Mrs. Williams' Class
December - January Update
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Reading
This month we learned about different reading strategies we can use when reading fiction or nonfiction texts. Students discussed some of the similar strategies we can use across genres, as well as what specific strategies we use that may differ depending on the genre. We also learned about how we as learners connect new information to known information. These skills help expand our knowledge and understanding of concepts and ideas.
While reading fictional texts in class, we discuss character traits and how authors use description and dialogue to show character traits, rather than just tell the reader "This character is smart". These skills help us as inferential readers to dig deep into the text to understand the author's purpose for writing and help us understand themes in texts.
In January, we are beginning to evaluate how we ask questions as readers. We are trying to branch out from simple questions, such as the who, what, where, when, and why, to more in depth questions. Students started to evaluate their own questioning skills by looking at questions they have created and rating them off of the Bloom's Taxonomy. Mrs. Albrecht, Ivy's Advanced Learning Facilitator, joined our classroom the first week back from break to help us in our understanding of Bloom's Taxonomy. We will continue to look at questions throughout January. Mid-January we will begin novel groups with new literature to help us continue our practice of recording our inner conversations while reading.
Writing
This month we are starting to respond to literature in both writing and reading. We will be reading a novel, The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going, together to continue to practice evaluating the text and writing about the text. While we write about this novel, we will be practicing citing the text properly, as well as work at finding excellent examples within a text to support our thoughts in a response.
Math
Coming off of winter break, we started evaluating data! We are looking at how data is displayed in line graphs, bar graphs, and circle (pie) graphs. Students have been working on expanding their knowledge of all of these types of graphs. We will end this unit with a project, rather than a traditional math test. Students will learn more information about this math project when we get closer to ending the unit.
Social Studies
Students also spent a week and a half researching Egypt and Mesopotamia in preparation for our upcoming field trip to the Oriental Institute. Students learned about these ancient civilizations and what it was like for people to live in these areas. Students gained an overall knowledge of the area and regions natural resources, as well as looked deeply into 2 - 3 more specific categories such as architecture, art, food/farming, etc.
We are very excited to see artifacts during our field trip to the Oriental Institute on Tuesday, January 14th. Please try to have your child wear their I Am Ivy Hill! shirt. If they do not have this shirt available, Ivy Hill spirit wear (especially green Ivy Hill wear) would be fine.
Science
MAP SCHEDULE
Reading MAP test: Wednesday, January 22nd at 10:45 am
Math MAP test: Friday, January 24th at 1:30 pm
Please try to make sure your child has a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast to start their day!