Important Dates
May 16, 6:30 pm, 3rd-5th Musical
May 17-19, Indiana Dunes Outdoor Education trip
*Follow the Gecko class on twitter @geckoknights!
Assignments
Reading: Read and take notes for the American Revolution research project. 50 notes (minimum) by May 9.
Keep reading and writing literary responses! You should do a literary response as soon as you finish a book. Don’t wait for a due date. All students should have a minimum of 15.
Writing: Color-code and organize notes for Americian Revolution research project (also listed in Reading)
Spelling: Next spelling test is May 26. Word Hunt due May 24.
Geography: Next map quiz is May 12.
Social Studies: No homework working in class on debate
Global Kind Project
The Global Kind Project is a month-long event sponsored by the Educator Collaborative. Each week focuses on a different aspect of kindness. This first week was kindness in words. The Geckos started kindness journals where they record acts of kindness that they do, as well as kind things other do for them, and quotes about kindness. In character education, both classes watched a short video, Take a Seat, in which strangers meet and chat in a ball pit (http://bit.ly/2p1z9sG). After watching the video, the 4th graders met in pairs to interview each other. Everyone enjoyed the experience of sharing a little about themselves and learning about someone else. We have also connected with several classes in other states doing the Global Kind Project. We have tweeted and added to a padlet. If you are on twitter, you can follow the project with the hashtag #GKP17. 
Social Studies
This week the students learned about the writing of the Declaration of Independence. First, they brainstormed in small groups about what the colonists would need to include in a declaration of independence. We discussed what the writers actually included, as well as who wrote it, and how much it was revised. We watched two scenes from the musical 1776 to give students an idea of the opposition to the Declaration and how much it was changed. We are now working on the second debate, which is whether or not the colonies should declare independence.
In geography the Geckos have been examining a satellite photo of North America taken at night to look for patterns of population, transportation, and to think about why people live where they do.
The Geckos visitied the 5th graders Pioneer Village on Friday. We enjoyed talking with the “pioneers” about their jobs. It was a beautiful day to be out on the West Campus!
Math
Students took the Unit 9 test on Wednesday and we began Unit 10, Using Data, Algebra Concepts and Skills, on Thursday. We have been using the idea of a pan balance scale to solve pre-algebra problems. Students have learned that they need to take away the same volue from both sides of the scale in order to solve the problems. Next week we will move into algebraic expressions.
Language Arts
The research project focusing on some aspect of the American Revolution is moving into the organization stage. Students should have at least 50 notes by Tuesday unless we have discussed an alternative. They will all color code their notes according to the section of the report the information belongs in, and will soon be cutting the notes apart and sorting them.
On Thursday the 4th graders go to meet and chap with visiting author Elizabeth Wein. She writes historical fiction set in the 1930s and 40s for young adults. A few of her novels are also appropriate for middle grades. I purchased one and will be previewing it before putting it in the class library. 