The First Americans

So lately we've been talking a lot about Beringia (the Land Bridge) and the first Americans.  To re-cap, according to the Land Bridge Theory (which is just a theory and isn't proven by science), large glaciers formed during the Ice Age.  These glaciers drew the water out of the ocean and lowered the oceanic water level.  This caused a strip of land to be exposed, connecting northern Asia to North America (in what is now Alaska).  During this time, tribes of people were hunting mammoths and mastodon for food.  The animals crossed this exposed strip of land from Asia into North America and so the hunters crossed as well.  Remember..."the food migrates; I migrate; the food migrates; I migrate."  Eventually, the Ice Age came to an end (and we're talking over a span of tens of thousands of years).  The glaciers melted.  The water returned to the ocean, causing the oceanic water levels to rise.  The strip of land connecting North America and Asia was covered with water.  It is now known as the Bering Strait. 

If your parent(s) will allow it, please check out this video to review the Land Bridge Theory.  Be nice!  Don't laugh at the guy and his goofy "Hellllloooooo" at the beginning of the clip.  Cut the guy some slack.  He's just trying to get you excited about Social Studies. He doesn't know that I've already gotten you SUPER EXCITED about Social Studies!!!  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3kiGXYfg78

We will continue to discuss the major Native American groups that developed in North America.  Groups will include the Eastern Woodland Tribes, the Plains Tribes, the Southwest Tribes, the Great Basin Tribes, and the Northwest Coast Tribes.

Want to earn some EXTRA CREDIT and show your new teacher that you are really on the ball?  Research one of the Native American groups listed above and create a poster to present to the class.  The poster should include information about their resources and how they used the environment to meet their needs; their religious practices or beliefs; their homes; and their food (hunter-gatherer?  farming?  hunting?  fishing?---basically, how are these people eating?).  This will count for extra Social Studies credit. 

See you in the four-o-four!  :)

Now the we know each other...

We've made it through the first week.  I hope you guys had as much fun as I did.  I especially enjoyed your center skits, making the reading strategy posters, and discussing the Land Bridge Theory with you.  Hopefully the play-dough model of Beringia was helpful and created a meaningful image in your mind of the Land Bridge.  What did you enjoy about this week?

Looking ahead:
AAP ELA: We will be reading The Toothpaste Millionaire.  This text will provide opportunities for us to discuss main idea and supporting details, point of view, and figurative language.  Additionally, we will focus on expository writing in the coming weeks.  I will emphasize the use of a graphic organizer to plan and using facts to support your main idea.

ELA: Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on weather.  This unit will provide opportunities to discuss many aspects of literacy.  Initially though, we will focus on main idea/supporting details and text features.  We will also focus on expository writing in the coming weeks.  Using a graphic organizer will help you to plan and format a well written expository piece. 

***Both ELA classes will be given spelling words every week.  These words will focus on common spelling patterns and will be helpful in both reading and writing.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Last week we discussed the Land Bridge Theory, which explains one possible way that people may have first come to live in North and South America.  Over the next few weeks we will explore the main Native American groups that inhabited North America. 

***HOMEWORK***
Homework will be assigned daily Monday through Thursday.  Homework should be completed at home and returned the following morning when you enter the classroom.  Homework is IMPORTANT.  It is important for you to practice the skills and concepts that you learn at school every day.  Practice makes better!  I want you to be successful in all that you do and practice is an essential piece of success.  With that in mind, if you are unable to complete this vital practice at home or, for some other reason, unable to turn in your homework, I will provide you and opportunity to do it at recess time.

Kicking Off 2013-2014

Welcome Back to School!!!

Who's ready for BACK TO SCHOOL?!?  With less than a week to go now, I am practically popping with excitement!  I hope you are, too (I'm looking at you, FHES Eagles).  The past few weeks have been jammed packed with classroom decorating, meetings, and shopping for all of the things I'll use to make this year a HUGE success!!! 

To start your year off right, be sure to come to school ON TIME with all of the supplies listed on the school supply list, a positive attitude, an adventurous spirit, and your brain (don't forget that...it's important). 

I'm looking forward to seeing you all on the 29th.