In 1492, Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue

The Voyage of Christopher Columbus

The unit we are studying from October through December is the Voyage of Columbus. In order to launch this unit the students recorded a fact they remember learning about Columbus on a post it note.  The post- it notes were then put onto what is called a KWL chart and the categories are: what do you know, what do you want to know, and what have you learned. This chart is filled in through out our unit. After students posted what they already knew we read a book all about Christopher Columbus.

Each of the students received a map of Columbus’ journey and their task was to draw the map of the world so that they could become familiar with the seven continents and their locations on a map. Following that activity they have to work together to construct a poster size map of Columbus’ journey.

The essential questions that we will be exploring throughout the unit are:

•       Why did people in the time of Columbus journey to new places?
•       What were there journeys like?
•       What technologies did Columbus and his men use to help them throughout their journey?
•       How did Columbus and his men integrate into the new places they came to?
•       What challenges or conflicts did they face?
•       What impact did their arrival have on those previously there?
•       What are the different perspectives on this impact?

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United States Geography

Where have you been?

Our first unit was on the geography of the United States. The Students received a map of the United States and identified all of the states they have been to. Then they chose one state where they took a trip/ vacation too and thought of all the activities they did there.  Each of them received an enlarged version of the state and drew and labeled all of the things they did while in the particular state.  The states the students chose were: New Jersey, Rhode Island, California, Florida and New York.  The end product of this unit was a brochure they each created for their states. In the brochure they wrote about attractions, fun facts, shape of the state and state flag.

Social Studies

American Journeys

Our Social Studies curriculum for the year is all about American Journeys and during each unit we will be studying various explorations that will help guide students to answer key essential questions that go along with each individual unit.

Math Jeopardy

What is...

In an effort to spice things up, we have been preparing for our math tests using a Jeopardy style game.  The students really seem to enjoy it and everyone gets a chance to choose a category and a question.  All of the students have an opportunity to answer the question on their own white boards.

Lets TAG our Writing

During this mini lesson we learned about Tagging our writing, which is a specific way for the students to talk about their writing with their writing partner. Each letter in the word TAG stands for a different part of the sharing their writing. The students really enjoyed this because it was an easy way for them to break down exactly how they should be talking with their writing partner. The way it works is one partner reads their writing aloud for their partner, while the other partner listens so that they can give specific feedback. Then they switch roles. Below is what TAG stands for:

Tell: tell something specific you enjoyed from your partners writing

Ask: Ask your partner questions to help clarify their writing

Give Suggestions: give your partner helpful suggestions to help them improve their writing

Shabbos party parashas Lech Lecha

Rosh Chodesh Program