Welcome to D103!

Our class of 22 is now 23!  We are so excited to have Rikki as our newest friend in D103.  Having a new classmate this week gave all of us the opportunity to benefit from some Tribe activities.  Students shared things about themselves and important things that anyone should know about our school. These activities were great community builders that brought a sense of fellowship.  ​

​​In Langauge Arts... 

• The standard covered this week was 2.RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.  Students used informational text from Wonders to compare and contrast big ideas the author presents within the same text.  Students learned to use red and blue colored pencils to underline differences they found.  They used both the red and blue to underline similarities.  

• Students read a text called Alaska: A Special Place, which describes different land features of Alaska as well as compares Northern and Southern Alaska regions and compares Alaska's seasons.  Students used a double-bubble map to compare these scientific concepts within a text.

• Our essential questions this week was What makes different parts of the world different?   Students read another text called Rain Forest by Nancy Smiler Levinson.  Within this text, the author compares a Tropical Rainforest and a Temperate Rainforest.  Using a similar double-bubble map, students describe the connections by comparing and contrasting the two habitats.  

• In writing, students learned about "Word Choice."  We read a fictional story called Pete's a Pizza by William Steig to notice the author's word choice (specifically the adjectives and adverbs).  Students then made their own paper pizzas and used "juicy" adjectives to create describing sentences.  ​​

In math...

• We wrapped up our polygon unit.  Students practiced drawing different polygons following criteria.  For example, students had to draw a five-sided polygon with two sides of the same length.  
• After a review of subtraction using a number line, students took the module 7 math assessment. This assessment measured understanding of subtraction using the number line, solving subtraction word problems also using the number line, and polygons.  
• This week students learned a new method of subtraction using base-ten blocks.  Students started off using actual blocks to model their thinking.  Then they learned how to draw base-ten blocks to show the process of subtraction.  
• Students are still working on the understanding of "regrouping" or "trading" 1 ten for 10 ones when there are not enough ones to subtract from.  For example, in the problem 54 - 28 = ?, students would need to regroup 1 ten for 10 ones, to show 54 as 4 tens and 14 ones.  Then, subtracting 2 tens and 8 ones becomes possible.  Check out this video https://learnzillion.com/lesson_plans/4979-subtract-numbers-within-100-using-base-ten-blocks/

In science...

• We kicked off our Changing Earth project based unit of study.  After watching some news clips on how erosion is effecting Hawaii's beaches, students wondered about how they can help.  They are starting to learn about the causes and effects of erosion and began their map study.  

Announcements & Reminders

• Teachers' Institute Day, no school for students 2/11
• Presidents' Day, no school 2/18
• Menu change 2/13 Cheeseburger for lunch