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
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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