Honors News 9/22
Post date: Sep 18, 2015 6:31:46 PM
Here is the latest news in Honors!
4th Grade Reading-In reading, we have started a literature study on Holes. We are learning the literary elements, vocabulary, and comprehension. The students are enjoying this book so far.
We also worked with the concept of theme with our International Dot Day Celebration! The students all read the story, The Dot and participated in a socratic seminar discussing creativity, identity, and bravery and how they can take this theme and relate it to their lives and make a text to self identification. They then were able to use art to express their relationship. Their art is on my bulletin board outside my room.
Lastly, we have discussed the Character for a Day Quarter 1 Book Project Celebration in class. We discussed possible props and stances as well as the plot summary on the index card. Each student was given an index card to write their presentation on. On October 5th & 6th, we will be practicing our stances and presentations. Quarter 1 Character For a Day Wax Museum is October 7th from 5:00-5:30 in Room 310B (Honors Room). All students need to be dressed and in position at 4:45pm.
4th Grade Math-In Math, we are moving right along. We breezed through Chapter 1 which covered Place Value. Students did well on the pretest that I gave. Therefore, I only taught the lessons that they had academic holes in. We breezed through Chapter 1 and have moved onto Chapter 2. Chapter 2 is introducing prime factorization, powers and exponents, and multiplication and division of whole numbers. Lastly, DynaMath Magazine is due on 9/30! I love this magazine because it integrates math concepts in the real world and nonfiction reading. So interesting!
5th Grade Reading- In reading, we read a Junior Great Book story titled Charles. This was a great book to teach and work with theme which is such an integral part of their Quarter 1 Character Advice Letter Book Project due 10/2. This past week, the students wrote an advice letter to the parents of “Charles”. These letters were due last Friday and have been so fun to read! What great in class practice for their Quarter 1 Book Project.
We also worked with the concept of theme with our International Dot Day Celebration! The students all read the story, The Dot and participated in a socratic seminar discussing creativity, identity, and bravery and how they can take this theme and relate it to their lives and make a text to self identification. They then were able to use art to express their relationship. Their art is on my bulletin board outside my room.
Lastly, we started our next literature novel in class this week, Tuck Everlasting. What a fantastic book to study literary elements, theme, vocabulary, and comprehension. Tuck Everlasting asks the question, “What if?” It’s a great discussion book! Can’t wait to get more into it.
5th Grade Math- In Math, the students are working really hard. We wrapped up unit 1 with a test last week. The students did well and the graded test went home last week. We are now jumping forward a bit to Chapter 3 & 4 which cover computation of multi-digit numbers and fractions. We will then go back to Chapter 2 and cover fractions, decimals, and percents in greater detail. Lastly, Scholastic Math Magazine is due on 9/30! I love this magazine because it integrates math concepts in the real world and nonfiction reading. So interesting!
6th Grade PILOTS-The students have been working hard so far this first quarter. I am amazed at how well they have assumed the leadership role here on campus. Impressive!
6th Grade Reading- In Reading, we have been discussing literary elements such a plot and theme. Students wrote their first book review on our first book, Frederick. I wanted to model how to write a book review in class and give them practice here at school, so they are prepared to write their own for their Quarter 1 Book Review Project due 10/2! This week, we started a literature study on Westing Game. This book is fantastic! We will continue to work on the literary elements, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. We will also be having a few socratic seminars as this novel deals with themes such as appearances and identity.
6th Grade Math- We are wrapping up Chapter 1 this short week. This chapter was not easy! It covered difficult and challenging topics like slope, direct variation, and proportions. We had a test today over Chapter 1. Next up, we will be jumping forward a bit into Chapter 3 which covers integers and rational numbers. We will then come back and hit chapter 2 which covers percents. Lastly, Scholastic Math Magazine is due on 9/30! I love this magazine because it integrates math concepts in the real world and nonfiction reading. So interesting!