This week in language arts:
This is our last week of our focus on drama. Students have had practice reading plays independently and in small groups (each with a part to read). We've learned how stage directions help the reader understand background information and how they tell the reader HOW to say their lines. We will work on voice inflection a bit this week as we wrap up our unit. Small groups will be given short plays to read and practice. On Thursday they will present, in reader's theater style, which means no props and no memorization, just clear reading with good intonation.
In addition to reading plays and understanding them, students who finish their expository this week will learn how to write a play using an excerpt from a favorite book. Speaking of expository writing, students just took part in our benchmark last week. Scores will be ready soon, and I can share them with you if you'd like. It's just a benchmark though, meant to guide instruction. This week we will be learning and practicing some new revising skills. Revising is a way in which writers make their compositions SOUND better. Editing is a way to make them LOOK better (corrections.)
This week in social studies:
Students are completing their European explorer books. I will display them in the hall for you to see next week at our winter party. We will have a lesson on Thursday centered around La Salle and the French exploration of the area now known as Texas.
Homework: Students should always be reading 25 or more minutes each night and getting agendas signed in addition to any math homework they may have. In the spring semester, we generally add a little homework in language arts for extra practice with grammar, spelling, and mechanics.