Fall SWEP Newsletter
Learning Topics
We welcome our 3rd graders to SWEP Program!!!
3RD GRADE MATH
What we have been working on:
We’ve begun working on the "Shopping Spree" unit where students will be given an allowance, and assigned a shop to spend it at (6 shops total). Students will have to shop for at least 6 different items at each store, add up the cost of the items they are buying including 6% tax, and make sure they don't go over their allowance. The winner will have the least amount of money left after shopping.
3rd grade Reading
What we have been working on:
We are exploring the "big" themes in reading this year. While reading our first selection, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" we will be leading the literacy activities that support the "change" and "conflict" themes as the story unfolds.
4th grade Math
What we have been working on:
Beyond Base Ten unit. So far students have been introduced to Roman Numerals. Students will be adding and subtracting in different bases, and eventually converting the numbers from base to base.
4th grade Reading
We are exploring the "big" themes in reading this year. While reading our first selection, "Out of My Mind" we will gear our activities toward exploring the themes of social acceptance and character development.
5th grade Math
What we have been working on:
We have started a 5th grade Pre -Algebra unit. So far students have been introduced to algebra-related vocabulary. Along with that students are working on a 3-D geometry unit called “Moving Through Dimensions.”
5th grade Reading
We are exploring the "big" themes in reading this year. While reading our first selection, "Al Capone Does My Shirts" we will explore social injustice, family responsibility, and power.
6th grade Math
Finding the BEST answer vs. finding the RIGHT answer.
Statistics: Ask your sixth grader to sing you the "Median, Mean Mode and Range" song!
"Lurking" variables in statistics that can change what is represented by the data.
Using proportions to extrapolate populations of goldfish crackers.
6th grade Literacy
Seven word plot summaries
Theme (Are all stories the same story on some level?)
Plot structures: chronological, circular, parallel, cumulative, etc.
"Twalking about the twalpics:" writing, listening and speaking with a purpose and an authentic audience.
ALL OF OUR MATH STUDENTS have been also working on:
- Problem solving strategies
- Divisibility rules
- Patterns
All of our Reading students have been also working on:
- Greek and Latin word roots
- Nonfiction reading: "Science World" magazine
- Comprehension skills
Thinking Skills
In conjunction with academic content we are also coaching our enrichment students on advocated by the Gifted Education gurus Habitats of Mind (Arthur Costa), Critical Thinking Skills, and Problem Solving Skills (Van Tassel-Baska, Renzulli).
Resources
All of the materials we are using are based on Common Core standards, as well as on Gifted Education Programming Standards, and are either created by William and Mary College for Gifted Education, or are interactive simulations based on advanced content, higher order thinking, critical thinking skills, and creativity.
Coming soon!
Contact Us
Department Head: Catherine Gillach, Schroeder Middle school, principal