Language Arts

What are we learning?

As readers, students are learning to:

• Use tools such as sticky notes or flags to capture their thinking before, during, and after reading and to explore new ideas about a topic
• Use their knowledge about how the information in nonfiction books is organized  to figure out the big ideas of the text. 
• Compare new information to known information to deepen understanding about a topic. 

 As writers, students are learning to:

• Use a variety of organizational patterns to teach their readers.
• Make thoughtful choices about ways to organize their information in their writing.
• Include illustrations that teach even more about the topic.

Home/School Connection

Having conversations with your child about what he/she is reading can improve their comprehension and help them develop critical thinking and language skills. Here are some questions to help you have great reading discussions with your child:

• What do you already know about this topic?
• Why do you think this topic is important?
• What new things did you learn?
• What are you wondering about?
• What else would you like to learn about this topic?
• What pictures or illustrations did you find interesting? Why?
• Is this book like any other book that you have read? If so, how are they alike? How are they different?

Math

What are we learning?

• We are continuing to learn how to find the sum and difference of two-digit numbers.
• Students are learning to estimate.
• Students are learning to estimate and measure length and weight within our asynchronous platforms.

Home/School Connection

• Have students estimate the weight of different things around the house.

Science

What are we learning?

• We are continuing to work on different storms. Your child should choose which type of storm they are going to report on. Each teacher has given many options for the students to use in order to report about their storm preference.

Home/School Connection

• Have students select the storm they will report on. Have them choose which option they are going to use. They should work to complete their reports or projects.

Social Studies

What are we learning?

• We are finishing up our Native American Unit for the 2nd Quarter. We are looking at the Powhatan of the Eastern Woodlands, the Lakota of the Plains and the Pueblo of the Southwest
  • We will learn about and compare the lives and contributions of three American Indian cultures of the past and present
    • We will talk about the geography, climate, environment and culture of these tribes
  • We will learn about natural, human, and capital resources specifically related to these tribes

Home/School Connection

• We live in the area that the Powhatan of the Eastern Woodlands lived, and discuss how things in this area have changed and how American Indian cultures have contributed to our world today.
• Many of us may have lived in or traveled to the Plains and Southwest of the U.S., if you have, discuss how things in this area have changed and how American Indian cultures have contributed to our world today.
• Discuss with students about the natural, human and capital resources that they see and use in their daily lives

Positivity Project

What are we learning?

• January 10th - 16th: Prudence
• January 17th - 23rd: Perseverance

Home/School Connection

Check out P2 for Families website: https://posproject.org/p2-for-families/

• Prudence: You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.
  • Does being prudent mean that you always have to make the right choice? Why or why not?
  • How does making careful choices help you in your life?
  • A quote that you may discuss: “Most of the problems in life are because of two reasons: we act without thinking or we keep thinking without acting.” 
• Perseverance: You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
  • What does perseverance mean to you?
  • When is a time where you have had to use perseverance?
  • Why do you think success feels so good after you have really been trying to reach a goal?

Click here to see what students are learning in Specials!