Weekly Updates 1/31-2/4

        

Upcoming Dates

• 2/1 - Unit 3 Ch 4 Math Quiz (Parallel Lines)
• 2/3 - Unit 3 Ch 5 Math Quiz (Quadrilaterals)
• 2/6 - History Test (Dynasties of China)
• 2/14-2/17 - Open House Event (see Campus Newsletter for details)
• 2/18 - Great Hearts Day
• 2/21 - No School (Bad Weather Makeup Day)
• 2/22-2/25 - Paul Revere's Ride Recitations
• 2/23 - Carry On, Mr. Bowditch Celebration

NOTE: Please reach out to your child's teacher if you are interested in chaperoning for our field trip to Austin on Tuesday, April 26th. We will be placing names in a hat and drawing at random to determine chaperones.

A Look Ahead 

ELA - 

• This week in Spalding, scholars' normal routine will be slightly disrupted due to campus events and testing. They will learn 10 words on Monday and finish the week with a test over those ten words only. Please ensure your scholar follows all instructions for their homework. 
• In Literature, scholars have seen Nat make exciting discoveries, and they have witnessed his perseverance amidst tragedy. Nat has been frustrated, short-tempered, and devastated; he has been content, patient, and elated. Not only are we voyaging on the seas with Mr. Bowditch, but we are also accompanying him through the highs and lows of his hopes and disappointments. We have been so impressed with the students' eagerness to understand the complicated nautical terms and routines! Nat has been a patient teacher to his fellow characters, and he has also been teaching us readers, as well. We are excited to continue the novel this week with chapters 15 to 19. 
• In Writing, scholars will explore the narrative style of mythology. We will discuss the devices of dialogue and monologue as they are used throughout literature. At the end of the week, scholars will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned and create their own dialogues and monologues!
• In Poetry, scholars have thus far memorized Stanzas 1-9 of "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After break, they will practice what they've learned and add Stanzas 10 and 11 to their repertoire.

Math -

In math, we will be learning about parallel lines, followed by the Unit 4 Chapter 4 quiz. Then, we will review quadrilaterals and investigate the properties of parallelograms, rhombuses, and trapezoids, followed by a Unit 4 Chapter 5 quiz. We will end the week by reviewing triangles. Please note: It may seem that the content and quizzes are progressing very rapidly. That is simply because of the nature of Singapore Math's geometry unit. It is heavily focused on vocabulary and identification, rather than math operations. For this reason, the quizzes have been quick and easy for the students. Please encourage your scholar to review the terminology; however, these assessments are not something to stress over!

History - 

This week, we will finish learning about the Chinese Dynasties, closing out with the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then, we will send a study guide home in preparation for the Unit Assessment on 2/6.

Science - 

This week, we will continue to learn about natural hazards and begin exploring Earth's layers! Students will get the opportunity to make their own clay model of the Earth's layers, as well. 

Weekly Updates 1/18 - 1/28

       

Upcoming Dates

• 1/17 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr Day)
• 1/18-1/20 - Independent Study Week
• 1/21 - Independent Study Project Due | Quarter 3 Begins
• 1/26 - Unit 4 Ch 2 Math Quiz; Science Test
• 1/28 - Grammar Mini Quiz; Spirit Day
• 2/2 - History Test (Dynasties of China)

A Look Ahead (After Independent Study Week)

ELA - 

• In Spalding, scholars will continue their normal daily routine, learning 10 new words each day with a 30 word test on Friday. Please ensure your scholar follows all instructions for their homework. 
• In Literature, we have already experienced many joys and disappointments with our beloved protagonist, Nat Bowditch. We will continue reading Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, covering one chapter per day. There have already been a handful of tragedies that Nat has experienced, and, unfortunately, they will continue. We know that as scholars read about Nat's grief, it may stir up their own memories of loved ones they have lost. Please keep this in mind as we continue reading this inspiring novel.
• In Grammar, scholars will begin a new unit about prepositional phrases! We are excited to ease in by learning how to recognize a preposition, then build upon that knowledge when we learn how to analyze and diagram prepositional phrases. We know our scholars will rise to this challenge with perseverance and wisdom!
• In Poetry, scholars have thus far memorized Stanzas 1-7 of "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After break, they will practice what they've learned and add Stanzas 8 and 9 to their repertoire.

Math -

When we return from Independent Study Week, we will continue our study of angles and learn about perpendicular and parallel lines. Scholars will also continue to practice using a protractor. At home, if you see your scholar struggling with using this tool, feel free to assist them with correct placement!

History - 

This week, we will meet Kublai Khan and Marco Polo! We will also explore later Chinese dynasties and scholars will receive a study guide for next week's unit assessment.

Science - 

This week, we will conclude our unit on Structures and Functions of Living Things with a study guide review and a unit assessment on Wednesday. On Friday, we will begin our net unit: Processes that Shape Earth. 

Weekly Updates 1/10-1/14

      

Upcoming Dates

• 1/12 - Units 1-3 Cumulative Math Test
• 1/13 - School Wide Spelling Bee (6:00 PM)
• 1/14 - End of Quarter 2
• 1/17 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr Day)
• 1/18-1/20 - Independent Study Week
• 1/21 - Independent Study Project Due
• 1/26 - Science Test (Structures and Functions of Living Things)
• 1/28 - Spirit Day

A Look Ahead

ELA - 

• In Spalding after break, scholars will continue their normal daily routine, learning 10 new words each day with a 30 word test on Friday. Please ensure your scholar follows all instructions for their homework. 
• In Literature, we will continue reading Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. If your scholar does not have their own copy yet, please follow this link to purchase a copy via Amazon. We will be reading one chapter per day, and scholars will begin to learn just how courageous, hardworking, and thoughtful Nat is. We cannot wait to continue our "voyage" with Mr. Bowditch!
• In Writing, scholars will begin their study of different types of narrative this week. After learning an overview of different types of narrative, scholars will get to focus on a different type each day. Some types of narrative that will be featured are fables, fairy tales, history, and myths. We are excited to enter this new unit with our scholars!
• In Poetry, scholars have thus far memorized Stanzas 1-6 of "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After break, they will practice what they've learned and add Stanza 7 to their repertoire.

Math -

As we return from our Winter Break, we will continue our review for the Units 1-3 Cumulative Test. Scholars will take this assessment on Wednesday (1/12), and then Thursday and Friday we will begin our Geometry Unit with lessons on angles.

History - 

Scholars will continue their study of the Dynasties of China this week. Thus far, we have learned about the Ming and Tang dynasties. We will begin learning about the Song dynasty, including how Emperor Hui Zong fell from power and what life was like in China during this time.

Science - 

In Science, we will be finishing up our unit on Structures and Functions of Living Things. Scholars will be introduced to Helen Keller and Louis Braille to connect our studies of senses/responses to major historical figures. We will review what we have learned in preparation for a test which we will take after Independent Study Week.