9/1/25 - 9/5/25

 

SEL:  In addition to our discussions about norms and procedures, we will talk about calming strategies and being good members of our new classroom community.  We will finish up our first 10 days of school gratitude journal and move into learner characteristics.  Successful students are innovative, collaborative, effective communicators, self-directed, empathetic, critical thinkers, and not afraid to take risks.

Reading:  We will work on building our stamina while reading and writing.  Additionally, we will begin our work with IXL and Amira.  If you are unfamiliar with these two programs, please ask your child about them.  IXL is the best tool we have for personalized learning, and I will use IXL to goal set and build independence in my students.  Amira can be done as much as possible and will help students read more fluently and build comprehension skills.  Both of these programs can be worked on at night for additional practice.  Our first module is called Inventors at Work.  Our essential question is "What kinds of circumstances push people to create new inventions?"  We will use a story called Inventor's Secret - What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford to evaluate details, summarize key information, determine the central idea of a text, and determine the author's purpose and point of view.  

Science:  Our first science unit is called Earth and Space Patterns, and we will begin by studying Earth's Patterns and Movement.

Social Studies:  Before we get into the textbook, we will focus on why we study history and primary vs. secondary sources.  Then we will begin Chapter 4, "Spain Builds an Empire."

Math:  We are still reviewing a couple of key concepts on place value, order of operations, and estimation.  Unit 1 in Desmos is called Area and Surface Area.  The area of a shape is the amount of space the shape covers.  Students know the names of many 2D and 3D shapes and have calculated the areas of rectangles.  How can we use what we have learned to cover other 2D shapes?  And what does it mean to cover a 3D shape? If you want to preview the year in Desmos, I recommend visiting this extremely helpful website for parents and caregivers.  https://amplify.com/caregiver-hub/amplify-desmos-math-6-12/

8/25/25 - 8/29/25

 

SEL:  In addition to our discussions about norms and procedures, we will talk about calming strategies and being good members of our new classroom community.  Additionally, we will spend time working on a gratitude journal.

Reading:  We will work on building our stamina while reading and writing.  Additionally, we will begin our work with IXL and Amira.  If you are unfamiliar with these two programs, please ask your child about them.  IXL is the best tool we have for personalized learning, and I will use IXL to goal set and build independence in my students.  Amira can be done as much as possible and will help students read more fluently and build comprehension skills.  Both of these programs can be worked on at night for additional practice.  

Science:  We'll be working with Mrs. Gemmell, our district science/STEM coach, on a STEM activity that will help students understand the value of our new competency-based "grading" system.  

Social Studies:  Before we get into the textbook, we will focus on why we study history and primary vs. secondary sources.

Math:  Monday is our first day of math.  Some students will switch classrooms.  Some students will stay with me.  In my class, we will begin the year by setting norms and expectations.  Then, we will review place value, order of operations, and estimation before starting the Desmos program.

8/18/25 - 8/22/25

 

WELCOME BACK!

It will be a great year, and I look forward to meeting you!

Wednesday, August 20th is our first day of school!