Thursday is PCT class schedule, and the afternoon dance from 1:05-2:37.
Due Dates:
* Family Traditions Paragraph - Due Monday, Dec. 18
Most students did not finish in class on Friday, so this is homework. Students have the option of hand writing their paragraph, or typing. Copies of directions are available on Google Classroom.
* Week 6 Reading Logs - Monday, Dec. 18.
* Reading groups - Literacy Circle Packets - Due Monday, Dec 18. Many students completed their packets and turned them in on Friday.
* One Page Book Report #2 - Due Friday, December 15th
Reading -
Independent Reading:
Reading Log - due Mondays. Students are required to complete at least 150 minutes of Independent Reading each week with parent & teacher signatures for their reading times. Logs are due each Monday. Since we are studying fiction, Independent Reading books should be novels, stories or biographies (including graphic novels) - books that tell a story, have plot, and develop characters, so that we can practice the skills we are developing in class.
Listening to E-books on Overdrive can also count towards Independent Reading for reading logs. Students with a Madison Public Library card can also link their Library Card to Overdrive for access for even more books.
Students should have a book/E-book for class each day, either from home or from the library.
Writing -
This week we'll be examining symbolism and figurative language in the short story Phoenix Farm, by Jane Yolen. Symbolism is when an object, person or idea takes idea takes on a bigger meaning in a story. For example, the American Flag is a symbol of America. What does the flag represent? (America, freedom, liberty, justice)
In stories, symbols can be used:
* to reveal a truth about a character
* to show the theme or message of the author
* or explore other ideas or concepts
Social Studies -
We are finally leaving Mesopotamia, the birth place of civilization. This week starting Chapter 7 exploring the Nile River and learning how geography affected the settlement of civilizations that arose in northern Africa: The Egyptians and the Kushites.
Here are some examples of posters we made this week comparing 2 of the Empires of Mesopotamia that we studied in Chapter 6. This was part of our review for the test. Students found maps and the dates of two of the empires, listed 2-3 of their main achievements, and compared their similarities and differences.