Math

This next unit will focus on developing an understanding of fractions. Students will begin to compare and order fractions. Additionally, students will learn how to find and represent equivalent fractions.

AAP Math: In this unit, students deepen their understandings of fractions and decimals. Students develop flexibility in moving between fraction and decimal models and fluency with fraction and decimal notation. This supports the development of rational number sense.

Students are learning to:

• compare and order decimals, fractions, or decimals and fractions

• find equivalent relationships between fractions and decimals

• identify decimal place value and round decimals

Later in the month, we will begin Unit 3: Whole Number Computation.

Reading

Students will explore character development during the month of October. Students will be using evidence from the text to support their theories about a character. During this unit, students will learn about the different elements in a fiction story. Students are also studying their Caesar's English vocabulary words and stems each week. The unit following Character Development will be poetry.

AAP: Along with the study of character development, students will apply the concepts of change and relationships to citizenship.

Writing

Students will be writing personal essays during the month of October. Students will be working through the writing process to complete their final product. They will learn about writing a thesis statement and including evidence to support their main idea. The next unit will focus on writing Poetry.

Social Studies

Throughout this month, students will learn about Virginia's Native Peoples. Students will explore how artifacts help us learn about the people of the past and understand the rich culture and history of Virginia's Native Peoples. Students will learn about the different language groups, describe how Native people adapted to the environment, and be able to describe the lives of American Indians today.

Science

This month in science, students will continue exploring Virginia Ecosystems. Throughout the unit students develop their understanding of the natural world around them. Students will learn to inquire, observe, relate cause-and-effect relationships, collect and record information, and investigate problems that concern Virginia ecosystems, the plants and animals, the weather that affects it in it as well as the natural resources present in the state. The unit begins looking at the various natural resources Virginia has to offer, and then specifically looks closer at the plants and animals in Virginia and how the weather and climate impact both. Through the PBL, students take this knowledge to a very local situation by identifying a question, problem, or issue that affects a natural resource in the area and determine a possible solution.

Interdisciplinary

We are about to begin Unit 3: Investigating and Analyzing How Patterns of Change Influence Relationships Over Time. During this unit we will discuss how poetry can inspire change. We will begin our science unit on Ecosystems and be using elements of the William and Mary Acid, Acid Everywhere unit to explore how to protect our environments.

We are still finishing our Virginia Vloggers PBL. Students are working hard to research the 5 regions of Virginia, and make a persuasive video about one region. These will be shared soon!