Week of October 8, 2012

Language Arts
In Language Arts this week, we finished learning about "character" in literature; the five ways an author introduces a character to the reader and the two main types of character we find in literature.
How do we get to know characters?

• dialogue
• thoughts
• description
• actions
• others' thoughts about character

What are the two main types of character?

• protagonist:  main character or "good guy" 
• antagonist: "bad guy" or person against protagonist

We reviewed adjectives (words that describe or modify a person, place, thing, or idea [nouns]) and created a word list of adjectives that describe protagonists and antagonists in our Writer's Notebooks. 

Students completed a "Character Bookmark" on which they recorded their reading for the week, and identified and answered questions about the protagonist and antagonist in their independent novel.

Additionally, we have been studying the parts of a sentence -- nouns and subjects to this point.  Students were given a "noun packet" to assess their knowledge of nouns (common and proper, concrete and abstract, collective and compound).  Next week, students will work on a "subject packet" and further study the difference between simple and complete subjects. We will continue to work on parts of a sentence and a unit assessment will be given. 

Vocabulary and Spelling words:  "sect" = to cut
bisect (v) - to cut into two pieces
dissect (v) - to cut apart for the purpose of investigation
insect (n) - a class of small arthropod animals that has three separate sections to their bodies: head, thorax, and abdomen
intersection (n) - the point at which two lines or roads meet and cut across each other
section (n) - a separate part of something
sectional (n) - a couch that is made up of separate pieces
sector (n) - a separate part of a society, group, or area
transect (v) - to cut across something
trisect (v) to cut into three separate pieces
vivisection (n) - surgery on living animals; medical research that involves cutting into living animals to study organs, tissues, or disease

Reminder:  If students do not pass the vocabulary or spelling test with 70% or better, they are encouraged to see me for additional practice and to schedule a retake after school to improve their understanding and score. Students have two weeks to reassess.

Social Studies
In Social Studies this week, we did a bit more work with longitude and latitude and becoming more proficient in coordinate mapping skills.  A mapping assessment was given and scores posted on Edline.  Students not scoring 70% or better are encouraged to schedule a time after school with me to review mapping concepts and reassess.  We will be using mapping knowledge in future Social Studies units as the school year progresses, so it's important for students to be proficient in this area.