Science Unit- Balance and Motion

We have started a new science unit about Balance and Motion.  Right now we are focued on balance.  Each student has a contract of balance activities to work on during our science block.  There are a variety of different activities called a "have-to" and some "choices".  Once a student has successfully completed a station with accurate understanding of the concepts I sign off on their contract.  Here are a few photos of science block in action:

~Balancing a paper crayfish~

  Students learned that the counterweight needs to be below the balance point.

Playing "Poppa's Pizza Topple"

Balancing a paper crayfish

Balncing a paper pencil tip with counterweights (clothespin)

Balance poem by:  Dr. Suess

Balance Collage-using magazine pictures



~Reading Workshop~

In reading we are working hard on understanding our stories.  We have been focusing on making inferences while we read and discussing the author's purpose for writing the book.  Please ask your child to make inferences at home and discuss the author's purpose.  Have fun!

Making inferences based on items in Mrs. Davis' Bag

Why did the author write this passage, book or story?







Martin Luther King Jr.

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

 

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-was-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/

The following is what the class learned about Martin Luther King Jr.

I learned he is an important American because he changed the world as he wanted equal rights. (Kasil)

I learned that he wrote a book. (Kelli)

I learned he was assassanated on April 4, 1968. (Aiden)

I learned his house was bombed.  (Elizabeth)

He won the Noble Peace Prize at age 35. (Trevor)

I learned he gave a famous speech called "I Have a Dream".  (Charlotte)

I learned he married Corretta Scott. (Kiera)

I learned he helped Rosa Parks with the bus boycott.  (Evan)

I learned MLK started the bus boycott. (Hassane)

I learned that we still celebrate his birthday January 15th.  (Delilah)

He wanted equal rights for everyone.  (Haylee)

He wanted kindness.  (Caleb)

He was peaceful. (Hannah)

He tried many speeches to get people together. (Steven)

I learned his dream was for everyone to be together.  (Stephanie)

He gave 2,500 speeches.  (Braeden)

MLK stood up for what he believed in.  Friendship for all!  (Zoe)

I learned that MLK wanted to be fair in the world.  All people together.  (Zeth)

Reading Workshop

MENTAL IMAGES

In reading workshop we have been working on Mental Images.  Mental images are the pictures readers get in their heads.  Good readers create a movie as they are reading and enjoying stories.  We have done many exercises demonstrating mental images.  Ask your child about the "Green Monster".

Anchor Chart





Illustrating a mental image



 The Green Monster



Math Workshop

We have been very busy in math learning double digit addtion with carrying and using partial-sums.  At this point the students know both ways and can choose a strategy that works best for them.  We are currently learning to subtract using the trade first method.  In other math news we have a 1 month trial of a great program called Dreambox.  Your child knows how to log into this program so feel free to use it at home too.