January 16, 2012

Important dates this week:
January 19-Choir rehearsal  8:15
January 20-Orchestra rehearsal  8:15
January 26-Winter Concert 7pm BCHS

Math
This week, we are continuing the fractions unit. We have been working on finding equivalent fractions and simplifying fractions. This week, we will continue doing this and will be comparing and ordering fractions and we will start adding and subtracting fractions.

Reading
This week, we are continuing independent reading. We will also be working in small independent reading groups over the next few weeks. I will focus these small groups on nonfiction reading. Starting this week, there will be a graduate student from Saint Rose working in our classroom on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. He will be focusing his work on reading and writing and facilitating small groups. It is a great opportunity for more one on one attention for students!

Writing
We are continuing to work on feature articles. Students should have research done  by Tuesday and we will start drafting on Wednesday.

Social Studies
We started a unit on Explorers. We will focus on European explorers who explored the New York area. The explorers we will study in this unit are Henry Hudson, Jacques Cartier, John Cabot, Giovanni Verrazzano and Samuel de Champlain.

Science
We are working on the floating and sinking unit.. This week, we will make clay boats. The students are really enjoying this unit!