History & Geography

This week we worked on our Explorer Presentations. Our objectives were:

• collect information from our textbooks about our explorers
• use the internet to collect more information about our explorers
• combine information in a 1-2min speech
• practice giving and timing your speech

We will present our explorer projects on Friday December 6th at the beginning of class. We would love to have you there!

Mathematics

This week we worked with Algebra. Our objectives were:

• understand and apply the vocabulary variable, algebraic expression, inequality, solve, and evaluate
• write algebraic expressions from story problems
• solve for the variable when it is one side of the equation or on both
• solve inequalities that use variables
• Complete a Thanksgiving Long Division review Escape Room

Lectura

Literacy Weekly Concept/Genres: Expository – Biographies

This week we started working on our new writing assignment: Biographies. We reviewed the characteristics of this expository genre. Students will be selecting and writing a biography about a scientist.  We also started reading the biography of Ellen Ochoa. We will continue to work on this project after we come back from Thanksgiving break.

• Establish purposes, audiences and the need for  different genres: Biographies. 
• Apply reading comprehension skills and strategies (asking questions, clarifying,  summarizing, compare and contrast information)
• Understand the spelling patterns of paronyms.
• Identify  synonyms and antonyms.
• Apply knowledge of the use of capitalization and proper punctuation.
• Compare and contrast multiple pieces of information  or ideas, in oral and written for. Demonstrate understanding of how to compare and contrast texts.
• Using the information gathered, accurately organize it into categories.
• Cross-check different sources of information. 

Ciencias

Focus question: What is air? What is Earth’s Atmosphere?

Using diagrams, photos from space, a video and a reading, students studied Earth’s atmosphere. They were introduced to the atmosphere as a mixture of gases with properties that change with distance above Earth’s surface. They identified the different levels of the atmosphere and worked on clearly and accurately name them (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere). Applying different reading strategies and skills, students read the expository piece “Earth’s Atmosphere”. They gathered and organized relevant information (sort into categories, compare and contrast).

After we come back from Thanksgiving break, we will take a close look at the troposfera, this is where weather happens. We introduced the concept of meteorology. Over break, pease take the time to look at the weather report with your child so they get familiar with the vocabulary.

Niveles de la Atmósfera	Ubicación	Temperatura	Otras propiedades
Troposfera
Estratosfera
Mesosfera
Termosfera
Exosfera

 

• Air is a mixture of gases held by gravity near Earth’s surface.
• Air has mass, takes up space, and is compressible. 
• Most of Earth’s air resides in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface.
• Weather happens in the troposphere. 

 

Character Education

During the month of November we have been focusing on Gratitude and what that means to us.  We have talked about expressing our thanks when others offer us things (not asking if there is more or a different kind of the offered item).  We have talked about being grateful for the time others spend with us, for the love of our families and friends, for the shelter provided to us at home and school, and for the food we eat. We talked about how not everyone has these things and how easy it is for us to take these things for granted.  Sometimes it’s important to stop and think about all the wonderful people, things, and opportunities we have in our lives.  Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on these things and to give our thanks.

In the month of December we will be focusing on generosity.  We have already spoken about being generous with our time, our words, our actions and our resources.  Our tradition at SWS is to demonstrate generosity through a charitable organization.  This year we are collecting gifts for the YWCA Family Shop, which allows families in need to shop for free.  Tags can be picked up on the SPA bulletin board.  It would be great if you could include them in this.

Art with Ms. Kelly

Fall Still Life

We continued working on our Fall Still Life project, using a variety of media and styles. Several of the students’ very creative paintings and collages have been on the bulletin board at school. Our goals:

• Choose 3 different art styles to create 3 still life pictures
• Look at artwork by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, Jackson Pollock
• Use a variety of techniques to add color and texture 

Veterans Day Heart Flags

As part of our Thanksgiving bulletin board, the students made red, white and blue heart “flags” to show their appreciation to all the Veterans who have served and are serving our country.

“Stars” by Sara Teasdale

We read this beautiful poem about the stars, to go along with the students’ Science Unit.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!