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Monday, october 31, 2016

10/28/2016

Happy Halloween! I would like to take a moment to thank you all (and your amazing children) for your continued support over these last few weeks. I cannot even begin to express how lucky I am to be your children's teacher this year. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we finished up Unit 3. Students explored angles of polygons and solved geometry template problems. We reviewed the major concepts from the unit, and students took their final test on Thursday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of Nonfiction continued last week! Students learned that readers of nonfiction must be able to distinguish between ordinate and subordinate information, and practiced identifying the main idea and supporting details within selected text. We also learned that readers of nonfiction understand that facts and information are organized in different structures. Students used text clues to identify the problem and solution text structure, cause and effect text structure, and chronological text structure.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students continued to move through the writing process last week, revising and editing their personal narrative essays. We experimented with lead sentences and formulated paragraphs. We are looking forward to meeting with our writing partners this week as we finish up our essays.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
In addition to beginning an exciting "Law Making" activity in the LMC, last week our class began exploring the Election process! We will continue working through both of these activities this week!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will begin Unit 4, Division. Students will learn a mental division strategy, and practice dividing whole and decimal numbers. We will also examine distances on a map.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of nonfiction will continue this week! Students will sift through literary nonfiction, build vocabulary, and grow their thinking.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students will meet with writing partners this week to give feedback on our personal narrative drafts. We will also create a rubric for our essays and complete our final drafts. We're hoping to have our Authors' Party on Thursday!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the Election will continue this week!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, 10/31..................................................................................................Halloween Parade & Party (PM)
Tuesday, 11/8.....................................................................................................No School (Institute Day)
Friday, 11/11.............................................................................................................Happy Veterans' Day

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

10/7/2016

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Welcome back after the long weekend! I hope you were all able to enjoy yourselves!! We had another great week together in fifth grade!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we finished up Unit 2. Students reviewed the major concepts from the unit and took their final test on Wednesday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of Nonfiction began last week! Students examined the significance of nonfiction and how the genre is different from fiction. We learned about the different types of nonfiction and the unique elements within various texts. Students also examined the textual features of reference nonfiction, and used them to locate and sort information. We explored different text structures to comprehend multiple nonfiction texts, and practiced asking ourselves questions before, during, and after reading. Students asked these questions to activate prior knowledge, build understanding, and monitor comprehension.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
WEX last week focused on using strong verbs. Students practiced using strong verbs in dialogue, and wrote their own revision assignments.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the American Revolution continued last week! Students examined the fight for freedom as we further explored the arguments in support of Loyalists, Patriots, and Neutralists. They were asked to choose a side of the war (at this point in time) and defend their decision. Next, we took an in depth look at the Declaration of Independence. Students examined the purpose of the Second Continental Congress, as well as the impact of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense booklet. We also explored the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence, and interpreted the five excerpts for further understanding.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will begin Unit 3, Geometry Explorations and The American Tour. Students will examine angles and American Tour data.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our read aloud topics for the week are:
How we read nonfiction, unlocking unfamiliar vocabulary, determining author's purpose, and identifying the main idea.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in WEX students will practice varying sentence structure, show sequence by connecting ideas in time, and show cause and effect.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the American Revolution will come to an end this week as we examine the key battles and the Treaty of Paris. Students will also participate in a re-enactment of The Battle of Bunker Hill. Our final American Revolution assessment will take place on Friday.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, 10/14......................................................................................................................................American Revolution Assessment
Pumpkin Patch
Tuesday, 10/18................................................................................................................................Courthouse Field Trip (am)

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Monday, October 3, 2016

10/2/2016

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Happy October! We're looking forward to our second month of school together!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we finished up Unit 2. Students learned how to make magnitude estimates, and practiced multiplying whole and decimal numbers. We also compared millions, billions, and trillions, and began reviewing for this week's test.

READING WORKSHOP:
We were super busy last week during our workshop! Students learned that readers of fiction pay attention to story elements to monitor understanding and help build the world of the story. We also examined and analyzed characters, and compared and contrasted characters to develop a deeper understanding of the text. Finally, students reflected on their notes and reading logs to gain insight into their habits and behaviors as readers. We reflected on our reading logs to better understand our stamina and pacing, and examined the circumstances that best support our reading.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
During WEX last week we focused on using showing details. Students replaced telling sentences with showing sentences, and practiced showing the subject and the setting.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our American Revolution research projects came to a close last week (almost) with the last of the students sharing their amazing presentations!

The remaining social science time last week focused on the rising tension in the colonies and the causes of the American Revolution. As a class, we spent time further examining the French & Indian War, The Proclamation of 1763, various acts (Stamp, Sugar, Tea, etc.), and of course the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. Colonists worked with their taverns to compose letters to King George III voicing their opinions, and discovered what "The Shot Heard Round the World" refers to as we examined the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On Thursday our class participated in a fun-filled simulation where they could see the colonists’ perspective of No Taxation Without Representation first hand. Students earned Shillings and were then “taxed” for use of various everyday school items. Seeing King Clare take 40% of their candy, along with Parliament’s 50% just outraged our class! Of course everyone received equal amounts after the activity. Finally, on Friday, our class worked together in six teams to solve a BreakoutEdu activity based on the causes of the American Revolution. We haven't quite "broken in" yet, but we're hoping to this morning! Stay tuned...

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will review the major concepts from the unit and take our final test on Wednesday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our next Schoolwide unit, Nonfiction, will begin this week with our Interactive Read Aloud lessons.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX time for the week will focus on using strong verbs.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the American Revolution will continue this week as we examine the fight for freedom and the Declaration of Independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 10/5................................................................................................Unit 2 Math Test (Anderle)
Thursday, 10/6......................................................................................................Historical Re-Enactment Field Trip (pm)
Friday, 10/7...............................................................................................................No School (SIP DAY)
Monday, 10/10...........................................................................................................No School (Columbus Day)

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Monday, october 31, 2016﻿

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