There are 15 students in the 2008 - 2009 school year. This year our class will complete the first part of a two-year curriculum. In science, we will study geology, astronomy, scientists and inventors, and the use of the scientific method. In social studies, we will explore early civilizations and cultures of the Americas, the exploration and settlement of the New World, and the American Revolution. Our Constitutional form of government will be examined and discussed, and there will be focuses on African American history and woman's history. Toward the end of the year, we will shift our gaze to the empires and cultures of Asia looking back to medieval times. We will also pursue the topic of sustainability throughout the year. For the most part, our reading and writing assignments are integrated into these themes and topics. Our daily math instruction follows the Investigations or Everyday Math program, with the additional use of hands-on materials, and the use of open-ended problems leading to math portfolios showing the progress of students throughout the year.

Vol. Eleven No. Twelve Nov. 17, 2008

Grades 5 and 6 News

Life at Doty

Explorer Portraits!

Color Illustrations

At the end of this week, the portraits of European explorers being drawn by the students will be completed. These will be on display in the hallway outside of the classroom.

Map Study

No map quiz this week. Next quiz in two weeks showing the areas of the New World claimed by European countries.

Guided Reading

The class is reading One Hundred Years Around the World, by Jean Fritz. So far we have read about the early Portuguese explorations finding a route around Africa to India and China. This week, we will find out about Columbus and the Spanish attempts to find a route to the Far East by going West from Europe.

Forces and Motion

This week we continue to learn about Newton's Three Laws of Motion, and experiment with a few applications.

No newsletter next week--Thanksgiving Break!

 

Homework and Events:

Monday – 11/17

Spelling Quiz

Science Book 2

Tuesday – 11/18

Guided Reading

Research Explorers

Wednesday – 11/19

Band

Thursday – 11/20

Grammar

Forces and Motion Lab

Friday – 11/21

Guided Reading

Drawing Due

Monday – 11/24

Spelling Quiz

Tuesday – 11/25

G.P and Friends Day

Science Vocabulary Quiz

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Contacting Me

223-5656 (school)

TOMBEEVT@aol.com