Blog Archives

Monday, January 30, 2017

1/27/2017

Happy last week of January! We're ready to kick off another big week in fifth grade!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we finished up our Hands-On Equations algebra unit. Students learned how to add pawns to each side of the equation to solve problems. We also practiced adding zero pairs when setting up problems to subtract values that aren’t present in the original equation. In addition, students learned how to solve (-x) problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Sadly, our novel study on The Liberation of Gabriel King came to an end last week. Students analyzed Terrance and Gabe’s characters and evaluated Frita’s fear list. We ranked Gabe’s adventures in order of most dangerous to least dangerous, and explored the theme of the novel. In addition, students examined the conflicts and resolutions within the story, and created their own "next chapters" with a partner.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our Response to Fiction unit continued last week. Students examined excerpts from The Liberation of Gabriel King and distinguished between emotions and traits. We also wrote about what sensory details show.

SCIENCE:
We continued to focus on Earth in Space last week during science. Students viewed one another's Shape of Earth videos (great job) and examined Earth's gravitational force. Students also created 2 and 3 dimensional models to support the claim that the gravitational force of the Earth pulls all objects towards its center.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will begin Unit 6: Using Data and Adding/Subtracting Fractions. This week we will focus on line plots, stem and leaf plots, and drawing conclusions from data.

READING WORKSHOP:
We will begin an exploration of the nonfiction text, Freedom Walkers. Students will practice using various comprehension strategies and explore new vocabulary terms. This week we will focus on visualizing, comparing and contrasting, and understanding pictures and captions.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students will continue moving through our Writing in Response to Fiction unit this week.

SCIENCE:
Our Earth in Space focus for the week will be on the daily pattern of the sun.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
**Fifth Grade coGAT testing will take place on 2/7, 2/8, and 2/9 from 9:15-10:15.**
Tuesday, 2/7............................................Individual Math Contest #2 (Lunch)
Thursday, 2/9..........................................Team Math Contest #2 (Lunch)
Monday, 2/13...............................................The Little Mermaid Auditions begin 8am!
Tuesday, 2/14...............................................Valentine's Day party (pm)
Monday, 2/20...........................................NO SCHOOL .Presidents' Day

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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

1/20/2017

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Wow...I cannot believe the end of January is almost here already! This year is flying by! Hoping that this will be the week that the sun will make an appearance!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
We're moving right along in our Hands-On Equations algebra unit. Students continued working with both Xs and *s. We examined the relationship between "X" and "star" (they're opposites), and learned how to remove a "zero pair" from the same side of the balance, as well as add a zero pair to solve equations.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our Liberation of Gabriel King unit continued last week!. Much of our focus was on making inferences and finding evidence from the text to support our opinions. Students spent time investigating the importance of "integrity" through an in depth look at the relationship between Jimmy Carter and the White Citizens Council. Additionally, students examined the vocabulary terms perseverance and oppression, and used text support to predict whether Mr. Evans said something kind or hurtful to Frita.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Last week we continued moving through our Response to Fiction unit. Students practiced writing about characters and identifying details that show character. We also practiced writing Response to Fiction revision assignments.

SCIENCE:
Our Earth in Space unit continued last week as we created models for the shape of Earth. Students answered reflective questions and used their evidence of Earth's shape to create a video explanation. We're looking forward to viewing our video creations later this week!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
This will be our final week of Algebra. Hands-On Equations will end on Friday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our exploration of Gabriel King will come to an end this week. We will take a final assessment on Friday.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Response to Fiction will continue this week as we explore emotions, traits, and dialogue.

SCIENCE:
Earth in Space will continue with an examination of Earth's gravitational force.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 1/24............................................................................................................Orbit Skate Night 6:30-9pm
Friday, 1/27...................................................................................................................Hands-On Equations Test (Anderle)

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Tuesday, January 17, 2017

1/11/2017

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Happy Tuesday! I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend! Things are moving right along in fifth grade and we’re having lots of fun!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we continued moving through our Hands-On Equations algebra unit. Students learned how to subtract X values in their equation set up. They also solved parentheses problems and used the pictorial system for solving algebraic equations.

