Here's to 2020

Welcome to a brand new year, decade, month!!
The 2 days after the Holiday Break went well and we are back on track. 
With the new year upon us, many of us find that we make resolutions, I set goals for myself.  We have been talking a lot about goals and how to meet them.  It is always best to set attainable goals that are specific to your own needs.  I break down my goals into either, weeks or months, depending on what they are.  My first one is to be better organized both at home and school.  I check in daily with my progress, reflect on my success and adjust my goal to meet my need. 

4th Grade:

 

Well before we broke off for the Holidays, the students began thinking about informational writing.  We discussed what it was, and had a topic to choose and research.  We are continuing this up until the end of this week.  Once they complete their informational booklet, they will have an opportunity to share it with classmates and other students in various grades.

Words their way will start up again this week.  The picture above shows a student giving the word test to a small group of students. 

I have assigned the next book project to the students.  They all were given a packet with the specific details on how to set it up.  I am asking that the children choose a book that is to their liking, but not one that is a biography or picture book.  It can be any other genre, for example, historical fiction, realistic fiction, or fantasy, to name a few.

This is what the handout looks like. Your child should have brought it home to you. They do not need to return it to school until the day that is due and that is March 5th.  I have included a rubric in the packet to see how your child will be graded.  There are very detailed steps that need to be taken in order to complete this.  I hope the children enjoy this one, it is one of my favorites.  I can't wait to see what new cereal they come up with. When they present it, they will need to include a very brief commercial about the new cereal they created.

5th Grade:

 

Our fifth graders are also working on informational booklets.  They have a topic and are reading and researching their topic so that they can put it into booklet form. They will also be sharing their completed product with various classmates and students in different grades once they are completed.  The due date for this is Friday, January 10th.

 

They are doing some wonderful work and are very eager to help each other out.  They work cooperatively and with a goal in mind. 

 

You can see them in the learning commons or the enrichment rooms working diligently on getting the work completed. 

The week ahead will continue with students working together, and beginning their new Summit project.  I will be introducing it to the students and giving them the overview of what is to be done.  Note taking is always something that they will continue to do when going over the various resources. 

I am looking forward to the new month and the many learning opportunities that we will be working with to make our students lifelong learners.