Learning in 215
January-February 2018
Celebrations!
Animals Past and Present- The Dino Dig!
The Dino Dig!
What We've Been Learning!
In Math- we delved more deeply into Multiplication and Division and all the properties. Students began memorizing the times tables and taking weekly quizzes on each times table. Knowing these "by heart" will help greatly with math this year and moving forward! We also explored the concept of finding area of a closed figure. We are finishing our study on area this week and then will begin FRACTIONS! We've enjoyed time in the Math Inquiry Lab exploring math concepts in hands-on ways.
In Reading- we learned about the mystery genre and read two Cam Jansen books as a class. Students followed different detectives in mystery book clubs. They learned about red herrings, suspects, motivation, clues and evidence! We began a new read aloud called Big Foot, Little Foot in addition to reading and discussing many picture books. This week we will begin a study of poetry!
In Writing, we read and analyzed literary essays to be able to write our own essays. Students learned about introductions, text evidence, and conclusions. We are now working on personal narratives and thinking about structure, elaboration, and conventions when we write. Students will have the opportunity to explore personal narratives through blogging too. Our month-long blogging challenge will kick-off March 1st! Please see the attached newsletter for more details.
In Social Studies, we completed our country exploration projects in the Innovation Lab. Students researched a country, created a Google Slides presentation, and then made a creative element that represented the country. The projects were outstanding!
In Science, we explored animals past and present, adaptations, fossils, and different kinds of dinosaurs. We will begin our study of Forces and Motion this week.
In Character Education, January's focus was on Responsibility and February concentrated on Empathy. March will be about fairness.
Looking forward to all we will learn in March!