At-Home Project: Social Science

For Social Science we have been working on neighborhood maps. At this point in the year it is suggested that parents direct students to a mapping program (Google Maps) on the Internet and locate their home's satellite photograph. Magnify the view to 100ft/inch. Size to show their block and a portion of surrounding blocks. Have your child make a simple map (a sample is available in the classroom) with legend (key) under your direction but in their hand. On your child's map, buildings could be shown as simple rectangles. Print a view of the satellite picture (preferably w/o address and real estate information, which can be blackened out if necessary) and attach to the hand-drawn map and send with your child to class. This assignment is optional and due before April 8th.

One Hundred-Fifteeth Day of School

In Writing today, we again made a quick sketch of our reasons in support of our opinion.

In Social Science, we began our last mapping project before our final interdisciplinary project.

One Hundred-Fourteenth Day of School

Today in Writing, we drafted our reasons for our opinion. Many students had difficulty incorporating transitions into the draft. So we will begin the process once again and attempt to build a new arguement while the process is still fresh.

Reminder: Reading Logs are due Thursday.

One Hundred-Thirteenth Day of School

In Writing today, we quick-sketched our reasons for our opinion.

We will likely have a Math Test on Wednesday.

One Hundred-Tenth Day of School

In Writing, we have brainstormed a list of things we care about, about which we could express an opinion. Next, we chose one topic on which to focus and orally stated an opinion. Then, we wrote our opinion. This opinion will become the opening for our piece. Next we state reasons for holding our opinion. Our next step will be to quick-sketch these reasons.

In Science, we explored the concept of pushing against air by constructing simple parachutes.

Consumer Reports Article

An article to skim in case you hadn't already seen from Consumer Reports on the safety of certain brands of fruit juices.

One Hundred-Eighth Day of School

In Science today, we observed air's interaction with a variety of materials while experimenting with it's capabilities.

Math Test Results

Of the 22 students taking the Chapter 4 Math Test, 20 passed with an adjusted score of 12 or better. One student achieved a perfect score.

One Hundred-Sixth Day of School

All students should have with them a conference appointment slip, field trip permission slip, and health clearance form. Please fill out each form completely and return to school soon. The nurse needs to clear each child and lunch information needs to be sent to the cafeteria. incomplete trip forms will be returned home marked for completion.

One Hundred-Fifth Day of School

A new student joined our class today, so our class count is now at 23.

In Social Science today, we reviewed for our test on Friday.

The practice test packet for the Math test is due tomorrow.

One Hundred-Fourth Day of School

In P.E., we have been working on balance and coordination. Today we worked on teamwork and cooperation.

In Social Science, we are continuing our map study by learning about relative direction and creating a map our own classroom. We will likely have our globe test on Friday. We will locate Los Angeles, name the continents, and oceans.

We will likely have a Math test tomorrow or Wednesday.

One Hundred-Second Day of School

In Reading, we have been analyzing non-fiction texts everyday focusing on identifying the main idea (tested) and the text structure (tested). Today we compared fiction and non-fiction texts (tested) on the same topic. Only a few students are able to distinguish between the 2 genres with confidence.

In Reading and Writing we are identifying and writing opening/introductions and closings/conclusions (tested). These are difficult skills for first graders to master.

In Social Studies, we learned the necessary elements of a map (tested) and took our turn creating a simple map complete with the necessary elements. A quality map will be identified by having a title, author, creation date, key/legend, and eventually we will add compass rose.

Math Test Results

All students passed the Math Test above an adjusted score of 12 points or higher. Seven students achieved a perfect score.