January 18th - 21st

 Important Dates 

Day 1	Monday, January 18th	Spanish Food Day Parent Club Mtg  6:30 PM @ BV
Day 2	Tuesday, January 19th	Forensics Mock Meet afterschool Orchestra Concert  BP PAC  7PM Orch Practice  5th Gr 7th/8th  Hrs
Day 1	Wednesday, January 20th	5th Grade Movie @ BP
Day 2	Thursday, January 21st	Level I Forensics Meet @ Pulaski
Day 1	Friday, January 22nd	NO SCHOOL

Identifying Figurative Language in Poetry with Small Groups!

Turner looks just like the character on his book jacket!

Ryan representing the Clubhouse at the school-wide RAVE!

Advanced Math
We are continuing our understanding of Chapter 5.   We are working on understanding how words can be translated into expressions.   Students have taken lots of notes regarding words that mean specific operations and words that are turn around words.  These are words that change the order.  We are also discussing how to make equivalent expressions and have begun using the Algebra Tiles app to help us model the expressions.  We will begin to introduce the Commutative, Associative, and Distributive properties.  It is imperative that students review this information and ask questions if they do not understand.

2^nd/3^rd hour Math

Students are continuing their understanding of multiplying decimals.  We are working on multiplying decimals as if they are whole numbers and then putting the decimal places back into the answer.  We will begin to look at how to divide decimals as we continue into this unit.   

Language Arts
We are continuing our read aloud called The Fighting Ground.  Students will practice quoting accurately from the text to explain inferences.  We will also work on determining the meaning of vocabulary words, phrases, and figurative language using context clues from the text as well as outside resources.  Students will document last week’s fluency to watch progress over time and have new fluency homework.  A Moby Stories lesson is due at the end of the week along with book club reading and a new book club discussion question post.

Writing
Due to schedule changes because of MAP testing last week, we will first be starting the argumentative essay Bend 1 lessons this week.  As mentioned in last week’s blog, students will be learning how to collect information about both sides of an issue.  From here, students will do a flash draft of their argument.

Achieve 3000
Students will continue to develop their reading while choosing articles of their choice on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively.  By students beginning to choose an article of their interest, I am hoping to see an improvement in understanding.

Social Studies
Students will be in their final week of the simulation, working together to gain the most wealth units for their colony.  They will work to gain more land by interacting with the natives.  Final journal for the simulation will be completed this week.

Science
Students this week will be choosing a biome that they would like to take a hypothetical field trip to.  Students will be able to choose to work by themselves, with a partner or with two other people.  Students will have a checklist of characteristics about the biome that they will have to present in front of the class next week.  This project will be graded using the 21^st century skills.  Have a discussion with your child regarding whether or not they want to work in a group and if they can sustain completing the assignment in the timeline given while working with a partner or in a group.

Resource Language Arts- Students will read the biography titled MY NAME IS GABRIELA, based on the life of Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral. Students will visit the Lineville library on Thursday to return books and check out new ones. Please continue to study weekly spelling words with your child.

Resource Writing- Students will have the opportunity to write their own autobiography.  They will plan with a graphic organizer, followed by drafting, editing, and publishing their stories.