Literacy in Room 106
In literacy, we focus on literary elements. These include: character, setting, plot, and theme. We also. We also focus on drawing conclusions, making inferences, context clues, distinguishing point of view, and sequence of events.
We are also learning about using our background knowledge, or schema, to help us understand what we read. We have learned that we use our schema and clues in a text to make inferences and to understand a character's motivations, feelings, and actions.
We will work on fluency and comprehension skills throughout the year. Modeling a read aloud for your child and then having your child reread what you read will help improve fluency.
Writing is an important aspect of literacy. We utilize a writer's workshop model during our writing block. With this model, the students learn a new strategy, try out the strategy, develop stamina with their writing, share their writing, and work with each other to help develop their writing. We focus on three genres of writing throughout the year: personal narrative, informational, and opinion.
Math in Room 106
Throughout the year we focus on our place value system. Students will understand the structure of our number talks and sharing useful strategies to mentally solve mathematica equations. Students will learn how to round. This can be a challenging topic for some students. We will begin by learning to round 2-digit numbers to the nearest ten. Then we will focus on rounding 3-digit numbers to the nearest ten. After that, we will learn how to round 3-digit numbers to the nearest hundred and 4 digit numbers to the nearest hundred. The students will practice saying the following: "____ is between___ and ___. It is closer to ___, so I round (up/down) to ____." Here is an example: 27 is between 20 and 30. It is closer to 30, so I round up to 30. Here is another example: 132 is between 130 and 140. it closer 130, so I round down to 130. Saying this sentence every time they round, will help students solidify their understanding of how rounding works. Of course we will also learn that the mid-point number (any number with a 5 in the ones place) always rounds up even thought it is not closer to either number on a number line. After this place value work, we will learn both the addition and subtraction algorithm. Typically students have far more difficulty and require a lot more repeated practice with the subtraction algorithm than the addition one. Students will also learn and apply the different properties of addition. Next students will work on the understanding of perimeter. We will learn how to find perimeter of regular polygons and irregular polygons. Students will also learn how to find the missing measurement of a polygon given the total perimeter and the length of one side. The students will also learn real world situations in which they would need to find the perimeter and be asked to solve perimeter word problems. Once the perimeter unit is complete, we will begin a lengthy unit on multiplication followed by a unit on division. Learning and becoming fluent with the facts is a vital party of the process. Students will learn how to use the various properties of multiplication as well as strategies for solving real world problems with multiplication and division, including area. The study of area is limited to rectilinear shapes. Throughout the units of division and multiplication, students will begin to be exposed a vast amount of geometric vocabulary. We will learn about polygons, lines, angles, and use our understanding of geometric categories to classify shapes. We will then spend a good deal of time developing an understanding of fractions. Students will learn that fractions are numbers that can be represented as part of a whole, part of a set, and on a number line. Students will learn how to draw number lines, break the number lines into equal pieces and identify fractions on a number line. Students will learn about unit fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers. The study of fractions will also include learning about using benchmark fractions to help compare fractional pieces. Students will begin to identify equivalent fractions, particularly those equal to one half and those that will help students with reading a ruler, such as 2/8 = 1/4 and 6/8 is = 3/4. Students will also be solving real world problems involving fractions. Throughout the year students will learn about various forms of data and measurement including measurement of time on a clock, interpreting data on a variety of graphs, and linear measurement with a ruler. |
Social Studies in Room 106
We begin the year with a combined unit studying the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims. We will explore, compare, and contrast the lives of both groups of people. We will learn how the Wampanoag people taught the Pilgrims how to survive and thrive in their new home. After, we will learn about the Puritans and the beginning colonization of Massachusetts. We will compare and contrast the Pilgrims and Puritans and learn how colonization effected the native people. Once we have completed our study of the Puritans, we will begin learning about Massachusetts's involvement with the Revolutionary War. We will learn about the Sons of Liberty and the many events in which they were involved that directly impacted the colonies' relationship with Great Britain. Finally, we will spend some time learning about Kingston. We will learn some of our town's history and learn about how the town works. |