Thursday, February 1st

Reminders and Announcements

• Friday, February 2nd - Outdoor School (Dress warmly! Bring/buy a bag lunch.)

• Thursday, February 8th - Family Life Lessons

• Friday, February 9th - Report Cards Issued

• Friday, February 16th - 2 hour early dismissal

• Monday, February 19th - School Closed for Presidents' Day

Today Mrs. Barnes, Mrs, Hart, and Mr. Brown (a school therapist) came to speak with the class about the loss of Mrs. Johnson's son, Tyler.  A note is coming home in the Thursday Folder with details.  Please talk with your child to make sure they are dealing with the issue in a healthy way.  If you have concerns, you may contact the school.  Mrs. Hart and our other counselors are available to talk with the students as needed.

Students still need empty egg cartons to house their rock and mineral collections.  Send those in ASAP.  Thanks!

Math

Focus Standards:

• Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. For example, 2/3 + 5/4 = 8/12 + 15/12 = 23/12. (In general, a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd.)

• Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For example, recognize an incorrect result 2/5 + 1/2 = 3/7, by observing that 3/7 < 1/2.

In the week coming up we will be solving problems that involve adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  The video below will show you how we will first find a common denominator and then perform the operation.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Writing 

Unit Focus Standards:

• Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

• Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.

• Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

• Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).

• Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

We will be practicing writing to argue an opinion this week using current debates from Scholastic Magazine.  The focus will be on organization and support of an opinion.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RL4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.

• RL9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

In the week to come we will be continuing with our book clubs focused on narrative text.  We will also begin to look at poetry in whole group and compare/contrast themes and author choices.

Science and Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• Explain the results of the interactions between European explorers and North American natives.

• Analyze how native societies were influenced by the diverse cultures of the explorers and settlers.

We will be researching and taking notes about the different explorers who came to the Americas and their interactions with the native peoples.