We spent the first week of school getting to know a bit about each other and establishing routines.

Academically, we began reviewing word roots.  Knowing the meaning of these roots is a vocabulary strategy which packs a lot of punch.  For instance, by learning the root bio (life) we learn about the words biology, biography, antibiotics, biome, etc., which all contain the root and all have to do with life/living things.

By this Thursday, students will have all 5 pages needed to make their Roots Review Booklet.  Their job is to complete all the drawings and examples for the roots contained therein by Friday.  This book will remain in their ELA folders all year as a reference to help them with their Roots Scavenger Hunt, a challenge where they get paid hillbills for noticing words with roots in their SSR books.  The roots scavenger hunt encourages students to apply the word route strategy during their independent reading.