Language Arts and Social Studies 2/25-3/1

Language Arts
Reading
We will continue to synthesize our reading this week.  For homework each night, students should read for 20 minutes.  They will then blog or record on paper information to SUM UP their reading.  They need to include the who, what, when, where, why and how.
In class, we will focus more on synthesizing non-fiction texts.  We will try out a variety of synthesizing strategies: 3-2-1, the Important Format, and  notes/thinking.   Writing 
We have been journaling each day to work on our writing skills.  Student have also started researching for his or her BIG 6 SOLAR SYSTEM project.  We will use our notes to write a research paper after spring break.  As we prepare to think about writing a research paper we are consuming examples of research and even looking over some bird books from last year!

Spelling
Words will still be coming home.  Homework is due on Thursdays.  Assessments are on Fridays.


Social Studies
Geography and Map Skills
Your children have done great work reviewing and learning about maps.  Last week they created his or her own city and completed a grid map for visitors to use!
This week, we will start to focus on the globe.  Vocabulary like equator, continent, country, hemisphere  and axis will start to push their way into our academic conversations.  
Towards the end of the week, we will start to compare globes to maps.  Then, we will discuss times that it would be most helpful to use a map and when it would be most beneficial to use a globe.