Blog Archives

Monday, April 3, 2017

3/24/2017

Welcome back! Happy April! I hope you had a wonderful spring break with your families, and enjoyed a restful vacation. Due to our absence last week, this week’s ANDERLE ADVENTURES will only contain our highlights for the week. Look for a regular edition of the ANDERLE ADVENTURES next week!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
This week in math we will begin Unit 8, Fractions and Ratios. Students will compare fractions, review adding and subtracting mixed numbers, and examine fractions of fractions.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our next Schoolwide unit will begin this week, Poetry! Students will record what they notice about poetry, pay attention to the sounds of poetry, and visualize and determine the big ideas of poetry.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will begin our final WEX unit of the year, Writing Short Fiction. Students will use observations to create a believable character and put their character into a mundane situation.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our Pioneers simulation will continue this week as students face trail decisions and frontier fates, and compose diary entries along the trail!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 4/4....................................................Individual Math Contest #3 (Lunch)
Illinois Science Assessment 1:15pm
Thursday, 4/6..................................................Team Math Contest #3 (Lunch)

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Monday, March 20, 2017

3/18/2017

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Happy Spring!!! It's hard to believe that our week of spring break is already upon us! I am looking forward to meeting with many of you later this week!
Thank you to those who have already completed my Spring Conference Questionnaire. Please use this link to complete the survey if you haven't already done so:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFSYij39zOhztMXk32z5ae5IWOIQzX_38MXviEt2EL2kKy_w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Wishing you all a wonderful and relaxing spring break!!!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we finished up Unit 7. Students practiced adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers, and created line plots and line graphs. We also began reviewing the major concepts from the unit in preparation for tomorrow's test.

READING WORKSHOP:
Most of our reading time last week was taken up by PARCC Testing. Luckily, we were still able to squeeze in two days of literature circle groups. Students met with their groups and planned out roles and responsibilities for the next 5 reading sessions. It was great to see such engagement in both sessions; students actively responding to their reading, completing role activities, and engaging in meaningful and higher level conversations with each other!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Last week during writing students met with partners to give peer feedback on their Harris Burdick Mysteries. We made final edits on our stories, and self-assessed our progress using our class-created rubric. Final publications will be made this week, and students will share their work on Thursday!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our Westward Expansion unit continued last week with the planning of our interactive dramatizations of the Diverse People of the West. Students are doing an amazing job with this group assignment! A tremendous amount of thought, creativity, and organization is going into these presentations focusing on the lives of people living in or emigrating to the West. We're all looking forward to participating in the dramatizations later this week!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
Our Unit 7 test will take place on Tuesday. We will complete a Unit 8 pretest and spend the rest of the week reviewing various math concepts from past units.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our Holes literature circles unit will come to an end this week.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will celebrate our Harris Burdick Mystery publications with an Authors' Party on Thursday!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Students will finish up their interactive dramatizations and present on the Diverse People of the West!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 3/21............................................................................................................Unit 7 Math Test (Anderle)
Thursday, 3/23......................................................................................................Conferences 5pm-7:45pm
Friday, 3/24..............................................................................................................Conference 8:15am-11:45am
*****************************SPRING BREAK**********************************
Monday, 4/3................................................................................................................Classes Resume

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Monday, March 13, 2017

3/13/2017

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Another fun-filled week of fifth grade has passed us by. Our class did an amazing job last week with our PARCC Testing! Thank you for all of your cooperation!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Our math time last week was spent taking the PARCC Tests, with the exception of Monday. On Monday, students practiced using and comparing negative numbers.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our novel study of Holes continued last week with a focus on literature circle roles, and preparing for discussions. Students practiced developing questions as they read each section of the novel, noticing and responding critically to the text. We examined our future lit circle roles of Discussion Director, Illustrator, Passage Master, Summarizer, Connector, and Vocabulary Wizard and practiced using each one throughout the week. Finally, our practice of conducting strong discussions continued with a little help from Ms. Mak. Our class divided into two groups (one led by Ms. Mak and one led by myself) and held a fishbowl discussion. At the conclusion of our fishbowls, we brought the class back together and reflected on our strengths and weaknesses as discussers of literature.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Much of our writing time was taken up by PARCC Testing, but we did manage to squeeze in a few minutes of editing and revising our Harris Burdick Mysteries.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our Westward Expansion unit began as we explored Manifest Destiny and the many land acquisitions of the United States. Students worked in groups to examine the Louisiana Purchase, the expedition of Lewis and Clark, the Florida Acquisition, Texas Annexation, the Acquisition of Oregon Country, the Mexican Cessions and the Gadsden Purchase. At the end of the week, each group presented its findings to the class through exciting presentations on their research.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We're happy to be back in math class this week! Students will continue moving through Unit 7, with a focus on positive and negative numbers. Our final test will be on Tuesday, March 21st.

READING WORKSHOP:
PARCC Testing will take up the beginning of our week's reading time, but we'll end the week with our Holes literature circles!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will wrap-up our Harris Burdick Mysteries this week as we publish and share our work!

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Westward Expansion will continue this week as we examine the Diverse People of the West!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
3/13, 3/14, 3/15.............................................................................PARCC TESTING (PM)
Tuesday, 3/21...............................................................................Unit 7 Math Test (Anderle)
Thursday, 3/23.........................................................................Conferences (PM/EVENING ONLY)
SPRING BREAK BEGINS
Friday, 3/24.................................................................................Conferences (AM ONLY)
Monday, 4/3..................................................................................Classes Resume

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March 6th, 2017

3/6/2017

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Happy March! We are gearing up for our 7 PARCC Tests that begin tomorrow! Please let me know if you have any questions about our schedule, gum chewing, or the need for headphones.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Unit 7. Students solved parentheses number stories and practiced using the order of operations. We also examined data sets and created line graphs.

READING WORKSHOP:
Reading last week focused on our novel study of HOLES. In preparation for our upcoming Literature Circle discussion groups, students focused on social interactions. As a class, students created discussion norms to be used during any literature discussion, big or small! We then used our list of discussion criteria to converse in a variety of settings. Next, students practiced elaborating their thoughts and staying on topic during discussions. Finally, we learned how to be active listeners, both during reading sessions and discussions. Students took notes and organized their thoughts to thoroughly prepare for group conversations. What a difference a little practice makes!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers’ workshop time was spent drafting and editing our Harris Burdick Mystery stories. Students are having a wonderful time creating these exciting mysteries!

SCIENCE:
Our Earth in Space unit concluded last week. Students examined why stars and constellations rise and set each night, along with why you can't see stars at night. We also explored Earth's orbit and stars, and several star patterns!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
This week's math time will be filled with PARCC Testing, with the exception of today's math lesson. This morning students practiced using negative numbers.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our novel study of Holes will continue this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This morning we created a rubric for our Harris Burdick Mystery stories! Students will spend the remainder of the week moving through the writing process, revising and editing their stories.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our Westward Expansion unit will begin this week! Students will be learning all about Manifest Destiny and Settling the West!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 3/7................................................................................PARCC TESTING BEGINS!
Band Concert @7pm
Friday, 3/10.....................................................................................Report Cards Sent Home
Thursday, 3/23.........................................................................Conferences (PM/EVENING ONLY)
SPRING BREAK BEGINS
Friday, 3/24.................................................................................Conferences (AM ONLY)
Monday, 4/3..................................................................................Classes Resume

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Monday, April 3, 2017

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Monday, March 13, 2017

March 6th, 2017

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Monday, March 20, 2017