Happy New Year and New Units!

Welcome back and happy New Year.  From what I've heard from the kids, it sounds like everyone had a fantastic winter break.  I know I had a fabulous time in New Zealand.  The weather was stunning and everything there is beautiful!  

Exploring Raglan beach in NZ!  

At Huka Falls in NZ!   

With the new year, we have lots of new units.  Every child received a new novel to read yesterday.  Kids are reading different novels to match their interests, Lexile scores, and the content of the text.  Over the next five weeks they will be reading their novel in chunks. Then, meeting with me each week for guided reading groups in which we will focus on specific skills each week.  Your child has a book mark with the weekly reading requirements.  Be sure to check this out if you haven't seen it already.  In addition to reading their assigned chapters each week, students need to complete a summary in the journals they made today, and they must select one new/interesting word.  They should write the word and definition on a sticky note and stick it in the book by the word.  Each week they will have some time in school to work, but they should also work on these things at home.  

Google Doc with Requirements

Also, we are starting a new unit in science this week- Land and Water!  This is a really cool hands on unit in which students will study: the water cycle, steams, rivers, dams, rocks, erosion, and so much more.  Actually my trip to New Zealand was great for this unit- I think I saw, hiked or swam in every type of land and water while I was there (see photos above for just a few examples)!  

In writing we starting a mini-unit on Procedural Writing (AKA How To writing).  We have starting by doing a few quick activities that will lead kids into being able to write an essay explaining "How To" do any topic of their choice.