We had a fantastic week back after spring break! Looking ahead at this month, we have a lot going on in fifth grade! Between field trips, assemblies, and Little Mermaid practice....our days are filled! Hopefully you have seen the Parent "Commitment" Slip that was sent home on Friday. This will be used to assist us in our 5th Grade Trip planning. Commitment slips are due back by Wednesday, April 26th.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we began Unit 8, Fractions and Ratios. Students compared and ordered fractions, and reviewed adding and subtracting whole and mixed numbers. In addition, we learned how to multiply fractions.
READING WORKSHOP:
Poetry began last week in fifth grade! Our interactive read aloud lessons focused on what we notice about poetry. We learned that readers pay attention to the look of poetry. Students noticed the variety of ways that poems are structured and how they affect the meaning of a poem. Next, we payed attention to the techniques writers use to create sound in poetry. Students examined the roles of rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia in poetry. We also learned that readers use the words on a page to create images in our minds. Students practiced visualizing as we listened to "Imagine a Place" by Sarah L. Thomson. We enjoyed this poem so much that we created our own "Imagine a Place" poems and illustrations to create a class book! Finally this week, students determined the author's purpose, inspiration, and big idea of poems from "Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our final WEX unit of the year, Writing Short Fiction, began last week! Students used observations to create a believable character, and spent the week getting to know their characters by putting them into mundane situations and describing their interactions.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
After finishing our study of the Diverse People of the West before spring break, we enthusiastically began our Pioneers simulation. First, our class elected Wagon Train masters. Congratulations to Jordan, Xander, Clare, Abby, and Joey on being chosen among their peers as our class leaders! Next, students formed wagon trains and chose their pioneer identities. Pioneers were then faced with the difficult decision of which supplies to take with them on their journey. Narrowing down their supplies to 1000 BWUs (bulk weight units) proved to be super challenging, but they were able to persevere! Finally, students completed their first diary entry, trail decision, and frontier fates to move across the Hacker Trail!
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will continue moving through Unit 8 this week in math. Students will practice multiplying fractions and mixed numbers.
READING WORKSHOP:
Our Poetry unit will continue this week!
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students will continue exploring short fiction this week. We will create believable problems and rising action.
SOCIAL SCIENCE:
We will continue working in our wagon trains to move (hopefully!) across the Hacker Trail.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 4/12.......................................................................................Spring Photos *Wear 5th Grade Shirt*
Friday, 4/14......................................................................................................No School
Monday, 4/17...................................................................................................TMS Field Trip (AM)
Tuesday, 4/25..............................................................................................Global Design Day
Wednesday, 4/26.....................................................................................5th Grade Trip Commitment Slips Due!
Friday, 4/28....................................................................................................Robert Crown: Life Begins (PM)
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we began Unit 8, Fractions and Ratios. Students compared and ordered fractions, and reviewed adding and subtracting whole and mixed numbers. In addition, we learned how to multiply fractions.
READING WORKSHOP:
Poetry began last week in fifth grade! Our interactive read aloud lessons focused on what we notice about poetry. We learned that readers pay attention to the look of poetry. Students noticed the variety of ways that poems are structured and how they affect the meaning of a poem. Next, we payed attention to the techniques writers use to create sound in poetry. Students examined the roles of rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia in poetry. We also learned that readers use the words on a page to create images in our minds. Students practiced visualizing as we listened to "Imagine a Place" by Sarah L. Thomson. We enjoyed this poem so much that we created our own "Imagine a Place" poems and illustrations to create a class book! Finally this week, students determined the author's purpose, inspiration, and big idea of poems from "Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our final WEX unit of the year, Writing Short Fiction, began last week! Students used observations to create a believable character, and spent the week getting to know their characters by putting them into mundane situations and describing their interactions.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
After finishing our study of the Diverse People of the West before spring break, we enthusiastically began our Pioneers simulation. First, our class elected Wagon Train masters. Congratulations to Jordan, Xander, Clare, Abby, and Joey on being chosen among their peers as our class leaders! Next, students formed wagon trains and chose their pioneer identities. Pioneers were then faced with the difficult decision of which supplies to take with them on their journey. Narrowing down their supplies to 1000 BWUs (bulk weight units) proved to be super challenging, but they were able to persevere! Finally, students completed their first diary entry, trail decision, and frontier fates to move across the Hacker Trail!
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will continue moving through Unit 8 this week in math. Students will practice multiplying fractions and mixed numbers.
READING WORKSHOP:
Our Poetry unit will continue this week!
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students will continue exploring short fiction this week. We will create believable problems and rising action.
SOCIAL SCIENCE:
We will continue working in our wagon trains to move (hopefully!) across the Hacker Trail.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 4/12.......................................................................................Spring Photos *Wear 5th Grade Shirt*
Friday, 4/14......................................................................................................No School
Monday, 4/17...................................................................................................TMS Field Trip (AM)
Tuesday, 4/25..............................................................................................Global Design Day
Wednesday, 4/26.....................................................................................5th Grade Trip Commitment Slips Due!
Friday, 4/28....................................................................................................Robert Crown: Life Begins (PM)