There is a lot to wrap up before the Holiday Break, so here is an update on everything we're going to try to get done this week.
5th Grade Math -
5th graders are almost finished with our Fractions unit. I don't think we're going to be able to finish all the lessons. We're going to finish this week with a shortned Fractions Assessment, in order to finish the unit before the break.
Alder East Reading -
We are reading The Kid Who Ran for President, by Dan Gutman. For Monday, Students should have finished reading chapters 12-15 of The Kid who Ran for President, and completed the Wordsmith Lit Circle Job. Wordsmith identifies good vocabulary words in the text, quotes the passage from the book were the word is found, and finds the dictionary definition that fits the context and meaning of the word. Students should find and define 3 words from the text so far. Some suggested words include: assassinated pg 7, ballot pg 17, oblivious pg 18, inauguration pg 39. Students are also welcome to use any unfamiliar or interesting words from the text, they are not limited to the ones I've suggested.
Students should also finish Researcher and Story Connector jobs if they haven't turned them in already.
Weekly Reading Logs are also due Monday.
At Home: Students should still be doing independent reading at home - a chapter book, graphic novel, biography, or non-fiction that isn't too focused on pictures and graphic information. This year, students will track all the books they read and use that info to evaluate their reading, and set reading goals.
Alder East Writing -
Students are brainstorming ideas for finding personal stories that they can write about. We have been collecting memories about special people, special places. This week, Alders will continue to brainstorm story ideas that will help prepare them for writing personal narratives after the break based on one of the following prompts:
ODE Narrative Prompts
Sometimes things turn out in a way we did not think would happen. TELL A STORY about a time or event that turned out differently than you expected.
Remember a time when you faced a challenge. You may recall a difficult problem, competition or task you had to face. Recreate that situation. TELL WHAT HAPPENED and how you met or failed to meet the challenge.
Think about a time in your life that involved ONE of the following: discovery, surprise, OR survival. TELL THE STORY of what happened.
We all have good times that stand out in our memories. Write a NARRATIVE about one of your pleasant memories.
Most people, at some time in their lives, have had to wait for something they wanted very much. It might have been a certain event they looked forward to or a certain object or thing they wanted. Think of a time in your life when you had to wait for something and TELL WHAT HAPPENED.
You can probably remember at least one time when you did something for someone else that made you feel proud of yourself. Think about what you did and how you felt about it. TELL WHAT HAPPENED.
TELL A TRUE STORY about an unforgettable moment which occurred when you were participating in or observing a physical activity (for example: recess, games, dance, individual or team sports, skateboarding, bicycling, swimming or any other physical activity).
Alder East Humanities -
This week, Alders will create Flipbooks for one of the 50 states.
The flipbooks will include a map of the state, the state flag, Interesting facts and history, Population, Motto, Seal, State Nickname & Abbreviation, State Bird, Tree, Mammal, Fish, Flower, Resources and Industry, Colleges, Attraction, & Major League sports teams.
Last week we held our Presidential Party Convention. Each of our political parties shared their campaign materials, and the canidates gave a speech outlining their policies on the campaign issues of terrorism, civil liberties and education. Once they had shared their materials, we asked students to forget about their party allegiance and listen to each of the candidates' speeches and proposals before voting for who they think was the best choice to run the country. The vote was close, but the Republican party candidate, Harley Square pants, recieved the most votes in the popular vote. Each party will also recieved Electoral votes for completing the different materials needed to run a successful campaign.