Blog Archives

Monday, November 28, 2016

11/21/2016

Welcome back and Happy (almost) December! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. I enjoyed meeting with each of you during conferences!!! Thank you so much for your time! Due to last week's absence, this week's Anderle Adventures blog post will only contain highlights for the week. Look for a regular edition of the Anderle Adventures next week! :)

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will begin Unit 5: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents, this week in math. Students will examine mixed numbers and equivalent fractions. We will also compare and order fractions.
READING WORKSHOP:
Students will continue to explore nonfiction, and we will be using Notice & Note: Stances, Signposts, and Strategies over the next few weeks. This week will focus on the importance of "stance," and we'll begin our exploration of several nonfiction signposts.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING:
We're in the middle of a WEX transition, so why not begin Personalized Learning! This week, students will begin our 15 Day Challenge: What Have You Always Wanted to Learn or Master...(In 15 days)?
SCIENCE:
Our Human Body in Motion unit will continue this week! Students will design and create moveable limbs, and examine reflexes and reactions.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, 11/28...........................................................................................................Rep. Jan Shakowsky Visits 5th Grade
Tuesday, 11/29........................................................................................................Individual Math Contest (12:10)
Thursday, 12/1........................................................................................................Team Math Contest (12:10)

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Monday, November 14, 2016

11/12/2016

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It’s hard to believe that conferences and Thanksgiving are next week! I hope you all enjoy a wonderful holiday with your families! See you next week!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math, we finished up Unit 4. Students practiced dividing whole and decimal numbers. We also learned how to solve open sentence division problems and interpreted remainders.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of Nonfiction concluded last week with a summative assessment on Monday. Students also learned the first two literary signposts from Notice & Note Strategies for Close Reading. We used the text "Thank You, Ma'm" to examine Contrasts and Contradictions; when you're reading and a character says or does something that contradicts what he has been saying or doing all along. We learned to ask ourselves the question, "Why is the character doing that?" to help make a prediction or inference about the plot and conflict. Next, students were also introduced to Aha Moments. Using an excerpt from Crash, by Jerry Spinelli, students found and analyzed Aha Moments; when you're reading and suddenly a character realizes, understands, or finally figures something out. We practiced answering the question, "How might this change things?" Answering this question helped us realize that if the character figured out a problem, we probably just learned about the conflict; or, if the character understood a life lesson, we probably just learned the theme.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP (Word Study & Grammar):
What a great week in Language Arts! It felt wonderful to finally begin our Word Study groups and our grammar program. I am sure you all are familiar with our Word Study program, Words Their Way, at this point in your child's Patton career. However, our grammar program is new to fifth grade (as of last year). You might remember that I mentioned on Parent Night that students will be using this same program next year at Thomas Middle School. Here is an excerpt from the Daily Grammar Practice website that explains a bit about the idea behind the program:
Daily Grammar Practice is a unique, highly successful, research-based approach to helping students understand, apply, and actually remember grammar concepts. The program is thorough and effective. Daily Grammar Practice is not "fluffy," and it's not a "quick fix." It is a simple, logical process that actually moves grammar concepts to long-term memory so that students can apply the concepts to their writing.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
We concluded our study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights last week in social science. Students examined the first ten amendments to the Constitution, how they were established, and the important rights they still protect.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
This week in math we will finish up Unit 4. Students will take their final test on Tuesday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our Notice & Note study will continue this week as students learn the final four reading signposts:
Tough Questions
Words of the Wiser
Again and Again
Memory Moment

SCIENCE:
Our first science unit of the year, Human Body in Motion, will begin this week! Students will examine how the skeletal and muscular systems work together to move our bodies.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 11/16...................................................................................................UNIT 4 MATH TEST (Anderle)
Individual Math Contest Practice (12:10)
Wednesday, 11/17........................................................................................Team Math Contest Practice (12:10)
**This is a change...original date was 11/18.**
Friday, 11/18........................................................................................................Report Cards Sent Home
Monday, 11/21.....................................................................................................Conferences 8:15am-7:45pm
Tuesday, 11/22................................................................................................Conferences 8:15am-12:00pm
Wednesday, 11/23-Friday, 11/25..............................................NO SCHOOL
Monday, 11/28..................................................................................................Classes Resume

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Monday, November 7, 2016

11/6/2016

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Happy November (how is it November already???) Thank you so much to our amazing Room Moms, Samantha Koller and Ewa Sacharko, for their hard work in planning our outstanding Halloween party on Monday! Thank you, also, to all of our wonderful parent volunteers who helped out in the afternoon as well! We are grateful for each of you!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we began Unit 4, Division. Students reviewed division vocabulary and practiced dividing with one and two-digit divisors. We also examined map scales and practiced finding distances on maps.

READING WORKSHOP:
We wrapped up the last of our Nonfiction mini lessons last week. Students learned that when reading literary nonfiction, readers enjoy a well-crafted story and learn about the topic and subject. With this in mind, we practiced extracting factual information from stories. Next, we learned that readers of nonfiction need to build their academic and content-specific vocabulary. Students used a variety of strategies to determine the meanings of unknown words. Finally, we learned that readers of nonfiction monitor for understanding and use fix-up strategies to clear up confusion. Students focused on identifying their own confusion and practiced using fix-up strategies to repair comprehension.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
WEX last week was filled with busy writers! We began the week by designing our very own rubric to use in scoring our personal narratives. Students also met with writing partners to elicit feedback on their work. We spent the remainder of the week editing, revising, and publishing our narratives. Students used our rubric to self-assess their essays, and we shared our personal narratives with the class!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Last week during social studies we continued to discuss the election process. Students learned about the issues facing the Republican and Democratic candidates, and researched a little about the vice-presidential nominees. We also explored the purpose of election polls, and practiced taking our own poll on the top quality necessary for our next president. Finally, students learned about what Election Day will look like across the country, along with what voters should expect at their polling places.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will continue moving through Unit 4. Students will practice dividing whole and decimal numbers, and learn how to interpret remainders.

READING WORKSHOP:
Alas we are ready to begin (finally) our Notice & Note study! This week students will be introduced to two reading signposts: Contrasts and Contradictions and Aha Moments.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will be taking a short hiatus from WEX, now that our personal narratives have been completed. This week we will use this time to focus on Word Study and Grammar!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the Bill of Rights will begin this week!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 11/8.........................................................................................................NO SCHOOL (Institute Day)
Thursday, 11/10....................................................................................................Ninja Warrior Day
(This day has been designed and carried out by our
class as a reward for meeting their first "ribbon" goal!)
Friday, 11/11..................................................................................................................Veterans' Day
Tuesday, 11/16..................................................................................................Individual Math Contest Practice (12:10)
Wednesday, 11/17........................................................................................Team Math Contest Practice (12:10)
**This is a change...original date was 11/18.**

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Monday, November 28, 2016