5P at SES

Hello Everyone!

It has been a nice transition back from Nature’s Classroom. Since our return, we have jumped right back into our daily routines. We have also been diving into our first academic units!

In math, we have been learning how to write, evaluate and interpret numerical expressions by learning about The Order of Operations (PEMDAS). We have practiced writing and solving expressions that represent real life situations. Additionally, we have used models to help us visualize the expression. This week, we will continue to explore algebraic thinking in a unit about patterns, corresponding terms and coordinate grids! Students will learn how to generate patterns and represent them by using a table. They will also learn how to recognize and explain relationships among corresponding terms. Lastly, they will learn how to represent and interpret data on a coordinate grid.

In Reader’s Workshop, students are still learning routines that will set the stage for the rest of the year. We have been learning how to respond to our reading using sticky notes. We have learned that sticky notes can help us to come prepared for partner/group conversations as well as support the longer response writing we will do about our reading. We have also been learning what it means to have good partner and group conversations. These foundational lessons are extremely important. They will support the deep, meaningful work that students will be doing throughout the rest of the year! In addition, we have also begun our first series of book groups! Below is a list of the book students are reading:

·
No Talking by Andrew Clements

· Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper

· Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

· Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park

In Writer’s Workshop, students have continued to explore the genre of Personal Narrative. Students have been collecting ideas for stories in their writer’s notebook. We have learned many ways to generate ideas for narrative writing. For instance, we have learned that it is helpful to think of first times, last times and times we realized something. We have also been learning about what makes good narrative writing. Specifically, our lessons have been designed to help students distinguish between watermelon topics vs seed topics in order to help them focus on a small moment in time. This week, students will choose 1 story that they will take through the writing process. We will learn how to draft, redraft and revise to bring forth meaning to our stories.

In Social Studies, we are beginning our first unit on The Government. Students will learn about the 3 branches of government, their responsibilities and how they work together so that no branch is more powerful than the other. Students will also learn about the Bill of Rights and how it was added to the Constitution in order to protect certain fundamental rights and liberties.

I look forward to seeing you all at Open House on October 3^rd. Check out some pictures below of things we are working on in class~

Ms. Phillips