November News

In language arts the class has gravitated to the world of nonfiction. Their first stop on this journey is to learn nonfiction text features. When reading nonfiction, students must read with a different lens. First the context is more complex so reading rate must decrease. Students must pay attention to nonfiction features in a text because it offers students information to increase their understanding of a topic.

                    

Students have been identifying various nonfiction text features and describing their purposes. This will enable students to understand information, concepts and ideas.  They will merge their understanding of what they read along with text and visual features.

                           


Students have just completed a writing project in which they synthesized their learning of the Wampanoag Native Americans from the social studies' unit along with incorporating their learning about character traits and feelings from unit 1 in language arts.  Below are some examples of students' stories.


                                                       
                                                 

Wild Hunter

By Andrew

My name is Wild Hunter. I am called this because I always get food for the family. I am up at 3 a.m. in the morning hunter food for everyone in my family. I can see squirrels a mile away. I am not scared of much. I can be very quiet that helps me hunt animals. I also can shoot really accurate with my bow. This is why I am called Wild Hunter.

I am the child in the family. I am 14 years old and am very playful. My sister’s name is Running Deer and she is 13. She is a wonderful listener.  My dad’s name is Active Squirrel and he is a very good hunter. Lovely Rabbit is my mother and she is 33. She is a fantastic cook and good at making baskets and necklaces.  My aunt, Shining Moonlight, is 36. She is very smart. Last but not least is my uncle, Loud Wind, who is 40. He is skilled at fishing. These are the people in my family.

Here are some jobs I do. I help my dad shoot birds, deer, duck, elk and bear for my family so that we can eat. I also collect nuts and berries.  I did the test where I had to go into the woods for a week to prove I was a man. I go to the river bank and get clay for my mom. Then she can make pots to hold food. I help cut trees to make weapons. We also use the wood to build a house.  I fish at the lake and bring fish home for my mom to cook. These are my jobs.

                                                         

                                               Kind Planter
                                               By Riley

My name is Kind Planter. I am called this because everybody thinks I am nice.  I love to plant and I am smart about what to plant. I am always calm.  I focus on whatever I need to do.  I help my family with their chores. I am always kind to other people. This is why I am called Kind Planter.

I am the mother of the family and I am 34 years old. My husband is 37. His name is Proud Shooter. He teaches our two sons Running Deer and Babbling Fish how to hunt and fish. Babbling Fish talks a lot and loves to fish. Running Deer is a fast runner. My husband’s brother lives with us. He is 40 and his name is Brave Hunter. He helps teach the children how to hunt and fish. My mother lives with us. Her name is Little Fox. She is 60. Little Fox helps me with the household chores. These are the people in my family.

I have many jobs. I plant crops like corn, beans, and squash. I fertilize and harvest them when they are ready to eat.  I also tan the animals’ hides and then use them to sew clothes for my family. I rub the brains from the animals on the skin to make it soft. I make pottery for cooking and storage. I get the clay from the river banks. I pinch the clay into the shape I want. I smoke and dry meat and vegetables to eat. I gather nuts, berries, and roots so my family can eat. I take care of the children and strap the baby on my back or hang it on a nearby tree as I work. These are my jobs as the mother in the family.

                      

Math

In math students are learning about multiplication in our Groceries, Stamps and Measuring Strips' Unit. Students have had practice with repeated addition and skip counting. Now they will use that knowledge and apply it to a cityscape to determine how much taller the buildings and trees are than a boy in the picture. Students will use doubling and halving as an additional strategy to help them understand multiplication.