Update, 1/24

I just returned from enjoying a performance of “Seussical the Musical” with a few of our class’ families. It was great to see Tori on stage and to see the kids enjoying a night out with their families. 

Watching the show, it made me think of the impact that great literature can have on our understanding of the world and each other. Dr. Seuss is quite famous for his obvious allegory and morality tales. Recently, we have completed a short author study of Faith Ringgold’s books, which teach about the power of imagination to escape difficult circumstances and about the historic underground railroad. We followed this up with a fictionalized account of the true historical figure of Henry “box” Brown, who escaped from Slavery through the underground railroad. Surrounding studies of Martin Luther King Jr. and our simulation, speaker, and lab work throughUnderstanding Differences program help to further inform the driving idea of this past week or so- that we all are deserving of respect. It’s funny, we can tell our kids this simple fact one hundred times with only glancing impact, but a few good books and some meaningful conversations begin to create real understanding. 

In other exciting news, studies of economics have led us to our STEAM+ challenge. The challenge is for small groups to design, plan, advertise, and “sell” a product or service to a target customer base. Using a business plan, students applied for and received capital investment that they used to purchase or rent supplies needed to create their company. Then advertising and product is created to lead towards a final market day, where commerce will take place. The money is fake, the learning is real.

A few quick reminders:

-By Friday, Please send a white tee shirt with name on the label to be tie-dyed for our performance of “Heroes All” (3/4)

-Please sign up for parent/teacher conferences via our class website

This Week’s Highlights

1/25-29

Phonics and word study focus

r- controlled blends

Reading focus

Comprehension focus: Non-Fiction Texts: features

Close reading: Text-based questioning “Henry’s Freedom Box”

Book club individualized strategy lessons: Lessons created for specific skill outcomes based on individual and group needs

Focus books: Roald Dahl Choice book

Writing focus

Conventions- Spacing, Feeling ending of sentences, Periods and Capitals,

Writing skill- Planning Opinion pieces

Topical writing- Opinion pieces, The best sport or activity

Math focus

Full Math workshop

Math journal problem solving through visual models

Individualized challenges

Word Problem solving, Join change unknown

Social Studies focus

Economics- STEAM+ challenge

Science focus

Mrs. Minarik’s Science Lab and Understanding Differences

Homework

Daily reading and optional online work (razkids, rosetta stone, dreambox)