Room 15 January News
Upcoming Units of Study
In reading we have started a unit on historical fiction which works really well with our study of early North Carolina history. The kids have shown a lot of interest in learning about the past through non-fiction and now will be reading historical fiction to learn about big ideas like social injustices and overcoming struggles.
Students have started writing a biographical sketch of someone who they feel has made an impact on North Carolina and the world. Come by the classroom anytime to check out their Brother Wolf character sketches, as well as really well written letters on what might have happened to the Lost Colony from the perspective of Virginia Dare, the first documented European born in North America.
In science, we will be moving into a study of magnets and electricity with a visit to Colburn Science Museum in early March. We are going to focus on the inquiry process in order for students to have a 4th grade inquiry conference on magnets and electricity. Students will work on coming up with a question they have about magnets and/or electricity and then will determine if it is something they can research to find the answer or if it is something they will have to investigate through the scientific process. Those that need investigation will be the inspiration for our science projects.
Testing
MAP testing (computer based - 3 times a year) in reading and math will begin this week. The reading MAP test is this Friday morning and the math MAP test will be the following Friday. If your child is having a good testing day, the results of these assessments will give us information on their progress on various strands of curriculum in math and reading. These results coupled with other assessments help us determine how to group students on skills they need help with.
MCLASS testing benchmark window begins this Wednesday. I will be listening to kids read leveled text individually and asking them comprehension questions. They will be asked to answer two written response questions. We have practice rephrasing questions and using text evidence as these written response questions often are what keep students from moving to the next level. The students are really getting good at written response to text. I can also let you know how many words they can read in a minute and their percent of error. As a teacher, I need to make sure kids are able to read as accurately as possible at a good rate, which is why I'm always on the kids about accurately reflecting their reading on their reading logs.
If you have gotten through all of this teacher babble, I congratulate you! I really want to make sure you feel informed about the process and know the reason we do what we do. Something that can't be quantitatively measured as easily is your child's independence, perseverance and compassion. This class has grown leaps and bounds in regards to work ethic and character! I am really proud of them.
Events
- 1/23 - Pasta Dinner to raise money for Garden Club - 5:30 - 7:00
- 1/24 - Hot Chocolate Race (Please consider volunteering.)
- 1/25 - Report Cards go home