READING:
Our The Liberation of Gabriel King unit continued last week with a heavy emphasis on literary elements. Students examined similies, metaphors, personification, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. We also explored important vocabulary terms critical to the time when this novel takes place, 1976. Students learned about segregation and integration, and what makes something justified. We also created our own lists of fears, just like Gabriel King!

15 DAY CHALLENGE:
Another week filled with amazing projects passed us by! Final presentations were given, reflections were made, and we said goodbye to a super engaging 20 days! The students are already asking when we can do our next 15 Day Challenge!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We began our second WEX unit of the year, Response to Fiction. Students practiced making observations and wrote about first impressions. We also practiced identifying showing details.

SCIENCE:
Our Earth in Space unit began last week! Students were given the task to find evidence to prove the shape of the Earth. While working with partners, we explored print and online resources (along with a few great videos), and took notes to document our learning! Stay tuned for this week, as we model Earth's shape and explore gravity.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
Algebra will continue this week as we learn all about zero pairs.

READING:
Our Liberation of Gabriel King unit will continue as we explore "integrity" and "justification."

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Response to Fiction will continue this week as we write about characters.

SCIENCE:
This week in Earth in Space we will study the earth's shape and gravitational force.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, 1/19...........................................................................................................................................STEAM Night 6-8pm
Monday, 1/23.............................................................................................................................................No School (Institute Day)
Tuesday, 1/24..................................................................................................................................Orbit Skate Night 6:30-9pm
Friday, 1/27..........................................................................................................................Hands-On Equations Test (Anderle)

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Monday, January 9, 2017

1/6/2017

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Happy Monday! We had a great week back and are ready for a busy second half of the school year!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we began our Hands-On Equations algebra program. Students were super excited about learning “legal” moves each day. So far we have been introduced to our blue pawn (x) and number cubes. Students learned how to keep our scale balanced, and remove equal amounts of pawns from both sides of an equation. They were also taught to subract the smaller number value from the larger number value, leaving number cubes on only one side of the equation.

READING:
Our whole class novel study/response to literature unit on The Liberation of Gabriel King also began last week! Students are extremely enthusiastic about the story of Gabriel King and his best friend Frita Wilson. Already we’ve had many mature and higher-level discussions as we’ve explored the ideas of liberation, integration, and justification. Students examined point of view, idioms, and character perspectives. We even researched the Bicentennial to provide background knowledge on the setting of the story.

15 DAY CHALLENGE:
It was quite an exciting week as we began to share projects with the class! It is truly amazing to witness the excitement, creativity, and passion for this 15 Day Challenge! Last week we learned how to make dream catchers, and were taught both French and Polish. We also got to see 15 different cities located throughout the world, along with countries beginning with every letter of the alphabet from A-Z! We learned how much work it takes to create a comic strip, and the challenge involved in making duct tape art products. Even the arts were represented in our challenge....we saw a website created to display a student's amazing photography talents, and we also learned how to use different art styles to draw faces! What a week!

SCIENCE:
Human Body in Motion continued as our special LMC project began. Students worked with Mrs. Melamed and Ms. Mak to discover physical limitations some students might face as a result from a disease or disorder that require adaptations to make their learning environments more successful. We're all very excited to explore this topic more in depth, and design our own solutions!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will continue moving along in our Hands-On Equations algebra unit. Students will learn several new "legal moves" this week.

READING:
Our "Gabe King" novel study will continue this week. We will focus on elements of a story, character analysis, literary elements, and point of view.

15 DAY CHALLENGE:
We will finish sharing the remaining projects and then begin our second WEX unit of the year, Response to Fiction.

SCIENCE:
We're shifting gears this week (we'll still continue working on our Human Body in Motion LMC project) and are beginning to take a look at our next science unit, Earth in Space. Our focus this week will be on modeling Earth's shape, and Earth's gravity.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 1/11....................................................................................................................Reading MAP Test (1;15pm)
Monday, 1/16............................................................................................................................No School (MLK,Jr. Day)
Monday, 1/23...........................................................................................................................No School (Institute Day)

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