Monday

We are almost to winter break! Here are a few updates on our learning recently and what to expect after break....

We are wrapping up our Views, Values, and Cultures fiction unit in reading right now. The students have been focusing on point of view, perspective, and theme. We finished our read aloud "The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles" today. After break we will begin our second Non-Fiction unit focusing on becoming experts in summarizing, analyzing parts of a text, author's craft, and cross-text synthesis.

On Wednesday we will have our end of unit test for math. This will cover multiplication and division concepts. The study guide is due tomorrow and we will go over questions together in class. After break we will begin our Rational Numbers (Fractions/Decimals) unit.

In writing we are working on elements of Poetry and will continue this unit after winter break. The students have learned different poetic techniques and focused on figurative language recently. They will create an anthology of their work soon.

In Social Studies we are learning about Missouri Statehood and Westward Expansion. The students have explored questions like, "Why/how was Westward Expansion helpful?" and "Why/how was Westward Expansion harmful?". We have discussed varying perspectives as well as many causes & effects of Westward Expansion in the 1800's. Right now we are focusing on the daily life of pioneers and the importance of trails such as the Oregon Trail. We will wrap this unit up after break.

Reminders: Our Winter Party is on Wednesday from 2:55-3:55. Thursday is a half day; we will dismiss at 1:00.

Family Field Trip projects are due after Winter Break-- if you have any questions please email me.

Have a great holiday!