University of Houston Charter School: Trailblazer Weekly Plans
T 4/19
M 4/18
W 4/20
TH 4/21
Reading
Workshop
Writing
Workshop
WordStudy
Math
Social
Studies/
Science
Handwriting
Without
Tears
How to read
a chapter
The
Extraordinary How to
summarize a
Adventures
story
of Ordinary
Basil
A Closer
Look
book
Journal: What
have we learned
about reading
Chapter Books
Introduce:
Greek
Mythology
Reflections on
Letters
to Nature
Word Study
Greek &Latin
Roots
Web
Greek
and Latin
Roots
Word
Sorts
Word
Web
Compose
ThreeDimensional
Shapes
Using
Unit cubes
to build
rectangular
prism
Making
accurate
measurements
Story Word
Problem:
Which
operation?
Social
Studies:
Reflections on
Fictional Self
pieces,
Butterfly Cinquain,
Metamorphosis,
Diary of a Butterfly
Science:
Rock
Studies
Earth
Day
Hwt
Hwt
Hwt
Hwt
P.E.
P.E.
P.E.
P.E.
T, TH: P.E 12:30pm-1:00pm
Thursday: Art 10:20am-11:20 am
Storynory.com
Greek
Myths
What do you
already know
Reflect on
All your
writing
Using a
checklist
Evaluating our
writing using
rubrics
F 4/22
FUN
FRIDAYS
ACTIVITIES
Learning
Centers:
Math
games,
Computers,
Art:
Construction
Library,
Invention
Workshop
Cooks with
Books:
Make Irish
Soda Bread
.
Reading Workshop- This week we will wrap us our read aloud story, The Extraordinary
Adventures of Ordinary Basil. Students will summarize the story by pulling out the most
important events in the story. As we read the text, we have summarized each chapter.
Students have paid close attention to “the last line.” Each day, I challenge students to recall the
last line. This activity, although simple, let us me know who continues to listen intently and
who is in other words, “eating up the book!” As we wrap up our reading of this text, we will
celebrate by having a “Jeopardy like” game, which poses Team A with Team B to answer big
questions from the text. As students compete to get the most answers correct, we begin to see
how closely students pay attention to the particular details of the book.
Writing Workshop – Writing Reflections- We have been creating a wide range of writing
pieces, which reflect students understanding of how language is applied to writing in different
genres. We will use rubrics as we reflect on our writing. Students will self-evaluate their
writing as they “look back”. How well did I communicate my ideas? How did I use strong
vocabulary? How did I grab my reader’s attention? How did I organize my writing? How did I
use dialogue? How did I implement the conventions of print?
Word Study- Greek and Latin Roots- This week students will study Greek roots. Students will
explore the following roots:
Greek Roots and Meanings
hyper
more
hypo
less
phone
sound; speak
peri
around
exo
outside
cosmo
world
cyclos
circula; wheels
gon
having angles
octo
eight
hydro
water
Our spelling buddy list will include words that use these roots. As students learn roots, they
gain knowledge of the meaning of words. This enhances their reading comprehension, as well
as their independent writing.
Math – Geometry and Measurement- Students will continue to develop understanding of
geometry and measurement. Last week students created 2-d shapes and discuss
measurement, including shapes that have equal angles and sides. This week, we will apply
precise measurements, using rulers to help us determine perimeter, width and length.
Students are very interested in trying out the use of protractors after learning about angles.
We will explore this concept and share our discovery.
Social Studies- Earth Day- Students will discuss the significance of Earth Day. We will share
ways to keep our planet healthy. We will also explore the many ways people around the globe
celebrate this day. Students will then discuss ways to make each day an Earth Day celebration.
Science: Conservation- This week we will focus on the importance of conserving our natural
resources. Students are highly interested in the Animal Kingdom. How do scientists and
ecologists,work to create enviroments that help to perserve various species on the planet.
Students will explore agencies that help promote this cause. In our upcoming weeks, students
will begin studying animals , their classification, their habitats, their survival, their present
status. Each student will conduct independent research on their animal of choice.