Thursday, 10/12/17

Our day began with a review of vocabulary list 2.  We talked about how some words (such as drift, permit, and launch) can be a noun OR a verb.  We corrected the vocabulary lesson that was completed at home, and talked through any missed problems.  There will be a test over this list on Thursday of next week!

For spelling, we began creating our own wordfinds.  First, the students chose their longest and hardest words and carefully wrote them in the boxes.  They created a crossword puzzle style puzzle.  At home, they will have the option to continue this spelling review and turn it into a word find.  We talked about how, in order to remember and study, it is important to use as many senses as possible.  We can listen to the words being spelling, say them, see them with our eyes, and write them with our hands.  If I could think of a way to taste the spelling of the words, we would do it!  Sometimes, writing the words can become tedious.  But, using things like graph-paper crosswords, letter tiles, or even dry erase boards, can make the review more fun!

In writing class, the students learned the formula for an excellent sentence!  They used descriptive words, vivid verbs, and lots of action to create the best sentences possible.  I love the way that the kids are really thinking about their word choice!  These are important skills that will definitely stick with them for life.  I tried to explain the the students today that some things we learn in class are facts, numbers, and trivia.  But, other things that we learn such as learning to write well, learning how to study, learning how to work in a group, etc, are life skills.  I love that we can be a part of their education and help them develop these skills as a group.

In grammar class, both groups have been working with adverbs.  They have tackled adverbs that tell how, when, why, and how often.  They diagrammed sentences with both adverbs and adjectives, which can get a little tricky!  Although we are following the book, I feel that it is very important to go back and review the previous material more frequently than the book does.  Today, we went back and talked about previous lessons, and I gave the students some "challenge sentences" to diagram.  This will hopefully help to strengthen their skills and help allow for a smoother year in grammar!  The older class has learned that sometimes, adverbs can describe adjectives or other adverbs by telling "to what extent".  These adverbs (such as too, so, very, really, etc) modify the adjective or adverb, and are diagrammed by adding another slanted line underneath.  We will continue to work through adverbs for the next few days.




Ms. Hilary integrated a writing concept with history today, as she taught the class about the art of persuasion today.  The students learned that you can use your words to persuade others to share the same opinion as you do.  They also learned the word "polarizing".  Some opinions that people have can be polarizing... and Ms. Hilary explained how, in England, venturing across the sea to colonize the New World was a polarizing topic.  At home, they each watched a video that briefly described the events and political atmosphere in England that prompted the exploration and colonization of the Americas.  It was a great overview to help the kids get a grasp of the "why".  The class worked on their own persuasive letters!  They wrote to a friend or loved one to persuade them to either come to the New World with them, stay in England, or to persuade them to let them leave for the journey.  They seriously knocked these out of the park!

In science class, Ms. Sally reviewed landforms, weathering, erosion, and weather concepts.  The kids were then able to create their own vortex, or storm, in a bottle!  They had such a good time trying to make the biggest, strongest tornadoes!  (My arms feel the burn!)  Afterward, the class had a short quiz over the material they have learned so far.  At the end of class, Ms. Sally taught the class a very important lesson: how to compare and contrast!  To spark their interest, the class was given a caramel and a piece of hard butterscotch candy.  They learned about Venn diagrams and other graphic organizers that help us to organize our thoughts and observations.  The students made observations about the two types of candies and documented them onto their diagrams.  This was an awesome lesson, and the kids loved it!