Here are the two in-depth explanations for our math and ELA curriculum.
Math Update: The Owl Friends will begin unit 6 by learning to organize, represent, and interpret data with two and three categories. In the example below, children sort apples and bananas and represent the data using circles. They ask and answer questions about the data and learn to express comparative statements completely.
Later in this unit, they will solve compare story problems using comparison bars. Two examples are given below.
While working on homework, ask your child to explain to you how to use comparison bars to solve these types of story problems. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!
ELA Update: The comprehension strategy of visualizing is also known as making mental images. Visualization is the creation of images in the mind as a student reads, processes, and recalls what has been read. Visualizing a picture or scene with words and phrases allows the reader to organize ideas, see relationships among ideas and make meaningful connections with them. Using visualization and discussing the pictures to check for understanding and discrepancies help a reader increase comprehension. Opportunities for students to discuss and share their visualizations of text will be our focus.
Visualiation helps students to:
*realize personal prior knowledge,
*check their mental images against text for discrepancies and detail to gain a more complete understanding,
*match language to the images and improve processing of ideas, and
*connect in meaningful ways to reading.
It is important that students continue making connections to activate prior knowledge well into this strategy of making mental images. I want all children to learn that everybody's mental images are different because everybody's schema for text is different!
**Another reminder we do not have school Friday (February 13) or Monday (February 16). I will see all my Owl Friends back here on Tuesday!
Have a great weekend!
