This week in social studies we are finishing our study of Georgia's geography by completing computerized mind maps of Georgia's seven geographic wonders. We will be beginning the prehistory of Georgia unit tomorrow. The prehistory unit will include lessons on the early peoples and Native American tribes that inhabited Georgia.
This week in reading we are continuing our novel study of The Giver and our focus on the fiction/nonfiction genres. We are working on comprehension and students are creating story trails, comparing and contrasting using a venn diagram organizer, and formulating mystery boxes of items that represent key components of the plot line of the book. Students are to bring in their mystery boxes on Friday for presentation to the class. The story trails and mystery boxes will both count as project grades.
In reading, we are working on Unit 1 Fiction/Nonfiction of the Reader's Journey curriculum and have been working on a fictional novel study of the book The Giver by Lois Lowry. Reading skills that we have applied in class already include predicting, analyzing conflict, plot diagramming, characterization and studying the literary elements of fiction which include exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Students also viewed a powerpoint on the elements of a narrative and completed a "Noting What I Learned" formative assessment. The next skill that we will be working on this week will be author's purpose. Students should be reading outside of class as one of our state standards for reading is to read 25 books for the year. Encourage your student to read at least 20-30 minutes a night on a free-choice/pleasure reading book of their choice.
Students in Georgia Studies are hard at work studying Georgia's geography by labeling maps and working with powerpoints. We just finished our flipbook projects on Georgia's physiographic regions and students have been preparing for a test on Unit 1. We completed a study guide which is worth a 10 point bonus on the test and today we played trasketball review. Students will be taking the Unit 1 test tomorrow. As we finish the geography unit we will begin working with the prehistory of Georgia later in the week.
