Hello, parents, in reading students took their pre-assessment for informational reading and they worked on being able to cite specific text evidence to support conclusions. Students also watched a video called, “What is a summary?”. We broke apart the summary into five sentences and then we discussed how the first sentence should always tell what the “gist” is, or what the text was mostly about. The second, third, and fourth sentences should cite specific text details to support the conclusions or explanations that student had. The fifth sentence restates what the gist was again. Students then began to write their own 5 sentence summary from an article that was assigned on TweenTribune. Last we reviewed how to answer a constructed response in reading. The pre-assessment had two constructed responses that many students had difficulty in answering or responding to..."Accurately quote and explain Ben Franklin's advice about keeping a secret." In small groups, we discussed what the question was asking us to do and how to answer the prompt.
In math, this week students continued to work with decimals subtracting unlike amounts and analyzed the process of ungrouping for the purpose of subtraction. Students also used the commutative, associative, and distributive properties to mentally solve large numbers and decimal numbers. Additionally, students estimated decimal sums and differences by using a number line to round decimal numbers. Next week in math students will construct graphs with decimal scales and decimal numbers. Students will also work on solving real-world problems by taking a look at the distances of planets from the Sun in millions of miles. Then we will have our review and unit post assessment.
In writing, this week students took their pre-assessment for informational/explanatory writing. Students were asked to write an essay that explains, in detail, what something is, how something works, or how to do a complex task. Students were asked to include enough details and information for a reader to understand their explanation or be able to successfully follow their instructions. After the pre-assessment, we began to examine how to successfully write a summary. Students in writing also watched the “What is a summary?” video...I begin this work with a summary because if students have a solid understanding of how to write a 5 sentence summary- writing a 5 paragraph informational/explanatory essay is much easier. Next week we will discuss "identifying the purpose" and "features of an explanation" students will work with a mentor text titled “A Breathtaking Body System.” Students will examine the VIPs or very important points- writers research and identify important points to include in their explanation. After discussing the VIPs we will review how to organize our ideas with a flow chart. The purpose of the flow chart is to help the students to gather their facts and keep them in order.
Don't forget stem explorers on Thursday morning 7:30 a.m., and of course this Friday, October 28th is our fall party with the parade beginning at 2:15. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend. Thank you, Mr. McGuire
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