January Academic Update

So we kick off 2011 on the right foot, here's an academic update to keep you informed of our work...

MATH
We are starting unit five. It deals with multiplication, estimation, and large numbers. Students will be exploring ways of multiplying multi-digit numbers. We'll have a math assessment on February 3. Problems of the Week will continue to be due on Fridays (except next week, when they'll be due on Thursday).

WRITING WORKSHOP
We'll continue to work with the reading and writing of poetry. I'm going to try to get back into the swing of things and read at least 3 poems and write at least 1 per week with students. Our next writing project will be Biographies. This month and next, students will be learning the elements of Biography and then writing one of their own about a historical figure to commemorate African American History Month. As for writing homework, Slice of Life will be replaced by "Critique of the Week." Students will have to write a critique of a restaurant, movie, television show, CD, etc. each week. The first one will be due Monday. I'll be teaching them how to write one during writing class this week. I'll be giving them a form to make it easier. I'll post this to the blog before the weekend.

SCIENCE
Students will be studying Energy for the next 6 weeks. There are many hands-on laboratory activities that go along with this. It should be lots of fun.

SOCIAL STUDIES
We wrapped up our Geography unit prior to break. Students created an interactive Google Map of the NorthEast United States. They turned out really well. I'll figure out a way of sharing these with you soon.

More general info will be coming home tomorrow with students in a printed memo. Thanks for reading and have a happy new year!