Language Arts: This week, the students will
learn spelling words from Chapter 17: “Twist and Turn” from Growing Your Vocabulary.
Latin / Greek
Word
|
Root
|
English Derivatives
|
Latin torquere, torqum
(to twist)
|
tort
|
Torture, contort, retort, distort, extort
|
Latin volvere, volutum
(to turn)
|
volv, volut
|
Evolve, involve, revolution
|
Latin vertere, versum
(to turn)
|
vert, vers
|
Convert, reverse, introvert
|
The prefix, “intro-“means “inward”
This week in Grammar, we will study
coordinate conjunctions, connective adverbs, and compound sentences. We will
take a closer look at compound sentences by understanding that common errors
are comma splices and run-on sentences. We will spend the week classifying sentences
using all of the grammar concepts we’ve learned since the beginning of the
quarter.
We will continue reading and
discussing classic poetry this week! The students will read and discuss Lewis
Carroll’s imaginative poem, “Jabberwocky”. The students will collaboratively
write this poem in narrative form as well as illustrate it. We will continue learning
about various poetic devices and applying them in our own creative ways!
The proverb the students will learn
this week is “what will be, will be”. Ask your child how this is used and to
identify the literary elements in it! As always we will move forth in our
Latin/Greek origins curriculum.
History/Geography: Our journey down the Oregon
Trail has commenced! Has it consumed your dinnertime conversation yet? :) This
week, we will continue the Pioneers simulation while moving forth in the Westward
Expansion unit. We will begin the week by picking up our lesson on
transportation during this time in history; the students will understand the functions
and uses of the railroads and canals. They will also learn about Manifest
Destiny and what the Americans meant by “Civilized Tribes.” We will discuss why
Texas joined the Union and the reasons for the battles fought with Mexico for
this land. We will end the week learning about why the settlers traveled to
Oregon and specific dangers they faced along the way.
Science: The students have been
impressing us with their understanding for the higher level concepts presented
in the Plants unit thus far! The week will begin by comparing plant life cycles
between ferns and mosses. The rest of the week, the students will focus on the life
cycle of plants in both Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Each will be focused on in
depth before comparing the two. Ask your child to share what he/she is
learning!
REMINDER: Please return your child's permission slip for the field trip on Thursday, Jan. 24th!!!
