Happy New Year to all of you!
In December, students in all language arts classes had the choice of two books, Fever 1793 or Chains, both by Laurie Halse Anderson. Students took notes on the use of historical facts in fiction, character development and symbolism in the novels. Due to snow days prior to winter break, we concluded these novel units yesterday. Students wrote papers using their notes, and shared thoughtful insights during a whole class discussion. They also shared their favorite scenes from the books.
Next week, we will be starting The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi. Each student may choose an individual project to focus on for this novel, but may help others. I am ordering extra copies that will be available for purchase, but there will also be class copies available. In addition, this book should be easy to find at your local library.
In social studies, we are beginning research on the history of the thirteen original colonies. Please use
this link to begin your research. Projects will be due January 27th.
Important Dates this month:
Friday, January 14th-- Local Hero Award Ceremony
Monday, January 17th-- MLK Jr. Day, No School
Friday, January 28th-- Conference Day, No School
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Jamestown and Forward
As we near Thanksgiving, students are (or should be!) finishing up Elisa Carbone's Blood on the River. Students have a persuasive essay due on Thursday or Monday; they have to decide whether or not the American Indians should have shared their resources with the Jamestown settlers. To conclude this book, students will watch and discuss National Geographic's Nightmare in Jamestown.
Between the holiday breaks, students can choose to read either Fever 1793 or Chains, both by Laurie Halse Anderson. Fever 1793 is available in this month's Tab; if you decide to purchase this book, please order through Scholastic online, or send in $5 no later than Thursday, 11/18. Also available is Chasing Lincoln's Killer for $6, which we will read in the spring.
In social studies, (or social arts as the class says), we will be working on colony projects. Each student will choose a colony to research and will create a project to share their knowledge (our hope is that each student will make a commercial in the computer lab).
School news: Please remember the Thanksgiving luncheon next Wednesday, November 24th. Art work will be up for viewing from 11:00am until 1:00pm and lunch begins at noon. Dismissal will be immediately following the luncheon.
This year's book fair will be a Scholastic on campus event, from Monday, December 6th until Wednesday December 8th. On Tuesday the 7th, Tom Angleberger, author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda will join us for a book signing (and maybe even some origami!). Please join us for this exciting event!
And finally, some contest news for our young writers:
Nat Geo's Young Explorer Contest
An essay contest with a big prize-- a trip to the Cayman Islands! Open to ages 9-15. (A CS alum won this contest a few years ago and enjoyed a trip with his father to Australia!)
Nat Geo's Find Your Footprint
For students interested in exploring our carbon footprint.
Celebrate America: "Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants."
For fifth grade only
Barnes and Noble "My Favorite Teacher"
Honoring teachers!
Phew! :)
Hope you all have many people and things to be thankful for!
-Katrina
Between the holiday breaks, students can choose to read either Fever 1793 or Chains, both by Laurie Halse Anderson. Fever 1793 is available in this month's Tab; if you decide to purchase this book, please order through Scholastic online, or send in $5 no later than Thursday, 11/18. Also available is Chasing Lincoln's Killer for $6, which we will read in the spring.
In social studies, (or social arts as the class says), we will be working on colony projects. Each student will choose a colony to research and will create a project to share their knowledge (our hope is that each student will make a commercial in the computer lab).
School news: Please remember the Thanksgiving luncheon next Wednesday, November 24th. Art work will be up for viewing from 11:00am until 1:00pm and lunch begins at noon. Dismissal will be immediately following the luncheon.
This year's book fair will be a Scholastic on campus event, from Monday, December 6th until Wednesday December 8th. On Tuesday the 7th, Tom Angleberger, author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda will join us for a book signing (and maybe even some origami!). Please join us for this exciting event!
And finally, some contest news for our young writers:
Nat Geo's Young Explorer Contest
An essay contest with a big prize-- a trip to the Cayman Islands! Open to ages 9-15. (A CS alum won this contest a few years ago and enjoyed a trip with his father to Australia!)
Nat Geo's Find Your Footprint
For students interested in exploring our carbon footprint.
Celebrate America: "Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants."
For fifth grade only
Barnes and Noble "My Favorite Teacher"
Honoring teachers!
Phew! :)
Hope you all have many people and things to be thankful for!
-Katrina
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Moving Forward
Just before Fall Festival, all language arts classes finished up their unit on aboriginal American Indian stories. Each student read a variety of stories and used the traits that found to write their own stories. Today, we are starting Elisa Carbone's Blood on the River, James Town 1607, a historical fiction novel about the settlement of Jamestown. In addition, language arts student will be reading two chapters from Sally Walker's Written in Bone, detailing an archeological dig at Jamestown. I'm happy to share that most everyone is excited about the book-- a few students read the entire book over the weekend and I heard several students say they couldn't put it down!
In social studies, we are also moving forward to look at the early settlements of North America. Students will have an opportunity to read a variety of resources telling the same story and compare point of view and bias (we hope to have a debate on the merits of Columbus). Because our studies are so closely linked, the students have decided that instead of "language arts" and "social studies," we will have "social arts." The enthusiasm in our classroom is contagious!
In social studies, we are also moving forward to look at the early settlements of North America. Students will have an opportunity to read a variety of resources telling the same story and compare point of view and bias (we hope to have a debate on the merits of Columbus). Because our studies are so closely linked, the students have decided that instead of "language arts" and "social studies," we will have "social arts." The enthusiasm in our classroom is contagious!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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