Catching Up

I apologize for the late update, so I'll try to be as inclusive as possible!

We have finished our NWEA testing for reading and math and are able to move forward into the bulk of our content.

This year we are using a new program called Moby Max to help with math in place of IXL, but there are some great additional resources for science and social studies, too!

Science: Now that we are masters of heat transfer and the layers of the earth, we are able to focus on some of the cool stuff-- natural disasters! Our studies in plate tectonics is leading nicely into the unit about Earthquakes where we will get to do a cool whip and graham cracker lab as well as build a marshmallow and toothpick structure to place on a jello shake table! To better understand the various types of volcanoes, our students will be "Adopting a Volcano" and learning all about it to present to the class.

Math:

After working through one and two-step equations, it's time to elevate what we know by putting it into practice.

We are using domain and range to graph points on coordinate planes as well as substitute into equations.

Reading:

This is where we really start to bond with social studies in a cross-curricular approach. As we learn about population in social studies, we are setting the ground work for our first novel, Among the Hidden. We are using close reading techniques with some non-fiction articles about China's one-child policy. We will also view the pilot episode of the show Terra Nova to gap the bridge from China to the setting in the book.

Social Studies:

Moby Max has helped set the ground information for our large unit on population. We learned the difference between emigrate and immigrate with the easy concept of "Emigrate -Exit, Immigrate-Into" as well as what migration is. Check this video out to help better explain it!

Writing:

We are working on the proper formatting for an informational paper, starting with the introduction. Students have learned the three main parts: hook, background information, and thesis statement. I will continue to model proper paper formatting and transitioning before students are expected to do it on their own.