January Updates

Hi, everyone!

Oh, January. You know, I really wanted that snowstorm yesterday so I could go snow shoeing. I was all excited about having a storm, having it finish up in time for us to be able to STILL come to school..and then borrow the set of snowshoes for a class hike!  Soon enough, though. It's too cold, anyway. There's been a lot of indoor recess due to the cold weather lately...and that's all I have to say about that!

There are some upcoming events and changes in our routines so if you are usually an update "skimmer" (nothing wrong with that- it's communication survival!), please take a closer look today!

Literacy Workshop
Since returning from break, we have been:

• exploring the elements of fluency: tone, pace & accuracy
• applying Thinking Stem skills to read, complete, and comprehend a US history themed book
• work with peers to engage in quality book discussions both online and face-to-face
• learning to take charge of our group tasks and progress during book groups

We experienced a ball-toss activity that serves as our metaphor for balanced book discussion. Students are reading both fiction and non-fiction books on topics from Hurricane Katrina to the Cherokee Trail of Tears.  After we finish this book group, we will focus on improving our questioning and responding to text in a second student-driven book group. Often groups decide to do reading at both home and school, so check in with your child about his/her book.

Writer's Workshop

Students continue to work on publishing and collaboration skills using Google Docs.

We have entered the blogosphere! Since break students have:

• reviewed basic online safety that we learned via Edmodo, such as never including your picture or personal information about ourselves or anyone else
• explored student blogs from classes around the country (eventually we will branch out to the world!)
• determined the qualities of strong blog posts, as well as brainstorm lists of ideas
• practiced effective commenting by asking questions, acknowledging content, connecting, and creating conversations
• prepared themselves for the skills necessary to engage in writing for an authentic audience

Wait...blogging? Has she lost it? Is this safe for kids?

YES!

I have used Kidblog (along with countless other classrooms around the globe) to inspire students to become better writers, motivated by an authentic audience: the world's classrooms. Kidblog has the most important elements of an online tool: safe, simple, and secure.  To post comments and blog posts using Kidblog, everything will always be approved by me. Nothing ever goes in or out of our blogging platform with out my "click" of approval for quality or content! A platform like Edmodo is technically "microblogging" and I feel students have gained the experience necessary for authentic blogging. I will answer any and all questions regarding student blogging- track me down if you need to.

I have seen students flourish as writers once they acquire an authentic audience. Please visit this blog by Pernille Ripp, a 5th grade teacher in Wisconsin who is renown for her work with student blogging. There, you will find many resources about students blogging, safety, connections to curriculum, successes and more. I follow her process as well as other best-practices for student blogging. We are connected with Mrs. Ripp's class on Kidblog; she is on maternity leave and many students are blogging about it- definite point of connection for our students!

Social Studies

In December, we completed our memorization of US states. Our test on the location of all 50 states will be BY February 14. Students can take it whenever they are ready. (someone already has!)

Before break we:

• explored the Lewis and Clark expedition 
• wrote about the expedition from differing points-of-view using a strategy called "RAFT" 
• learned that where history is concerned, considering multiple points-of-view is crucial to building a balanced picture of information
• shared the story Lewis & Clark: A Dog's Tale (written from the fictional point of view of the actual dog on the trip, Seaman)

Currently, we will explore immigration by:

• making connections to our 3rd grade study of the pilgrims
• determining reasons for immigration (economics, religious/political freedom and space)
• observing real photos during the peak time of immigration in the late 1800's/early 1900's
• completing a project to explore immigration as it relates to our own family history (directions to come next week!)
• sharing fiction stories in book groups to explore the experience of immigration to the US
• interacting with virtual online tours of Ellis Island and Orchard Street Tenements 
• participating in a simulation of Ellis Island where our students become immigrants!
• check out my Live Binder of Immigration videos and interactives we will use

Math

I spent so much time on the other subjects that I will be short and sweet with math. I'll give it more attention next time! Since break, we have been exploring:

• decimal place value to the tenths and hundredths
• relating decimals to money
• using decimals when necessary for conversions between metric units of measurement
• adding, subtracting, and estimating with decimals

Weekly Homework

Our Reading Log will shift purposes for awhile. Students will receive a "Blog Tracker". (I just couldn't call it a 'blog log'...just couldn't.)  They will have a weekly log to fill out (between now and Feb. break) documenting posts they have read/commented, as well as written. Students will have a range of 6-10 posts to read weekly as their reading and 1 original post, due each Friday. We will go over the process and expectations in class, so check it with your child to get an idea of the new expectations.

Fact practice logs will continue until February break. Upon our return in March, we will no longer be turning in fact logs, but will have weekly quizzes on multiplication/division facts for mastery and maintenance! In this way, students will be able to document their progress and make goals based on their quiz progress.

Talk to you soon. Next week, I will touch base with you about the Immigration project, Blogging Tracker, and maple sugaring!

Jaclyn Karabinas