What’s Up At School

This page is for writers who may be looking for ideas for subjects that tie in with curriculum. I’ll provide a weekly update of what topics my kids are studying at school here in Houston, Texas.

JANUARY
Brandon – First Grade
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS: The class is beginning an author study on Jan Brett. The kids will be working on re-telling her stories and what elements make up a good story. The class is reading The Snowy Day. First grade is focusing on comprehension. One method they use is re-telling a story. Ask your child to re-tell you a story–you’ll be amazed at their version! The class will learn about Martin Luther King Jr.
SCIENCE: Starting the second big science unit of the year, soils. The class will explore different types of soils and its properties. Each student will have a soils folder where all of their work and discoveries will be kept. Students are investigating sand, clay, and humus.
SOCIAL STUDIES: The students will be learning about American symbols and their importance. Each student will make an American symbol riddle booklet. They are learning about maps and how to give and follow directions using them.

Jason – Fifth Grade
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS: The students will be learning and writing expository memoirs. (YIKES!)
SOCIAL STUDIES: The class is studying three prominent Loyalists (Thomas Hutchinson, Jonathan Boucher and John Murray) and three prominent Patriots (Ben Franklin, Mercy Otis Warren and Samuel Adams) during the Revolutionary War Era. The students will take part in a debate using the view points of both sides (read our review on the book George vs George).
SCIENCE: Students are learning about the concepts of weathering, erosion and deposition. The class is doing a landform project and will prepare a model, book, or Powerpoint presentation on the landform of their choice.
NOTE: The children are preparing for Texas’ standardized tests. 5th graders took “practice” tests on the subjects of math and reading. This is always a stressful time for kids and teachers!