Language Arts
We have been
continuing with the novel, The City of Ember, a science fiction
novel that might or might not take place on a future Earth. We have been
focusing on making predictions, discussing right vs. wrong, finding evidence
within the novel to support the theme “curiosity leads to wisdom and apathy
leads to ignorance”, and figuring out the turning point (climax).
After lunch we have been enjoying
Re-Start by Gordon Korman. It is
a story about a bully who suffers from amnesia and gets a second chance in
life.
Room 22 has begun an expository non-fiction writing unit focusing
on writing a state report. We have explored many state books to get a feel for
the different topics covered, the set-up of the book, and to pique our interest
in the different states. Students chose one to research and we have begun
taking notes on four different topics about a state.
Math
Room 22 has been busy with Algebra. We have been learning about
Order of Operations, variables, coordinate pairs and graphing on a coordinate
plane’s first quadrant. There are online algebra games posted on the blog below
– feel free to play!
Science
We focused on the hydrosphere and discussed the Earth’s oceans and
where fresh water is found. We have begun focusing on the biosphere by learning
about the different ecosystems and the plants/animals within by creating a
Google slide presentation. We are also discussing the food chains/food webs
within an ecosystem.
Social Studies
Room 22 is learning about the reasons European Explorers went
exploring (Asian spices, gold and riches, spreading Christianity, and having a
sense of adventure). We began reading about individual explorers and learned
that Leif Eriksson was the first European to land in America (Canada) in 1000
AD.
The postcard race is ending on the last day of February! Keep
those cards coming! To date we need the following: North Dakota, South Dakota, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina,
Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Miscellaneous
Pigeon Point paperwork went home, please make sure you have seen
it! Don’t forget that Toni Guy, our human growth/development instructor, will
be conducting a parent education night on Tuesday, February 5 from 7:00 – 8:30
pm in the library.
The Physical Fitness Testing will begin in March. Please see a post
below in this blog (click on the links) to see the tests the students will be
taking.
