In social studies, we are continuing on from geography to focusing on Washington's 5 regions. This unit involves many GLAD strategies (visual and kinesthetic strategies combined to help all children take their learning to a deeper level, especially ELL students).

Today students looked at Observation Charts to help them access their background knowledge, so they could apply to what they would be learning about the 5 regions. Students also worked as groups to sort images that had something to do with Washington. You can see them doing these things here.

We learned how to use Animoto to quickly make fun videos. We will be using this program later to make educational videos. But for now, it was just for fun!

Carson's Movie


Andy's Movie


Kelsey's Movie


Duncan's Video


Charlie's Movie


Amir's Video


Lucile's Video


Will's Video


Peri's Video


Emily's Video


Katie's Video


Lexi's Movie


Gwen's Video


Stephen's Movie


Nicole B.'s Video


Nicole G.'s Video


Michael's Video


Andi W.'s Video


Dillon's Movie


Griffin's Video


Patrick's Video

Here is what we are doing in class this week:

Math: We started Unit 2- Using Numbers and Organizing Data. This week we are looking at the values and place values of numbers.

Social Studies: Yesterday we finished making our geography vocab booklets. We will use these books to help us identify different landforms and waterforms in Washington.

Writing: Students are working on drafting lots of stories from their lives (personal narratives). They are learning that their stories are worth writing and sharing with others. Next week they will pick on of their stories to take through the whole writing process.

Reading: Students are becoming experts on "Daily 5" reading. Becoming independent readers and learning how to select books that they will enjoy and is at just the right level for them.

Computer Lab: Today we started making our fun summer animoto videos. On Thursday, we will start our glogster biographies.

Read Aloud: We are currently reading The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. Make sure to ask your child what is happening in the book. They seem to really be enjoying it.

Students will be working on a year long project this year called the World Tour. Students have been put in groups. Each group chose a country to study from different continents. Our five groups chose: Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Argentina, and Greece. Each group will do basic research about their country and throughout the year plan a trip to that country. At the end of the year they will present their findings to the class. Today we wrote professional business letters to the US Embassies in these countries asking for more information. Hopefully we will hear back from them in the next couple of months.