Sorry for no post last week - I was sick for the whole 3-day weekend, and missed school on Monday too.
Here's what is happening this week:
Madison Public Library Bubbler - We had a slight change of schedule this week when we found out that we would be started the MPL Bubbler on Thursday (instead of starting Monday Feb. 19th). We got a quick course in Stop-Motion Animation for MPL staff instructors and began our own projects. Students are creating short stories using white boards and IPads. On Monday we'll add sound effects and background music to finish our stories, and we'll get to watch them in class later this week.
Writing -
Argumentative Writing - Students have selected their topics, and their claim. Students have been using a library database to search for articles related to their topic and their claim while summarizing and collecting key facts, main ideas, and reasons that will help them support their claims. This week we'll share resources with others researching similar topics, and model and practice note taking skills before we begin organizing and building our essays starting with body paragraphs with reasons and evidence.
Reading - Reading Log - Due Monday, Feb. 19th
All classes have a goal for number of students turning in Reading Logs, so that we can earn a class reward!
Students are expected to complete at least 150 minutes of Independent Reading each week with parent/guardian signatures for their reading times.
Reading Groups - Most groups met this week and set new goals to complete their weekly reading, a Literacy Circle task and a GIST/summary of the the week's reading for your meeting day.
Social Studies -
We have finished learning about the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Monday we'll finish be taking a look at what has happened to our mummified apples.
We will be beginning our study of Chapter 13 - the Geography and Early Settlement of India this week.