Smith Spokesman 9.16.11

From the Classroom...

Math: Bridges Unit I

Off we go, launching into our new Bridges math curriculum. The first unit addresses all strands of elementary mathematics – number, computation, geometry, algebraic thinking, measurement, and data analysis – while introducing some of the major skills, concepts, visual models and manipulatives students will use throughout the year.  The overarching theme of the unit is the mathematical process: observing, describing, making and testing ideas, and developing generalizations.  A big part of the launch of the Bridges program is about establishing a safe and respectful community of math learners.

                In our first weeks we have completed pre-assessments to help me better understand each student, as well as explored cube number patterns, graphing data, and use of the area model for multiplication and division.

I’m excited about the new materials and the discussion and exploration that is already occurring in our classroom!    

Writing: The Class Book

Our first project in writing this year is our Class Book.  Each student is responsible for interviewing a partner, and then writing a short, one page bio- piece about that student.  In these pieces we learn about each student’s family, academic interests, and hobbies.  With this first piece, we are emphasizing the writing trait of organization.  We are stressing the importance of organizing information into logical “chunks,” and making sure that each paragraph has an appropriate topic sentence and matching details.

Remember….

Back to School Night

Thursday, September 29th

Social Studies: Geography

We begin our year in social studies learning about maps and about the general geography of the United States.   This week we learned about finding absolute location through using latitude and longitude.  Students thought of a place they would like to visit in the United States, and described its location using latitude and longitude.

Reading:  Crash

Our first read aloud unit is Crash, by Jerry Spinelli.  This literature unit is from “Steps to Respect:  A Bullying Prevention Program.”  The primary goal of the program is to help create a safe, respectful, caring learning environment that is bullying-free for all students. 

   Ask Your Student:

      Name Bugs!  Ask your student about these insects. 

            What is science?  What is a scientist?

Last week we listed all our ideas.  This week we drew them and wrote about them and shared them with the rest of the class.

            Class jobs?  Which job did your student have this week?

            Maplewood Wildwood?  When do we go, what is expected of us, what do we do?