The kids have been working on learning about the 3 branches of government. They have completed a project...which turned out great! I'll try to post some pics to the webpage tonight. Next week we will be talking about how a bill becomes a law and then moving into our next unit which is called 3 worlds collide. We will be taking about the election process as well when that gets closer.
Science- Human Body! This is one of the favorite units of the year. We have introduced the different body systems and today they had a quiz on those. We just started the circulatory system. Next week we will be looking at a sheep heart. Computer Lab/Technology - This week in the lab we checked out http://www.healthexplorationstation.com/fun/hes2.htm - which is an awesome page from Health Exploration Station about the human body! The kids explored the site and took some notes. My favorite page...yucky gross couldn't be found. The kids and I were super sad that they would be able to learn about the gross things in our human body (zits, body odor, ear wax, vomit, etc).