Weekly Newsletter - March 11th - March 15th

Language Arts
This week we will be examining the author’s perspectives in nonfiction texts. Students will review their main idea statement based on the perspective of their chosen texts. They will continue to put their ordered notes into paragraphs while also identifying ‘gaps’ in their research. They will do this by looking back at what has been done and what still needs to be done in order to move forward in the research process.


Math
This week in math, the students will begin to examine improper fractions by using Unifix cubes, the area model, as well a number line. The students will continue working out word problems by adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators. They will be using models to help cement their ideas.


Science
This week students consider data and inferences they can make about fossils, and help construct a scientific argument about what the environment of Desert Rocks National Park was like in the past. They use data from fossils found in the area to help construct their arguments. Students then use what they discussed in their Evidence Circles to write a scientific argument, which serves as a Critical Juncture through which students demonstrate their understanding of the chapter’s content. At the end of the lesson, the whole class briefly reflects on Chapter 2 Question: What was the environment of Desert Rocks National Park like in the past?

Announcements

• March 11th - March 15th: ES Library Book Week!
• March 13th: Book Swap - Students bring in their coupons to choose new/used books (10 coupons maximum) 
• March 15th: Red Hat Book Character Dress Up Day
• March 15th: Author visit-Matt Smith (Comic book illustrator and ISKL Alumni!)
• March 18th: NO SCHOOL - ISKL Faculty Inservice
• March 25th -March 29th: NO SCHOOL - March Break 
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details. 

Resources

Here is a video and a game to reinforce how to decompose fractions:

https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/8474-decompose-fractions-into-unit-fractions/

Game: https://www.classk12.com/grade-4-math/fractions-operations-nf/decomposing-a-fraction-using-visual-fraction-models-eg-38-18-28-2-18-1-1-18/4055

To further support our exploration of non-fiction text log on to Newsela, which is an online news website that has the capability of breaking down the text into different reading levels that all readers can access. https://newsela.com/ (focus on Science)