We are working right along in second quarter and it's already been a busy quarter and we are only 2 weeks in!
We have been busy learning and practicing division in math. Learning and correctly solving a long-division problem is quite a challenge, but we are making great progress. The more practice the better!
We have been working on a new reading unit called
Nature's Delicate Balance. We are just finishing up reading about a snowflake that takes a journey through the water cycle, called,
The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story. We have been working on strategies and skills such as summarizing, sequencing, making connections, author's purpose, figurative language and so much more. We have also been learning how words are made and spelled during our word structure and spelling time. Last week we worked on words with Greek roots and this week we are working on words with Latin roots. We are also starting a new weekly activity where the students get to choose 4 spelling activities to complete, using their spelling words, from 9 different choices. I think the students are enjoying having the choice and are really getting to practice their spelling words in a fun way! We are also learning all that we can about grammar with such topics as subjects and predicates. Accelerated Reader is an area during our reading time that needs improvement. The Accelerated Reader program is one where the students check books out from the media center that are on their level, read the books and then take A.R. tests on the books. Students have time to read during class, when assignments are finished and they are also expected to read each night during their homework time for at least 15 minutes. We only had 3 students meet their AR goal during 1st quarter and we currently have some students that have not taken a single AR tests so far during 2nd quarter. I know everyone can do even better with this! Our reading block is quite a busy time, as you can see!
During science we have begun learning about rocks and minerals. We just finished up a lesson about minerals and learned about such interesting topics as identifying different types of minerals and also about their streak and hardness.
In Social Studies we are continuing our study of North Carolina history as we get into learning about what the three regions (Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain) used to be like. We have also started completing a NC Dailies sheet each week. It is a page that your child would have in the Social Studies section of their binder and they are to work on each one day at a time. Monday is all about the basics of NC. Tuesday is all about geography of NC. Wednesday is all about the history of NC. Thursday is all about the people of NC and Friday is all about having some fun with our state. This has proven to be a fun learning experience for the students. It's a quick and easy way to learn some new information about North Carolina!
I would like to remind everyone to make sure that all work is being turned in on time. We have a lot of assignments that are not being turned in when the collection time comes around. Some are being turned in a hour late, some a day late, and some graded assignments are being turned in weeks late. I would like to see most students do a better job with completing their work in a timely manner.
In regards to showing Gibson PRIDE I would like to see students really work on their discipline and excellence. I believe these two areas could stand to see some improvement. Students are slipping up and talking in the hallway, when they should be at voice volume zero. Other students are not giving their very best with all they are doing. I definitely think some improvements can be made.
Thank you again for all that each of you are doing for your child at home! Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns! Thank you!!!
