Hello!
We had a pretty fun week this week, especially on Friday. Great times had by all!
In language arts this week we wrote 2 more Secret Rules stories, and then chose one to type up. Students were given a template and added their own information to fir the story. By Friday almost every student had finished their stories. Some are pretty interesting. I will be turning them into a book hopefully next week.
In math we learned the steps involved in long division. It took a while, but by the end of the week it seems most of the students got it down. The steps are Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring Down. We used a multiplication chart to help memorize the steps, then eventually used other strategies for the divide and multiply part.
In social studies we started learning about different types of governments from around the world. We looked at direct and indirect democracy, oligarchy and theocracy, and the different autocracy’s like monarchy and dictatorship. Students then participated in a ‘Stranded on a deserted island’ choose your own adventure to determine which type of government they would use to survive. Most went with representative democracy, but a couple ended with dictatorship. On Friday the class participated in a dictatorship day, where the rules were very strict. Students needed to line up by the bell, not allowed washroom break until recess or lunch, no noise or calling out. They did pretty well with it, but some strikes were given out. Good thing I was a corrupt dictator, and students could bribe me with points. At the end of the day students were given the task to draw their dictator, these were the results.
youtube.com/watch?v=934hdlz1qY4&feature=youtu.be
In science we started learning about the human body. We learned that we are made of cells, that form into tissue, which form into organs, which form into organ systems. We then learned about our first system, the digestive system. Students learned that when we eat food, the mouth breaks up the food by chewing and saliva, then it moves down the esophagus to the stomach where acid and enzymes break down the food more. It travels to the small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed, then to the large intestine where water and salt is absorbed. It finally leaves through the rectum. Students got to experience this through a lovely experiment using bread, coke, and a squeezable sock. Only like 6 kids had to leave the room for a break.
I was also able to finish off our Rube Goldberg video.
For art we started creating winter mosaics, they will be displayed next week.
Next week we will review multiplication and division for a final test in math. We will start a novel study in language arts called ‘Escape from Mr. Lemonchello’s Library’ as well as finish our drawing off from our secret story. In science we will learn about the respiratory system. In social studies we will practice the other types of governments, one each day, as well as learn about which countries practice these different types of governments from around the world. We will learn about the Carnival de Quebec in French class, and get an introduction into the Young Entrepreneur fair for the spring. Should be another good week.
Have a good weekend and see you next week.