What's+Happening+in+Room+09+in+September?

= What's Happening in Room 09 in September? = =Hi, welcome to the Room 09 blog. On the 1st of each month, I will post some information about the upcoming month. I will be doing a brief curriculum overview, a list of upcoming events, as well as, specifics about projects and homework.=

= **Curriculum** = **Math** =Math instruction is all about multiplication from Day 1. The first unit is //Arrays, Factors, and Multiples//. The name says it all. We will be doing a number of lessons that help students visualize multiplication as rows and columns. They will learn to factor and generate multiples. They will know the difference.= Students need to brush up on their facts as it is most CERTAINLY an expectation that they have rapid recall by January. I will be testing on 10's, 5’s, 2’s, and 4’s before month’s end. Rapid Recall. We also will be studying //Linear// // measurement //in September, as well as, cementing //Place Value// concepts.

**Reading** We have a new reading program this year - //Good Habits, Great Readers.// The first theme is Journeys.

**Writing** ﻿ We start out with small pieces but by month’s end all will have composed a three paragraph piece of memoir. The entire first semester is about developing a writer’s eye, organization, and fluency.

Science Seeds is our first science unit. We will be learning all about fruits, pollination, etc. Just short of the birds and the bees. In the plant world. :)

**Special Projects** I am working to have students use some Web 2.0 tools. We will use Google Docs for our first whole class slideshow – Summering 2010. Then, I think two students will be using Glogster to make a multimedia poster about apples when the others do their fruit display boards. An opportunity for everyone to learn about composition, color, etc.

Every month I am going to choose an INNOVATOR for us to study. For September it is Andy Warhol. He’s perfect for a number of reasons. He started an art movement (pop art). His art work often contained simple objects or portraits arranged in ARRAYS (math connection). He used a lot of primary colors and was a photographer. Also, prints of three of his ice cream cone paintings are on the walls at Mora :).

**Special Events**

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT Sept. 12, 6:30 – 7:30. Please, please come. Year after year, students whose parents do not attend make a difficult transition. This year I really have many new things to share.

**Bugscope**. The University of Illinois has a scanning electron microscope that has an interface that will allow the class to look at some insect samples we send them a few days before. Check it out.

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