This week in language arts:
We are reviewing some work with strategies for reading and understanding paired passages. Answering questions that require comparing two passages is hard for many students. If they slow down and use the strategies taught, they always do better. Look for some grades to come home that will show you how your child is doing with that. I worked with small groups to make corrections to our latest practice. Those who scored lower showed no strategies or process of elimination as they have been taught. Please encourage your child to always show his or her best work and effort. Early in the week we will break down the reading benchmark to make ourselves aware of what types of questions are most asked. Mid week, we will move into media literacy. We will analyze the media and understand its effects on us as consumers through our media literacy lessons. We will even delve into "fake news" just a bit as it pertains to finding reliable sources when doing research.
In writing, most students completed a poetry collection about a central topic. These will be on display in the hallway this week and then become part of their portfolios which you will receive at the end of the year. Students who have not completed their collections will need to finish them at home this week. Next up will be writing fictional stories using a plot pyramid for planning.
In social studies, we are learning about Texas as a part of the United States to see the opportunities and challenges they faced.