Math:
We finished our short unit on Division at the end of November and have moved into Fractions. The class as a group had a minimal knowledge of fractions so we started with finding equivalent fractions by either multiplying or dividing both the numerator and denominator of a fraction. We progressed to reducing fractions by finding common factors in both the numerators and denominators.
Our next step was adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. The students found this to be fairly easy and were able to apply the previously learned skill of reducing/simplifying fractions once they had an answer to their addition or subtraction problem.
Before we could start adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, the students needed to learn how to find common denominators. We started with finding common multiples of each denominator to be added or subtracted. From there we moved onto finding the smallest or least common denominators.
A few students were ready to move forward, so I taught a small group how to add and subtract mixed numbers while I continued to work on least common denominators with the rest of the class.
Reading:
We have been working on a Non-Fiction Unit in our new Schoolwide Reading program. I have supplemented the Schoolwide program with a fantastic resource called Storyworks. We spent a week analyzing an interesting article about Malala Yousafzai. We used the article to study text evidence and learn how to write summaries.
Writing:
I gave the students a few fun winter prompts and had them write two different creative stories. After writing the stories, I began to meet individually with students to edit their rough drafts. I used this editing session to help students with their individual writing needs. The topics covered with individual students included:
- Dialogue
- Past and Present tense
- Clauses
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Spelling
- Sentence Structure
Social Studies:
We have moved into the beginnings of the American Revolution. In November we covered the main causes of the Revolution:
- Debt from the French and Indian War
- Sugar Act
- Stamp Act
- Sons of Liberty
- Daughters of Liberty
- Townshend Acts
- The Boston Massacre
- The Boston Tea Party
- The Intolerable Acts
December brought discussions about the 13 Colonies preparing to revolt against Britain. We learned about:
- The 1st Continental Congress
- Lexington & Concord
- The 2nd Continental Congress
- Appointment of George Washington as General of the Continental Army
- Bunker Hill
- The Battle of Fort Ticonderoga
- Thomas Paine's Common Sense
- The Olive Branch Petition
- The Declaration of Independence
Hopefully this last week of December before Winter Break will be filled with fun and celebration in Room 19! We have lots of fun activities planned at Liberty School and we are all looking forward to a well deserved two weeks off!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ROOM 19!!!
