READING
Readers will engage in our Fantasy Unit. In this unit:
Readers follow the character’s quest in order to synthesize multiple ideas and develop a complex theory. • Readers interpret how themes and morals are developed through the author’s choices. • Readers of fantasy evaluate theories about morality and consider their relevance in their lives today. • Readers are flexible in their thinking, using discussion to uncover layers of meaning
Readers will also make connections to the quarterly theme of "Patterns," thinking of what patterns can be found in literature.
WRITING
This month we will work on our next writing unit, "Fantasy Writing." This unit includes:
• Understand that fiction writers draw from real experiences to increase believability and relatability. • Understand that applying the features of the genre improves the quality of the piece. • Understanding that in fiction, the relationship between conflict and resolution communicates the deeper meaning of the piece.
Math We have finished whole number computation and now will move into decimal and fraction computation. Here are the standards that we will work with this quarter.
Unit 3 Estimate and determine the product and quotient of two numbers involving decimals. Create and solve single-step and multistep practical problems involving addition, subtraction, and multiplication of decimals, and create and solve single-step practical problems involving division of decimals.
Unit 4 Solve single-step and multistep practical problems involving addition and subtraction with fractions and mixed numbers. Solve single-step practical problems involving multiplication of a whole number, limited to 12 or less, and a proper fraction, with models.
Unit 4: Integer Operations
In this unit, students will:
Build on their understanding of integers and absolute value from Unit 3.
Perform operations using positive and negative integers.
Develop methods to demonstrate the process and results using models, pictures, and patterns. Students should develop an ability to represent practical situations such as measuring time, temperature, distance, and currency with integers.
Solving practical problems involving integers is also included.
Content Emphasis
To develop an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals, and integers.
Quarter 2:
This unit of study focuses on Oceans. Throughout the unit students develop their understanding of the nature of science, particularly the concept that the natural world is understandable and that science is based on evidence, both observational and experimental. Through hands-on science, students learn to inquire, observe, experiment, solve problems, collect and record information, and come to conclusions concerning matters about the ocean environment.
The Oceans unit provides students with a basic understanding of the ocean environment and the relationships between geological, physical, and ecological characteristics. Students learn the layout of the ocean floor by making a model, measuring, and graphing it. Students learn how salinity and temperature affects density and, ultimately, currents in the ocean. Students begin to form an understanding of the ocean’s ecosystem by studying ocean depth layers and creating a food web of ocean organisms. Then students investigate human impact on the ocean ecosystem and suggest actions students can take in their daily lives to lessen the negative impact we may have.
Students will know…
• ocean vocabulary
• ocean geographical features and their impact on ocean depth
• atoms and molecules make up all matter
• the ocean’s salinity increases with depth
• the location of the Gulf Stream on a map
• wind creates surface currents
• deep ocean currents are created when cold water from the poles sinks and travels along the bottom of the ocean to the equator where it warms and rises to the surface.
• the cause of waves and tides
• the depth of the ocean varies. As the depth of ocean water increases, the amount of light and the temperature decrease, and the amount of pressure and salinity increases.
• ocean organisms are producers, consumers, and decomposers
• arrows in a food web point the direction of the energy flow
• all food webs begin with producers
Quarter 2:
Ancient Cultures: Students will study either Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome.
Where people live affects how they live.
Geographical features impact daily life for people around the world (food, clothing, shelter).
The contributions of ancient cultures and civilizations continue to impact our world today.
Students completed a PBL on Ancient Greece.