What's News in Room 15
Happy New Year! The next few months bring a renewed energy and commitment for everyone. Highlights are outlined below.
Math: Unit 6: Geometry is this month's focus. Children will be learning and involved in a wide variety of geometric concepts. A great deal of vocabulary is included. Please remember to read the top of the homelink as it often provides information you may need in helping your child. The mid year math assessment will be given within the first 2 weeks of January.
Writing: The focus will be on strong elaborative detail. Children will be creating a "word worth" wall that will help them distinguish between weak and strong word choices. A strategy called "stop the action" should also help to develop stronger and focused elaboration. An emphasis on sticking with one main event or adventure will be stressed. The class will develop a scoring rubric with which the children can evaluate their own writing. The mid year writing prompt will be given in January.
Reading: Reader's Workshop is continuing though will be going through some changes. A greater emphasis on comprehension strands through written responses and controlled book choices will be implemented. Children will learn specific guidelines for strong responses and will work from using a visual framework to using no guideline. These and other strategies used are intended to develop children as more thoughtful readers...not just reading to get done! They will be "pushed" to answer in ways that show deeper understanding of the text and using supporting evidence. The same strands will be practiced in small guided reading groups based on a child's individualized needs and reading level. Children will still have an opportunity to "free" read books to transfer the skills they are learning and for general enjoyment.
Science/Social Studies: The Sound unit was completed and we will likely be moving on to Earth's Motion. Our study of Native Americans will continue by traveling across the country to learn about different tribes, their cultures and customs. We have also begun Maps and Globes.
This and That:
The children will be forming tribes this month which will be intact for the remainder of the year. They will be given an opportunity for input based on concepts we discuss. Final decision making will rest with me. The children will work in these tribes throughout the day. The intent is to learn socially cooperative skills for learning and interpersonal skills. Greater responsibility is put on the children to effectively work together toward a common goal. My role is to facilitate to guide and assure goals are being met - be they learning and/or social. Admittedly, this will be a learning experience for me as well!
