Our homework for the next two weeks is the Explorer Research Project.  Please be sure to use the grading rubric to guide your work.  Below is a link with some research sites I have found or have been recommended to me.  If you find any others, please email me and I will add them to the list.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/

http://allaboutexplorers.com/  - when you use this site, the first link takes you to a “fictitious and funny” article about the explorer, click on the link at the bottom of the page and it will guide you to a site with trustworthy information

http://www.kidinfo.com/american_history/explorers.html

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/16-history/265-explorers.html

http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Explorers/

Our holiday party will be on Weds. 12/21 from 12 - 1ish.  I will be sending home letters at the end of this week asking for donations of items for snacks and games.  We are also going to do a goody bag for each child.  Please be on the lookout for a small item to put in each bag (we have 26 students).  You may send those in as soon as you get them and we will start the bags.

We are also in need of candy for rewards if anyone can send some in.

What Are We Learning:

Math -   We are working on Geometry and Plane Figures.  We will examine and compare angles in order to classify and identify triangles by their angles.  Also, we'll describe parallel and perpendicular lines in plane geometric figures as well as examine and classify quadrilaterals (including parallelograms, squares, rectangles, trapezoids, and rhombi)by their properties.

Spelling - We are studying words with qu in them.  These are difficult words, so STUDY< STUDY< STUDY!!!

Download Sort 24 agenda

Reading/Science - We are combining reading and science for our Sound and Light unit.  A review sheet for the test on Sound came home on Thursday.  The test will be on Friday, 12/9.  This week we are covering Light.  We will test it as well.  Our goal for light is to understand that:

materials are either transparent, translucent, or opaque

reflection - bounces light & refraction - bends light

light travels in straight lines

a prism bends/refracts light

convex - magnifies & concave - makes smaller

Social Studies - We are learning about Columbus, Cabot, Hudson, Cartier, Balboa and Ponce de Leon.  Our goal is to develop an understanding of how:

Exploration by Europeans led to permanent contact betwenn the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

European explorers had different motives for their explorations.

Native American culture was permanently changed by European settlement.

European explorers benefited from Native American cooperation.

Decisions to send expeditions to the New World incurred opportunity costs.

Comments

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We are learning about Columbus, Cabot, Hudson, Cartier, Balboa and Ponce de Leon. Our goal is to develop an understanding of how:

Exploration by Europeans led to permanent contact betwenn the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

European explorers had different motives for their explorations.
Native American culture was permanently changed by European settlement.
European explorers benefited from Native American cooperation.
Decisions to send expeditions to the New World incurred opportunity costs.